Cause for Celebration

Last Saturday night we had a fabulous night. It started out with the kids' piano/voice recital at the Piano Gallery. I think I was more excited and nervous that the kids! It was Olivia's first time singing in front of an audience, and it took a lot of practice and encouragement (to put  it lightly) to get her there. She is a great little singer but she is so shy about it. She hates to even practice in front of any of our family. Yet when her teacher comes for her lesson, we can hear her belting it out in the other room!

Up until about a month ago, she still refused to sing at the recital. I realize I was becoming a Texas-cheerleader mom (not that there's anything wrong with that) but I was dead-set on getting her to sing at this recital, whatever it took. I started to bribe her with money, sugary cereal, new clothes, you name it (yes, I am embarrassed to admit this). One day I said, "Olivia, what is it? There must be something that you really want... a reward that you would like to have for singing at the recital?" She sat there very quiet next to me and finally said, "I want pink hairspray like my friend had on crazy-hair day." I looked at her in amazement, thinking, "That's it?!? That's all it will take?" then calmly said, "Ok, I think I can do that for you." And it was agreed.

So, after listening to "Where Are You Christmas?" fifty times a day for the last 3 months, we finally got to see her perform! Up until the very last minute I was worried she was going to back out. We got there about 30 minutes early so she could practice. She did a run-through and Jared and I beamed at each other. She did a good job and I knew that rehearsing it there, on stage, had helped her to gain confidence. Let me point out that it was a very small crowd that attended, just a few families of the kids performing (like less than 50 people)... but it was a big deal for her. She did a great job! We were so proud of her! Oh, and she got her pink hairspray later that night. Walmart $2.50. Totally worth it.

Here's Ashley and Mom waiting for the recital to begin. Ashley asked me, "When is it my turn to sing?" I think she really would get up there- that girl has no fear! Guess we'll need to start the lessons soon!

Austin also did a great job with his piano song. He played something called "Animal Fair". He loved it- had a lot of chords and a quick beat. He has really progressed alot lately. Seems he has passed the simple, beginner songs and moved into more difficult pieces. He picks up on songs really quickly. Jared taught him "Heart and Soul" and Richard Marx's "Right Here Waiting" and he's been playing them alot. Our keyboard (no piano yet) also has a teaching tool where it plays a song for you and lights up the keys so you can learn it. He has learned the Wedding March and some others this way. I am excited to keep watching him get better and better. I love having music in our home because I never stuck with anything... piano for 3 years- quit. Flute for 2 years- quit. Choir for 3 years- quit. I hope my kids don't follow my example!

After the recital we got to go home and celebrate Austin's 9th birthday! His real birthday is on Christmas Eve, but we always have a party about a week or so beforehand so that it doesn't get lost in the shuffle. It was nice that our family could come to the recital then follow us back home for dinner/party.

Austin chose Orange Chicken as the main dish, so we followed with some other side dishes like Fried Rice, Chinese Chicken Salad, won tons, egg rolls, etc. He loved it!

I love sitting around the table talking and eating with my family. It's what we do best!

Lori made a great chocolate-chocolate cake with strawberries on top in the shape of a "9".

Can't believe this boy is 9 years old! I guess it feels like he is still so young since he is not proportioned like most 9 years old (aka he's a shrimp!) Sorry Austin, I love you. He is finally wearing size 8 clothes this year and I think he's in a size 2 shoe. What he lacks in size he makes up for in attitude! He couldn't wait to open presents and he got some great stuff.

Adam, Amy, and Jill watch the gift giving...

His sisters got him a Star Wars Lego set which he opened and completely put together at 8am Sunday morning. He woke us up to show us the completed ship he built. He also got a Star Wars Lego set from Nanny and Granddad, which came in the mail weeks ago. He's been playing with it a lot. He is loving these sets right now.

From Nana and Papa he got a watch, which he has checked about 3 times every hour since he opened it. From the Stuarts (Jill's family) he got Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone DVD and a box of Mike and Ike's. From Lori he got a DS game, Justice League. From the Maher's (Adam's family) he got Leven Thumps #2. From us he got the Percy Jackson series, starting with The Lightning Thief. We gave him books 1-4. Hopefully those books will keep him busy- but with school holidays he'll probably finish all 5 by the time he goes back to school. As I write this, he is 1/2 done with Lightning Thief. Guess that means it was a good gift.

He is such a great boy and we love him dearly. I'm so glad that he loved the dinner and that all his presents were perfect for him. He is a lucky boy. Thank you to everyone for the presents and for helping with the dinner.