Summer has begun

And it is already hot!  There won't be many days going shirtless, and Zachary is pretty modest these days.  I caught a few photos of him with Kirby in the yard.  I know they are all just about the same, but each one captures a different thought.  And Kirby looks so relaxed.

Spring Band Concert

Tuesday, the school band put on a Spring concert that just featured its members.  Typically, the band is put in a little corner during Spring Show or as a side-note at the Spring Sports Banquet.  In order make the concert more than just 30 minutes, the band teacher asked a few students to play their solos.  He also asked Zachary to conduct a piece.  I thought he did a very good job and he tried very hard during practice.  Here is a YouTube link.  I'll apologize upfront for my giggles.

Receiving a recognition award.

Acting Experience

Zack continues to show interest in acting.  This spring, the school prepared it's performance with the intention of using the drama class for the major roles.  There again, we found favor with Mrs. Rutledge, as she created a role for Zachary.

His name was Fred and he was one of the students in the classroom for Life School Musical.  This was his biggest role yet, with more lines and several times he needed to pay attention so that the interactions looked natural.  A change was made the day of the dress rehearsal.  With a bit of anxiety, I waited.  And he did a great job, even with a smile several times. 

Front and center, with girls all around him.

Thank you Lord for your goodness!

Finished with victory!

Back row:  Emma Brown, Megan Ritthaler, Isabella McGovern, Gabby Darko, Danielle Gomez, Yovanni Cano.  Front rows:  Zack Sansing, Hunter Green, ?, Nadiya Blair.

Houston Youth Symphony auditions

Zachary's oboe teacher suggested he try out for the Houston Youth Symphony, so we gave it a shot last Saturday.  They have five symphonies; two for just strings and three that are full symphonies, so there is a better shot of him making this symphony than the Bay Area Youth symphony. 

As the time drew near, he was a bit concerned about various issues...excessive water on his lips, reeds not working, too young, not enough time to practice, etc.  In the weeks approaching, I told him to do his best and if he offered a position, he could turn it down if he really didn't want to join.  I reminded him that his schedule next year will be drastically different because of some adjustments we have made and work he will do in the summer.  He could only see what was before him.

You prepare for weeks, and then the audition is about five minutes.  I stood outside the door.  I couldn't help myself.  He made a little blip on one of his solo pieces, but other than that, I thought it sounded good.  I did hear him play a scale three times in a row.  I asked if the judge asked him to play that, and he said, "I gave him a bonus."  I snickered.

Now we wait until the summer when the letter comes.  And then we have Bay Area Youth Symphony auditions May 18th.  This symphony is in the Clear Lake area, so I would prefer this drive vs. a weekly 40 minute drive.  Until then.

While we waited for John at Rice University after the audition, we went and explored.

Neat little structure to pray and take in nature.

Easter cookies

It started out with me wanting some Leta's Tea Cakes (one of John's family recipes).  I had been busy and let the ingredients sit on the counter for a day and a half.  So, John decided to be sweet and make the cookies for me, which was probably for the best because I was struggling with the Crisco.  Sometimes it's better not to know what goes into a recipe.

Zachary happened to catch his dad's culinary activities, and he decided to join in on the fun.  So we busted out the best Easter cookie cutters we could find...fish, star, angel, and baby chicks (or maybe they are ducks, but whatever).  We all enjoyed a little dough during the preparations, and followed up with the cookies just 10 minutes later.  Yum!

The Clear Lake Christian Band went to competition in the spring, and received superior marks for the piece they performed.  As for site reading, I'm not sure, but I know it wasn't a superior rating.  They are a young band, so we are excited for their accomplishments.  And not to mention that Mr. Hernandez is able to produce nice sounding music with limited players.

The performance

Can you imagine for four girls and all those boys!

Beta Club at the Food Bank

We headed back to the Houston Food Bank last Friday with the Junior Beta Club.  This students separated donated boxes of food into smaller divisions.  With the help of about 10 other adults,we sorted 6400 pounds of food which would have made 5,333 meals. I'm not sure how accurate that is, but it sounds really cool!

Was so proud of Zachary.  He got right in there and helped very well.

All members present!