Straight A's

John won an ipad mini the other day and wanted to give it to Zachary.  I encouraged him to use it as an end of school year gift.  Zachary has been saying he needs one so he can read his library books on it.  I thought, "hmmm, if this would help him, OK, we can do this."  Besides it was no money out of our pocket. 

In May, I had asked Zachary if he felt he deserved anything for getting straight A's.  He promptly said a 12 reed oboe case at H&H Music.  We briefly discussed a previous desire for an ipad mini and that is not what he wanted, at least at this point.  You be the judge based on the pictures whether he was excited about the ipad mini.

He opened it with enthusiasm.

And I quote, "this is not what I wanted."

 

 

 

 

Forced smile for the blog

After a few minutes, I believe he began to realize what he could do with this option.  And then, he was very excited.  However, he's had it for two weeks, and not one book has been read on it.  One can always hope.

Farewell Hans Graf

Have had a few busy days these past weeks with extra added events at school.  We had our Spring banquet, and the band played.  That night made me proud.  Zack had his first "solo," with a few drums and such in the background, but only he was primarily playing.

We went to see a movie the school put together in lieu of a Spring Show last night.  Zachary had a speaking part. The movie was cute, but I missed the Spring Show.

Then after the movie, we headed to the symphony with Zachary's friend Joseph.  The conductor for the classical music is retiring, so this was one of his final concerts.  I expect you are dying to know what was played.  The symphony performed Mahler Symphony No. 2 in C minor (Resurrection).  You're probably humming it now.  Zachary was familiar with the piece, but I had not ever heard it and expect that was much of the audience as well.

I do not have really any pictures to post of these recent events.  Receiving a certificate of participation and taking pictures of movie Zachary was in seem a little out of order for a blog.  So, you get this, and the smile looks painful no less...

Joseph has always been a good friend to Zachary, looking out for him and pointing him in the right direction.  They are moving on to a new school next year, as have two other friends.  But, I'm certain God has something good in store for Zachary and his three friends no matter where they attend school.  We will miss Zachary's friends that he has known since 1st grade, but hope to keep contact with them.

"Best oboe player"

I wasn't sure what to post this week, so I asked Zachary.  He said to post that he was the best oboe player.  I've made attempts at explaining this idea, since he is the only oboe player at school, and how to be careful of pride, etc.  It's not sinking in, so I'm leaving it alone.  What I do like is that he has aspirations and great focus with oboe.  So maybe one day, he will be the "best oboe player."

He asked me to take some pictures of various fingering positions.  So I figured I'd play with my camera.  Not much to see, but his cute blurred grin in the second picture.

Jr. Beta Club car wash, well sorta.

We had our final Jr. Beta Club field trip this week.  The students went to a home where disabled adults live.  They washed their vehicles that they use for various outings.  While they did get the vehicles washed, they also ended up very wet.  Zachary was so proud of himself because he let the girls get him wet.  The members were so kind to consider his reaction.

Dry students

My little guy working hard

Wet students

 Mission accomplished...clean vehicles and fun!

Run with excitement!

We helped with the chess tournament at school again.  Zachary has not played much chess this year at school.  He played for a bit online after chess summer camp, but that fizzled.  Since I was helping, I figured, he needed to play and support the team.  To his delight, he got 3rd place, which was the biggest trophy he has ever received for anything.  He was so excited that he ran up to the stage & skipped off.  The pictures of the chess coach were funny because you can see his expression from Zachary's excitement!  I wish I had gotten it on video.

CLCS team trophy

Zachary and Coach Hernandez

Strawberry picking

Lauren is in town this week, and I thought it would be fun to make strawberry ice cream, since it is Zachary's favorite.  So we headed to the Outlet mall, and to pick strawberries at Froberg's Farm.  I got pickling cucumbers to make my own pickles.  They are soooo good!  And the tomatoes looked fantastic too. 

Rows and rows of strawberries

So pretty, you could eat them as you picked 'em.

 Making the ice cream tonight!  Yum!

Another option

Did you ever know a child that loves music more?  The other day, I found string instrument instruction books in his backpack.  Apparently, he was allowed to borrow them from the band hall.  Then more books came, then internet searches began.  He's always seemed to have interest in the double bass, and really most of the strings. 

We had to make a stop at Music & Arts to get his next piano books.  I'm busy looking through books, thinking he is looking at some other books on an alternate wall.  But when I turn around to find him in another part of the store, he says, "take my picture."  Not worried about getting into trouble, or that he is touching a $2300 instrument, or that he might not know what to do.  He does.  He's in his element, and happy.

He makes me smile.

An element of his own.