Days with the Dorans

    We were so excited to hear Ali's Orchestra Festival. We knew a little what to expect having gone to Joey's band concert last year but or course orchestra is a little different.  It started in the auditorium where we went and listened to them perform some prepared pieces that they had been working on in class. You can hear that performance by clicking HERE . I of course loved it but may be a little biased. I was a bit sad knowing that this would be one of Ali's last performances~ though her teacher asked her to audition for a higher orchestra, Ali has decided she doesn't want to play anymore so she can take some other classes she is interested in. I'm going to miss her playing and hope that she will still pick it up from time to time. After the performance, we followed them into the Orchestra Room where they were given a piece of music that they had never seen and had to sight-read and perform it. This part always amazes me. We weren't allowed to video in tha...

 The Collage Concert was a great concert again~ Orchestra, Band, and choirs all do their thing and it's so nice. Ali was first chair viola (big potatoes) and I'm embarrassed to say that I didn't see her. The orchestra she was in I thought had kids that looked too old but I forgot they're all mixed in together (sorry Ali). She felt bad, I felt worse but she forgave me and I found this picture that someone posted. Joey played too and we did find him (but I deleted all pictures once I realized I missed Ali and felt awful). It was such a fun concert with a sing-along to boot. It was a long week for me with conferences yesterday so this was a wonderful way to end the week (and now I can sleep...). Great job, Bigs! (Not sure why we didn't get a picture with the Littles or Nana and Papa... All were in attendance.

And just like that it was time for Ali's first high school concert of the year. It was Halloween themed (even though it was a bit AFTER Halloween). The nice thing was there were no warnings about not taping so I got THIS video of the concert which was cool since Nana couldn't be there. It was pretty crowded because the Orchestra teacher is at both WLN and WLC. The cool thing is this meant that my friend Nan and her amazing camera were also at the concert. She didn't spot Al right away (and of course she was taking pictures of her kiddo). But she did eventually find her and she shared these pictures with me! So lucky! Joe was excited to see Ryan too. They've been good friends but haven't seen each other as much since they go to different schools and have such busy schedules! It was a great concert but also wonderful to see an old friend! Great job, Al! Can't wait for your next performance!

It's hard to believe that it's Ali's LAST orchestra concert. I'm still amazed at all she has learned these last 3 years but I'm not surprised because she adored her orchestra teacher. Mrs. White was a wonderful teacher and was so good to "Ali D" always! Ali has decided to continue in orchestra in high school! Can't wait to hear her next year. HERE is a video from Al's concert. Her fan club all thought she was GREAT!!!

 We got to see/hear Ali play in her second orchestra concert. In the first concert she combined with other orchestras but this one featured the band from her school and the orchestra. I'm always amazed at how well they do after only playing a few years. I took a video of the concert HERE . 'Tis the season of concerts and I love that the kids are able to support each other and attend (Al often missed last year because of dance). Z did put his book away during his sister's part (mostly under the glare of his mama).  Nana was watching the Drapal kids but Papa was able to make it! I laughed because when he took a picture of our family he was confused and had it pointed at him with us seeing the screen. I love how we laugh together. It's also been sweet to see these two grow closer (I think) as Ali ends her 8th grade year and Joey his 9th. They have some over-lapping friendships now too which is fun (for now)! Great job, sister! You were great!

 So I mentioned in a recent post about Ali's orchestra concert (I'm playing catch-up in the blog dept) that Nan sent me some pictures and I lost them because I got a new phone. I asked her if there was a chance she still had them and she did!! So here are a few more of Ali! Nan didn't even know that Ali was there until she spotted her at the end leaving the stage! Ryan plays for WLC! She was able to zoom in super close and get that picture of Ali (below). She has such an amazing camera! The top picture is the picture she zoomed in from! After a super long day she immediately sent them to me. There are people out there who just shine and Nan is one of those people! Thank you so much for snapping these pictures!!

 Al's first orchestra concert was great! They combined with Walnut Creek, WLC and WLN! I made a video of her pieces HERE . Nan was there too and got some pics with Al (since Ryan was there) by chance. She texted them to me but I got a new phone so lost them (I'm so bummed). I'm hoping she may still have them. Al was in an odd mood that night so no pictures with the family. I know she felt bad about her moodiness later so I'm hoping there'll be some smiley pictures with perhaps some family in it the next time!

I really should have brought my good camera for shots here (or my moms). Nana wasn't able to make it for this concert because she was at a retirement party for one of my former teachers (who I also used to babysit for). It's OK though- the concert was 6th AND 7th grade and it was packed in the middle school gym!!! YUCK! The set up wasn't horrible- they had 6th grade on one side and 7th on the other. We could hear little kids running under the bleachers which was super annoying but they eventually stopped. Joe got to see some of his friends in the audience so he was happy. Even though Nana couldn't come, Papa did! The first thing Al said was, "Where's Nana?" which I think made my mom feel happy and a bit sad. We're so lucky that they are so close and can make these sorts of things! The orchestra did great! You can see/hear them by clicking HERE . I'm happy she's sticking with it. We have some plans for pieces she, Joe and Jeff can...

 Yes... You're reading that. It's our THIRD concert in EIGHT days!! Al had to leave dance 15 minutes early (which caused some drama, but we survived) and arrived a wee bit late to her rehearsal (but in plenty of time for the show). Her orchestra teacher was a dance mom so is incredibly understanding! Who was not quite as understanding was Seany... He (and Zach) are such troopers as we cart them around to the Bigs' activities. I had to laugh when it came time to snap a couple pictures and he went over and did what I wish I could... Can you see him over there? Nana and Papa were able to come as was Papa's cousin Michael (which was really cool). Michael just moved to our side of town so was excited to see what the schools were about. He's so nice and we were glad he could come. He offered to take a big pic of all of us, but we have our traditions! ;-) You can click HERE to hear the concert. They did great!

The only down side of the snow day was the possible cancellation of Ali's concert. I was originally not going to be able to see it since it was on the day of conferences but as the day went on, the roads were cleared and the concert was a GO! Our first chair (yes!!! soooo proud of her) viola was so excited because the make-up day was on her long dance day and she was NOT wanting to make-up all those classes! The concert was in the gym which was PACKED because it was for 7th AND 8th grade! We stood between both sides of the bleachers which actually made it easy for us to see our girl and for Joe to see all his friends (most of them are in the orchestra). I looked at it as a win-win even though at first I was annoyed.  Nana and Papa came out for it too. I taped her concert HERE . I did a good job timing my coughing to applause times and had my kleenex box in hand (as you can see below). Teachers can't be sick but moms REALLY can't be sick. Proud of our little musi...