Aside from Grace finishing up band season this quarter, Carson and Sophia also kept busy schedules.  First off, Carson.  Carson participated in Cross Country for his Junior High, Willis.  This was his second year running for his school.  We are so proud of Carson for his dedication to the sport.  He had to give up homework hub after school to attend practice and run at meets, which was a sacrifice, but very worth it to him.  Carson was not the fastest runner, but he NEVER gave up & he ran every single race without stopping!  He’s got some great endurance.  He also won the Triple Impact Competitor of the Week award for keeping positive and not giving up.  We are so proud of you Carson!!!

Triple Impact Award Recipient

Along with cross country and scouts, Carson also finished up this quarter with a piano recital.  Carson has been taking private piano lessons for about 5 years.  We decided as the demands on his time and attention he needs to put toward his school studies, private piano lessons have come to an end.  Here is a picture of him performing his song from “The Greatest Showman”.  He is also a good friend and decided to stay after his recital to support his friend’s Talon and Lincoln and hear them play their pieces in the recital that followed Carsons’.Unfortunately, Sophia was sick the day of the recital so she could not perform.  Luckily, she will continue with her private lessons through the end of this school year so she will be able to participate in the Spring Recital.One activity that both Carson & Sophia got to participate in together was the Sanborn/Willis Holiday Choir Concert (One of my favorites of the whole year).  The elementary school hosts this every year and invites the Jr. High choir to join.  Many years have our children participated in these concerts.  It’s so fun when we have kids in both the jr. high and elementary choirs.  My dear friend, Mary Davis, also happens to be the music teacher at the elementary school and all 4 of my children have been blessed to have been taught by her.  She is a great asset to Sanborn Elementary!

Carson, Mary Davis, Sophia

Not only does Sophia sing in the school choir, she has also taken up a new instrument this year.  The Baritone!!! I didn’t even know what it was before she started playing this year, & I’m still not completely sure.  All I know is that it’s kind of like a tuba, but smaller.  It’s almost as big as Sophia.  She loves the fact that she plays a large instrument, & her teacher says she’s really good at it (I wonder what he’d think if she practiced outside of class???!!!)  She had her first recital.  She sounded great and looked beautiful.  Good job Sophia!

1st band concert!

Ok, so piano lessons, activity days, choir, band…. what am I forgetting?  Oh yeah, student council & running club.  I’ll have pictures of Running Club next quarter when the races begin.  On top of all that, Sophia managed to WIN THE SCHOOL SPELLING BEE!!!!

Sanborn Elementary Spelling Champion!

She was just as surprised as the rest of us with the outcome!!!  On to the District Bee later this month (January).  Grandma took us to Sophia’s favorite restaurant for dinner that night to celebrate.  Yummy Smashburger!  Thanks Grandma! I don’t have a picture of that 🙁

Grace also had a holiday band concert.  The best part was when the Symphonic band and the chamber orchestra played together a Star Wars Epic.  Very cool!

We finished out the quarter with Thanksgiving and some Christmas festivities which will be in following posts.

Busy, busy, whirlwind of a quarter!