It all started on Saturday morning with Andrew's piano competition. The music was a piece composed by Bela Bartok entitled "Play." Andrew has been working on this piece for quite some time and on Saturday morning he played it for the piano competition. Andrew had to have the piece memorized, and the only person allowed in the room during the performance was the judge (though Tyler could hear from lobby). Tyler reports that Andrew was extremely nervous and "took a couple of starts to get it right" but that he performed very well after that. The blue ribbon is for participating and does not reflect his performance. That said, we are very proud of him and his determination to learn to play the piano. Andrew and Katherine both attended the recital that afternoon of all the first place winners. Their favorite piece was one about Clowns. (I wasn't there, so we're going on their information alone.)
On Saturday evening, Tyler and I escaped for a couple hours and left the children in the care of Uncle William and Aunt Kylie. They (the children) had a great time, and so did Mom and Dad! We went to the Idaho Falls Symphony and listened with great enjoyment to Holst's "The Planets." Kylie told me that her favorite movement was "Mars-Bringer of War" and I must say that it was wonderful. I think, however, that I liked "Neptune-The Mystic" best, though I'm not sure why. Maybe it was the way it ended with just a fade out- as though there was still more to come if you just listened hard enough. Anyway, it was fun. We also heard a world renouned Russian pianst play "Burleska" by Richard Strauss. I can't for the life of me remember his name (I can't find my program anywhere!) but he had a list of accomplishments and prestigious awards a mile long! I couldn't help but wonder how on earth he ended up playing for us in Idaho Falls! We're not exactly "world renound" kind of people here. It was amazing to watch is hands jump about on the keys. When he was finished with the Strauss, he played an encore - "Stars and Stripes Forever" by John Philip Sousa. He played it so well you could almost hear the band accompanying him - even the piccolo!
Our musical adventure ended this afternoon in Sacrament Meeting when I played a cello solo accompanied by my mother. We played "Joseph Smith's First Prayer" and I think it went very well, all things considered. It has been about 14 years since I really played the cello and I was very nervous! We'll just say that not all the vibrato was on purpose...
On another subject all together - Lida can finally sit up all by herself. She has been working on it for about a month. The very first time she sat by herself she was all hunched over and very wobbly!
On Saturday evening, Tyler and I escaped for a couple hours and left the children in the care of Uncle William and Aunt Kylie. They (the children) had a great time, and so did Mom and Dad! We went to the Idaho Falls Symphony and listened with great enjoyment to Holst's "The Planets." Kylie told me that her favorite movement was "Mars-Bringer of War" and I must say that it was wonderful. I think, however, that I liked "Neptune-The Mystic" best, though I'm not sure why. Maybe it was the way it ended with just a fade out- as though there was still more to come if you just listened hard enough. Anyway, it was fun. We also heard a world renouned Russian pianst play "Burleska" by Richard Strauss. I can't for the life of me remember his name (I can't find my program anywhere!) but he had a list of accomplishments and prestigious awards a mile long! I couldn't help but wonder how on earth he ended up playing for us in Idaho Falls! We're not exactly "world renound" kind of people here. It was amazing to watch is hands jump about on the keys. When he was finished with the Strauss, he played an encore - "Stars and Stripes Forever" by John Philip Sousa. He played it so well you could almost hear the band accompanying him - even the piccolo!
Our musical adventure ended this afternoon in Sacrament Meeting when I played a cello solo accompanied by my mother. We played "Joseph Smith's First Prayer" and I think it went very well, all things considered. It has been about 14 years since I really played the cello and I was very nervous! We'll just say that not all the vibrato was on purpose...
On another subject all together - Lida can finally sit up all by herself. She has been working on it for about a month. The very first time she sat by herself she was all hunched over and very wobbly!
But now she can actually sit UP. Of course, she still falls if she gets distracted, so we don't just sit her down and walk away.
Her favorite accomplishment is the discovery - and capture - of her toes. She has been after them for ages, but she has finally figured out how to get ahold of them any time she wants. Many's the time I walk into the room to find her on her back, her legs straight up in the air and her fat little fingers reaching with all their might to grasp her toes. Oh joy!!
4 comments:
Rachel!!! I've been thinking about you, and how you're one of my favorite VT companions EVER, and lo and behold, I find your blog on Julie R.'s blog. I've loved catching up on you and your family. What fabulous kids. I've missed you. Just wanted to say hey! Hugs from the Haynes.
It sounds like your family had a fabulous weekend! Lida is adorable by the way.
Hey! This is Rosa! I found your blog in a very round about way. I love the pictures! I need to get your email so that I can invite you to my blog.
Congratulations to Andrew! I used to go to competitions like that when I was a kid, and it was scary to go into that little room and play for the judge. And hooray for Lida! That is one of my very favorite stages. They are thrilled to be sitting up, and will play contentedly for a while, but they can't go anywhere yet. It's just great!
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