I'm still beaming this morning. My oldest, who is now a 9th grader, tried out for All-state District IV (Jefferson and Shelby Counties) Honor Band yesterday. More than 50 of the best high school trombone players from the area tried out, and he was one of 13 who made it. Given the schools and resources available in this area, this is a big accomplishment for him, especially given all the upper classmen that he had to compete against as well. Thanks for letting me brag a little. He deserves it for all the hard work he put in over the last 6 months to be prepared.My oldest (13) is first chair trombone. He's survived 4 challenges thus far this school year. He was selected for UAB Honor Band and placed third chair in the top honor band last week (out of 32 total trombones who tried out). It's great when good things happen for your children because it helps to reinforce the good habits that got 'em there.
Since we are updatingA houseful of Girls..... Our oldest is a Junior in College -- going to complete her final year in France (Mama's not happy)
Two in 10th Grade, One in 8th Grade -- all Honor Roll kids -- great job with Grades...
One of the 10th Graders and the 8th Grader are in their 10th year of Dance.....
The other 10th Grader plays Guitar, Piano, and her Mother's nerves.....
All three are in Competition Speech/Forensics -- and after 5 tournaments have brought home a combined 23 trophies......qualifying for state in 10 total events....so far.....
The 8th Grader has won 5 trophies -- but she's competing against high school kids (9th-12th grade -- first year our school has allowed the 8th graders to compete)
Proudest moment this year? At a Speech Tournament 3 weeks ago -- in Prose/Poetry (one of the events) -- they swept 1st, 2nd and 3rd place out of the 48 competing....
The 8th Grader won first place. Her sisters (who won 2nd and 3rd) were waiting for her at the edge of the stage with the biggest hug ever, and the audience chanting "SISTERS!!"
Very cool!
ImpressiveSince we are updating
The oldest (now a senior in college, studying in France -- learning to deal with a country that moves at a snail's pace for everything)
Three girls now in High School --
One of the Juniors and the Freshman are now in their 11th year of dance, and teaching this year as well.
The other Junior and the Freshman are 4.0 for all of High School. The other Junior is still dealing with the B she made in Geometry last year -- BUT, she went to Speech Nationals Last year and finished in the Top 24 in the country at the National Tournament in Chicago (out of 255 kids) -- PLUS you have to be in the Top 5 in your state just to qualify.....
This year for Speech -- through 7 tournaments -- (this is not a misprint) -- 55 Trophies combined..... (the Freshman has won 27 by herself -- the other two have 14 each.....) - they each compete in 5 events per tournament....
The Freshman had a "night to remember" in October --winning 1st in 4 separate events (one in Duet Acting with one of her sisters) and 3rd in Duo Performance with the other one of her sisters.....plus winning the Thespian Award for best performance at the Tournament....people still tell me that in 30 years, they'd never seen that happen for one kid, at one tournament, and she's a freshman....
They are gearing up for National Qualifiers taking place in March.....they are practicing hard - very proud.....hopefully good news to share......very soon.
Roll Tide for the "Sisters" --
My kind of topic.
My oldest boy is in First Grade and he loves school. He is very smart and does well in school. We have never had problems with his schoolwork and he always gets good grades.
Our youngest is almost 3. He is such a sweetheart, but can be a stinker at times. Lol. He has a huge vocabulary for his age and is very independent. He is also very athletic and is so excited to start Tball in the spring.
Praying for your little girl!! She sounds like a little fighter so whatever maybe in her belly won't stand a chance! What do you tell her? Just constantly remind her that she is a Blessing and perfect as she is! Blessings to all of you!the wife and I have been blessed with 2 terrific little girls. the 8 yo is sharp as a tack, gets awesome grades, is loving, caring and cannot be outdone by anyone.
let me tell you about the 6 yo. she was born a preemie...weighed 1 lb 10 oz at birth. the OB delivered her and put her in my hand (yes just 1....my baby fit in the palm of my right hand)......made it through 13 weeks in NICU....hooked upto all kinds of medical equipment and IV lines....survived pneumonia while on the ventilator and countless needle stick. now in 1st grade....kinda small (weighs 30 lbs) and looks fragile but has a mean right hook if you cross her and runs everywhere (inside the house and out)......was recently diagnosed with an abdominal mass.....getting ready for surgery....she is the strongest person I have ever met.....physically and mentally. yes she has told me she's tired of all the tests at Childrens Hosp.....but goes through with them anyways. yes she gets tired during the day but she's right back at it once she has her power nap in the afternoon. yes she's tired of all the medicine she's had to take but takes them anyways. and she's even told me and the wife that she's sorry she's caused so much trouble for us because of her health.....what do you tell a 6 yo who has that kind of insight and thought process? she's the best.....she's blessed....God blessed us with her presence and brought her into our lives that we may understand true courage, true strength, true perseverance.
God blessed me with 2 beautiful little girls.
love your children with all your heart and be thankful for their presence in your lives.
They don't talk back, either! Win-Win!!This thread is full of win.
I'm very impressed with everyone who posted.
Much respect - keep up the great work!
Oh no human kids for me...but my furkids are very well behaved, FWIW.
Maybe she'll at least fall in love with a Bama quarterback. Would that help a bit? :biggrin2:I have a 17 year old daughter who is graduating this year and *GASP* is going to Auburn. I know this means I have failed miserably as a parent, but to see the look on her face when her letter finally came--yesterday--it made me realize that there is more to life than a football team, a rivalry, a mascot, trees, a quad--whatever. She started loving Auburn a couple of years after she started dating her boyfriend and I started the mourning then. I knew when she was in 9th grade that she wouldn't end up at Bama and it took 4 years to be ok with it. Anyway, she is happy and that is all that matters. She is beautiful, smart, sweet and to us perfect. She is very social and has the personality of a 2nd child--very "fly by the seat of her pants"--messy, disorganized but loyal and honest. We couldn't be more proud as parents.
My 11 year old is more like a first child. He is a neat freak, obsessed about his grades, likes everything to be perfect. He plays baseball, football and basketball. He is in the 6th grade so next year he will be eligible to play school sports. We are so excited! He plays on a travel baseball team out of Montgomery and we drive up there 2 days a week for practice and play just about every other weekend. He is caring and protective of his friends and cousins. Very responsible for a kid who is just 11. Even though he is very serious most of the time, he has the BEST personality. His friends love him and trust him.
We trust our kids and let them have input on every decision we make as a family. I think our serious but laid back parenting style has worked well for us. Both of our kids get compliments from teachers and other adults who they interact with. I think I am most proud of things like this. People talk about how hard it is to raise kids these days, but I disagree. It has been the biggest blessing and the most fun raising mine.