A Recital

Saturday morning I held a short and cozy (just family and a few friends) recital for my one piano student, Elizabeth. Mary Kate participated as well so Elizabeth wouldn’t feel alone her first time performing in front of a crowd. Each of the girls played 3 or 4 songs. It was lovely, and the girls truly out-did themselves. I was so proud of Elizabeth, because up until now she has refused to perform in front of others. She was nervous, but she pulled it off. As for Mary Kate…she’s a performing pro!

And how awesome is this…their school teacher, Mrs. McBee came all the way from Springville just to attend! Now that’s a supportive and dedicated teacher if you ask me. Mrs. McBee even graced us with a performance of her own. She’s a fabulous piano player. It was extremely motivating for the girls to have their beloved 6th grade teacher show them what hard work and dedication can do.

I’m so proud of Mary Kate and Elizabeth both, for the effort they each give to piano. Learning to play well takes hard work and dedication. Mary Kate’s piano teacher Beverly is incredible and really believes in Mary Kate’s ability. Granted, there are tears when certain pieces are especially difficult to learn, but I love seeing the satisfaction that comes when Mary Kate masters something difficult and performs it so beautifully. Elizabeth too.

 
Keep up the good work girls. Piano is a wonderful skill you’ll find enjoyment from all your life. I’m so proud of you both.

The Cousin

Emilie bragged about my cousin Stephen on her blog so I’m taking the liberty of bragging about him on mine, because I really am so impressed by what he does for a career. Stephen is a Deputy Art Director for Martha Stewart Living. This week he’s been on a shoot at Martha’s farm in Bedford. If you look here you can click through the pictures and see Stephen at work. He’s one talented guy, and super nice too. Hi Stephen!

p.s. If you click on Stephen’s link above you can check out some of his whimsical creature creations, and if you click on his portfolio at the top you can see some of his amazing design work. Beautiful stuff. I like to go there every so often and just browse.

The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency Series

I’m finally finished with all eleven of them, and it was a pure pleasure. The bad part is that now I’m going to have to wait a long time to return to the world of Precious Ramotswe and the #1 Ladies Detective Agency of Botswana. Who knows when the next installment will be available? Please Mr. Alexander McCall Smith, don’t make us wait to long!

If any of you out there are looking for some easy, light reading that’s uplifting and life affirming, look no further. These are what you need. I would recommend them to anyone.

Happy Birthday Karen!

This is my beautiful sister-in-law Karen and today is her birthday. Happy Birthday Karen! (I hope she won’t mind that I shop lifted this picture right from her blog, but I love it!)

The best thing about Karen is that she is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. I don’t know if it was my mother-in-law who started calling her sunshine, or if it’s just me that thinks this should be her name, but that’s what she reminds me of…sunshine. Karen is in the business of making people happy, and she’s very good at.

Mike has always given Karen a hard time, because when she was a little girl she would sing…constantly. He still gives her a hard time about this every once in awhile, but I always tell him to back off!  She’s a happy person, and it’s fitting that she always sang. I think she should keep it up. (I know Mike secretly enjoyed her singing too, he just won’t admit it).

Karen was in junior high when I married into the family. My favorite thing about her back then, was that no matter what time of day it was or even if she was wearing just pajama pants and a T-shirt, she always had on high heels and lip stick and her hair always looked fabulous.

Now a days Karen is much more laid back about her shoes, lipstick and hair, but she is still a dazzler, and one of the kindest people I know. She is a wonderful wife and mother, a fabulous aunt and sister-in-law, and at our house we love us some Karen!

Happy Birthday Sunshine!

Look Alike

I found this picture of my father-in-law in his office last time we were in Cache Valley. When I saw it I was taken aback. I can’t believe how much he looks like Jeffrey! What do you guys think? Am I the only one who can see the resemblance?

What a handsome guy Dave was (is). I think I’ll start growing Jeffrey’s hair out so he can have that swoop.

