Two Concerts

We have just been to two concerts that, sadly, were not captured in pictures because the batteries were out. One was the Youth Orchestra concert that our two oldest participated in.

The second was a fantastic concert by the Kremlin Chamber Orchestra. We were delighted to hear yet another concert by internationally renowned musicians. They played a very interesting piece by Prokofiev and then finished with a piece by Tchaikovsky. The audience was so impressed that they got standing ovations and received a double encore. That was fun to experience and the kids were really interested in the process of getting an orchestra to play encore pieces. It was a ton of fun and our whole family got to attend. Even the little ones were able to sit through the concert. Miracle.

Tenderfoot

Our brave little 11-year-old scout just received his tenderfoot rank. I say brave because he had to camp in December to receive this rank so quickly. He has had fantastic leaders who have helped him to achieve this goal. Way to go bud.

Happy Valentines

Happy Valentines. Do you sense a theme with me. Any occasion can be celebrated with a pizza, as long as you shape it right.

Father Daughter Dance

The oldest two girls got to go with their dad to a father daughter dance this weekend. The girls were so excited for this special date. They got dressed up in their prettiest dresses, got their hair done by mom and put on some of mom's "dangly earrings" and a necklace their Grandpa brought them from the middle east. They had a great night of dancing and fun with their dad and their friends. You girls look beautiful!!

Bracelet Boutique

Little L participated in a fun activity in her class where all the kids would become store keepers and sell items they had made or bought. She decided to do a Bracelet Boutique. She and her sister worked endlessly creating a storefront, a product box and numerous friendship bracelets. Her shop was a hit and she sold out by the end of the day. I was so proud of her preparation and sales technique. Great job sis.

Christiana Pegaroro

Last month the entire family got to attend a concert by a fantastic Italian pianist named Christiana Pegaroro (you can watch her on youtube.) In the top picture she is the one on the left with the girls. She was so much fun to watch. Her fingers flew!! She also took time to not only introduce each piece but to teach us something about the composer and what to listen for in the piece.

I got to attend a masters class earlier in the day and it was amazing to watch her work with the students. Apparently she has done masters classes not only in her own country but at Juliard and other famous music schools.

She was absolutely fantastic!! Such talent, focus and hard work. Wow, inspiring!

Fantastic Four!!

Our youngest just turned four. She is getting so big. I think she has grown a couple inches in the last few months and it is all in her legs. She was so excited to be one year closer to five (which is when she gets to go to school, ride the bus, etc.) She had a Dora party. The cake had little Dora people on it, she got some Dora presents and for an activity the kids had a Dora movie marathon. She had so much fun at her party!!