Baby has a New Pair of Shoes

This girl got her first pair of heels last fall just in time for her piano recital. She was feeling a little short next to some of her friends.

A little warm up pre-recital.

Here is a picture of the piano she played. And, no clear picture of her playing at the recital! That is how we roll. We'll have another opportunity in a few weeks when she plays at the spring recital. She always does well, but proclaims that she hates piano. Her newest musical interest is her sister's ukelele. Enjoy the weekend! By Sunday we should have a little warmth back.

"Tis the Season

The youngest played in her first flute recital in mid-April. She has taken lessons for a few years, but the annual recitals usually conflicted with something else. She was the youngest performer and did very well.  She played Nightingale Polka.

This and That

At the last meeting of Middle Daughter's book club, the girls decorated t-shirts.  They were made by using masking tape letters to block the spray-on dye and then spraying.  I think they turned out really well.

I took the opportunity to snap a few pictures of the girls while they were dressed up for their music recital.

All of the kids, ours and others, played well at the recital.  Middle daughter plays such long pieces--I don't know how she does it!

The oldest and I went for a walk around my favorite spot and so, since she wasn't part of the picture taking a few nights earlier, I got a few shots of her.

Here is the turtle I'm sure I saved from certain death.  He was in the middle of the street by our house.  Ok, it is not a major thoroughfare, but I made sure a couple of cars avoided him while I figured out what to do.  One guy gave me a thumbs up.  The turtle didn't want to be picked up and truth be told I wasn't crazy about picking him up.  We finally did an odd little shuffle together up into a driveway and I'm convinced he continued on his way to a merry long life.

June is always dance recital month.  This is the first year in a long time that we've only had two dancers in the family.  The youngest was in Jr. Musical Theater and thus the lack of a frilly, pretty costume.  She danced to a song from Annie and one from Oliver.  High school hallways do not provide great backdrops for taking pictures.

In addition to recitals there have been a few graduations and the last day of school.  The girls have been keeping busy doing things with friends and helping around the house (hurray!).  The oldest started working at the dance studio.  Summer is off to a good start!

A Flurry of December Pictures

 Ok, I can't stop thinking about snow since it is coming down so often! I don't know where it is all going to go. It didn't stop us from doing a few things this weekend. Here is the youngest playing a selection from The Nutcracker before the Childrens' Christmas program.

 She and one of her friends were a couple of the narrators for the program. All of the kids with lines did great. Middle daughter helped with the three year olds. They were fun to watch as they played with their clothes and waved at their families. The director of the program had coached the kids to emphasis "t's" at the end of words that they were singing. We heard an interesting version of Silent Night. They listened.

 After the program, we swung by Macy's to see "A Day in the Life of An Elf." The display used to be something different each year, but it has been this theme now for a few years. It is cute so we don't mind.

 The elf on the top bunk is tickling the foot of the elf below with a feather.

 A little tree decorating is being done by animals in the town square.

 The post office.

This was a small party favor that we made for our guests on Saturday night.

On top of the holiday hustle and bustle we had a music recital to attend. The girls did a good job.  The violin piece in particular was very fast and challenging.

If I don't post again before Saturday, have a Merry Christmas!