The "Finnster, et al."

Michael's birthday weekend is always hectic - this year was particularly busy. On Friday, Sam and I went to the Gallatin Daycare fundraiser and silent auction.  We ate spaghetti and then looked around at all the baskets up for auction.  Sam wanted everything that he saw.  I took Sam with me because I could only bring one person and I thought that he would complain the least of the three.  He complained a little, but I was able to stuff him full of brownies - which bought me a little time. The next day we went to celebrate Hank's birthday at Emily and Zac's house. Then it was off to see Avengers End Game at the IMAX. We topped the evening off with some ice cream cake from Maggie Moos. This is Will beating Finn with a Styrofoam sword and shield while a lady from church tries to stop them from fighting.  Notice that their mother is standing aside taking pictures. Finn and Sam in front of the life-size Goliath poster.

One of the many things I love about DA is their music program.  This year Mrs. B. selected numbers from several different Broadway Musicals for the students of the lower school to perform.  Sam's class sang two numbers from Junie B. Jones and Finn's class performed songs from Mary Poppins.  Both boys did great - they both sang and performed the choreography well.  Sam just sang his heart out.  Finn's stronger point was the dancing.  He didn't hold back at all. Will made it through almost the entire show.  Once the music started he really enjoyed himself and was really attentive. We went to Dairy Queen after the show for ice cream.

On Saturday, our family attended the boys' end of the year piano recital.  They had both practiced really hard and had memorized their pieces.  The recital took place at Grace Baptist Church in Old Hickory.  The boys performed on a black grand piano in a very large sanctuary.  The room was pretty intimidating.  Will loved the sanctuary and spent most of his time running up and down the aisles with Michael hot on his heels.  Before the performances began, Mr. Richey, the boys' piano teacher, encouraged the families in the audience to clap and cheer for each child as though they had just scored the winning touchdown.  This made the performance so much for the kids and it really eased their nerves.  Sam took the cheering to heart and when it was his turn to play he walked up to the piano pumping his fists in the air.  It was so precious.  He took a deep bow and then sat down at the piano to begin his piece.  Sam has practiced his piece for weeks.  He had completely memorized the m

On Thursday, May 2nd, 2019, Sam Begley and I got up at the crack of dawn and prepared for our fun adventure to St. Louis with Sam's 1st Grade class.  He has been studying Louis and Clark and the westward expansion at school which culminated in a trip to the St. Louis Arch. We left our house at 4:30 a.m. and headed to school.  Sam was excited about the trip.  He was very excited to stop at McDonald's and get breakfast.  We arrived at the school right on time and boarded the bus.  I was a big charter bus with internet and a bathroom. We sat right in front of Sam's friend Ayden.  Midway through the trip Sam switched places with Ayden's mom and the two boys built a blanket fort by draping a blanket over the back of the seats.  They had so much fun. We arrived in St. Louis a little before noon.  The picture above is the first sighting of the Arch.  All the kids ran up to the front of the bus.  They were gathered together pointing and screaming.  I didn't get