Walk Through

 Little Man got to go to his middle school to get his locker assignment.  It's a bit odd, as an 8th grader this will be his very first locker.  They didn't use lockers last year at all because of Covid, and he skipped 6th grade, so this is a new experience.  Let's just say this is the most complicated locker combination process I've ever encountered.  It took an embarrassingly long time to get it open, but we finally did it, and he's feeling ready.  We also walked through the 8th grade hall even though he won't get his schedule until the first day of school.  I'd say he's the big man on campus now that he's in 8th grade, but he's still probably one of the smallest at the school.  Great things come in small packages!

Soaking It All In

The countdown until school starts has begun, so we're trying to squeeze all the last bit of fun out of Summer that we can. Yesterday's adventure was Lonestar Lake.

The bucket wars continue...

We played Skull King, and the big kids enjoyed the deeper side of the lake this time.

Friday Fun Day

 School is creeping up.  It's nearly here, so we're trying to get the most out of our final days of Summer.  We spent the day at Hillsdale Lake.  It's still one of our favorites. 

The Littles played on the beach while the older kids swam out to the line.  You can see them off in the distance.  They all had a wonderful time. 

We played Roll it Again and Rummikub, and the boys stayed in the water the entire time.  It was another great day at the lake. 

Piano Goodbyes

This summer Little Man and Little Lady had the opportunity to take piano lessons from Evangeliya Delizonas-Khukhua.  She is one of the most gifted pianists I've ever heard, and she also happens to be a fabulous teacher.  It's rare to find someone who is both.  She has been wonderful for my kiddos.  Little Lady in particular has flourished.  She took off playing complicated pieces and started practicing even longer, because she wanted to spend more time perfecting her pieces.

It's been so nice for our relationship, too, because I'm no longer the mean mom piano teacher.  They had a separate adult tell them what to do.  Evangeliya is headed to Los Angeles next week, and we're going to miss her.  Before leaving she got both of them working on their 2-part Bach Invention for Fall Festival.

I Can See!

 Little Lady got new glasses.  It's business in front and party on the sides!

Mid-America Music Festival Part II

We spent the entire Friday at the festival for piano.  Piano is a little bit different than the other instruments in that there is also a competitive element to it.   You are required to do the solo festival portion is you do the competitive element, so the kiddos had to prepare 3 songs each.  The solo is one song from their required list and one of choice.  The competitive piece has to be a different song from the required list of about 6 pieces.   

Little Guy:  Level G (entry level)- Matt My Cat by Jane Bastien (required) & Waltz by Jon George (choice)  His competitive piece was Dalmatians by Tom Gerou.   

BB: Level E- Expedition to Everest by Chrissi Ricker (required) & Scherzo by Kavelevsky (choice).  His competitive piece was Comanche Warrior by Chrissi Ricker

Little Lady: Level B (she was the youngest in her category)- Chopin Prelude Op. 28 #6 (required) & Bach 2-part Invention #1 (choice).  Her competitive piece was Clementi Sonatina Op. 36 #6

Little Man: Level B - Knecht Ruprecht by Schumann (required) & To a Wild Rose by MacDonald (choice).  His competitive piece was Nocturne by Martin Cuellar 

I also had two students participating in piano and I also accompanied a violinist, so it was a packed day.  We were allowed to sit in on the competitive pieces, but no audiences were allowed for the solo performances.  Solo and competitive are judged by different judges and done at separate rooms and times, so we had a crazy schedule to keep track of.

All of them played well.  The oldest three got a "Superior" rating on their solo.  I tried to listen at the door for all of them, and obviously I sat in on their competitive playing.  Level B for Little Lady and Little Man was one of the most competitive levels.  They were disappointed they didn't place, but the top 2 happened to be from our same studio, so I know them and they played flawlessly.  They were also both older teenagers.  

The real twist of the day came from Little Guy.  He didn't receive a Superior rating for his solo, but he placed first in his level!  What in the world?!  That meant we had to stay for the winners recital at 6pm.  He didn't even really care about winning (the other kids were a bit put out that their younger brother won and they didn't).  When Little Guy heard there was a trophy then he became excited.  He ate up all the attention at the recital, and he's in love with his trophy.

These are all 6 of our students at Kansas City School of Music who placed in the Competitive portion of the festival. 

All 5 kids survived hours and hours of sitting and waiting.  I was proud of them just for that.   

The whole festival was a huge success, and their hard work paid off.  Next year the festival is in St. Louis, so we may make a weekend trip out of it. 

Mid-America Music Festival Part 1

This year Mid-America Music Festival was in Kansas City (technically at a conference center in Independence, MO).  On the first day of the festival I took 5 of my voice students, including my two oldest.  The rules of the solo festival are that you choose one song from their required list and then you choose another song to sing for the judge.  No audiences are allowed, so it's just the student, the accompanist, and the judge.  Luckily, I'm the accompanist for my students, so I can hear how they do.  

Little Man sang Level F:  Homeward Bound by Marta Keen (required) & The Stars are with the Voyager by Jay Althouse (his choice)

Little Lady sang Level E: She's Like a Swallow a Newfoundland Folk Song (required) & Let Joy Awaken by Mark Patterson

All 5 of my students did really well, and all of them received a "Superior" rating.   They were very nervous, because this was their first time participating in the festival, so I was really proud of how well they held up to the pressure and nerves. 

Just Keep Swimming

 We finally had enough time to do some more swim lessons.  We love Sara!