Piano Recital

So, first of all, this post is for all my family whom I did not invite to the piano recital.  I hope you forgive me, but after the train-wreck of a recital that I had the first time, I guess I didn't want to have any more witnesses to the wreckage than possible.  I get SO nervous when I play in front of people, unlike my boys.

~

Cameron LOVES recitals and can't wait for them.  He invited just about everyone he talked to about it.

Me, on the other hand, was incredibly nervous.  Other than one pretty obvious page-turn blunder, I think it went better than I anticipated.  We had a practice recital earlier that week and I pretty much blew it.  I just could NOT make it through the piece without messing up, big time, and having to stop.  I know my teacher, Krista, was pretty worried about it, but she was incredibly encouraging and kept positive.  I really could not have done as well as I did (not perfectly) without her.

Jayden just said, "Why do you get so nervous, Mom?  It's just piano."  Oh, really?

We each performed a solo that we memorized.

Jayden:

  

Cameron:

Me: (No judging, please.  I think I chose an easy song so I wouldn't crash and burn this time.  I'm not sure it worked, but I'm not as embarrassed by it as I thought I'd be. I just hate seeing myself on video.)

Father's Day

We all got the best Father's Day present - ever - time with my parents before they left for good on their mission.  Actually, they were AWOL from the MTC for the day - don't tell.

 It was fun having everyone over.  The Cunninghams have been out of the state for so long, that it was so great to have them join in the crazy fun.

 Leon and I made these AMAZING Sweet Pork tacos  with Creamy Cilantro Dressing - if we don't say so, ourselves.  

Happy Father's Day, Dad!

Father and Sons Campout

One advantage to having all sons is that the Father and Sons Campout means that I get a day and a half all to myself.  Initially there is a lot of work for me to do with all the packing, but once they are out the door, it's worth it.

 The boys get to "check the box" on camping without my having to be there.  Nice.

 I found this picture to be especially appropriate because ALL of my sons are in it - even "Son #5".  Cameron's friend, Nick, is at our house just about every day, so he may as well be one of the "sons."

It looks like they had a lot of fun.  They sure came home dirty and full of all kinds of dangerous stories.

Happy Dallin Day!

Dallin turned 15 this month - 15!  I just can't believe it.  For his birthday we went to a movie and home for dinner and cake.  We had some other plans, but his dad decided that Dallin needed an iPod touch for his birthday, so that pretty much took care of the day.

A Little Bit About Dallin:

Dallin has always been a tease.  We hear "Stop it, Dallin!" quite a lot around here, but what are big brothers for?

Dallin loves food and cooking.

Dallin can be very helpful.  "Here, let me help you with that." has become something I hear more often.

Dallin's famous motto is "I don't know."  He really doesn't care about a lot of stuff - he's easy-going that way.

Dallin mows the lawn a whole lot more willing than he used to. (Resistance is futile, after all.)

Dallin has worked hard on the saxophone and has soloed in the last couple of concerts.

Dallin loves cake - really loves cake.

Happy Birthday, Dallin!

6th Grade Graduation

I'll have to say, I was surprised at how well both Jayden and I handled 6th Grade Graduation.  The last time with Dallin, I was a mess.  I was NOT ready for my little boy to leave elementary school.  But, Jayden is different - he seems ready, and so am I.  He had a great year!

 For some reason Jayden thought the bow tie was a nice addition.

 So, right after he received his diploma from Mrs. Lunt, he dropped to one knee and did the "Tebow".  Funny kid.

 Mrs. Lunt has been his teacher for both 5th and 6th grade.  He has absolutely LOVED her - almost to the point that I was starting to worry.  Mrs. Lunt is an avid Broncos fan - Jayden became a Broncos fan.  Mrs. Lunt said they needed more kids in the choir - Jayden joined the choir.  Mrs. Lunt encouraged the kids to learn another language - Jayden wanted to take French in 7th Grade.  I jokingly told Mrs. Lunt that she needed to plant some ideas in Jayden's head about the piano.  Jayden came home from school one day and said that Mrs. Lunt wished she could play the piano - Jayden got better at practicing.  She really had some influence on him.  She'll be one of those teachers that he'll remember for the rest of his life.

 Jayden has loved school - the learning, the success, the social life, and challenge.  I hope he does just as well in junior high.

The Boys' Dancing Debut

Windsor Elementary has a new Dance Festival tradition, which is actually one of the end-of-year events that I find entertaining.  We'll see how I feel after Landon is in 6th Grade and I've seen all the dances 6 times.

I had no idea Landon was going to lead the group out.  At first, another mom and I were kind of wondering what he was doing. It was cute.

Cameron's group performed some funky disco. Oh, yeah.

Jayden's 6th Grade group did some country song.  Aunt Laurel might recognize it. :)

And, no, it was not a 70s theme - Jayden just felt like wearing the 1970's polyester skyscraper shirt, just for fun.  One day the shirt is going to be famous, I just know it.

Dallin's Musical Debut

Dallin has thoroughly enjoyed being a member of the Canyon View Jr. High Jazz Band this year.  He's even endured early morning practice as well as any teenager can.  The final concert of the year was a 70s/80s theme which meant I pretty much recognized just about every song they played .  The kids were also encouraged to dress 70s or 80s, which meant this polyester skyscraper shirt got one more night in the spotlight.

Dallin surprised us at the last minute with a solo.  He and his teacher had been working on it for a while and he had never mentioned it to us.  We were very proud of him.  The recording is pretty quiet because they were having microphone issues that night - figures.

After school got out, Dallin participated in Summer Jazz Camp, which put on a show for the parents the last day.  Throughout the concert the kids were encouraged to solo as they felt like it.  The only guideline was the key they were playing in.  They had to improvise their whole solo.  Dallin has sure come a long way with more musical ability and confidence.  Band has been a great experience for him.