Congrats to DS! My HS and Army Reserve band years are some of my favorite memories and experiences.

I was first chair for six years, and no I wasn't the only flutist (in HS). I was the only one in the AR band though, so didn't count that.

Keeping with the grandchildren theme, DGD1 recently started taking piano lessons. After only one month she was moved up in the learning levels. I am hoping she wants to take up the flute. At the beginning of this school year (5th) grade, she tested reading at college level, which wasn't a surprise but still something to brag about.

DD got her first 4.0 in college last semester. It was funny, she just became determined to do it, certainly not because we pressured her because we rarely even talk about grades. The semester before, she had all A’s but one A-, so I think being that close made her determined to get all A’s next time. As an athlete, too, they get special recognition for it so that was nice for her as well.

I meant to add this to my topic, DGS wears braces. Yikes. I asked if it hurts to play and he said a little bit but he's okay. This year alone the school built a building just for band, and they all got spiffy uniforms. Lots of donations and raised taxes which is fine by me.

Allison, you should be proud of yourself, which I'm sure you are. :) Do you still play the flute? . Don't let your GD stop piano. Stopping piano lessons is one of my biggest regrets.

Reading college level? Amazing. We must be related since she takes after me also. ;)

Sue, 4.0 in college is huge. Sounds like she's competing with herself, which is great. An A- wouldn't affect her GPA would it? DGD starts 7th grade in the fall and will be cheering and playing softball. She's a straight A student so I hope all those basketball games doesn't interfere. We don't have football.

Someone on GW suggested I try forcing Daffodil bulbs....it worked! I'm sharing my first bloom with you. Success!

I love these stories of stepping out to try something new, or more challenging. The accomplishments AND the trying are awesome!

I start a new job in a couple weeks. Have been off work since August. Loved taking time off to devote to my side hustle, but ready to go back to a real job.

I played flute too. Was first chair my senior year of HS, but only because I was a senior. Definitely wasn't the best player in the bunch!

I tried out for a performing music ensemble…and made it! I’m more nervous about the first rehearsals than I was about the audition. What was I thinking? I just wanted to get better at playing.

I'm loving all the sharing.

While my grandkids are beyond amazing, my DD2 kind of spearheaded a campaign in her school district - for some issues that had been discussed over the years, and nothing had ever come of it.

She really did a lot of organizing (yard signs, committes going to school board meetings etc) and this week the school board announced that Issue #1 was approved . It still will take a bit more doing ( nothing happens quickly) but it's a great first step. While she's not alone in this (as I said there is a committee with several qualified and competent people ) she really took the issue to heart and energized the movement. The big city paper even has interviewed her and quoted her.

So very proud here.

*check in in 6 months to see if it actually does come to be but still a very good accomplishment.

Nicole, those are beautiful! Can they be forced anytime of the year?

Bpath, you do Bells, right? Not sure of the proper name, but I think it's you. Correct me if I'm wrong. So much talent here!

Sal, I can see why you're so proud. Your daughter stands up for what she believes in.

Spanish, congrats on your new job? Care to share what you'll be doing? If not, that's fine.

Feathers, what an accomplishment. I bet it saved a whole lot of $$$$ too. lol

Congrats to everyone. It's nice to hear all the positve things going on in your lives.

Oakley, I have only gotten out my flute now and then snice having children. My piccolo is on the shelf, so I have played it a bit for the grands. I would definitely be last chair these days. LOL

While we are bragging, DD2 will finish Grad school in December (psychology), and started her clinicals last week.

Congrats, Oakley & everyone!

Music accomplishment is special to me since it takes lots of talent and lots of practice to excel.

Love hearing happy news.

@Oakley I’m actually going to be selling for ”The Competition”!🥸

Congrats to DGS. First chair is a big deal. I always wish that I were musical.

Our daughter. She was born two months prematurely when I suddenly went eclamptic. Two pounds 14 ounces, but a fighter even then! The neonatal nurses called her their Fierce Fairy Baby (LOL)! She was in the NIC unit almost two months, and at a mere 5 weeks old was turning over in her incubator, AND grabbing the tubing and ripping it off the incubator walls. She’s been a tough, smart girl ever since. She got kicked out of ballet class in grade school because she told her instructor it was too boring and slow for her. Her second week of high school she tested at the beginning of senior year of college level in everything but math. They wanted to jump her up into college, but we refused. Not only was she still short and very petite, but we felt that she deserved growing up with kids her own age. It was the right choice for her. With college and grad school now behind her, she’s a very successful clinical mental health therapist at 28 y/o. Her clients love her. And, I am so darn proud of the strong, happy woman she is!

@Oakley...Lowes here, had a BIG end of the season bulb "give away". I picked up 11 bags, 370 daffodil bulbs. I was told to just put a few in a shallow/just cover the bulb-depth container...leave them in the garage...and around February I'd see sprouts. Then bring them indoors. I've never tried forcing before....

Oakley, yes, handbells. Hard to practice at home.

My six kids. All in the HS National Honor Society, two of them valedictorians, all on their college Deans lists, all with masters degrees or beyond, all of them professionals who are happily married to genuinely lovely people.

