Pictures

Noah

Noah has been busy, busy, busy.  He's not performing at recitals or participating in Fairy Tale Trials (more on that later) but he is still BUSY!!  His favorite place to be is at the creek, fishing or working on their fort.  He also loves swimming and kayaking.  There is one downside - and I'm not sure how we've failed in this area - but we can't get the kid to keep his clothes on.  He's constantly stripping down to his boxers to go swimming.  We have consistently raised all of our children with the same morals and sense of decency and modesty.  My oldest two I don't really have to worry about - heavens, Nathanael buttons his shirts ALL THE WAY UP and we have to ask him to undo the top one so that he doesn't look like he's choking.  Noah came in his very own packaging, though, and with his own idiosyncrasies.  I truly believe that this is going to get better through discipline, and growing up.  At least, I hope so......

The shirt he's wearing in this picture at the creek is my favorite!  It's Snoopy with a moustache and it says "The moustache made me do it!"

Recently, Noah had a journaling assignment at school.  The question was: If happiness were a color, what color would it be?  Why?  His answer: If happiness were a color, what color woud it be?  If happiness were a color it woud be rainbow color.  All the colors it woud be blue. red. pink. purple. and orange.

This is a picture of Noah from the newspaper.  It was taken when he played George Washington in the school play.  The fun thing is that Nathanael played George Washington when he was in 2nd grade, too!

Carl took Noah and Nani to a Spurs game for Mother's Day.  Noah had worked really hard selling Sausage Supper Tickets at school so that he could win free Spurs Tickets.  He did win, but then we were at Kids Camp the weekend of the game so he didn't get to go.  As consolation he attended this play off game with Daddy and Nani.  He was in HEAVEN!

It was a late game, and he just couldn't stay awake.  He kept leaning against Nani and falling asleep in the 4th quarter.

Lastly, he wanted me to make sure and include a picture of him playing the piano.  I don't have any video right now :( but he is doing well and loves it.  The only thing that he feels is missing from his life is tap-dancing classes.  So far Carl hasn't signed off on that one.....

And then there was Music

It's May - that's all I can say!  Our family has been going, going, going like little Energizer bunnies for the last few weeks.  I'm not complaining - that's just what this time of year entails for our family - birthdays, graduations, concerts and recitals, Book Fair, Fairy Tale Trials, Mother's Day - you name it and it's happening.  SOOOO, here's a hodge podge of pictures and videos that I'm proud of :)

Carlye is the 2nd chair violist in the Concertante Orchestra with the Hill Country Youth Orchestra.  There are 5 viola players, and she is the youngest (1st chair is a Freshman).  FYI - HCYO different Orchestra's are Twinkles (Holding a violin for the 1st time), Crescendo (Beginners), Allegretto (Advanced Beginners), Concertante (Intermediate), Jr. Sinfonia (Advanced), and Sinfonia (Awesome). 

In this video Carlye is performing for the first time in the 'inner circle' (all the 1st and 2nd chair's).  She's in the middle of the circle, right in front of the conductor.  You can hear her on the deeper parts once the music speeds up - so proud!

Carlye in her Orchestra dress

Nathanael was in the Crescendo Orchestra (he's advanced to the Allegretto for next year).  This is his group playing "Boil the Cabbage Down."  He's the handsome one on the left.  :)  Lili is playing her violin as well, but she is on the opposite side. 

Nathanael getting ready to bow:

They really do smile when they play - I've just never been able to catch it on camera.  Actually, Nathanael makes these hilarious faces when he plays - I'll have to try to catch him on video so that I can share the joy!  

 Speaking of joy - look who finally received his cello!  I haven't seen a happier fellow (see, it rhymes!  I've been working a LOT of book fair.......)