Days with the Dorans

  After Bayshore we had a day to recover and then we headed home so that the Big Boys could march in the Memorial Day parade! You can see a video of them HERE .

More band but this time it was our high school boys! Z had his first band festival (you can see that HERE ) and Joe had his last band festival (you can see that HERE ). With Covid still alive and well we had people stay home and I recorded it. Joe did run into some of his besties who came home from college to listen which I thought was so cool!  

The Collage Concert is always a great show! It's kind of a hodge podge of band, orchestra, and choir but it really does get you in the holiday spirit. The kids get to wear festive hats and I have to say that Zach's may have been my favorite because he was so easy to spot! Fortunately we went to the first of the concerts. There was a tragic shooting the day before in Oxford (not too far from us) and because of copy-cat threats, the rest of the concerts (and school) was canceled for a bit. I was thankful we had this time but understand why the district shut down school. Can you see him? Back- right-ish? Joey was a bit harder but he's in there too- back row all the way to the left! I love sitting up in the balcony. I don't know why, I just do.

Concerts are back! It was great to hear my boys playing music again on the stage. Of course with Covid everyone is SUPPOSED to wear a mask. I was shocked by how many jerks in the audience blatantly sat with no mask in sight. It's sad how little people care about their fellow human- and gosh it made me mad but... I exhaled, into my mask, and focused on the good. While we were waiting, my budding author shared a teaser for his latest book. I had to include this in here because, well, Sean's a great writer and it's how we pass time while waiting for the show to begin. There were four bands that played. Zach was in the freshman band and they played first and sounded great! Zach loves playing that trombone and it was fun to see him all dressed up in his tux. Then there were two symphony bands and then wind ensemble, which was Joey's band. It was a good thing there was space between Joe and Z because Joe somehow lost his tie and had to borrow Zach's. Sigh, and he's su...

A bit bitter sweet to see Joey march for the last time! He decided he doesn't want to march in college. I certainly am going to miss it. It was hat day which meant it was easy to find your Knight. Joey had a Flamingo on his head and Zach was in a Wizard hat though he took off and I couldn't find him later. I got the selfie above from Joe. Ali was there with friends too and Ellie posted this on Instagram so that was two pictures of kids that I got! Someone got this picture of Zach so I felt like the bases were covered! It was a rainy day and we ALWAYS leave right after halftime! It's one of the major perks of having drivers! That was the plan except that the Drapals came to watch the last game. They got their right before half time so they wanted to stay a bit longer which I get... Nana and Papa left after halftime (smart) but the rest of us weathered the storm- quite literally. You can see a a video of the night (and rain) HERE . It's so nice to be able to find them wit...

It kind of blows my mind that our kids are still learning and doing school from home. Especially band! I'm so proud of Z! Here is a video of him.  

  Even though the kids aren't IN school, they certainly are still doing it. I found this video of Z playing (he must have had to turn in a video) on my phone. And likewise... we got a concert from my favorite fourth grader. School has been interesting for him because I'm finding I need to be more on top of him and help him with questions and things. I love that he has his own instrument to play too. I wonder what he will choose when it comes time for middle school!

It's crazy how big Zach's 7th grade band is and how crowded the auditorium gets for the concerts. Again we eventually found a seat together in the balcony.  Thankfully we were able to zoom in on him and he's easy to spot. He does like playing that horn and it's fun to hear him practice but also to see what it sounds like with all of the parts together. I took a video of him playing that you can see HERE . I can't believe he's almost done. Pretty soon we'll be heading off to Cedar Point with the band. I can't wait! Nana wasn't able to make it but Da Papa did! We're all so proud of the Goose! Great job, Zach!

'Tis the season of concerts. The day after the 8th grade concert, it was time to watch the 6th (Zach) and 7th grade band concerts. The place was PACKED!!! The 7th grade band is HUGE!! Not only were we in the LAST row of the balcony, we didn't have seats for everyone so the boys stood behind us! And no- I wasn't running in late! We got there early when Z was supposed to arrive.  There is a perk with Z being tiny- he's easy to spot! He was second from the end with the trombones (who were the last row). We were far away so needless to say, the photos weren't great. Nana needs to bring her awesome camera next time! I know I've said this before, but one year of playing an instrument sounded great and I am amazed at how these teachers can get these kids playing like they do! You can hear Z's concert HERE . Z's fan club thought he was great and his buddy Mitchell came to say hi so I did take a picture of them. Proud of these boys! Can't wa...