[talk: Year End Piano Recital.]

I taught piano for 15 years.  I ran a studio with over 40 students ... and the year-end recital was a BIG undertaking.  Renting a hall, organizing food, arranging programs and awards ... It was nerve-wracking for most of my students, a goal for the end of the year.  I ran a tight ship, with strict expectations.

We have chosen to have our boys educated by our family friend, who ran an equally large studio a few years back.  She is exceptionally qualified, but as has since downsized from the years of 40+ students.  I'm grateful that she's taken my boys in, when she probably could downsize even more.

Her recital is held where the boys have their weekly lessons - completely non intimidating.  Very casual, but still with an understanding of excellence.

Both Josiah and Mattias were prepared to play two pieces, and both sets of grandparents were there to cheer them on.

And so was Auntie Bonnie *smile*.

Mattias and his best buddy, Eston.  These two shall never sit together before a performance again LOL.  Boy, they get each other hyper LOL ... 

Both boys performed well ... 

And Katia remembered to be quiet.  most of the time.

Karen then spoke over each student in her studio - she gave affirming words over their hard work and accomplishments.

Then, two awards were handed out.  The first - "Most Improved", to which Josiah was the recipient. He was BURSTING ... in fact, he slept with the trophy last night.

The second award was "Student of the Year", to which Mattias was awarded the honour.  He completed a grade2 exam in January and will be completing his grade3 exam this week.  Two grades in one year is a BIG accomplishment - and he has sights on doing the same next year with grade4 and 5.  We'll see how that goes *grin*.

And even though I have three music degrees, with two specializing on teaching, my secret weapon is my mom.  She's an RCM examiner and loves spending time with each boy on their music studies.  They listen to her, and I am so grateful that she helps me with this.  It means less arguing with my boys for me, and more quality time for her with her grandchildren.  It's a BIG win-win for us both!

And Katia?  She was just excited for the treats.

I wanted a photo with the grandparents and grandkids ... so glad I they let me get this.  I LOVE these images.

SO ... Tias' exam is on Friday - then one more lesson to chose next year's repertoire then - SUMMER!  Phewf ... another year done!

Have a great one!

[talk: Year End Piano Recital.]

It was a very successful year ... at least at the end *grin*.

With us going away to Australia and New Zealand, and some other scheduling conflicts - piano didn't seem to really get going for us until ... well ... January??  Eek.  That's embarrassing ... but the truth.

Mattias did well in the festival in March, placing with a silver certificate in Preliminary piano.  From there, he moved along quickly - completing all of his Grade 1 Piano requirements from March until June.  It was like something just "clicked" ... thank the Good Lord *grin*.  He has big goals for next year, wanting to complete Grade 2 and Grade 3 Piano by June of next year.  He can do it ... especially if my mom helps (Hi mom, are you reading this???). 

This was Josiah's first year in piano ... our lack of consistency kept him behind, but since January he really improved.  I often find him at the piano, practicing his "five-finger-exercise" and playing past pieces.  He loves it ... 

But what the boys love MOST, is when their Nanny practices with them.  She has a gift ... and the time that they spend with her is invaluable.  They love the one-on-one time, it gives me a break (because they won't listen to me anyways, even though I have 3 music degrees of my own ... ), and my mom loves it too.  Win, win, win.

The year-end recital was small and cozy.  Their teacher has down-sized her studio considerably over the last few years ... and I'm just happy that she's willing to keep things going with our kids.  They love her.  And they loved that their family came to support them ... these moments are moments that kids REALLY cherish.

This pic of my friend, Ron, is because he always talks of his performance of the "Bronze Bear".  Apparently - it was life-changing to those who listened to it *grin*.  This was the piece that Mattias chose this year, and as he performed it - Ron looked over at me and I captured this *grin*.  

Afterwards, he went up to Mattias and raved about his performance ... what a good guy.