Here’s one more photo I found that I thought you might like…

Still had the swoop, and check out the muscles!

Concert

Tuesday night Mike and I went with my brother Jeff and his friend Ashley to the John Mayer concert. I’ve been looking forward to this event for a long time. Have I ever mentioned how much I love John Mayer?

What a fabulous show. John did not disappoint. Man can he play a guitar, and he makes it look so easy! He sang all my favorites, including my favorite-favorite (the song that you hear playing now) “The Heart of Life”. I don’t usually have music playing on my blog, but for this post I thought it appropriate.

John told us that this song is one of his favorites; a song he’s proud to call his own. He said he wrote it from the purest place he’s ever written a song; a place he may never find again. No wonder it’s my favorite.

Read some of these lyrics…..

I hate to see you cry
Lying there in that position
There's things you need to hear
So turn off your tears and listen

Pain throws your heart to the ground
Love turns the whole thing around
No, it won't all go the way it should
But I know the heart of life is good

You know it's nothing new
Bad news never had good timing
Then the circle of your friends
Will defend the silver lining

Pain throws your heart to the ground
Love turns the whole thing around
No, it won’t all go the way it should
But I know the heart of life is good

My philosophy exactly, all wrapped up in a great song. Mr. Mayer got it so right, and he sang it beautifully too.

We had a great night. Good thing we bought the cheap tickets and sat on the grass. It got pretty chilly so we used our sitting-on blankets to wrap up in. I’m lucky enough to be married to a walking furnace as well. He can provide some good body heat when needed.

What a great night; good music, good food, good company, nice view of the mountains and a really happy drunk guy dancing around crazily for some extra entertainment.

Thanks Jeff and Ashley for coming with us. Let’s go again sometime.

My Babies Went to Kindergarten!

Today was a red letter day. My boys started Kindergarten! This is a day I’ve been looking forward to for six years now.

I’ve made no secret of the fact that my boys have been somewhat of a…..challenge to raise. Over the years, as a matter of psychological survival I’ve told myself over and over, “I just need to make it to Kindergarten. I just need to make it to Kindergarten.”

When they turned five, as much as I was ready for them to start school, I knew in my gut that they just weren’t ready. So I kept them home another year, and I’m so glad I did. We had a good year together.

But today…they were more than ready, and excited too. You should have seen them bouncing off the walls.

I realize that being as excited as I am for my babies to start school so I can enjoy some peace and quiet, makes me sound a bit like a selfish, cold hearted, snake of a mother, but it’s the honest truth. I guess I don’t see much wrong with looking forward to having a little bit of time to myself to think, clean, run errands etc, while my boys enjoy a few hours of fun and learning at school.

So, I guess what I’m saying is… I’m not ashamed. Today was a great day. There were a few moms in tears as the kids started filing into their classrooms this morning. As I watched the boys disappear through the Kindergarten doors, I did feel a twinge of  “oh my goodness, my babies are growing up,” but, they were excited, I was excited, we were all happy. Now I’m sitting here blogging, and all I can hear is the ticking of the clock in the back ground. And dang it, I’m going to enjoy that!

I prayed for the boys this morning…and their teachers. I’ll let you know how their first day went.

(For the record, I will be very happy to see them when school’s out)

Mary Kate also started school recently. She’s in the sixth grade this year. Talk about babies growing up!

 Mary Kate with the Larson girls on her first day

She’s having a fabulous time already. Her best friend Elizabeth is in her class. They haven’t been in the same class since the first grade so they are very excited that this year they get to be.

Mary Kate also got the teacher she really wanted (who’s going to be awesome in fact). She also has Mrs. McAllister, her fifth grade teacher whom she loves (now moved to 6th) as her math teacher. Good things are in store for Mary Kate this year. I can feel it.

You know me, I love the structure in daily life that only school can provide, so I’m happy as a clam that it’s school time once again(although our summer was great).

Here are few parting shots from our walk to school today…

Hooray for school!