Yesterday when loading everyone up to go up to Meika’s house for lessons, Samuel insisted on taking the little violin. I didn’t argue, and let him. So he had a short 5 minute lesson with Meika that made him so happy. The interesting thing was that during one of my cello lessons today, Samuel watched the whole lesson. At age 3, I’ve never had any of my boys stay and watch a lesson voluntarily. He was squirming back and forth on the couch during the lesson, but he was watching nonetheless! Hmmm….I wonder….
While at the music store to pick up some music Benjamin saw some little violins hanging on the wall. We said with the most fasinating tone of voice, as if mesmerized by the sight, “Oh mom, I want to play one of those.” It’s been a month since then and I’ve now got him started with violin lessons with Meika. Fortunately the Lewis’ had a little violin that Amanda had outgrown, so we traded for a 1/2 size violin that has been in my closet that is a family violin. When James practices piano, Benjamin likes to get out the violin and practice. Still the basics, and he’s only 5, but still it is fun to see him do this!
Trying to 'crack the egg'. Samuel doesn't like this game.
During piano and violin lessons, the kids take turns going on the trampoline. There have been a few accidents. And for sanity’s sake, I should probably stop letting them do this while we come for lessons. But it has been a great bribe at the beginning.
While Savvy and Ryan have been visiting us, they also have come to lessons so they can also play on the tramp. Oh, and Ruxpin too, so he can see his half-brother, Sachmo. (Meika’s dog.)
Tonight we went to see one of Alex’s performances at UVU. His Grandma (my Aunt Elaine) was also there visiting because of other various grandchildren activities, and made it part of her trip.
He is in the chamber orchestra and has been enjoying it. (Although he was getting annoyed with people dropping the class mid-way through the semester.) We arrived in time for his portion of the concert. However, we had to wait in the hall because we had to go in between sets, so as not to disrupt the performers and audience members. During the applause, we and 20 other people started to filter into the medium-sized auditorium. As we sat down to listen, I looked around and mouthed to Dave, “Where’s Samuel?” In the shuffle, we lost him. Dave went out to look for him. He stayed out for the rest of the concert (which was only 20 minutes). When we met back up with Dave and Samuel, he said that a crying Sam was holding the hand of a kind young father at the door. Samuel was pretty upset (understandably), so Dave just stayed out in the foyer with him.
It reminds me of the time that everyone in my family tells me about being left in the store. When my family arrived back home, everybody had assumed that I was being watched by someone else. As a result, I was left back at the store. I don’t remember a thing, but I certainly remember my dad telling me about how guilty he felt when he came back to gather me up, and that the policeman holding my hand gave him a disapproving look.
History aside, Alex’s concert went well, we were able to visit with Aunt Elaine at the intermission, and we all arrived at home. Everyone. 🙂
I had 2 students tell me about this. Very interesting sociological experiment and sad comment on our society.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn…
Joshua Bell – one of the most famous violinists in the world, performs in Washington DC’s subway one morning for 43 minutes and earns $32.17. When he performs in concert halls across the world he usually earns $1,000 a MINUTE (yes, that’s one thousand dollars). But this day, as an experiment, he only earned 80 CENTS a minute.
Really makes you wonder what direction our society is heading. Why did so few people not notice and take part in the beauty that was being offered?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn…
Long article to read, but very thought-provoking. Also has video. If anything, go to the very bottom and watch the last video and read the last few paragraphs.
