BOA St. Louis

The band competed in Bands of America Super Regional in St. Louis this weekend.  We had wanted to leave around noon on Friday, but Jack was helping with equipment and the trucks didn't get packed until almost 3:00.  This work can be done in a little over an hour but there were only six guys and no students helping.  There are usually a dozen or more as well as students helping with instruments. We dropped Pilot off at Puppy's Playpen for a weekend of fun.  We always took Suzy with us, but I didn't think Pilot would fair as well being kenneled and alone for so long.  As it turned out the area we always walked Suzy was all torn up and there were no grassy areas close to our hotel.  

We weren't the only ones to get a late start.  One of the buses broke down...

so Jake was among some of the boys that got to ride in a school bus.  Thankfully it - and a driver - were available at short notice.  AND thankfully the charter company was able to get a bus to them later in the evening.  

Jack, Annie and I stayed at the Drury Inn Convention Center, which is literally a half a block from the Edward Jones Dome.  Last year I walked over 30,000 steps going back and forth from the Dome to the hotel.

Jack and the schleppers met for lunch before getting to work. 

Last week it was decided they needed a flag to stake their territory.

Very cool!

Meanwhile, the band rehearsed on the 10th floor of their hotel parking garage.

wait!  Change in plans...

schleppers quickly move the 4'er's.

I don't know what we'd do without the 18+ schleppers needed for each performance.

And thankfully I'll never know.

They are amazing!

THEN, IT WAS GO TIME!

there's one part where the pit uses violin bows on the glocenspiel 

to create an amazing sound.

Drum Major, Nick Pfeiff, doing his thing.

And a few pictures from friends.  Nice action shots.

It was exciting.  I am truly amazed at the talent of these kids.  They did not make finals this year.and placed 31st overall.  Not bad out of 64 bands.  They stayed and watched finals before heading home. Jake rode a charter bus home, grabbed a quick bite to each with a friend at 4:30 a.m. and come home to sleep most of the day.

We got an early start and picked up Pilot.  He had a great time and this was the scene in our house for several hours this afternoon..  

xo

OCTOBER = Band and Exhaustion

Golden Regiment Invitational

Blue Springs High School

Blue Springs MO

Lined up and ready

 

game faces on

Props take the field

Preliminary Performance

3rd place in class 2A

moved on to finals.

Final Awards ceremony

BV West placed 8th

-----

Renegade Review

Union High School

Tulsa OK

crazy early call time

I was in charge of food for the day...

filling bags with yogurt and apples

they got to pick their breakfast sandwich and drink.

Buses lined up and ready to leave at 6:30 a.m.

These guys work hard!

Thanks Jack! (third from the right)

Three trucks, five buses & lots of parents

Chaperones and meal Moms

I'm in the center.

Jake giving a quick pose.

And one quick pic with his Dad.

Chik Fil A for lunch and Qdoba for dinner.

3rd place in their class

moved on to finals

Ready for their finals performance

Jack pulls an 8' platform 80 yards...

and that's after he's moved it a quarter mile or more beforehand.

They did great!

BV West drum majors

Final Awards ceremony

BV West placed 7th overall

It was a fun, exhausting weekend.  Jake rode the bus down and back and got home about 4:40 a.m. Sunday morning.  

I got to introduce Lisa to Braum's in Tulsa.  Jack and I stayed in Tulsa and drove home Sunday morning.  We stopped for brunch at Braum's in Pittsburg.  (And yes, I did have ice cream for brunch.)

Annie stayed home with Pilot.  She went to the Overland Park Farmers with a friend.  Did a LOT of homework.  And had a friend spend the night.  Pilot gave her some problems when it came bedtime but settled in... until Jake and a friend woke him up.  And he barked for 20 minutes but calmed down and let her sleep in til 9.  She babysat at our house on Sunday late morning.  Everyone was tired so she, Aubrey, Jake, his friend Deacon, Max (9) and Henry (5) watched Wreck It Ralph.  

Jack and Jake helped unload the trucks at 1:00

In other news...

Work is very stressful for Jack right now.  Please keep him in your prayers.

At the Sprint BBQ...

minutes before it got rained out.

Junior year is giving Annie a run for her money.  

but she's finally warmed up to Pilot.

Jake is having a good time.  He has all A's.  

He got his hair cut before competitive marching band started.

Bringing Therapy Home now has a physical site.  Marena signed a 3 year lease and we get the keys on Wednesday.  Some therapy sessions will still be done in homes but the majority will take place at office.  We will have a sensory room, several therapy rooms and a conference room for groups or parent training.  We will be painting and getting the space ready for the grand opening in November.  

Before...

And finally Pilot...

he's going to be a Rufferee for Halloween.

xo