Jack’s rank was advanced in AFJROTC to Staff Sergeant – SSGT. He said that first years are usually never advanced to this level. I’m still learning more about what his new responsibilities will be. He had to turn in items today to exchange for his new rank  items for his uniform. I sound like I am speaking very unintelligently about this subject and indeed I am. I have a lot of learning left to go to understand ranks, rank advancement, what is entailed, what it all means, etc. Here starts that process.

Matt was really psyched last Friday that the newly formed jazz band got to play at the talent show. I really wanted to go to the talent show but I couldn’t convince the other kids to go and I didn’t want to leave them home. So, Matt was ok with running in, playing his song (since they were on first) and running out. We waited in the car, opened the windows and listened to music. Matt came out quickly and the whole thing was easy. He was really pleased and is really enjoying being in the jazz band.

Matt decided to audition for jazz band and he was selected!! He is so happy. He has to go practice a couple days/week before school and then at the recital, I believe the jazz band does additional pieces at recital. Go Matt!!

I am SO proud of Jack.  He wants desperately to take driver’s ed. He’s going to be 15 next month so this would be 12 months before he could drive. Although I think that taking the class this long before actually driving doesn’t make much sense, I remember the excitement of wanting to learn to drive so if he got into the class in October, I was going to let him take it. He was so excited that he had all the pickups arranged – even for when I am going to be out of town.

But, he’s been practicing with drill team and really likes it. He takes it very seriously and even practices at home.  Yesterday, they told him that he would be first alternate on the team and he’s only a freshman. He was so excited that he dropped the idea of driver’s ed like a hot potato and rescheduled his transportation so he could fulfill his responsibility of drill team first alternate. Howard and I talked this morning and it just makes us so proud when they make good choices that represent the best priorities.

Kate just started her 3rd season of GOTR yesterday. She has a new leader who seems really nice. Her group is large and the girls in her group seem great. Many of them have been in her group before but some are new. There are some other new girls doing GOTR. Looking forward to another great season!

Matt’s really excited that they are allowing clarinets into the jazz band this year. He’s looking forward to trying out. They would have to have practice before school a couple days/week – ug – but what a great experience. His new band teacher (this year and last) has made a huge difference. In 6th grade, he never seemed to make much progress growing as a musician and the bi-annual shows didn’t seem very good at all – just not finished or polished. But as of last year, he has a new teacher and she seems to be doing such a great job with the kids.

Last weekend Jack went with several other boys from the troop for his OA “ordeal”. I get the sense that they mystery surrounding the term ordeal is that way for a reason. Suffice it to say that he said they did LOTS of service and ate what he termed “scant” amounts of food – the worst of which was a lunch that consisted of 2 pieces of bread and one piece of bologna. He came home with his OA sash and proudly wore it to his next meeting.

Matt was able to play with the high school band for 8th grade night. He had so much fun and really wants to be in high school band. Every time I look at this video, I can’t stop smiling.

Monday night, Jack found out he made OA. He’s really excited to go on the camping trip. I have to learn more about the indoctrination but it sounds like that gets done on the trip.

Matt indicated two times that he has interest in playing tennis. He’s never really been athletic at all. I wonder how to have him try to see if he likes it. He has never really been athletic but does seem to have really good eye-hand coordination. I’m thinking about taking him to play racquetball to see what he thinks of playing with a Racquet, if his coordination is as good with a racquet as with his hands, and if he likes moving all over the place. I know racquetball is a lot different than tennis but it’s the best way I can think of to have him give it a test and see if it’s what he thinks.