Activity in Music

This past Monday, our family decided to all go to concert put on by the local high school orchestras. Our oldest, who will be joining this group next year, wanted to watch and listen to the group play.  In the past, we might have only taken him, allowing the other children to stay home.  But, we decided it was a great opportunity to expose the other children to orchestral music and give us time together as a family.  It did take a bit of effort convincing our middle child to join us.

What you see/hear is just one selection from the concert that the local high school performed on Monday, May 11, 2015.  They are playing a portion of The Moldau by Smetana.

Even if our younger children might not have fully appreciated the music, this picture taken is proof that the activity did what we needed it to:  Build relationships.

Our oldest has never, in the entire six years of his sister's existence, had the desire to carry or hold her in any way for any reason.  But, that night he invited her into his arms and he happily carried her to the car.  Yes, miracles do happen!

 It was obvious that this concert meant something to him and put him in the greatest mood because he did something that he wouldn't normally do.  You can bet that she will never forget this moment--the very first time her brother carried her!  Witnessing that small moment made that night a wonderful experience for me.

After the concert was over we enjoyed a family treat at the local Culver's--our go-to place for ice cream (okay, it's really frozen custard, but it certainly satisfies the same cravings).  We all indulged in the flavor-of-the-day:  Chocolate Marshmallow Oreo.

WRA, REL200, Post 2

Tall Timbers

In our elementary school 4th graders are introduced to the recorder in their music class. As a musician, I love the idea. And, it gave Aidan a real opportunity to explore other musical options besides singing and piano. I cannot tell you how much he has absolutely loved playing. His piano skills have greatly improved since he took on this challenge. I even got my own recorder so I could play with him (since then Robyn and Hunter also have their own recorder).

4th grade Tall Timbers Recorder Group (Aidan is on the far left, red shirt)

This is just a sampling of what they played. They also played some pieces along with the rest of the 4th grade class with percussion instruments and singing. It was a great, eclectic program! (There's a bit of Robyn in here too--she'd be the little girl going in and out of the video)

I can't begin to explain how they "move up the ranks" in the "Recorder World". Only that the highest level of performance is a black belt (shown by a piece of string tied to the bottom of the recorder). Those performing at this level immediately become part of the Tall Timbers and got to perform separately here at the 4th grade program. He's gearing up to play with the Towering Timbers next year...a group that performs for various events throughout the year. Aidan's very excited for that!

I'm learning that Aidan is my instrumentalist. He doesn't care for the singing put he'll whip out a song on the piano or the recorder any day. He's already wondering what instrument he wants to play come Middle School.

It was on and we were there...

Sam Houston Area Council here in Houston, TX hosted the LARGEST event, 2nd to National Jamboree, to help celebrate 100 Years of Scouting!

We headed up to the Texas World Speedway to participate in Cub Scout activities that took up space 1/4 mile long. Needless to say, we didn't get to it all. However, here's a few major highlights:

Getting to enter through a tunnel!

Making Samurai Hats


World Record Rocket Launch

When you see this in the Guiness Book of World Records in 2012, know that my two boys made rockets that went off in this launch! I think there were something like 3200 rockets in all!

The boys (with their cousins) LOVED the race cars on display...there were much more than I have room for pictures!
Aidan was all over the GIANT Twister Game (sorry, no pictures of that). And the magician/juggler was certainly appropriate for Cub Scouts!

How about those push carts?!

Aidan is at the top of the screen pushing his little cousin--they won that heat! Hunter is 2nd from the bottom pushing his cousin. He got a bit frustrated at the end when he had trouble steering and she fell out. But, she was fine and they finished the race!

Getting to take home a 7ft. Live Oak Tree :

A mighty oak, grown from a small acorn, has become a symbol of the growth and strength that a young person gains from Scouting. 5,000 trees that were planted from an acorn at the BSA 75th anniversary in 1985 were donated to SHAC Jam. The oak trees are small enough for a Cub to carry, but large enough to have a head-start on growth. By the time the Cub earns his Eagle rank, the tree will be taller and stronger – and so will the Cub-now-Eagle.

Jaren spent a few hours helping the kiddos make First Aid Kits. While I didn't volunteer AT SHAC Jam I did help my sisters put together the "This Is Cub Scouting" tent for use at the event. Let's just say I now have a very close relationship with vinyl, paint and modge podge! Some things included"fishing" for belt loop requirements and playing ring toss to learn what we had to do to earn the Texas badge!
We ended the afternoon with a Cub Scout Closing Ceremony and me catching up with my Wood Badge Troop Guide (hadn't seen him since Wood Badge) who was on staff for the event. (Notice how Robyn just "cozied" right up to him. She knows a grandpa when she sees one)

We left more sunburned and tired (and dusty) than when we came!
What we participated in as a Cub Scout Family is only a small fraction of all that went on...what we didn't see was what the Boy Scouts were up to. They took up the rest of the place and the other two days of the event.

Here's to another 100 years of Scouting!

Happy Birthday Grandma!

Dear (Great) Grandma Gold:

I know we are far away and can't physically come and wish you a Happy Birthday. But please know that if we were there we'd certainly serenade you like this:

And give you lots of:And finally show you how much we love you by giving you these:from our own backyard!

We love you and miss you Grandma! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Quack quack. Honk honk.

Apparently, I've got my own flock of geese right here!
Or are they ducks?

Adding One To Another

This is just a peek from Hunter's kindergarten program. I was so impressed with him I had to share this little portion!


Does anybody notice what "numbers" Hunter is displaying?! Leave it to my kid to be different. And there was no coaxing from us. His daddy taught him weeks ago and I'm sure he had no idea that he uses it everyday at school.

