Piano Recital

Three times every year, the kids get to participate in a piano recital. Each recital is a very big event with us, with the kids practicing diligently, trying to perfect their songs. Today's recital was especially fun because there was a party after the performances, complete with a barbecue and swimming.



"Mary Had a Little Lamb" is Annie's first piece where each hand plays something different. I am also always glad that she wears shorts under her dresses.



I am very proud of Michael's performance. This is his first Suzuki Book 2 piece. He showed great composure here, too.



Jay played one of my favorite all-time songs. I think I played this Bach Minuet when I was a kid, too (although probably not as well as Jay)



No recital is complete without a family picture with Miss Cindy. Annie said to me the other day, "Miss Cindy is so pretty. And she doesn't even try." I couldn't agree more!

Autumn Haircuts

I know, I know -- two posts in one week! But I think you'll like this one.
Annie has been begging me for a while to get her hair cut again. She last got it cut only about 6 weeks ago, but she wanted it to be a little more curly. The desert air tends to take the curl out!


Here's what her hair looked like yesterday.


And here's what it looks like now. She's just like the girl with the naturally curly hair in the Peanuts comic strip.

Now the real impetus for going to Fantastic Sam's was not Annie's wish. Here's the story. Last June, I insisted that Michael get his hair cut before going to see his grandparents in Illinois. My belief is that grandparents should get to see their grandchildren's eyes. He grudgingly agreed to the cut on the condition that he wouldn't have to get his hair cut for the rest of the summer. True to my word, this is what his hair looked like yesterday, the first day of Autumn.


Well, at least I think that's him under all of that hair.

Here's what he looks like today. Isn't he a handsome young man! And what beautiful eyes! He actually told me he likes this haircut so much, he might not grow it out much longer. Now, if only he could convince his big brother of the same thing!

Annie's new hobby

Annie loves to hear stories about the Greek Gods and one of her favorite goddesses is Artemis, the goddess of the hunt. She is always seen with a bow and a quiver of arrows slung on her back. Annie and Tim have now decided that she is old enough to start trying archery. She absolutely loves it.


Notice the attractive, feminine attire she chose to wear for her practice.


She's a "dead eye," she is.

Tim says that she's a natural, with great form, a steady arm, and a good eye. She manages to get about half of her shots to actually stick to the target. Some of her best shots bounce off!


I don't know about you, but I'm thinking Olympics 2024!

And just so the boys don't feel left out, this is what they've been doing with their time: building their Warhammer 40K armies. Now they have a choice between 40K and Fantasy. There apparently can never be too much Warhammer.