Because her studio was an intimate group, Karen decided to affirm each student by having them stand up at the front and telling the audience a little about each one.  I thought it was beautiful - and watching your child be affirmed in front of others makes you feel like your heart is going to explode.

She talked about their musical accomplishments, of course - but also told of their character and little stories about things they may have said or done in class.  Really great.

So a BIG thank you to Karen, and to my mom, for another successful year.  

And now ... summer break.  Phewf!!

Have a great one!

[vacations: Sun Peaks 2012.]

It's an annual thing ... 

Every year we head up to Sun Peaks, just outside of Kamloops BC, with my folks.  It's been a little family tradition for many years - back when my nieces were able to miss a few days of school, and long before we had our own kids.

But now, it's our turn to enjoy the slopes with our little family and it truly, truly is one of the highlights of our year.  After a very busy Christmas and New Years (we have 4 family birthdays in 7 days from the 25th to the 1st!) ... we look forward to some "forced" quiet time.

Mattias has been skiing for ... two years?  I think?  Last year both boys were in ski schools and such ... so we weren't sure what to expect for this year - but they were both really excited.

Our first day was on the Bunny Hill, "Gentle Giant".  Tias zoomed down after a couple of goes, and weaved onto the off-trails just a bit (as much as you can on a bunny hill *grin*.  Siah?  Cried.  Hated it. 

GONG SHOW.

For day two, we decided to get Siah a 1hour lesson with Teresa.  She was his ski-school teacher last year, and he was SO excited to see her again.

Honestly ... it was amazing what one hour with her did for him.

So while Siah had his lesson - Lu, Tias and I followed along.  Tias would race down, catch the t-bar up, and catch up to wherever we were on the Bunny Hill.

By the end ... they were exhausted.

And SO proud of themselves.

I was in charge of all of the meals and our evenings were spent in the hot-tub, playing games and watching movies ... 

Josiah won the "Sorry" game.  Fair and square.  He just about lost his mind, he was so happy *grin*. 

And Katia?  Well ... next year she'll be joining us on the slopes.  But right now, she isn't potty trained  - so we decided to wait one more year. 

By day three, Siah was already going on the chair lift to the TOP.  We did "Rambler", the boy's favourite green run ... over and over and over.  It was the perfect run for us ... lots of trails and small jumps for Tias (and Lu *wink*) and smooth sailing down for Josiah.

Can you see the boys in front of Lu on the hill?

This was SO funny.  Lu was showing Tias a trail, put his pole down for some grip and the pole sank down into the snow - and Lu leaned and fell over.  It was impossible to get up - and the boys and I were laughing SO hard.  And so was Lu.

Tias had two 1hr lessons as well ... best thing we could've done for both boys.  I'm a big fan of teachers who teach well.  Teresa is one of those people (and she's finished up her education degree back east ... you can sure tell).

Then, we had to say good-bye to my parents.  Tias cried (he always does).  He loves SO much.  

But, everyone was really excited for our friends the V's to come join us for a few nights.  Their three kids were awesome ... and it was like a brand-new time away.

Mattias and Owen ... Now.  Let me tell you ... this kid  can ski BLACK runs, straight down - no fear.  He's incredible.  And was such a great little friend to Tias.  It was positive peer pressure at its best, and Tias did his best to keep up.  Owen was kind enough to do blue runs with us - and then he went off with the dads to the black runs later *grin*.

I love how the dads were on one side of the lift ... tiiiiiiiiilt.

Debbie and I hung out with the girls and Josiah.  It was sunny, pretty warm and so much fun. At least for the first day of skiing with them ... the second?  Snow ... like icing sugar.

The kids (dads!) built a slide into the hottub out of snow.  I didn't try it ... no thank you.  But they loved it.

The nights were full of family time ...

And they even built a toboggan run in the back too ...

It was a fantastic way to spend the first week of 2012.  A massive "thanks" to my parents for bringing us up, once again, and for blessing our friends with a little weekend get-away too.  It was just what we needed to regroup and slow down  ... 

Can't wait for next year!!