Talent Show/ Violin Recital 2014

Del and I have been listening to an leadership series put out by Dave Ramsey when we are in the car. I heard something interesting while listening. It said that in most cases, the last time a person was applauded for was at their high school graduation. It is kind of disheartening to think that is the highlight.
One thing I love about my church is that it provides opportunity to learn to stand in front of people and either deliver a message, bear testimony, be in a skit, pray, lead music, play music, and so on! We start them young! Little tiny three year olds give talks and pray in our primary. There are programs and nights of service from that point until the end of your life that help you with not only your spiritual well being, but develop life skills.
One such night just passed for us. The annual primary talent show! This eclectic night is always entertaining! The children chose a talent to perform, or display, and not only is it a kind, forgiving atmosphere where the attempt is appreciated no matter the outcome, they get a nice round of applause at the end!

This year Will was playing the piano, Georgia the violin, Walker was singing, and Wally was displaying some of his artwork. Until Will was up sick the whole night before.
Del stayed with Will, and I went to watch, and play accompaniment for Georgia.

I am mad at myself for forgetting to take a picture of Wally's art display.  I do have video of Georgia and Walker thanks to the help of a friend.

I am proud of them. I realize more and more every day that my kids are brave. Braver than I ever was at their age. It is asking a lot to play and instrument in front of people. Or dive into a pool and swim in front of people. And they do it well.

Walker sang a happy rendition of a pre school favorite, "Five Little Hot Dogs."

Here is Georgia getting a high five for her violin performance. She played her recital piece, "See-Saw."

Here is the video.

Georgia also had the opportunity to play her song at her violin recital the week before the talent show. It feels like progress can be slow in this Suzuki violin thing. It is so technical, and to be honest, Georgia struggles to keep her attention and focus on task.

It can be painful for me, in her lessons.

I know that it is all part of the learning process though. Georgia's teacher is so patient. She recognizes the natural abilities Georgia has when it comes to playing, and she is willing to steadily work on the aspects that don't come as naturally.

It is hard work. We need to be more diligent in getting a practice session in five days a week. With Georgia also taking piano, it can be a delicate mother/daughter relationship balance.

Georgia will never be a push over. She is a tough little cookie. Getting her to do what I want can be an exercise in self control for me. Add swim team to the list, which she loves by the way, and three brother's piano, swim, scouts, basketball, etc., and the oversight that requires from me, and we have a lengthy list of things for Mom to nag about.  And keep in mind that this is coming from a woman who was not a stalwart piano practicer growing up. So I'm pretty much a hypocrite trying to instill these values.

All of this is either going to shape her into a fine young lady, or she is going to pack up and run away in the night to join the circus.

 Let's hope for the fine young lady.
Preferably one who knows how to play the violin and piano.

Back to the recital.
 Georgia and I practiced diligently for this. She did not want to get up in front of everyone and be embarrassed. Every time she would start to panic I would remind her that diligent practice was the key to confidence.

There is a scripture in a book of Spiritual insight and revelation from God given to our Prophet Joseph Smith in the 1800's called The Doctrine and Covenants.
The scripture is D&C 38:30

"If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear."

That is what I would tell Georgia. You will be ready, because we are preparing. The scriptures hold the answer to all questions, don't they?
I loved the lesson she learned from this. She got up, did her best, and did well. She learned that she has to practice for that to happen. The result is only as good and the preparation. I hope it sticks! At age six, I'm not sure.

Georgia looked beautiful at her recital. And she also looked tiny.

She played her piece pizzicato. This means plucking the strings. Georgia is working on bowing at home and during lessons. But in Suzuki, bowing is a privilege. Every step and skill added is earned. Georgia is getting to the skill level to be able to bow in her recitals. The majority of the little tiny kids played their pieces pizzicato.
Here is her performance. Good job, Georgie girl!

Wilmot Mountain

And, some other Winter stuff.

We have been ducking our heads and bracing ourselves in the cold here these days. It has been relentless! We don't struggle with finding something to do most days because we are pretty busy with swim, basketball, and music, but most of our down time is just spent inside at home. Enjoying the fact that we don't have to be out running around in the frigid temps.

On Martin Luther King Day, the sun was out, the wind was mild, and the temperature was bearable. So we decided to give tubing a try at a ski resort up in Wisconsin.
Ski is a term that most Westerners would use loosely, and resort, would just make them laugh, if they saw the hills people are using out here in the Midwest. But when it comes to going down these things on a tube, it is pretty stomach lurching.  They gave us a pretty good thrill. They were steep, and covered in ice.

We talked Walker into going down three times, and he did well. Mainly because I promised him hot chocolate in the lodge if he would cooperate. He cried the whole way down the first time, and it took some negotiating that would impress Congress to get Georgia on the thing in the beginning. All is well that ends well. Georgia ended up loving it the most, and we had a nice day as a family.

It has been nice this year because the kids are all old enough to enjoy most activities together. Walker is so much more independent, and he will do what it takes to keep up with the big kids!

Georgia's hat flew right off her head once we picked up our speed on the hill. The nice man in line behind us risked his life, or at least a broken leg, and climbed out onto the hill to grab it and bring it down to us. So nice.

Walker wanted to ride on our laps so badly. He had to ride in his own tube attached to ours because you go so fast, one little bump would send a lap rider flying. So that was his main concern. He was a brave boy.

The magic carpet back to the top!

This hill does not look nearly as intimidating in pictures as it does in person. All the kids were good sports!

The promised hot chocolate! That hit the spot!

In other news... Del called me one night from our temple parking lot. As he was pulling into a space, the wheel of his car fell off. Yup. Fell right off. The poor car is pushing 250 thousand miles, so what more can you ask of it, right?
So after lots of discussion, and a little mourning on Del's part (he really wanted to be able to say he got that thing to go to 300 thousand miles.) we finally decided that it would probably be a good idea to go ahead and buy a new car. Our next door neighbor is the car dealership owner extraordinaire, so we called him up. Within the week, we had the car he and Del had decided on, two guys pulled it into our driveway, and we signed some papers, and handed over the money, and it was ours without even setting foot on a lot!
Service with a smile! Here is Del sitting in his new car in the garage.

Now the ironic part. Del decided to get the car fixed after it was towed.
So then we had three cars.
We went to church the next Sunday, and a guy in our ward who had just arrived home from serving his two year mission two days earlier was there. Del talked to him, found out he was looking for a job, emptied the old Honda, which he had driven to church, out in the parking lot, and the guy left with a car, and a job to go to the next morning. Del hitched a ride home with the Bishop.
 Del is a good man.
And the returned missionary is doing a great job in Del's warehouse, and using the car to do all kinds of good in the world. He stops to help every time he sees someone pulled off the road, or stuck anywhere. He helps them as much as he can, and gives them a pass along card for our church. He said he always stops. No matter what. Maybe that Honda will make it to 300 thousand miles after all!

Georgia always gets stuck wearing a mini version of my outfit to church on Sundays. Once I get one of our outfits picked out, I am always subconsciously sticking with the same color pallet when I choose the other's. I'm not very adventurous.

We played "Heads up, seven up" for Family Home Evening  few weeks ago, and it was a hit! Now it is the request every time.

That is a glimpse of our Winter so far! It is looking like we may have the cold weather around for a while, so I am sure anther Winter update will follow! Now I need to go get ready for the carpets to be cleaned in the hopes that I can get some of the salt that has been impossible to keep out of the house, to come out of it! Oh the joys of the Arctic!