What's up?

Hey all,
I s'pose most of you have given up checking this blog, it has been so long since I have posted here! But just in case there are a couple of you still out there, occasionally checking to see if I am alive, I will post a bit of an update for you.

First, some news about the Girl. Since I have written here, she has had 2 group recitals, one for her piano teacher, and one for the Seattle Music Teacher's Association (SMTA), which was held at Soundbridge. Both went smashingly well, and the Godparents even made it to one of them, which was fabulous for the Girl.

She is currently working on her registration paperwork for Interlochen Summer Camp, which we hope to have turned in by the first of December. She has already completed the audition tape, so we are almost ready. She is so excited by the thought of this camp, I am already praying and hoping she makes it in again, and that this time, she gets the scholarship.

And about the Boy. In October, he competed at his first speech and debate tounament, participating in the novice devision, doing an HI (Humorous interpretation). It was a small tournament, and I went too, providing rides, sandwiches, pancakes, and support for the kids. IT was a lot of fun, for both of us, and (insert trumpets) THE BOY TOOK FIRST PLACE IN HI! He got a great trophy, and was lifted off the ground by his fellow teammates, and was just estatic. It was so very cool to see him do so very well at something, and to feel so good about himself. It can sometimes get hard for him- his sister has always been good at piano, and he has really struggled with finding something he excels at. We are very proud.

Anyhow, back to my Boy brag- His coaches pulled me aside before we left the tournament, to tell me how well Boy really did- that it was very unusual for a novice to get a first place in their first ever tournament, and that they were bumping him up to Varsity level. So, less than a month later, Boy competed at his next tournament, and in HI, he took THIRD! Can you believe it!? The whole family went to support him this time- it was a much larger tournament, and the Girl and the Papa Dude had to hide out, the noise level was too much for them. He also competed in the congress event, but didn't place there. I didn't watch that one, so don't know how it works. Next time.

Another thing happening with the Boy, is that he is helping out his band teacher. His Band teacher, has been having seizures, which they now think are do to a medication he was taking. I have been picking Boy and Mr. BandMan up after school and taking them to BandMan's home. Boy keeps BandMan company till his wife comes home, and Boy gets some math and horn tutoring in exchange. It is good in lots of ways. Community service, one on one bonding and tutoring with a great teacher, etc. The thing is, the Boy is missing out on Speech and Debate class in order to be with Mr. BandMan. Isn't he an amazing young man? I really like the person he is becoming more and more each day. We are very proud of him.

The last thing I can tell you about the Boy, is that we have decided that at the end of this semester (end of January), he will be going to the high school full time. This decision has been a long time coming, and was really hard for me (us) to make, but now that we have had some time to adjust to the idea, we are all feeling pretty optimistic about it. The Boy has some time now to catch up and to finish some subjects I can give him credit for before he starts, and he has time to get used to the idea. Wish him (us) luck and success in this new venture of his.

I could write more, but need to get in bed. Just wanted to let you in on the important, good stuff happening here!
Mistress LB