Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Spring 2015 Studio Recital!

For documentation purposes:


The performers:




Presentation of flowers and gift card for my graduating senior, Orrin:



The set-up (so much fun to plan and prepare with 
Autumn and Jefrilyn, my recital committee members!):



The crowning jewels of the refreshment tables. 
A fabulous friend made 80+ of these...she is truly a great friend!: 



My favorite feature: each student received a balloon with a box containing Hershey's Hugs and a personal message of encouragement or praise from me to them.

To get it, though, they had to identify a technique the composer used in my piece ("Royal March of the Lions" by Saint-Saens) to make it sound like lions. This was great - every single student wanted to make sure they talked to me after the recital! Even the youngest students figured it out with a little help, thinking about dynamics, changes in octaves, tempo, etc.



The cupcake tower:



The program table:




My first time performing at one of my studio recitals - I LOVED IT!!! 
I hadn't realized how much I have missed performing. 
This will definitely become a tradition for me.



A beginner trio, including Naomi (in the center). Most of my ensemble work as a student was when I was older. I was blown away by how much work we had to put into learning parts PLUS listening to each other PLUS balancing well. Ensemble skills come fairly naturally to me, but now I am more aware of how much work it can take in the beginning!

They worked very hard and performed beautifully!!

Monday, May 18, 2015

First Day of Swim Season!

On Saturday, our neighborhood pool opened for the summer. The kids were so thrilled! They were there for hours and returned with purple toes and wanting hot chocolate!


On a side note, check out Andrew, my almost-five-year-old who still barely holds up a 24 month bathing suit! I tried a larger size on him but was convinced the weight of the water would pull it right off.



Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Piano Cookies!

For my studio's spring piano recital, a terrific friend made 80+ of these cookies. They were beautiful!! And Andrew certainly didn't mind that there were leftovers. :)




Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Brothers

This picture is just because these boys fight so much that I sometimes need a reminder they occasionally end up loving their time playing together.


(They are playing with a moon sand construction tractor set. Best investment of the year.)

Friday, May 08, 2015

JUST IN: Peter Disrupts Bedtime Routine!

Usually Peter goes to bed before the older three kids. Last night, he was still awake and I let him lie in Naomi's bed for a few minutes. He stayed still for a bit:


Then he stood up:



And began jumping, as if he was on a trampoline:




The he sat on Naomi's head and started bouncing:



He's not a regular bedtime invitee, but he's certainly entertaining when he's allowed to join in!









Wednesday, May 06, 2015

Which Does Peter Love More?

Spaghetti? Or baths?

Either way, he's a happy camper tonight!