Tony's Band Update

Tony’s band has started their competition schedule so not only do they have football games on Friday nights, but (at least) every other Saturday they have one maybe two competitions.  I do not have a schedule, but I will let you know when I do see one.

The first competition was last Saturday and was in Springfield.  Tony was really excited as they basically “won everything” was the report I got.  They took first in visuals, technical, music, etc and were Grand Champions!  So it was a lot of fun for them.

I think his bubble was popped a bit on Monday when they reviewed the tapes from the performance and Mr. Stevens was pointing out where they could do better next time.  Tony walked away with the “we were horrible” message, but hopefully that is tempered a bit.  I suspect everyone’s performance is a bit rusty the first time out.

They compete again a week from Saturday, but I am not sure where.  They have a 2pm and then a 7pm competition.

 

 

Starting early ...

This cold and flu season is starting early for us.  First Kristen with her mysterious virus that lasted for a long time.  Then I was down with something this weekend and now Emily woke up this morning complaining that her neck hurt (translation: throat hurt) and she has a fever.  She Brian is home with her and is taking her into the doctor’s office at 12:30pm as she has been exposed to strep, so we want to make sure she doesn’t have that.

It just feels too early to be starting this …

 

 

Band Performance

Brian went to Tony's band performance last night and video taped it. I have uploaded it for anyone that wants to see it. (If you get these updates emailed to you, you are going to have to visit the website to see the video http://www.donatokids.com/blog)

Tony points out that this is not their entire set as they still have another song that they are working on and will add.

At the beginning Brian has no clue where Tony is, but he eventually finds him.

No Mono

Kristen does not have mono. Whew!

She went back to the doctor's and the test had come back negative. As did the strep test. They do not really know what she had.

However, the fever has broke and she is starting to feel better, so she is back at school. Now she just needs to catch up from what she missed.

Sick

Kristen is sick.  Actually, has been and still is.  She went to the doctor’s office on Monday and there is a chance that this is mono.  I am unclear on all the details.  Sounds like they ran a strep test but not a mono test and are going to watch her and see if the symptoms persist?  I am not sure if she has a follow-up appointment, if the strep test was the 5 minute one or the send away one and they are still waiting results.  It is confusing.
She is still running a fever and until it goes away, she cannot return to school as she is contagious.  If this is mono, the fever can last for a couple of weeks.  Which is really, really bad way to start out freshman year of high school.
Hopefully, she will turn a corner soon and start to feel better.  Until she does, no school and no sports.  And, basically, no contact with people that she does not need to be in contact with.
We will keep you posted!

 

 

Blood, Sweat and No Tears?

Emily had her first soccer game of the season yesterday. She is on the Fire this year and has a lot of girls on her team that she knows from school and that live in the neighborhood.

This year they start playing 6-on-6 on a 40x60 field instead of 4-on-4 format that they have been playing on a 25x45 field. So, quite a big jump for the girls. And they are now playing positions and having to keep track of a lot more. It is fun to watch, but a bit confusing for the girls for their first game. But the girls did great! I lost track of the score, but it was a whole lot to zero by the end of the game.

At one point in the game, Emily got the ball at mid-field and dribbled it down all by herself and shot and scored a goal!! It was so exciting! I had the camera in my hand, but was so excited watching it all unfold that I forgot to take pictures. She did great!

Towards the end of the game, Emily got hit in the mouth with a ball. Holding her mouth with her hand she came out of the game and the coach motioned for us to come over. Brian ran over to the players side and immediately brought her over to us, so I knew something wasn't good. When she got to us, I could see that her mouth was bleeding but Emily was uncharacteristically calm. A friend gave us tissues and we started to clean her up to figure out the source of the blood. I got her a bit cleaned up and realized that her wiggly tooth was just laying in the socket, no longer attached, and was the culprit. I dabbed at it a couple of times and told Emily to hold the tissues there and she said she didn't need them and then informed us that she wanted to go back into the game.

What? Who is this child and where did my drama child go? Never mind. I am quite proud of this one. As it turned out, the game was basically over by the time she got back to the sidelines and I don't know that she saw anymore playing time but I was just proud of her for handling it so maturely and wanting to get back in there!

My little girl is growing up!

Dance Machine!

Tony's marching band finally got to perform for the first time last week. The first game was cancelled due to the weather (actually, it was played on a Saturday, but the band did not play). As part of their performance, they put down their instruments and have dance moves to perform. I haven't seen it yet, but it reminds me of the OU band doing their dance moves. Brian went to the game last week and did capture a picture of Tony doing the dance moves.

This Friday the game is away and they perform in full uniform for the first time this season. We are not traveling to this game as it is a ways away.

It is fun to listen to Tony get excited about band this year. He purchased a new (better) trumpet and is taking lessons from one of the band assistants after school one day per week. Just this week, he practiced and tried out for a "stand out" part (like a solo, only it is a group of them that stand together and perform). He did not get it, but the fact that he worked hard and attempted it was an inspiring change. And his attitude after he learned that he did not get the stand out part really shows how much he has matured recently.