Spring Orchestra Concert

Haley and one of her BFFs, waiting for their turn.

Haley has enjoyed playing her violin with the Middle School Orchestra this year, and her playing has improved tremendously these past few months.  Orchestra is not held during the regular school day, so she has gotten up and to the school 45 minutes early every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for practices.  Talk about dedication!

We got to enjoy her Spring Concert tonight, where they played some really beautiful pieces including one by a Japanese composer that sounded like a rainstorm - from the first drip-drops to the final pitter-patter.  It was impressive.

She also recently had the opportunity to play a piece with 2 of her friends at the city-wide Chamber Music Festival.  They did a great job and plan to continue playing together next year.

Alex clearly didn't appreciate the music, and was out cold
before the end of the performance.
This kid can fall asleep almost anywhere!

Jake also ran out of appreciation for the concert.  Dad usually provides
 him with electronic entertainment, but since he was out of town I
got to enforce my "strict" and "mean" concert etiquette.
Or maybe I just wanted the snuggles...

A Week in The Life of Alex

Alex has been such a good sport recently, sitting through recitals and belt testings and many practices and rehearsals with me.  He would usually prefer to be at home, playing with Caramel or watching "Big Hero 6" for the 500th time.  We sure love his smile, his sense of humor, and his big hugs.

Alex and Baymax in their swim shorts, on the way to the pool.

Did we mention he loves Big Hero 6?
Baymax makes a great sleeping buddy.

Alex and I like to pass notes back and forth during church or other quiet times.
"I love you to the moon" and "You're weird.  Haha!" are just a few of his missives.

It is incredible to watch a child learn to read, and we've loved watching Alex
do so this year.  One gorgeous early morning this week he curled up next to me
in bed so we could read together.  

This boy and his dog are too cute together.  She follows him around hoping
he'll drop a few crumbs of whatever snack he's having, and they'll chase each
other around the house until they both fall down from exhaustion.
She loves to curl up at his feet when he's tucked into bed and is
always excited when he gets home from school, knowing that he'll play with her.  

Oh, how I love this boy.  An afternoon dentist appointment left us with
time for a Starbucks date.   It was a rainy afternoon and we weren't
in a hurry, so we sat on the tall stools by the window with our vanilla cremes
and watched the world go by.  It's rare for us to go somewhere just the two of us anymore,
and I was grateful for a few minutes alone with my Peanut.