Benny's Big Concert

Last night was a big night.  It was the annual fourth grade recorder concert!

Benny and his classmates have been working hard.  He's been practicing "Ode To Joy" at home in preperation.  And the many snow days we've had threatened the entire concert---the kids lost a lot of practice time!  They had to give up the other musical instruments they had planned to play--the guitar, for example, and focus entirely on their recorders.

And they were fantastic!!

They played five songs including Ode To Joy, Chi Chi the Chihuahua, and Rubber Baby Buggy Bumpers.  Audience participation was involved in Chi Chi's song.  It was so fun to see the kids big smiles, and to see them demonstrate their new musical skills.

Sometimes I think school concerts are opportunities for parents to reflect on how proud they are of their kids.  I was sure proud of Benny!

And now a brief clip:

Enjoy!

12 Years Old

It's hard to believe, but Sam just turned TWELVE.  This is it--the last year before my son is a teenager.  It seems to have gone by so fast--I can vividly remember his toddler birthday parties of three and four and five years--the Blue's Clue's themes, the bouncey houses, the "construction truck" cakes, the big shiny toys and happy smiles.  It seems like yesterday!

But there's a lot to be said for twelve.  Sam is a wonderful person.  A sixth grader who enjoys playing soccer and video games, is a whiz at math, and works hard in school.  He is quiet and undemanding, level-headed, and not prone to drama or mood swings.  He has a fun sense of humour and loves to joke around and laugh.   He likes movies and good stories.  He loves animals and is very good to our new kitties.  Other than his long-suffering allergies, Sam is healthy and happy. 

And he had a very modest request for his birthday:  A small party at the bowling alley with four of his friends.  And that is what he got!

First of all, Sam's birthday started off with a SNOW DAY from school.  What better gift could you ask for?  And by noon, all the snow had melted and gone away, so the party was still on, and everyone showed up!

The night started with pizza and soda in the "party room."

And lots of laughing.  A little pepperoni throwing, too.

Bowling was another reason to laugh it up.

After every bowl, there were a lot of high-fives, pretend falling-down pratfalls, and cheering or shouting at any opportunity.  The kids were WOUND UP!

After bowling (and Benny won the game, by the way, which made him happy), the kids moved on to Laser Tag.

 They got to play three games and arranged different teams each time.  They had a blast and I do think laser tag was the favorite event of the night.

Nothing like a simple, candid photo to capture the moment.........

What, us?  Hamming it up for the camera?  Never.  Only shy, modest boys here......

Then it was on to the bouncies!

Are they too old for bouncies?  Not yet!  They sure loved them.  And after weeks of being cooped up indoors from snow, rain, wet or cold, those kids REALLY got their kicks from climbing and bouncing and sliding around. 

Afterwards it was home for opening gifts and all the cards his friends had given him.  (And yes, Poe is watching from the background.)   His friends gave him gift cards to the game store, and Sam got a Lego set he wanted.  He thanked me over and over for the "really great birthday party."  He went to bed happy.  All in all, a very successful day.

Here's hoping Sam's twelfth year is full of good things and lots of happy memories!

Kitties

We have adopted two young kitties.  One is black and white and named Poe.  She is as sweet as can be.

Poe was orphaned at one week old, so was bottle fed and raised by people.  Though she grew up in a home filled with cats, she is a real "people" cat.  She is loving and sweet natured. And very curious!

The other kitty is a little younger and is named Lucy.  She is a bit shy, but also sweet.  She has bursts of playing with things; like batting stuff around on the floor, followed by very long periods of sleep.

She likes the green blanket the best, and this little cat stacker.

The boys are in love!