Valentine's and responsibility

For Valentine's I made my two boy's scones and shakes.  I also decided it was time to get Zachary a cell phone, and the one I selected happened to be red, so it went with the theme.  It's a basic phone with texting and calls.  He doesn't need much more as we work on responsibility.  I don't expect he will go over minutes or texts because he is not a social butterfly looking to visit with friends.  But he does need to be able to call us and make contact with family if necessary.

Bed head so early in the morning!

I guess I should confess, I really got the phone for me.  He likes to wonder around school and visit with teachers after he has finished in 7th period.  I figured a phone might help me find him a bit faster than tracking through the whole school looking for him.  So far, he hasn't gone to visit anyone lately, so we haven't had to use it.  But on the good side, he hasn't lost it and remembered to take it to school every day.  I've told him to turn the ringer off as he gets out for school, but who knows if he is.  His 7th period teacher said he would remind him to turn the ringer on at the end of school.  Just one of the perks of a little private school...teacher's often go above the call of duty. 

I think his favorite part is the camera.  He loves to take pictures of whatever he happens to be interested in at the time.  If you think of it, send him a text.  We are working on how to respond and loading in contacts.  Everything is a process, but I'm thankful he is willing and able to learn.  713-876-86xx (text me the rest)

English horn reed

As we were packing up after our oboe lesson, Zachary asked his teacher if he could see her box of dud reeds.  These are reeds that just didn't work out for some reason and the staple can be re-used to make another reed.  As he was sifting through it, they came across a piece of English Horn cane.  His teacher knew he would want it, so she offered it to him.  Of course he said, "I need a staple."  And she caved and gave him one of hers.

We proceeded to gather our stuff and they talked reed measurements as we left, since the English horn reed is longer and would have different measurements.  Not much was discussed and we headed home.

After that, there wasn't much more on his mind than to tie that reed.  And tie he did, and actually, it was absolutely beautiful when he finished it.  I will say, we had to look at a few online images, but that only clarified some measurements for him.  There is not much on the web on English horn reeds. 

He was so pleased of himself!

First Solo & Ensemble contest

Tuesday was Zachary's first solo and ensemble contest.  This is all new for us since neither parent has had any involvement in choir or band.  We have been lucky to meet an oboe instructor in the Clear Lake area that has pointed us to a school she works with.  They have allowed us to participate in their Region auditions and now their solo and ensemble.  I have since learned that the private schools may have a solo opportunity for Zachary as well.

As I signed him up, the teacher at the Intermediate school asked me what class the music was. I had no clue what that meant, but come to find out, Zachary was playing an easy Class I piece.  I figured Class I was the easiest grouping...nope, it's the hardest.  It was then I think I began to feel a bit more nervous.

My friend played as his accompanist.  She was very impressed from the first practice, so I figured that was a good sign.  Jennifer was instrumental in walking Zachary through the steps and allowing him to practice what the contest would be like.  And she was so giving of her time to come to our house and play with him on three separate occasions. 

When he played on Tuesday, Jennifer said the judge looked up very surprised.  And her comments were nothing but nice.  He received a rating of a 1, which is a Superior rating, so he received a little medal.  He said, "I've officially received a medal."  It was sweet, and he was proud of himself in a humble sort of way.  I said he could wear it to school, and he said he would look like an oddball.  :)

By the way, I'm not sure why it is called a contest.  You are playing a piece, and receive a rating.  That is it.  Zachary kept thinking he was going to win something.  I think he hoped it would be money.

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An Old Find Equals New Fun

We were at my mom's over Christmas break and Zachary found a sleeping mask I had sewn in Girl Scouts.  I'm not sure where he found it, but this is how I found him. 

He thought he would pose.

He made me giggle when I found him.  I'm not sure if he slept with it on or not, but he slept until about 11am the next morning.