Hotel Saturday mornings
We'll head out shortly to do an hour or two of exploring before heading tot he school where DD2 is competing for choir. I've never been to Omaha, so know nothing of the sites. We met up with other parents for dinner, then I helped DD2 set her hair before we crashed in front of the TV. I'm doing basically that this morning. Our hotel is a Hampton Inn, very pleasant, with one of the hot cold breakfast buffet's so ample to get the day started. Her group, but she was on the prep group, won Grand Champion at this even, last yer. So far, their season has been good, but have not placed first in their first two events. This hasn't sat well with some of the kids and parents. I just listened to my daughter and friends talk. They are worried that some of the older kids just feel entitled-the "we always place first" mentality, and perhaps it might be showing in their overall performance as a group. They just decided they can't change that mid set, but they can try and work harder, be more uplifting, remember, and say it out loud, the other schools are also upping their game, their standards. Oh the things you hear when you try to just be a fly on the wall.
We'll most likely be there all day, into the finals in the evening. It would be a real blow if they didn't make the finals as only 4 of 10 schools do not. Their show is very good, vocals incredible, but it might be missing a certain "wow" factor, so depends what the judges critique harder. They also have this interesting but odd banner thing, that has given them issues. Clean, it looks wonderful. Any minor flaws though, look like flaws immediately. Oh well, I have yet to learn of any of these kids in the 25 years the school has had show choir, that any are making a living on Broadway. A few have gone on to study and are professiionally employed in the music industry, or like their new director, as show choir directors. Like sports, this has to be seen as fun, and for those of us that watch, a lot of great entertainment.
I apologize for the ramble. This is my life this weekend. I hope to maybe pound out a few words for my book on the drive home tomorrow, but we may switch off, and each try and get a bit of sleep. We'll probably have a beverage or two with the other parents before retiring for the evening. Then, back to see pup and get ready for the week.
These kind of moments as a family are limited, so I say relax & enjoy your time together without worrying about anything else.
ReplyDeleteI'm getting all of my chores done for the weekend before I fly out to Tokyo tomorrow am. I'm telling myself that I will appreciate the comp day in a few weeks - taking the day off for my pre-birthday & getting a massage with a gift card I received from my manager. Looking on the bright side. :-)
Good luck to your daughter's group!
Prioritizing the three of us at home has to be done as our time seems so limited together. I know I don't spend enough with DH-I find I get snappy with him, but better over time.
DeleteI am well familiar with the Hampton Inn buffets. Back in DH's flying days, those were my preferred hotels when we flew on our pass. The happy hour was great to come back to!
ReplyDeleteMy DS is in our school's chamber choir. They're an excellent group, with a stellar director. I would say that class is probably the highlight of those kids' school day. Our director is great about instilling how the arts should join us together, not pull us apart. He calls the student out on an "'tudes" before they can be a problem, be it with each other, or another school. These kids are taught that it doesn't matter where they are performing, performing before any audience is an honor, and they are to treat it as such.
Good luck to your daughter's group!
The buffet really helped keep expenses down. The kids all loaded up before getting on the bus Sunday morning and only stopped for a restroom break. the ended with third place. I don't know what distinguishes 1st, 2nd, third-all were top notch. Their finals performance was breathtaking, so all should be proud despite the 3rd placement.
Delete"Like sports, this has to be seen as fun, and for those of us that watch, a lot of great entertainment" - this is the most important sentence of your post to me. Last night after losing a few volleyball games I said to the disappointed members of my team "you can't win them all"! But we had a lot of fun losing :) No matter what happens your daughter is sharing a positive attitude and setting a great example. She's already a winner!
ReplyDeleteI am amazed when I ref or play volleyball how serious some adults take it. No thanks! She is a winner-big smile when I saw here after their third place finnish, and happy with what they did on the stage.
DeleteGo for your gal for remembering this is a "fun" thing.
ReplyDeleteHampton Inns are a notch above what we stayed in last road trip
Hey, I was in both your town and Omaha last Summer(though I didn't travel directly from one to the other. Be sure and wave to McVal as you pass right by her in Iowa tomorrow!
I did wave,and found myself wondering about your near cross country trek.
DeleteI am glad you are having this time watching your daughter. We traveled to many sporting and music competitions and it was always fun. We also were in the "oops you didn't make the finals" group a couple of times, and the trips were still fun.
ReplyDeleteI think it is harder to no win when the kids put on such a near flawless finals. Of course, so did the other schools. It was quite a competition-such talent. Our kids bonded wit the first place team, also from out of state, and were each others student rooting section.
DeleteHampton Inns are our preferred hotel chain if we travel partly because of their breakfast bar in the morning. Helps with the expense of traveling with kids. :)
ReplyDeleteGood luck to your daughter and her group. I am home having lunch before heading back to the basketball court to watch Rebecca play in a bit; I have already watched Benjamin's game and Jacob's game. But I love it!
I started my Saturday with oatmeal wit all the fixings-so good! wow-busy Saturday!
DeleteI taught dance for over 40 years and only had 5 students go on professionally out of hundreds, but I loved them all and they loved me, (sometimes)
ReplyDeleteThere was a college acapella group as the act before final awards were presented. I hope she keeps this up in college. They were so good.
DeleteI always enjoy your 'ramblings" which seems always to be interesting.
ReplyDeleteThank you. My life is pretty ramblng worthy-a lo tof stuff, not a lot of depth right now. I kind of need/like that about life right now.
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