Time Keeps On Ticking...

I cannot believe it's already December 2nd.
Time sure does fly!  Oh, look at that... I still haven't fixed the date on my watch. I'll get to that - eventually.

We've had so many good things going on around here, but I haven't really had a chance to tell you all about them. 

#1 has received a 4 year Army ROTC Scholarship to his first choice school - Virginia Military Institute. We are waiting to hear from them as to whether or not he has been accepted. (I called on Monday and they assured me that he will probably know before Christmas.)  
#1 has been accepted to The Citadel and Norwich - both excellent military schools - one in the South where it's warm... The other in the North where it's down right cold. Norwich has come through with an academic scholarship so that's kinda cool. They want #1 to visit, so we are thinking that a trip in January might be just the ticket. He'll probably know where he stands with VMI by then.

#1 also got a 4 year Army ROTC Scholarship to Virginia Tech - we haven't heard from them yet, either.  Tech is a huge school, so I would prefer he choose one of the other smaller institutions, you know?  He does not need to be distracted by all the great things to do and see (ahem) at a large University...
#1 has been interviewed by our State Rep's office for an appointment to the USNA.  This is a stretch - he's academically and medically qualified, but he is not a top notch athlete. (You can't be good at everything!) Let's see if the State Rep thinks he is a good candidate or not. Either way, our boy has options. 

LLB was accepted to the Shepherd University Honor Band for a weekend January. She will spend a few days at the college playing her trumpet and learning new stuff. I'm not sure who else tried out, but she is very excited to be going.  She is hoping to make the District Band again this year. I'm sure I'll be hearing a LOT of trumpet this week and next as she gets ready for the audition next weekend.

Marching season is over except for this weekend's Christmas Parades, and Swim season has started. The first meet is next Friday. The kids have been swimming and running and getting fit. Although, I have to say that to have the kids running for 45 minutes after swimming for an hour does not thrill me.  It is cold out and it's getting dark earlier every day. I'm SURE someone will turn an ankle in the fields before the season is over. I can only hope that the coach stops this running foolishness before someone gets hurt.  That said, #1 found out yesterday that if he can shave 3 seconds off of his backstroke time, he can break the school record. I think all those push-ups he's been doing to get ready for military service are beginning to pay off.  Maybe he IS an athlete after all...

Percussion Ensemble - also known as Indoor Drum Line or IDL - started this week. LLB wants to play the marimba again and #1 wants to play the tenors - 4 or 5 drums all connected.  I am sure he has forgotten that he will have to carry them and they are not light. LLB's choice was smart - the marimba is on wheels! We will have Indoor Competitions with this group, but the key word with this is Indoor. It will be the first time since #1 was a freshman that this group has been able to do any competitions. It will be fun!! Exhausting, I'm sure, but fun.

Christmas is right around the corner. If you are in the neighborhood on December 18th, please stop in to our annual Christmas Pot Luck.  The party starts around 6:30 or so.  Bring a dish to share and your instrument if you play one. We will be resurrecting the Ladybug Crossing Christmas Band for Christmas caroling at it's absolute best. If you don't play, bring your voice - we always need carolers.