Tag: kids

Marching Band, 2020 Version

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Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 19mm, f/3.2, 1/35 sec, ISO3200
 “On Snare” Cedar Park, 2020

Tonight we went to the stadium to watch Koa perform in the marching band for the band parents. Due to the COVID-19 situation, the marching band competitive season and all travel was cancelled, but they still were able to rehearse (both virtually and socially-distanced in-person) and perform at a few home-field football games. The show was redesigned to keep space between each band member, although I have to say there were a few moments were it got closer than 6 feet. But still, it was nothing like past shows, which was appreciated. All students wore masks, the wind and brass instruments had coverings, and many of the kids also wore face shields. Happily, we haven’t heard of any band kids nor band staff testing positive for COVID-19.

New this year, Koa switched instruments from marimba to snare. This meant he was actually marching in the field instead of just up in the front ensemble. I think he really enjoyed it. He was also a drumline captain! Yay, Koa!

The photo above was taken through my binoculars in case you were wondering. I don’t have a long telephoto lens, so this will have to do. 😆

Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 19mm, f/3.2, 1/100 sec, ISO640
 “Marching Band” Cedar Park, 2020

You can watch the show below:

The angle of the camera makes the crowd appear packed, but actually the seats were marked off with tape so that groups would be kept apart at a safe distance, and masks were required. I was reluctant to let Koa return to marching band this year (many of the students attended 100% virtually), but after seeing a few of the rehearsals, I was more comfortable with how seriously everyone was taking it. And Koa has some pretty sweet tan-lines on his cheeks from wearing his mask! 😄

Normally we attend several of the football games to see the band perform but this year we only saw the show once. Hopefully next year the pandemic situation will be over and Koa can enjoy a normal senior year performing at more games and competitive events.

Marching Band 2020

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Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/5.6, 1/350 sec, ISO200
 “Rehearsal on the Pad” Cedar Park, 2020

This year’s marching band season is continuing on, but of course it’s not nearly the same. For instance, there are no competitions, and the band will not be traveling to away football games. The actual show they are working on is designed to keep the kids socially-distanced, and all the kids wear masks (and many have face-shields as well).

I went to the rehearsal today to see how they were doing, and was really impressed with the mask-wearing. This was honestly a big concern for me. But I think it will be okay.

Houston Move-In

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Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/2.5, 1/3200 sec, ISO200
 “Matsu” Houston, 2020

We helped Bay move into his new place in Houston today. He’ll be living off-campus, which we think will be safer than living in the residential college. His roomies are all architecture students as well, so they will be living in the same small circle. Also, there are only about 25 total sophomores in the Architecture program so it will not be difficult to social-distance. I like the precautions that Rice is taking for the Fall semester and fingers are crossed that everyone will remain safe. What a time we’re living in.

Today’s photo is of a cool pine tree outside of Bay’s new place. It looks like a Japanese painting!

DIY Project

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Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/5, 1/25 sec, ISO3200
 “Designing” Cedar Park, 2020

Bay and I have been working on a project at home: shelves and walkways on our living room wall for the cats to enjoy. The first step was for Bay to design it, and he went used his new skills as a rising sophomore architecture student to create a modular system.

In the photo above, Bay is referencing the designs he created on his laptop. I like this photo because I used to sit the same way when I was a kid. 😊

We’re still working on it, but the project is coming along nicely!

Coconut-Miso Salmon Curry

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Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/3.2, 1/100 sec, ISO2000
 “Coconut-Miso Salmon Curry” Cedar Park, 2020

In a couple of weeks, Bay will head back to school in Houston, but he’ll be living off-campus which means that he needs to prepare his own meals. Therefore, he’s been practicing some new recipes at home and working on his kitchen skills. The dishes that he’s prepared for us have been yummy and tonight’s was no different.

The Coconut-Miso Salmon Curry recipe is from the Kay Chun/New York Times and didn’t look too difficult although there were a couple tricky parts. Mariko is an amazing cook so she helped guide Bay through the parts he was unsure about. I helped out with the easy tasks, such as showing Bay how I would cut the onion, collecting the basil from the garden, and keeping the surfaces tidy.

It’s lots of fun, and so satisfying to watch Bay keep learning new skills and growing as a person. 😊

Driver License Acquired!

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Photo info: motorola moto g(6), 3.95mm, f/1.8, 1/120 sec, ISO127
 “New License” Cedar Park, 2020

Well, our youngest son got his license this morning!

We were pretty fortunate to be able to make an appointment at the DPS (DMV) just a few days after he passed his driving test. The lady at the driving school said that appointments in Austin were backed up for 5 or 6 months… which would put us at December or January! She suggested to use the online reservations system to look for DPS offices farther away from the city. That turned out to be excellent advice, and we were able to schedule an 8:05 am appointment at the Lampasas DPS, which is an hour north of home. We were the first ones there, and in fact, when we left a half hour later, there was only one other person waiting for her 8:35 appointment.

What a difference this tiny rural office is from the busy DPS mega-center in Pflugerville where we went for Bay’s license and driving test. I highly recommend taking this route and making an appointment away from major cities. It’s like an alternate reality where everything is right in the world. 😀

Student Driver

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Photo info: motorola moto g(6), 3.95mm, f/1.8, 1/1250 sec, ISO100
 “Parallel Parking” Cedar Park, 2020

This afternoon Koa practiced his parallel parking. He’s actually really good at it! As you can see, I set up our trash bins (there’s another one in front of the car) to simulate parked cars, and he’s able to maneuver the ol Subaru pretty skillfully. I’m impressed!

His driving test is coming up… I hope he does well.