School Days: Choir and Band Christmas Concerts {Riley} and Polar Express Day {Rory}

Riley participated in two Christmas concerts at school this year: one for choir and one for band. The choir concert was on Tuesday evening, December 10, in the gym. There were so many people, and it was so hot up in the corner of the bleachers where we found seats. But we made it through and Riley did a great job.

Then on Thursday morning, December 12, the fourth grade band members performed in their own little band concert. I LOVED everything about it. It really showed just how far they've come since they were assigned their instruments and started playing them in August.

They demonstrated a lot of the exercises they've learned so far, including playing, clapping, and slowing down or speeding up the same song to make it sound different. Then they ended with their first real full-length piece, a Christmas medley called "Countdown to Christmas." I had tears in my eyes by the end. It was so impressive and magical. Mrs. Kessler really knows how to work with those kids!

Then on Friday the 13th, I got to surprise Rory and his class as their Polar Express mystery reader. I borrowed a jacket and a vest from Nopsi, a hat from Kristen, and a shirt and a pocketwatch from Kenny. I ended up looking like a decent conductor! And Rory had no idea it was going to be me coming in; he was so surprised.

I punched everyone's tickets, and then we settled in to read the book. Lots of the kids (including Rory) hadn't ever heard the story before, so it was fun to share it with them for the first time.

Afterwards, I passed out the little treat bags I put together for all of the kids (Christmas gummies and Hershey kisses), and they also got donuts and chocolate milk. Then, later in the day, they spread out blankets and pillows they brought from home and camped out in front of the movie.

Such a fun day!