Recital Week...

This past week both girls had musical performances. First off was Kaia's recital, to which I found my camera battery was dead, as was Mike's phone. Good parents we are! Thankfully another parent came to our rescue....

Afterwards Kaia made the observation that at her last recital, back in June, she played Jingle Bells in the summer. This time, when everyone else played a holiday song, Kaia played Scarborough Fair (one of my all time favorites)! I just say that's typical Kaia style, doing her own thing.  What I noticed though is how much she has improved. Keep up the good work Kaia!

Now for Jaelyn's concert. I learned my lesson and charged the battery before we left! Since Jaelyn had beginning band last year (see performance in link above) as a fifth grader, she was allowed to play in the advanced middle school band this year with the 7th and 8th grade (beginning band in her new district doesn't begin until 6th grade). The down side is that she is so little, and plays such a big instrument, that I can't get her on screen! If you look closely, she can be seen every so often peeking around her baritone, above her music stand, behind the saxophone, and next to the bass clarinet. Here they are playing Deck the Halls with Old Composers.

A Major Award...

Remember this Special Award from A Christmas Story...

Well we're proud to say that Jaelyn received an even better one at school (but the leg lamp would've been really cool.). As a teacher at her school, I can say I witness her showing compassion to every student!

And speaking of Jaelyn at school, here she is from this weekend, marching in the band for the greening of her school's town.  You can pick her out...she's the tiny sixth grader marching along middle and high school students!

**and please excuse the poor ending to the video. I had thought I turned it off, but obviously not!