Pageant & Concert: Pictures & Videos

Yet another busy weekend at the Reynolds household. Shaling participated in the first ever Junior Miss Rochester Pageant (she didn't place, but for a girl who didn't speak any English 2 1/2 years ago, she did awesome). Preston wrapped up a week at U of I for music camp with a concert at Krannert Art Center. Here are some pictures and videos.

Shaling walks on stage and then answers her question from the emcee during the first annual Rochester Junior Miss Pageant.


Shaling - Inaugural Junior Miss Rochester Pageant from Amy Reynolds on Vimeo.

There was an overabundance of percussionists at this year's ISYM, so to keep things special for all of them, the powers-that-be brought in a percussion specialist who taught them a samba-style piece that they performed during the concert to wrap-up their week at ISYM. Preston is playing a small, hand-held drum a bit smaller than a tambourine. He is on the left, fifth from the end of the horseshoe shape. He actually has a BRIEF solo at about the 1:40 mark. The videographer (Brock) could have held the camera a bit steadier, and we get a great shot of his hand at one point, but I truly appreciate his efforts, as he hurried over to get in a better position to record this -- our seats didn't have the best of view.
 

Preston - Samba piece with the World Junior Percussion Ensemble from Amy Reynolds on Vimeo.

Basketball & Ice Cream

Lord help me, this girl's strong will is going to do me in. Last week, she attended basketball camp at Rochester High School. This week, she is going to basketball camp at Lincoln Land Community College. We are paying our neighbor, Erin, to shuttle her back and forth so we don't have to take off work. I found out last Friday that every single day last week, Shaling talked Erin into taking her out for ice cream after camp. That was not part of the agreed upon deal. Not that I really care about the ice cream; I am sure Shaling MORE than burned off the calories during camp. Plus, she is not a good milk drinker, so the calcium is a benefit.

However, I would like Shaling to learn proper etiquette -- if someone offers to buy you something, it's ok to say "yes, please", "no, thank you", or "yes, thank you." I am trying to convince her that it is rude to flat out ask. So, I explained this the best I could and her response was, "but, I like ice cream." Duh. Stupid Mom. Of course, I went on to explain that is beside the point.

So, fast forward to today. Erin picks Shaling up from basketball camp. Shaling borrows Erin's phone. She calls ME to ask, "Mom, can I have ice cream?"
Color me stupified.

For those of you not on Facebook, you might get an even better kick out of this conversation Shaling had with Erin. Erin is in her early 20s and has a steady boyfriend, Nick. Nick is currently serving our country in Afghanistan and Erin explained to Shaling that he is not coming home until November. Shaling responded, "It's good to have a boyfriend, but you should also have another boy to have a crush on in case you get tired of waiting or you break up." Yes, God; my 11-year-old, with just under 2.5 years in America, has already figured out the "back-up plan". Please keep your arms wrapped around both of us.

Back to basketball -- Shaling has spent the last two weekends participating in basketball tournaments. Her team is relatively raw compared to most of the competition and have gone 4-6 in 10 games, but we have seen growth in every game. She is having a blast playing and is actively listening, striving to get better, and it shows!