Fall decorating with natural outdoor elements!~

Good morning ladies!

(Alex again on the far right)

First off, a HUGE thank you for all of the well wishes and good luck to my son Alex!

Fort Mill band came in 1st place yesterday, pretty impressive for their FIRST competition.
The field conditions were awful as you can see! Kids were slipping and sliding all over.
The dirty knee is actually not because they fell, they had to kneel at one point.

Fort Mill HS band had the largest group, with 153 students in the marching band
 (including color guard)

It was a very, very long day.
 All the bands participating did a phenomenal job!

However, Fort Mill out shined them according to the judging.

We rolled in around 2:30 am, so needless to say not a lot of UMPH! today.

This year with my Fall decorating, I wanted to bring more outdoor nature indoors.

As you know we have a beautiful tree filled back yard.

I made a wreath this year,and I can't wait to share it with you.

It of course was inspired by the great outdoors.

What do you think about decorating with natural elements opposed to faux?

Don't get me wrong, I love my faux here and there, but honestly, I over did it many years back, as I tend to do sometimes.
 I tend to shy away now from not so much.

See you all later on for the NEWBIE party!

I see a lot of you gals are getting the hang of this blogging thang!
Thank you for turning OFF word verification.
I even see my friends out here telling you to turn it off!
thanks all, we will all get the hang of this sooner or later.

Big day Today~

Today my boy is off to his first band competition in Columbia, South Carolina~ He is a bit nervous to say the least.  We are heading up there as well and look forward to seeing how they make out.  

My poor boy had to get a shot yesterday for STREP throat. I never even heard of a shot for strep throat.  But because he is old enough, and because he had this competition today, the nurse said there is no choice, bend over kid! 

(Alex on the far right)

 He is extremely run down and it all caught up with him.  He said the shot was killer, and he never ever had one that hurt so bad.  I will say it kicked in quickly, and he is ready for today!~

Ever hear of the strep throat shot?

Gotta run now girls and get ready for the big day.

Did I mention, the kids will not be home until 1:15 am.  

Crazy right?

Marching Band, I'm a proud Mama!

To do, or NOT to do, was the big question when entering High School! 

 Alex had been part of the band program in Middle school from 6th to 8th grade.  Funny story, when he started in 6th grade he played the flute.

  

Why the band teacher chose that for him, the only BOY mind you, we will never know.  

However, he stuck it out, but refused to play the flute going into 7th grade.  

That summer I took him for Trombone lessons at our local high school and he loved it so stuck with trombone for 7th and 8th grade.

The end of 8th grade you are faced to make the decision to join Marching band or NOT when becoming a Freshman.  Mind you it is only for the children who have been with band already.  You just can't decide to take band starting High School.

The reason it is such a HUGE decision, is because of the time, commitment and dedication YOU must show towards this program.  Our district takes band to a level I never dreamed.

The Fort Mill Band program began in 1949

Alex's hours in a week are more than some put in a full time work week.  

Our district has been winning State Championships and high rankings since 1972.

Alex is the 6th boy in who is actually looking quite stoic and serious looking up at the crowd.

They all look serious.  Last night was the first live performance of the show for Parents to come and see at the foot ball stadium.  

To say it gave me goose bumps, brought tears to my eyes, is an understatement.

I am proud of this group.  They are all amazing young children who have worked so hard.

This year's theme is Vertigo, which was influenced by Alfred Hitchcock's movie I believe in the early 60's.

Hence the color guards funky outfits.  These girls looked adorable.

ONE of them is my sons girlfriend. YES, this year he has his first girlfriend.

LOTS of changes in our house!

The moves, march, dance, play, twirls, twists, etc....
 it all really knocks your socks off.

How the instructors keep it together is beyond me, and how these kids were taught in such a large group is even more baffling.

This years competition is in AKRON, OHIO!
Wish us Luck!

My boy is growing up, and experiencing life in  a way I never did.  I am so proud and excited for him

XO

Have a great day girls, see you later for the newbie party.