My ten grandchildren. The oldest is a singer-songwriter-pianist-guitarist whose band is being recognized as one of the freshest, best bands of the year. They’ve been written about in The New Yorker, New York magazine, Rolling Stone, The LA Times, The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, and many music magazines. And all the while she has maintained straight As as an English major at NYU.

Another granddaughter will graduate as HS valedictorian in June. A grandson is a Mathlete at his HS, another grandson is a scholar/athlete/musician. And the two liitlest boys are learning to walk and talk!

It’s fabulous, but the best part about my family is that they all like each other! All 22 of them!

DD went to college at age 16, accepted by medical school at age 19. She is in her 3rd year med school now. A brave girl is working hard on her medicine journey.

Love to read everyone’s posts! Nice thread!

I love reading all these posts! So much thriving and happiness! DS recently completed his doctorate and post doc training in clinical psychology, and is now a clinical professor at a top university, his dream job. He’s happily married to a wonderful and brilliant woman who is doing post doc research in evolutionary biology at the same university. My DD is getting a masters in education and teaching kindergarten. She adores her students and her new career, and it seems to be a perfect fit. I would like to be in her class:) I’m also happy that after many years of living and studying far away, they are all now living nearby. These are things I think about that make me really happy.

Nicole, you said you forced the Daffodils in your first picture. Did you keep those in the garage also? Please tell me you're hiring out to plant the bulbs. My back hurts just thinking about it although there are bulb digger thingys.

Allison, you know what you should do on a warm summer night when all's quiet? Sit on the porch and play the piccolo for your neighbors. I'd love to hear one at night. I'd follow the sound. I am thrilled your daughter is getting her masters, especially in psychology.

Sheesh, is it okay if I'm envious of you and your family? Ours is so small, but at least DS1 lives next door.

I can brag about him! In elementary school, when it all began, he was an A/B student. In 5th grade his math teacher called me the night before report cards came out and said he was getting an F. What the??? I checked their book bags and homework every single day, and there was no clue he was failing in math and if he was, why did she wait so long to tell us?

My very best friend at the time was a teacher, and when I told her I was fuming she said to me, "I'm always on the side of the teacher." I no longer wanted to hang out with her. What a silly comment.

We put him in the school's math lab, and was in lab also in the 6th grade. His grade came up but he still struggled. When the boys got to Jr. High we made them take a math class every year until graduation. He was an average student in math and the beginning of his senior year he told us he wanted to be a digital computer artists or some such.

At his baccalaureate when they called his name (small school) the speaker said DS1 was going to major in civil engineering like my dad. DH and I looked at each other in fear. lol

He did it. Went all the way and was hired on the spot at his first interview. Became the head of his department too, beat out people who'd been there for years.

@Oakley...Yes. The pot of daffodils are "forced". They are blooming months earlier than is normal. I planted the pot & kept it in the garage until I saw sprouts, about a week ago. Today 3 more bloomed & they are sitting in my livingroom. It will be late June before the ones planted outdoors will bloom.

I used a pick-ax and dug a huge...3' X 12' area out of the yard, the ground is super hard and compacted near the house. Then back filled with blood meal, bone meal & top soil...then colored bark mulch to top it off with. No back issues. It was super cold, I didn't stay out longer than 20 minutes at a time tho. Took me over the course of a week to complete the task. 💕Spring should be BEAUTIFUL❣️

I don't have any children to brag about, so I guess I will brag about myself! :)

I'm very proud of the little attic room I recently finished turning into my art/jewelry studio. Except for the electrical (which husband did) and installing the re-claimed lath on one wall (hubby again), I did all of the work myself and I just love spending time in that cozy little room. I think because I did most of the work, it makes me appreciate the room all that much more.

Love the dafs, nicole!

So nice to hear about your ’proud moments’. Lots of good stuff going on here.

Mine is centered around our oldest grandkids. Our oldest grandson is about to get married. They have been dating since early college days and now have jobs in Dallas. Excited and proud of them.

Our oldest GD is working on her MBA and will graduate in May. She was selected by faculty and peers as one of a group of 4 to represent her school in a competition to be held in March. It will involve solving a problem to be presented to them by a Fortune 500 company (to be revealed later). They will have 24 hours to come up with a solution and a presentation. The competition is from other SEC (Southeastern Conference) schools. The winning team splits 10k. They get college credit and of course expenses are paid for travel. She is excited and looks at it also as an opportunity to network. Plus she said her name will always be there on a plaque in the business school.

GD #2 will also graduate in May (undergrad) and we’re excited for her as well. All the little ones flying on their own warms my heart.

Nicole, please come to my flowerbed and yank the old growth for me. :)

I had to look up forcing bulbs indoors, and I found out the reason I could force Amaryilis and Paperwhites is because they don't require chilling. I had no idea some need to be chilled. I can't wait to see pictures!!

My great-nephew is in all-county band for trombone. He also is learning piano and guitar. He gave up most of his sports to focus on music.

My good friend gave a TEDx talk the other day in Portland, OR.

I got nominated for an award. I was nominated last year but didn’t get it. At least the person who got it last year can’t get it again!

Congrats!