Alida Sings

The music teacher at the middle school has an enviable amount of energy.

And she held a singing workshop with the instructor from the high school there to listen and politely critique the brave singers last week.

 

I was amazed at Alida's version of Castle in a Cloud.  It was beautiful. 

When the instructor said that Alida could put on a beret and be Cossete, I couldn't have agreed more.

The Musical

Opening Night--we wouldn't have missed it.

Elaine joined the crew after cross country was over for the season.  Since she was the only one to volunteer and not be in the play, she was promoted to stage manager pretty much immediately. 

 

Three days and four shows.

Sixth grade, I remember singing the alphabet song for a one-night only showing... school has changed.

 

And we were absolutely without-a-doubt amazed.  They all were wonderful, really.  I couldn't believe they were 6-8th graders.

 

The Napkins--turns out they are back-up singers...

And the theme of the show: manners.  I was delighted.  There was a song about how to set the table; how to be a good guest; how to say thank you.

And gratuitous picture of Elaine, since all we saw during the show was a little peeking out from behind the curtains, so quickly I couldn't get a shot.

Their first large venue music concert.

 

With amazing seats and a bang of confetti.

 

While a little uncertain at first, we couldn't stop the smiles by the end.

 

That big smile is impossible to fake from Nicholas.

 

 

And Imagine Dragons put on a great show, which just happened to be in town while we were at the beach.  It was meant to be.  

The Great 50 States Song

I was nearly beside myself when I heard the girls practicing this for their 5th grade show.  I remember performing this as a kid too.  Next I need someone to teach them to backward alphabet song.

6th Grade Music Performance

Ben--stiff as stone, much like his first haircut.

But, the boy signed up for chorus as an elective all on his own for next year, and that makes me happy.  I love hearing him sing to himself when he forgets what is happening around him at home.

 

And Nick.  Now granted the girls there are up a step on the risers, but this entirely reminds me of my own 6th grade year.  Despite having nearly caught up with his brother recently in height, the towering of the girls at this age is so awkward.  It'll change soon, I'm sure. If I remember correctly, I was essentially done growing by this point in 6th grade, and when I headed into 7th, the tide had turned.

The 90's

And Hmm.

Why are they dressed like this.

I feel like the 90's didn't really get a good set of identifiable clothing style.

 

It was their interpretation of dressing in the style of the 90's for the 4th/5th grade production of the Juke Box Time Machine at school.

 

Super fun evening in the midst of moving. And Alida even had a speaking part in there!

Interesting

When I encourage him to do this, he nearly falls on the floor in horror.

Grandpa encourages him to do this, and I find him here all on his own.

Just Dance

 

One family activity that Ben simply shakes his head at.

Patric joins every time, always dancing his own dance.

Piano

 

Five weeks over the summer.

 

They nearly faint dead when I tell them I took lessons for 7 years.

 

We'll keep this going during the school year.

And Now In Song

Years Ago

This piano was on sale somewhere.

Literally, years ago (I know the boys were not yet three, which was why we didn't put it together).

We finally put it together.

It sounds a little like it's more than three years out of tune, but I suspect it may have started out that way.

And yes, we went to the movies this weekend in the skeleton pajamas. I love watching people watch us when we're out. They don't really know what to do with what is in front of them.

Take Two: Butterfly

Butterfly

Culture

It took us over a year to hook the iPod up in the robot van, but once Patric did music flowed.

And then this during Wagner on the way home from preschool:

From Ben: "TURN IT OFF!!! Daddy, it sounds like someone is going to die!"

From their father: "Well Ben, you're right!"

(and aside to me from Patric singing) "Kill the wabbit! Kill the wabbit!"

Warner Brothers, bringing culture to my generation, one disjointed cartoon at a time.

Thanksgiving Day Movie Marathon: Musical Edition

Dinner and a Show

Grandma and Grandpa's Birthday Gifts

My parents lovingly tucked away my third birthday gift forever ago--a wood cradle for my baby dolls--probably thinking how fun it would be to give to my daughter to play with on her third birthday.

Well, they had to have a duplicate made. So my story is that I have no idea which is the original, and I'm sticking to it.

Watch Elaine tolerate me finishing her song as if she were the boss allowing me to have my say before she went ahead and did whatever she was going to do anyway.

The second video turned out to be a little shocking really, which delighted her.

Thank you grandma and grandpa--they are perfect.

Lessons

Alida's first. I think she did quite well with Matti by her side.

The Flower Song

What else is there to say?

Dance Ben Dance!

Well, if you see some food on the floor you should stop and pick that up and eat it. Then dance on Ben. Dance on.

Thanks for the videos grandma and grandpa. I now wake with the Larry Boy song in my head. If you watch this enough times, you will too.

And yes. If one child is entertaining us, we do ignore all wants from any other child. Sorry Nicholas, but you should have just danced.