Let's hear from 8 year old Liam!

This week, we are celebrating 2 more birthdays.  The day will come when I post some of those pictures, but today is not the day.

Today is the day when we hear what Liam the 8 year old likes.  Here we go...

Liam, what is your favorite....

color.....green and gold

toy.....skylanders

stuffed animal.....frog and shark

thing to sleep with.....blankie

fruit.....banana

cereal.....raisin bran

breakfast food.....cereal

lunch food.....pizza

dessert.....brownies

drink.....gatorade

birthday dinner.....broccoli, cauliflower, mashed potatoes, biscuits

animal....stinkbug

book.....comic books

song....."Fight Song"

game.....Skylander Swap Force for 3Ds

TV show.....all TV shows

movie.....Despicable Me

thing to do outside.....play

Who are your best friends?

Gam and Jacob

What do you want to be when you grow up?

Scientist

For funsies, you can see how Liam answered as a 7 year old, a 6 year old, and a 5 year old.  Look at that-4 years running with this tradition!

Liam turned 8! Let's celebrate!

April 24.  Liam was looking forward to this day-his birthday!  We started with blowing up some balloons for his room (water balloons, since we had no bigger balloons at 10pm on Sunday night).  I got to go to Liam's room that morning and read a book to his class before lunch.  Kinley and I ate lunch with Liam and 2 of his friends and then it was time to come home a get ready for his birthday night.  

Andy decorated, hid the presents and wrote out clues to help Liam find them.

Opening some gifts.

Maybe just a little brainwashing happening here.

Birthday dinner! Liam got what he asked for: cauliflower, broccoli, mashed potatoes and biscuits.  Also, pizza, because everyone else has to eat dinner, too (thanks to Ewan to convincing Liam to ask for that).

Time to play with some birthday toys.

The cake!  Liam asked for a banana cake.  I found the best recipe for a super-delicious banana cake with cream cheese icing.  

Liam is happy.

Cake and ice cream and more time to play with presents.  What a great evening for a new 8 year old.

Can't forget the pic with Dad holding Liam like a baby.

And, a cuddly pic with Mom, too.

Sweet

Smart

Curious

Funny

Kind

Happy birthday, Liam!

HHMS Honor Band

Finally, the last bit of the middle school concert, the honor band.  By the time we got to this part of the concert, my phone was trying to die and I had to record the rest on Andy's phone.  And, then, I had to leave before the last song anyway, because I had to go to work.  The band played 3 songs-"Can't Stop the Feeling", "Try Everything" and "Queen in Concert".  How fun.  And, what a great way to end middle school band for Marcus.  He has really enjoyed being in these bands.

Jazz on a Tuesday afternoon

The next two posts are the pieces that the middle school jazz band performed (Marcus is a member).  When this group first started, I thought is was just a "for-fun" group that was meeting after school 2 days a week to learn some jazz and improve their playing skills.  Wrong.  This group of about 20-ish kids went to band contest and won themselves a gold.  Very cool.  Marcus has really enjoyed this experience.  Enjoy.

Jazz Band, song #2

Chameleon arr. Victor Lopez

More pops music-6th grade style

The next three posts are the 6th grade's band contribution to the concert.  What an improvement from the first concert of the school year.  I know Cale has enjoyed this year in band, rocking on the French Horn.  He has improved so much-I can hear that the occasional times he practices at home.

6th grade band, song #1

6th grade band, song #2

6th grade band, song #3

great music up ahead

If I were cooler, and more tech-savvy, I would know and care how to put multiple YouTube links into one post.  As it is, the following 3 posts have the 3 songs that the 8th grade band (Marcus) played at their pops concert on Saturday.  I was thankful that I got to go since I was working that night and you know we brought the whole fam out to make them sit through their siblings' performances.  Marcus played in 3 bands-Jazz band, 8th grade band and Honor band.  Cale played in the 6th grade band.  Don't worry, I recorded everything.  I just have to have the time to download it all to share.  This was Marcus's last middle school performance and I probably would have been sad about that except that I wasn't thinking about it.  Marcus has loved band and being a part of these groups.  I know that will continue in high school.  So, enjoy these pieces.  They are not much to view, but great to listen to.

8th grade band, song #1

This was a piece that Marcus played at All-Region band back in the fall.  The band directors really liked the arrangement and got it for the 8th grade band.  The music is so familiar, it made the little ones sit up in their seats and pay attention to the music.

8th grade band, song #2

8th grade band, song #3

The band director said he wasn't sure if the kids would like this piece.  Turns out, they loved it.  I know this came out when this group of kids were like in preschool.  I wonder if the kids were thinking, "This is the music of my childhood." 😊