Yesterday saw Meghan finally embarking on her long-awaited band trip to New York City, Philadelphia and Carnegie Hall.
To say that she was excited would be the understatement of the year. When she came home from school Friday afternoon, she was met in the kitchen by Joey, and together they did the Happy Dance, squealing, “No school for a week and we’re going to New York!!!” David took Meghan over to the high school yesterday morning to drop her off and load her bags onto the bus. He said that the kids who were already there could barely contain their excitement, and that the band directors looked exhausted but just as excited and happy as the kids that were being dropped off. From the texts Dave and I have been receiving, Meghan is over the moon. This morning I was greeted with these messages: “Mom! I recognize where we are! We’re passing signs for DC! . . . Also, they have a Sunoco gas station here . . . and Bob Evans . . .I saw a 703 area code . . . a Virginia license plate!”
Then a couple hours later: “oh my gosh, we’re here”.
I thought I heard the happy yells of 100+ marching band kids drifting my way from the East Coast.
Their week is detailed right down to the very minute, starting with a tour and shopping at Rockefeller Center this afternoon. Tomorrow sees them touring the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, with plenty of grand adventures planned for the remainder of the week.
But this Tuesday night, Meghan, along with 59 other fellow Marching Bulldogs, will take center stage at Carnegie Hall and play for all of us in attendance.
This past Tuesday night, we got to hear a pre-concert here in town for those that aren’t able to make the trip (actually in a nearby town as Fayetteville High doesn’t have a concert hall/auditorium yet, but it’s in the process of being built. Long story for another day). I took my parents while David and Joey stayed home because both wanted to wait and be surprised at the actual concert Tuesday night when we’re there.
That's Meghan, third from the right, the tall blonde holding her flute and sporting that little grin of hers and looking sideways at the camera. I love that little look! ; )
Boy, these kids can play! To think that just six years ago, the majority of them didn’t know how to make sound come out of their horns and now here they are, ready to play the most famous music hall in the world . . . well, that’s just amazing.
David, Joey and I are gearing up for our whirlwind trip to the Big Apple, too. This will be Joey’s first time in NYC, and I think he’s more excited than all of us put together! The first place he wants to go to is F.A.O. Schwartz by Central Park, then he’s content to go anywhere we take him.
He’s excited about the plane ride (his first since he was 4 years old).
He’s excited about having his own bed in the hotel.
He’s excited about seeing Times Square.
I really and truly believe that he won’t be able to sleep tonight.
We leave tomorrow, and will come back in time to bake a pumpkin pie and eat turkey with my parents on Thursday.
This week has been in the planning stages since early Spring 2011, and it’s finally here.
I don’t know if any of us will be able to sleep tonight!
I’ll bet tons of memories will be made on this trip! Have a wonderful time. Tell Meghan to break a leg. I won’t bother to tell you to take lots of photos… that’s a given!
Papaw back in Arkansas is so very proud of Meg. Chills down my spine just thinking about her performing at Carnegie!! Much Love to all there in NYC tonight.