Super Saturday!

Once in a while life surprises us with a day when everything seems to go right.  Today was such a day.  It began at 7:00 a.m. I went to the kids' rooms and woke them up and told them to get ready for the day.  The both did it in record time & without much fuss.  

• Jeff and Robbie left for football while Katja and I left for her All Region orchestra audition. We were all even running on time!  
• I called to check on Jack, who had spent the night with grandma & papa, only to find that he was happily enjoying a large breakfast. I could hear him laughing and babbling (he's quite the chatter box these days) in the background.  I can't remember the last time I had a stress free morning routine.
• 9:00 a.m.- Robbie's football game began while Katja was ushered (with about 50 other violists) to her audition room.  
• By 9:33 a.m.- I was a nervous wreck on Katja's behalf, and received a text message from Jeff.  Robbie's team led 21-0 at half time.  Already, one of my children seemed destined to be happy for the rest of the day.  
• 9:40 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. - I walked around, and tried to read while trying not to wonder how Katja was holding up competing against 7th & 8th graders from Conroe, Willis, Magnolia, and Klein ISD's.  I tried to remind myself that I had done a good job reassuring her that just being invited to audition as only a 6th grader was an honor and quite the accomplishment already.  Unfortunately, I could not shake the knowledge of how hard she had worked and how disappointed she would be if she didn't make it.  
• Robbie played true to the number #1 on his jersey as he earned MVP of the game!
• 
  11:17 a.m.-  Call comes in letting me know that Robbie was MVP of the game (wohoooo!), and I missed it!!  :(  Sniff, sniff. He made numerous tackles which included diving, ramming, and even sacking the quarterback WAY behind the line of scrimmage. Coaches said that Robbie was most valuable player and played his best game yet.
  Katja practices before audition
• 
  11:30 a.m. - Katja emerges from audition room feeling good about her performance.  I remain skeptical, however, as Katja is the proverbial optimist.  I assure her that the reward is in feeling that she did her best and gaining valuable experience in the audition process, blah, blah, blah.....
  
  Katja and Mrs. Brosvik (Katja's teacher) in the midst of (chaos) hundreds of aspiring musicians all tuning their instruments at the same time!
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  12:15 p.m. - results are posted.  As I approach results I am passed & dazed by a mob of rushing students who push and shove their way to the front.  The teacher in me reprimands a student before I remember that I am being a "mom" at the moment and should not do anything to embarrass Katja.  Katja somehow manages to reach the results list, turns around and yells "I MADE IT!!!".  She runs off to find her teacher.  I endure more shoving and pushing before being able to scrutinize list and confirm the results. Sure enough, not only did she make it, she had an impressive ranking.  I am stunned and amazed.   We leave school with Katja floating on a cloud and calling all relatives to share her news.  She is the first 6th grader in CISD's history to make All-Region Orchestra! Go Kat!!!
  
• 1:30 p.m. - As the day is beautiful the kids and I decide to walk to the park with their neighborhood friends.  At the park, we run into old acquaintances and enjoy their company. Robbie plays football with friends.  The kids get invited to a Halloween party.
• Grandma celebrates her birthday at Japanese Steakhouse
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  6:30 p.m. - Paco & Kerrie, Michelle & Chris, Jeff, the kids, and I meet mom and dad at Kobe's Japanese Steakhouse to celebrate grandma's birthday, the kids' accomplishments, and Jack's turning 17 months.  A good time was had by all even if we all have the cook's routine memorized already.  Really, they need some new material!  Regardless, if you have to take young children to dinner and want them to behave, take them Kobe's.  The cook's antics will keep them riveted.  
  
• 8:45 p.m. - Kids go with Jeff to neighbor's Halloween party wearing their new costumes while I stay home with a sleepy Jack.  
• 10:25 p.m. - As I type this entry I wonder if I should buy a lottery ticket...but I'm just too darn tired.