The end is near

Megan has loved marching band. 

And the season is coming to an end. Its bittersweet...mostly bitter.  I think she'd be happy to participate in a front ensemble of some type for the rest of her life. 

Tonight was her Lights Out show....they play the entire piece in the dark, from memory!

Check it out...I spy a cute clarinetist in the stands!

My days of crying at football games aren't over!

The shortest marching season & Mathew's Senior Moment

I feel bad for ever complaining about the many rehearsals and festivals involved with the Falcon Regiment's regular marching season. The kids love it. And they feel like they are part of this awesome program. 

This year we are really missing it. Their season was pared down to just a handful of outdoor, socially distanced rehearsals. 

And the season was completely cancelled. 

No festivals. No competitions. No field show. 

So what they were left with was two home football games. They were arranged 6 feet apart on the track. It wasn't what it was...but it was something!

Mathew on the bass drum!

Megan on marimba!

During halftime, they were able to go out on to the field and perform the songs they chose from Queen. It wasn't what we're used to, but it's something!

And because it's Mathew's last season, they recognized him and the other senior with a photo on the big scoreboard. If he had had the opportunity, he would have stood and said that he is graduating early in December and then doing his first semester of college in April. (At least I think that's what he would have said...the kids always seem to surprise me). 

Look how old he's looking! 

 

Head Shot

Mathew is a senior!

It's a monumental thing...and it's been totally hijacked by this insane year. So many of the rituals and traditions that he would experience in his final year simply won't occur.

Prom?

Probably not.

Senior sluff day?

How do you sluff from your living room?

His final year of marching band would have included the big final concert and the opportunity to stand and announce his post-graduation plans. There won't be a final concert and there really isn't much of a marching season. But this Saturday there is a football game and the seniors will have their photo put up on the giant screen and they'll let him step forward and Mark and I will be able to stand up in the stands.

It's not what it was....but it's something!

I guess that might as well be our 2020 motto: "It's not what it was, but it's something!"

And anyway...pretty great to have his cute mug on the jumbotron!

Marching season begins!

It's Megan's first year in the Falcon Regiment! She is super nervous and loving the challenge. 

This year's show is called "Sweet Dreams"

It's going to be a great season!

Florida...unchaperoned

The marching band is heading to Florida. They are going to run all around and have the time of their lives.  I feel a little nervous. But, I mean, how much trouble can this group get into??

Don't actually answer that question.

Old Settler's Parade 2018

Ethan decided not to take marching band this year, so Mathew is on his own in the Olathe South Falcon Regiment. He's looking sharp in his uniform!

We dropped him off and went to find a spot to wiggle into. Shockingly, we found a prime spot by the port-a-potties! The kids even managed to grab some candy!

There's Mathew! Why do I always guess wrong on the side of the road we should be on??

Here comes Megan!! She's rocking the snare...oh, her poor knees! But this time we were on the right side of the road...I guess 1 out of 2 ain't bad!

And back home to swap our candy! It's like a Halloween warm-up!

Old Settler's 2017

And viola! Back from my wonderful trip to Europe and home just in time to go to Old Settler's.

The girlies with their notebooks. I love love love that wherever we go, all they need is some paper and something to write with and they are occupied. 

Megan!!! Look her at her rocking that snare! Little did I know that carrying that drum on her shoulders was crazy hard and her legs got bruises where it hit the bottom lip over and over. Ouch!

Ethan is looking very disciplined (and tan) in his Falcon Regiment uniform. Mathew is a freshman this year, so he doesn't join the marching band until he's a sophomore. Little breakie!

I continued my perfect record of weeping at all marching band performances. I tell you...it's unstoppable!