Music Man

OK- It's definitely time to start some catch up blogging. So over the next week I will try to post some new stuff, starting tonight:

Cooper is our "Music Man!" This child has music IN him.

Music moves him, connects with him, and can change his mood in a way that is amazing.

He loves music in a way that has made every person in our house love music more.

There isn't a time when music is on, when Cooper isn't dancing (and of course, everyone in ear shot is encouraging him to dance more).

His favorite toy has become the iPod. He has an iPod? No Way, but there are several iPods and iPhones in the house and Cooper is always trying to find and 'take' one.

Tonight while I was giving one of the kids a spelling test, Cooper snuck off, found an iPod and speakers, dragged them up the stairs, turned them on, and hid under the counter to enjoy his music.

Thoughtful Thursday

Here is a great picture of "My Guys"-- aren't they adorable??


This picture was taken this week after Colin's Area Orchestra Concert (post to follow).

Winter Strings Concert

On January 27th, our family attended Colin's Winter Strings Concert. Colin is in 6th grade and is a 3rd year violin student. He is enjoying strings now more than ever. In fact, he is enjoying it so much that he is now interested in joining the orchestra in Middle School (7th & 8th grade) next year. [Interested that is, since he discovered that the middle school intentionally makes sure that orchestra does not interfere with playing sports.]
Coin's Favorite Pieces from the concert were The Nutcracker March and Sakura.
Colin is also participating in Area Orchestra with students from 6 other Elementary Schools in Fairfax. I have found that he is practicing the theme from Mission Impossible much more often than the other music; wonder why?
Colin has also turned into a part-time teacher as well---Connor is ready to start learning the violin so Colin has started giving him pointers and teaching him beginning notes. Love it when they want to help each other out, especially with learning!

Spring Strings Concert

Colin has enjoyed his second full year of playing the violin. He got the opportunity to showcase his skills at Daniel’s Run Elementary School’s Spring Concert tonight. The band and the orchestra teamed up to put on a 16-song concert. They were quite impressive! Colin’s favorite piece of the night was a complicated, multi-part piece called “Dragon Slayer;” it figures that Colin would love a song depicting a battle! Colin did a great job and is looking forward to next year. He has grown so much that he needs a new violin but we will wait until September to get it since he will likely grow even more over the summer. :-)

Absent

Totally have to apologize for not being diligent to posting on the blog lately. I have allowed life, business, and Facebook to distract me. Sang this song on Sunday morning...it never gets old and then my mother sent me this link. I would have loved to have been at the concert.

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid271552717/bctid1913313052

I have three books going: The Shack - Me, Myself, and Bob - and the Collapse of Distinction. I will be posting book reviews and comments in the next week.

Again...sorry for being absent. So much to share and so much to capture as the kids are growing and life's opportunities are expanding.

~David

Winter Violin Concert

Colin had his Winter Violin Concert on Wednesday night. He has really enjoyed the violin and is always excited to showcase his skills. He played very well as did the rest of the kids. The whole family attended (including Granda). Great Family Fun!

In the City

While I was in Atlanta several weeks ago this song just hit me hard. With so much going on in our nation, people struggling economically, and the fear that exists in society...I just couldn't help but to be over powered by the hope that is expressed in this song. 

My heart goes out in faith, hope, and love for:

DC, Seattle, Santa Domingo, and all the other great cities across the globe. 

Colin's Spring Concert

I have been meaning to post this and I had just not gotten around to it.

Just before we went on vacation (the same day actually), Colin's "Strings" Group had their Spring Concert. The Strings Group is lead by Mrs. Shah and consists of 4th-6th graders. It is an optional offering for the older elementary school kids. It is not required---- Colin WANTS to play violin. :) The concert was fantastic! The kids played 6 pieces. All the violinists played from memory- no music. It is awesome for the kids to be able to showcase what they have learned both to the parents and in the school assembly seen here.


Colin is on the right-hand side, in the second row of risers, close to the end.

Piano Prodigy?

By: Sharon

15 months old and genius already--What a beautiful moment! Sybella and Dad “playing” the piano, she loves it. Maybe with a little a focus and a lot of fun, she will still be able to play the piano when she is an adult (unlike mom, who had 3 years of lessons). Any suggestions Jenni or Angela?

Colin's Concert

Just thought some folks would enjoy seeing Colin in his first concert. It is not the best video but he deserves the spotlight for his hard work and practice on the violin over the last several months.

I played the trumpet when I was his age and never did much with it. No matter what he chooses, we will continue to encourage him and see where this leads.

What instrument did you play when you were growing up?