Fall Orchestra Concerts

 The kids had their fall school orchestra concert. The name of the concert was "It it ain't Baroque Don't Fiddle with it!" Haha

The first concert was by the Jr High. Sam is in the Advanced Orchestra. Sam wasn't sitting on the end of his row, so it is hard to see him in the videos.

Lion City - this song is inspired by the diverse cultures of Singapore. The students use unusual techniques with their instruments to imitate instruments such as the ehru, pipa, and gamelan.

Carnival of the Animals - this is an arrangement of Saint-Saen's work that includes: The Overture, Royal March of the Lions, Practicing Pianists (comparing them to monkeys), Personages with Long Ears (Donkeys), Turtles, The Elephant, Aquarium, and Finale. It was a little surprising that The Swan was not included, but it was very enjoyable none the less!

Capriccio Espagnol

Sneaking some pictures of Sam while they exited the stage

Next, the high school got set up for their concert

Everyone had a fun masquerade mask that they wore for the first and last songs

Amadeus

Rutter Suite for Strings - Ev was one of the soloists on this one, and she did a wonderful job!

Dreaming

New Chances, New Dances

Themes from West Side Story

Incantations - Mrs. Smith donned her black cape

Fright Night - this one was a fun medley of all kinds of Halloween and Spooky songs

After concert pic

And a pic with the caveman, lol

I loved the concerts! They had a fun variety of songs, and mixed in a little Halloween flare

Family Halloween Party

 Because of busy October schedules, we had our family Halloween party very early this year, on Oct. 6. Unfortunately Ev was sick again for the party this year, so that's why she's not in any of the photos. I told her next year I am going to put her in a little bubble 2 weeks before the party so she doesn't get sick!

The food:

Bone-shaped cream cheese and jelly pepper with crackers for the appetizer

Frankenstein's monster fruit platter

Snake cucumber and dip

Salad with little cheese ghosts

Mummy hotdogs with tomato soup

Spooky punch

And a chocolate bundt cake for dessert

After dinner, we got photos of the costumes:

Beth made some amazing mushroom hats (that lit up!) for her, V, and Kate. Monty and Fritz were Luigi and Mario

We turned off some of the lights to get the full effect of the mushroom hats

Our family went with the Inside Out and Inside Out 2 emotion characters. Mike was Embarrassment, I was Nostalgia, Nora and Dorie were Anxiety, and Sam was Anger

Nora and her little mini-me

The cute doggos in their costumes

Grammy and Grandpop were a couple of hippies

Grandma Griffin was a witch

A silly Monty moment

After dinner we played the classic kid game "Don't Eat Pete!" We haven't played this for years, and I thought V and Monty would have fun. We made sure everyone had a turn.

V showing everyone which pumpkin will be "Pete" for the next round

After the game we had cake and ice cream for dessert

We also watched the first episode of the new season of the Great British Baking Show. The opening skit was Barbie themed and so silly!

Fritz having some Grandpop time

Kate got some little pumpkin shaped confetti poppers, and we tried them out in the backyard

It was a fun night!