Pardon me while I brag about my daughter!

BTW...This post is going to be all about Ashley. In our house I often hear the phrase, "that's not fair" to which I am usually quick to reply, "the fair comes once a year in August!" Lauren will have her moments for me to brag about her, but for THIS moment... I'm gonna brag on Ashley!

What a fun year this has been for Ashley starting middle school. She has taken really well to it. The end of her elementary school years were not so fun for her. However, 6th grade has opened up a whole new world. She really enjoys her classes and she is making great grades, including a 4.0 her first quarter.

BAND
Ashley had grown a little tired of piano after 5 years of taking private lessons. We still wanted her to have some sort of musical training, though, and so the Monroe Middle School band seemed like the perfect way for her to do so. At first she wasn't too excited about it, but decided she would like to learn to play the saxophone. In order to learn saxophone, she would first need to learn clarinet. So... along with quite a few other students in 6th grade that is what she is playing this year.

Mr. Dumchen, the band director, has been wonderful. Ashley really enjoys him a lot. In December the first concert of the year had to be cancelled due to the snow and ice we had at that time. It was rescheduled for Jan 14th. She was excited and very prepared. Below are a few pictures from the concert.
When it was over she thought she played pretty well - no squawking at least. ;)

Ashley has told us that she is excited to continue in the band next year and she really IS gonna go after the sax! What fun it is to watch her beginning to enjoy music. God has blessed her with a natural talent and we are so happy to see her discovering the true joy of it.

STUDENT OF THE MONTH
A week after the band concert, we had another opportunity to be proud parents of our Ashley Mae. The school has started a program called "Student of the Month" where teachers, staff and students have an opportunity to nominate students to receive an award. Ashley received an award for outstanding performance as an Aide and good citizenship.

They said of her:

"Ashley is always willing to help correct papers or do other tasks requested. She also enjoys helping other students. She is very kind and respectful in everything she does."

The school called us secretly (without Ashley knowing) and invited us to the assembly where she received her award.

Kurt and I are really happy to see Ashley doing so well in middle school and we feel very proud of her. I thought I would take a moment to celebrate all her hard work with a blog post in her honor! :)