Just so you know, Hunter is now asking to learn more numbers. Hey, that one semester of Sign Language at BYU has finally paid off.

That girl can rock!

At first I thought the dancing was just an accident. Robyn likes to rock back and forth on her hands...just thought it was cute. Then I realized she was doing it with certain music! Namely "Yankee Doodle" (which, mom Fort, is music from the rolling ball you gave her for Christmas).

She sometimes rocks when other music is playing too. And she does it when the boys are being seriously crazy! Her way of showing her excitement!

This weekend she increased her "sitting" time long enough for me to snap a few shots. I especially like the one with her smiling "through" her thumb.

My Mini Mozarts

Yesterday, we hosted my very first piano recital for my students. It was a first not only for me but for my students as well. It was pretty casual, low-key and not so intimidating. I wanted it that way so none of us would feel too nervous. They all did a fantastic job and I was so impressed with how well it went.
This year I had less students then in the past partially due to the addition of little Robyn who takes up a bit more of my time at the moment. So, I have been unable to teach as many as I like (at one time I had over a dozen students).

I have to give a public "I LOVE YOU" to my wonderful husband who stuck by me and helped as I planned this event. Several hours before the recital he sent me 3 dozen roses to my front door wishing me luck!! I was completely surprised and speechless!! I think I just cried as I prepared them for a vase. The roses that you see on the table in the picture above are the ones he sent me. He's such an awesome guy!

Aidan playing Jingle Bells

I had to write up my own version of this piece because I was unable to find the perfect arrangement for him. NOTE: I missed the first few notes of Aidan's solo as he was too quick to get started...and I was a bit distracted being a piano teacher.

Anyway...our next recital is planned for June! I want it to be bigger and better. And I'm ready to enroll more students in January.

Playtime

A typical evening for us!

Aidan is seriously Robyn's own personal comedian. Whenever he's close or just simply walking by she always throws him a smile.

Sometimes she laughs and sometimes she's just absolutely content with the boys' efforts! I'm absolutely thrilled how much the boys want to help and be with her.

Although, they still refuse to help change her diaper...what's up with that??

Robyn's Story Time

Oddly enough, Robyn does her best "storytelling" while on the changing table...


Every time she's up here, we always get to hear another chapter. Course, we're still anxiously waiting to find out if she gets her prince or not. Will she finally win his heart? Stay tuned...

Make 'em laugh

Last night was a fun time for us! Our home teachers were over and they got to witness Jaren and his magic touch with Robyn. She showed off her first LAUGH!

This was actually the 2nd time she had done it...the first lasted a bit longer. Jaren has always had the talent of getting all our babies to laugh the first time. And, for a while I'm sure he'll be the only one successful at making Robyn laugh. I can get her to smile...but not laugh. Mommy just doesn't do it right.

The week that we were without electricity was the week that Robyn REALLY started smiling. She was smiling before but not on a regular basis. So, I tried to capture her "chubby cheek smile". Yes, my little girl has those perfect, pinchable cheeks!

What's worse than raining cats and dogs?!

Hailing Taxis! (haha)

Okay so my oldest LOVES to tell jokes. We recently purchased a new joke book for him--it includes jokes that are on his reading level that both brothers could understand. Until now he would read from some of daddy's OLD joke books--many of which he didn't understand. Since having this new book, the funnest thing has been reading through them as a family. Here are a few for your entertainment!

I especially like the clip including the "#6" and "Incorrectly." The boys are just priceless!

Slidin' & Divin'

We've spent this week having fun with water!!

Here's a few video clips to show the fun!

A few things to remember:

1. The pool waterslide slides into over 4 ft. of water and my youngest is still learning to swim. So, he was VERY hesitant about going down the slide knowing he wouldn't be able to touch. I tell ya, he mastered the idea of swimming "straight to the edge" if that's what it took to go down the slide.

2. And for my oldest the diving board is the "best thing ever!" He could go off the diving board over and over again all day long.

3. And then there's just a short clip of the slip n' slide with friends!

"Lead Me, Guide Me..."

I knew for a long time that Hunter could sing "I Am A Child of God" (along with many other songs). But, he would NEVER sing in earshot of anyone. So, it was quite a treat for all of us to have him not only sing this song, but sing two verses while I played (only v.2 is posted here). And he was very excited to do it. Certainly was a "goosebumps" moment for me! Now, if I can just get him to sing the other songs while I play.

The ULTIMATE video gamer!

Who says you can't get exercise from playing video games??!!

The boys don't get to play these games very often so when they do, it's quite the treat. I was somewhere else in the room "doing my thing" when I became completely mesmerized by Hunter's total physical (and vocal) enthusiasm of the game while the only thing moving of Jaren and Aidan were the muscles in their fingers! I got a good laugh. It's a miracle that I was able to record Hunter at all without him knowing. Once he learns that "mommy's videoing" he stops being himself and starts showing off. So, this was a rarity.

Here's to smiling!

The LDS First Presidency and the 12 Apostles

My sister introduced me to this and I thought it a great way for anyone to learn not only their names but a little tidbit about each member. I could listen to it over and over again!

Hunter's Famous Turtle

After some rains at Grandma Gold's House (Spring Break 2008), Hunter made the most fantastic discovery...the smallest turtle he had ever seen! He wanted to protect it...made a "nest" for it and named it Turtley. He succeeded in protecting it...from his fellow cousins that were equally ecstatic. Of course, though, like all wild animals, it did eventually wander away. Hunter certainly loves animals--especially those he can touch and handle!! Bugs especially. However, he's deathly afraid of roaches--a popular invader here in Texas.

His most recent encounter was with live crawfish. Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures or video of that experience!!