Babcock Meet

 Although we had a fun road trip to Allentown (and it was exciting to be at Parkettes, one of the top gymnastics training gyms), the meet wasn't James's best.  He didn't land his vault and he had a surprising fall on parallel bars. (A lot of the boys on his team didn't do as well as they normally do, in part perhaps because of missed practices during the week due to the weather. Although one of his teammates won in the older age group, which was awesome!)

James did get one medal (6th place on high bar -- although they forgot to give him the actual medal until after they'd all saluted!)  Their team didn't place in the team awards, which was definitely something they are not used to. But it was a different group of teams, the judging was stricter, and a lot of the kids just didn't have their best day. As one of the other dads said, hopefully they'll take it as motivation to go back and work hard to improve.   

Fourth Grade Concert

 The boys' orchestra and chorus concert that was snowed out last week was rescheduled for last night. They did a wonderful job!  And the kids all looked great dressed up in their performance clothes. :) 

For the orchestra part, we had a great view of Matthew, but James and his bass were hidden behind a music stand. For chorus, we had a great view of James, but Matthew was hard to see behind another boy. 

A few videos available here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/aJArxZPaFPW4wXyA7

Program:
Orchestra
Director, Mrs. Ann Kiefer

Starlight…...............................Traditional
Au Claire de la Lune….……..French Folk Song
Jingle Bell Rock…………… Joseph Carleton Beal
Boil Them Cabbage Down …American Folk Song

4th Grade Chorus
Director: Mrs. Marnie Salvatore

The Defining Moment: Pink Zebra
The Lighthouse: Andy Beck
Winter Magic: Mike Wilson
This is Me: Words & Music by Benj Pasek
& Justin Paul, Arr. By Mc Huff

Ithaca Stop

 En route to this weekend's meet in Allentown, we spent the night in Ithaca and visited our friends Leigh Ann and John. Conveniently, our hotel was right near a great breakfast spot and a guitar shop! 

While Mike and John were looking at guitars, Leigh Ann and the kids and I went to the bookstore. It was called Buffalo Street Books for the obvious reason that it's on Buffalo Street.  But since we adopted Elsa from Houston Street Dogs (dogs that were living on the street), it gave the name a whole new meaning -- as if these books had been living on the street in Buffalo and were now getting new homes in Ithaca. :)