The One With the Kiff's Last Veteran's day Parade

 

 

Yesterday, in a rain-slogged morning, we ventured into Boston for their annual Veteran's Day parade. The parade has been a staple in Boston - and for the DHS band - since it was rebooted in 2021. And for all of those six parades, we have been there....from the meager beginnings to the powerful parade with 27 acts.

 

The parade yesterday marked the final one that Kiff will participate in as a member of the band. As you can imagine, there were sentimental moments from the day. Emmie wanted to arrive SUPER early - surprise, surprise - to capture some pictures of the day. That proved fun, but a lot of walking, as we put in 10,000 steps by the end of the parade.

 

Because of the rain, the band had to gather in the Boston Public Library, where we met them. I had never been there before, but it is an impressive building. After an extended wait, we went outside in the mist. The parade got off to a little late start, but we followed the marchers up Boylston Street and Tremont Street and around the Boston Common. Emmie made sure to snap pictures and I capture them going through the route four different times. 

 

As the parade finish, we realized how amazing the experience has been the past few years!!! 

The One With Happy Halloween

 

 

 

Another Halloween was upon us this year. Although we were not too sure what to expect, we had an amazing turnout. We got 33 trick-or-treaters...tied for the most we got in the last ten years.

 

Happy Halloween!!! 

The One With Senior Night

 

 

Last night was Senior Night at DHS. It was a sentimental moment that marked Kiff's last official regular season performance at a football game (though the team is having a strong season and should host a home playoff game).

The night started off with the big line up in the atrium...always a fun thing. Emmie took some great photos of band moms, Kiff with friends, and the five kids from Highlands who still do band from his class. It was very memory-filled.

While Kiff originally just wanted to get it over with, he settled into the awkwardness of the moment and relaxed. When we got called to cross the field, he got an amazing cheer from the band. It was cool to witness.

Emmie set it up so that all the senior parents could enjoy the game and the final official performance at half time...which was awesome. Although I did help man the raffle booth with Mr. Norbaka, we were able to enjoy the game while raising some $$$.

The night ended with a win and a great send off. Listening to the drums pound one last time as they marched off into the night at the end of the game was such a poignant send off. 

Later Kiff reveled in some of the moments at the end of the night, seeing his send off poster, getting a note from one of the staff, special shout outs from their director, and learning that some students had special notes ready for him.

It is hard to believe this part of the band experience is coming to an end for all of us. It has been an amazing seven year ride between them...and one that I hate to see ending. 

The One With the Frankenstein Encounter of Sturbridge

 

 

Last night, went to The Frankenstein Encounter at Sturbridge Village. It was the first time we had been to Sturbridge in a couple of years, since we went to the Christmas experience there, which was awesome.

 

 We did not know what to expect from this event. We had been to several of the different themed Halloween nights at Sturbridge, from the Trick or Treat nights, to the Circus events, to the Pumpkin aglow events they had. But, because it was an 1818 Frankenstein theme, we said let's give it a go.

We were not disappointed. First, when we arrived, we had a "WHOA" moment. We had to park way in the back on the left fields....a place I didn't even know existed. There was a huge line to get in. But we soon found out why. They were acting out vignettes to the story and all of the open buildings had themes related to Frankenstein, from the four humors  to a coffin making store. There was live music, the fog-clocked covered bridge, and even fun lightning in the trees. And, the Frankenstein creation and final battle were great.

 

We all loved it and hope to go again next year....though we plan to get their earlier. 

The One With The Second Football Game

 

 

Last night was officially "Alumni Night" at DHS, which is ironic because both Emmie and Bri were in attendance. 

However, we were all there to see the second official half-time show with the marching band. The show is still coming together, so it was interesting to see the intricacies of the set starting to be put together. The large box for the Pandora show now had a lock and chains on it. And the front screens had black shim on them.

Overall, three pieces of the show are ready. But it looked nice. And Kiff had a chance to do the trumpet solo as well. He did great...tho he says he lost tone as he held the long note at the end.

It was also the tailgate party, so we had a chance to hang out with band parents as well. All and all, it was a great evening. 

And, best of all, the football team won as well and are now 4-0. They were top 20 in the state. 

The One With the Last First Band Show

 

 

For the past 7 years, since Bri has been in 8th grade, we have always had a first band show of the year. Although her initial first was quirky because of Covid, it was also memorably warm and rainy at DHS field.

Fast forward to earlier tonight when Kiff took the field for the first time this season, entering with his sun glasses as a senior.  However, it was a little bittersweet as well, because it is his - and out - last "first" day of band.

The crew sounded good and displayed the first half of their show that will go onto competition. They sounded strong and will continue to grow, as will the football team, which scored a 16-0 win.

 It is hard to believe this will be our last year as band parents. 

The One with Odyssey in IMAX

 

 

 

One of this year's summer blockbusters is The Odyssey. Although we saw it the day it first came out, Kiff had been longing to see the 70 mm cut on IMAX at Apple Cinema in Providence at Providence Place

 While the idea of taking an hour car ride to get to a theater wasn't fully tempting, we decided to make a go of it. Of course, getting tickets proved to be almost as arduous as Odysseus's voyage. They were sold out for weeks.

However, we found a date and time that would work - YAY - and made the trip down earlier today. It was worth the wait. A few things I noted about the film...

1. Figuring out concessions took a little longer than we realized - they have a self service set up - but it made sense.

2. It is clear that the popcorn is loaded and has been in there for a while. It was decent movie popcorn, but not warm. I would recommend the butter next time to warm it up.

3. The theater was amazing. The seats were comfier than normal for IMAX. However, like every IMAX I have been to, you could not see the seat numbers quite well.

4. The movie going experience was phenomenal. The trailer for DUNE prior to the movie - the only one they showed - echoed through you. And the scale of the screen made you feel like you were in the movie.

5. A fly did land on the projector which is something you don't usually see with the standard digital movies. That was a throwback moment.

Bonus - as we left and quickly got some food from the food court, Emmie and I were amazed that the DQ there served Orange Julius!!! Of course, we had to indulge...and it mostly like the old times.