Music, music, music . . .

Bill and I are both math people. While we both love music, neither of us can play any instrument at all. We have always encouraged the kids to pursue music, though, and we have been so pleased that the girls have loved dance so much. But when it came to actually playing music, we had little to offer except a ride to someone who could help.

Brady began learning the French horn in sixth grade, mainly because it was the only elective left besides art which didn't interest him at all. When he first began, it truly sounded like a very sad cow was dying upstairs. He got better, and last year made the all-region concert band as a seventh-grader. This year, he made the all-region symphonic (top) band and also qualified for region orchestra. Saturday evening, we attended the region band concert and listened to two outstanding middle school bands perform. Here's an excerpt from the first piece the Symphonic band played, called Velocity:



For years, people have been asking KC if she could play the piano, because she has such beautiful long fingers. Finally, this past summer KC decided to begin taking piano lessons at a local music store. She's done really well for only having been playing for a few months, and Sunday she participated in her very first piano recital. 30 students of all levels performed, and we think she was just wonderful. Listen for yourself:



I am thankful that they all love music. And I am quite content to listen and enjoy . . . and help tutor them in Algebra. :-)

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween to all! We celebrated with our annual Halloween feast. We had turkey, peas, mashed potatoes, and corn, plus the kids each picked a dish. Brady chose pizza, KC chose Rice-a-roni, and Abby chose lasagna (we had lots of leftovers). We drink orange soda and call it pumpkin juice.

Brady is dressed as the grim reaper, Abby is a witch, and KC is a goth vampire girl. Bill decided to just be Bill this year.

Time for dessert! We made "cauldron cakes" (frosted upside-down cupcakes) and "treacle tart" (chocolate pudding mixed with cool whip served in mini graham cracker crusts).

Abby went trick-or-treating with a few friends from school.



There were 19 total, I think. Bill went with that group. Here's Abby with her good buddy Maya (the goth girl) and her friend Teresa's little sister (the pink power ranger).

Meanwhile, Brady, KC and I sat on the porch and handed out candy. Abby joined us for a photo when she got back. KC is kind of hovering over a smoking cauldron which is just out of frame.



We had a smaller crowd than last year, but we still had a good group. People liked our decorations and music (we had a cd player in the background playing horror movie theme songs) but we didn't get to really scare anyone this year because most of the groups were mixed big kids/little kids and we didn't want to spook any of the little ones. One man had to practically drag his son to our porch and told us that we had given the boy a fright two years ago that he still remembered. Oops! Guess it's better to let a few teenagers go by un-spooked than give nightmares to a 6-year old!

We all had a good time, and I haven't even started thinking about putting all those decorations away yet. In a little less than 3 weeks, we leave for our family vacation to Disney World!! I can't wait!

Take care, all, and I hope you had a wonderful Halloween!