Christmas Concert

Ah, the Christmas Season.  That time of year filled with parties and activities every night......


For the McGraths it always includes the schools' Christmas concerts.  Jordan's concert was last Thursday and I woefully neglected to get a picture.

Ethan's was last night.  He was SO excited.  And to think he almost didn't get to be in choir...

When I met to go over his IEP last Spring I was informed that junior high students in special ed did not get a fine art class because they need a double literacy block.....!?!?!  What!?!?!  After I picked my jaw from off the ground I asked in all innocence..."Are you telling me that my son, who loves music, can't go to music because he has a disability?  He can't do the classes his peers do because he is disabled?"

Hint:  That is totally against federal and state law

I was quickly assured it would be remedied.  By August he was enrolled in music although the music teacher was not at all happy about it.  Thankfully, his aide went to class with him to be the buffer so the music teacher wouldn't have a meltdown.  And, I assure you, Ethan behaved a lot better than some of the kids I saw at the concert :-)  He takes his music very seriously because, after all, he has spent years watching his siblings' concerts.  He has it down.




 Jordan spent the time helping back stage.  He is loving music and drama.  The junior high and high school are now out for the rest of the week, or those that don't have to take finals are.  Jordan and Ethan spent the day in the fine art center hanging out and singing with the choir.  Ethan loved it.  Jordan was a great big brother today!  (He always is, but today was extra special).



Happy Singing!

Old Man

No, not Phil. The dog.  Life is good,  apparently.  (You may have to listen closely....it doesn't come across as well on camera)

On another note.....summer is slipping away because of this:

Doesn't anyone in our district believe is "delayed" start times????  If only I had known I was getting two five-day vacations in a row I would of totally planned for it!  The good news is, by the time Christmas break gets here I won't have much more cleaning out to do :-)  I am running out of closets to go through which leaves the attic ..... and for some reason I can't talk a single man in my household to go through the attic with me when it is below freezing.  Go figure.

Cabin Fever

Well.  This is what three days of not leaving the house gets you. No, this is not my creation. This is all Ethan. 

Cabin fever is hitting me differently. I have managed to go through every closet in my house. While, of course, watching old episodes of Star Trek Voyager. Yes, cabin fever is a dangerous thing. 

The first night of ice detention I decided to have a little party and make chocolate chip cookies. But when I realized I may be in house for multiple days I quickly had to change my strategy or I wouldn't have anything to wear when school started back up again. 

I am going to remember these lovely days of quiet bliss when next semester hits and there isn't a break until spring.