Auditions

Brigham tried out for the regional middle school orchestra, which was a much, much huger deal than I ever would have anticipated.  He was sponsored by the orchestra director at Canyon Vista, who kept talking about how competitive the auditions are, and how few kids get in.  I wasn't worried at all, Brigham is a great violinist.  He got the audition music a few weeks ahead of time, and had been practicing diligently.  When we got to the auditions early one very, very rainy Saturday morning, I was blown away by the number of kids there, simply for the violin auditions!  There were well over 100 kids and their parents all crammed into the cafeteria of a middle school in Round Rock.  It was amazing just watching and listening to all those kids warming up and practicing.  The audition was the most formal I've ever heard of.  The kids all went in groups to the audition room, and one at a time went up to play the selections in front of a panel of judges sitting behind a screen (I guess so they wouldn't be influenced by age/gender/race).  Each child played the first selection, and then a second panel of judges came in, and they all played the second selection, and then a THIRD panel of judges came in and they played the last selection.  When Brigham came out, he had a very unhappy look on his face, and my stomach just dropped.  He told me he played his first two selections perfectly, but absolutely flubbed the third.  He said he played it better the first time he looked at the music.  I don't know about that, but I know the crushing disappointment of messing up on something that you had played PERFECTLY a hundred times before.  But, that's how it went.  Both of us were not expecting him to be accepted.  But later in the afternoon the results were posted online, and he made first violin!  Toward the back, to be sure, but he made it!  He was very happy.

Nike shoes

Joseph is back home doing homeschool, after going to Canyon Vista for several weeks.  It's a long story I can't get into here, but he is doing great at home now.  He did come home from school with a NEED for Nike shoes.  Nike shoes and socks are apparently mandatory attire for middle school boys, and I finally relented when he found a pair he loved that were on sale.  He promised to take care of them, and he is so far!  He even ties the laces.  Amazing.

Jardines

I almost don't have words to say how much I am loving having Rachel and Jonathan live so close!  Well, an hour and 45 minutes isn't exactly close, but it's about 11 hours closer than anyone else in our family!  And they have made the drive several times.
Here are some pictures from some of their visits over the past few months.
Jacob and Rosalia are both enamored of our animals--Jacob of our dog and Rosalia of our cats.  We are happy to share!

I just love this series of shots with Jacob and Sandy.

Conference weekend with the Jardines

Conference weekend was wonderful, as always.  

Brigham had a cross country meet in Shiner in the morning, but we drove home listening to the morning session, and in the afternoon Rachel came with Rosalia and Jacob.  Jonathan was sick at home, poor guy.

Rosalia was in heaven with the cats, of course.  They are getting pretty big now, and a little less excited about being carried about, but she is pretty good with them, and they are very tolerant.  :-)

She made beds for them in her bedroom and in the playroom, she had a birthday party for them, wrapped them up in blankets and carried them about, and had a great time.  

Jacob had fun, too.  He is talking so much now!  He has the most adorable way of saying "please" when he asks for anything.  It's impossible to say no to him.  He knows where I keep candy, and he brought pieces saying, "Please may I have a can-ee?"  How can I say no?!  I peeled a pumelo, which Jacob decided he LOVED.  He kept coming over to me saying, "Please may I have a piece?"  Melts my heart.

Moses made a big fort with chairs and blankets, which he and the little kids sat under to watch conference.  Mosey was really good with those little kids.  He's a bit like Dr. Jeckyl and Mr. Hyde, though.  Either he is getting along great with them, or they are annoying him to no end.  :-)  I wish he had some younger brothers and sisters.  

Cross Country

Brigham ran cross country this year!
I think he loved it.  I know I loved watching him.  He improved so much over the season, going from high 8 minute miles to low 7 minute miles.  He ran in the heat, he ran in the cold, in the sun, in the rain, and everything in between.
I loved the crowds and excitement of the meets.  He got nervous, but didn't let it defeat him.  He's always been good under pressure.
The Royals is an Austin area homeschool sports organization that competes mainly with private schools in the area.  This year most of the cross country meets were large invitationals with public and private schools, and lots and lots of runners.  Cross country kids are the best.  Everyone was polite, there were no crazy sideline parents, and as far as I could tell, every runner was a good sportsman.
I loved some of the long drives taking Brigham to and from meets.  The farthest was down in Shiner, Texas (yes, home of the brewery), almost 2 hours away.  It's a beautiful drive and Brigham and I were able to talk and listen to audiobooks (and listen to conference on the way back).
Here are some pictures from the season.

 Look at Brigham racing that bigger boy!  Both feet off the ground!

 And he's passing him!

After running a meet in the rain!  He was one of the earlier races-- I'm sure by the end the trail was a muddy mess.

This picture was taken as he is running almost to the top of a very long, very steep hill.  He looks strong! My cross country coach would have told him to lower his arms.  :-)  Something to work on next season.

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