Our town is a huge supporter of the arts in our schools...band, choir, orchestra, writing and visual arts are all sponsored at the schools and at one time or another throughout the year a concert or workshop or show will be held and the people of town and the proud parents can see their children's accomplishments.
On Monday our town had their annual ALL CITY BAND CONCERT for all the student's who play a band instrument in 6-12th grades, which meant about 800 kids! We have 4 middle schools and 2 high schools in town and the concert is divided up by grade (not school), so all the 6th graders play together, all the 7th graders, 8th graders, 9-10th graders and 11-12th graders and then a jazz band is formed from the 9-12th graders. Each group played a song and then the whole group of 8oo played the final song together...They were GREAT!!!
Before the concert began...my son plays the clarinet, which he loves and is actually pretty good at...just think how good he would be if he practiced!
About a 1/4 of the stadium they were in...
Playing their 1st song..."Castles in Spain" by Frank Ericson
The second song, "American Testament" arranged by Jerry Neil Smith
His music teacher is letting him try the bassoon now that All City is over and he is excited. He will have to learn the music for both since he still has one more concert for his school in May.
Our next show is the City Art Show, where my Youngest will have one of his pictures showing! My kids are so talented!!!
This is my Youngest and his artwork. It's a fingerpainted red-bud tree.
This is some of the other art from his school. The city has a lot of talented children. The artwork was spectacular and the teachers who work with these kids are awesome. I love our school district!
At least it's a new mower and self-propelled to boot! If I can mow (and I usually do) he can do it! Maybe I will have to start paying him an allowance now....Bummer!
Happy Easter Everyone! He is Risen! Give Joy and Give Thanks!
My Youngest
The church hid 2 special eggs. Whoever found those eggs won a bike. Both eggs were found by cute little girls at church. After the end of the hunt, this little girl offered up her special egg to a boy who did not have a bike. My Oldest pushed my Youngest forward and had him go speak to the girl. She gave him her egg (she was so sweet and when I asked her if she was sure she said she had 3 bikes at home!), so my Youngest came home from the hunt with a bike!
Easter Morning at our house:
Their Easter baskets with outdoor toys!
My Youngest had a 15 second head start on finding the hidden candy. My Oldest used his basket as a hat while he waited.
The candy the Easter Bunny hid around the living room.
Bradford Pear tree across the street...I caught it too late, it's already turning green. When they're all white it's beautiful.
My creeping phlox is starting.
This is a new one from late last year and I don't remember the name. It's going to be covered in purple flowers soon.
Dianthus...bunch 1 of about 100 found around my yard.
The pansies!
My daffodils are usually the last in the neighborhood to bloom. These are mine.
My poor Weigela bush...this bush is usually the 1st to bloom, throw in a couple of days of 60+ weather and it throws up it's orange flowers...it did this all winter because we would have a couple days of gorgeous weather followed by a snow storm...it's turning green now. 
My neighbor's tulips...the tulips are just starting to bloom. She has some pretty ones in her yard. 
Before the concert began...my son plays the clarinet, which he loves and is actually pretty good at...just think how good he would be if he practiced!
About a 1/4 of the stadium they were in...
Playing their 1st song..."Castles in Spain" by Frank Ericson
The second song, "American Testament" arranged by Jerry Neil Smith
