Matt's Senior Portraits

Matt had his senior photos done this week by Jane McDonagh. This is one of the only two that I have seen so far and I LOVE it. She hasn't retouched them yet so it will take a few weeks to see the rest, but she always posts a few right away. She's an amazing photographer who has taken portraits of the whole family as well as individual shots of the kids and I'm so glad she was able to do these for Matt. This shot is also very special to me because it happened to be taken in my favorite garden at the arboretum...the hosta garden. Jane took a beautiful senior photo of Hillary in the same garden and I can't wait to hang this one next to Hillary's. Jane took all the photos in the header of this blog, but that was 2 years ago. I think it is time to update those!

Hey, that's my kid...

I just did a google search to find a video/image of a cellist we know and this photo popped up....with Hillary in it (on the left in the back). I guess it was a short article that ran in Teen Strings a while ago after her orchestra had toured China. I had never heard a thing about the article nor had I seen this photo before. What a fun surprise. Never know what you'll find with a google search but it is usually pretty interesting ;^)

Here's the article:

New England Conservatory’s Youth Philharmonic Orchestra
The New England Conservatory’s flagship ensemble, the Youth Philharmonic Orchestra, embarked on a tour of the Far East over the summer with 18-year-old cellist Sebastian Baverstam as one of the featured soloists. During the 17-day tour, the youth orchestra of about 90 musicians performed throughout China to much acclaim. The furor created by the orchestra was such that after an outdoor concert in Three Gorges Square in Chongqing, conductor Benjamin Zander got mobbed by enthusiastic fans hungry for an autograph. Along the way, the young musicians shared their knowledge with other high school-age performers, dined on cultural cuisine, and made stops at such big attractions as the Great Wall. The final performance was filled with so much emotion that the audience—and performers—were left in tears.

They did it!

Three years ago, much to my dismay, the boys put down their cellos and said they were "done". Matt had played for many years and Christopher had played for three. Both were very good. They had the BEST cello teacher ever! They played in some unbelievable concert halls, were learning so many important things that come with learning an instrument (focus, discipline, perseverance, etc.), and were surrounded by a great group of peers and their families. Then, they dropped it all. For three years, I've watched them and I haven't seen anything replace the richness of those experiences ...even if they'd like think video games did :). So, somehow, some way, we convinced then to give it a try and three weeks ago, they picked their instruments back up and started playing again. Over the last few weeks, Matthew's been practicing late at night while I lay in bed trying to fall asleep. I've been stunned how much he (and Christopher) remember and by how beautiful his tone is. Funny how youth take all that talent for granted (I'd give anything to play like that). Their previous teacher, by some stroke of unbelievable good fortune, agreed to take them back into his studio (thank you, thank you, thank you!). Yesterday, they both had auditions and both made it into a local youth orchestra. Their work over the last few weeks so obviously paid off. I think they both felt a surge of confidence. They both looked pretty proud last night....and we are are VERY proud of them!

Her First Lesson

Hillary, I knew you'd get a kick out of these photos. They bring back so many great memories. You made one of those foot charts about 14 years ago. It was great to be there now with Emma. She was really cute...so excited, so focused...reminded me of you at that age. I think Cate was a little shocked that Emma was so engaged. She doesn't generally teach 3 year olds and it seemed like she was really pleased. We've split the lesson time between the girls but Emma might have been able to last the whole hour. She's very funny about it all and practices several times a day...on her own (with the sponge on backwards, her bow hold in a fist, etc.) The only problem with doing this with a three year old is the constant refrain (as she pulls away from me) that can do this all by herself. Hannah's been trying to "teach" her and has been very sweet, but Emma wants no part of that. She told Hannah, quite forcefully, to stop telling her what to do ("Hannah, stop! You're making me nervous!"). The two of them play together and it is pretty cute. I wonder if Mrs. Finson would have a crystal ball on this one :). Dad's pretty proud that all 5 of you are now playing stringed instruments. Emma's is a 32nd size but she can play a mean Charlie Brown and Snoopy on it!

Emma Started Preschool

She LOVES it and she did great! She's still very anxious about separating from both Pete and I so for the first two days I just hung out with her but today she was feeling very comfortable and told me that it was okay for me to go. When I went back later to pick her up, she told me how much fun she had playing with all her new friends, how nice her teachers are and how happy she was that she was able to let me go...without even crying (she's very articulate in general, but amazingly so about her emotions...just like her big sister). I know how hard this transition is and how anxious she is whenever I leave. I'm so happy for her that she could trust me enough, relax, and have fun. She was all bubbly and proud, telling me all the details of her day (well...I was only gone an hour)and I could tell that she felt very grown up.

I love this school. Christopher and Hannah both went there and had the same teacher...Nancy. The teachers are really wonderful and very professional. They are specialists when it comes to separation anxiety and they let you come and go in whatever way is best for your child (you can play there all day everyday). It's a cooperative so I also get to work there. Many of the children are the younger siblings of kids from Hannah's class so it feels like we are spending our days with old friends. It's a lot of fun!

Another Violinist in the Family

Make a Smilebox postcard

Off to the bus.

While I had my camera out this morning to take back-to-school photos of Christopher, I took a few shots of the girls on their way to the bus stop. They still take my breath away....I bet all moms feel the same way as they watch their children grow and change. It's pretty magical (well...most of the time :)).

Christopher's First Day!

Christopher started 8th grade today. He was so excited to go back to school and see all of his old friends and teachers and meet some new ones, as well. We weren't sure he'd be able to go back this year as we anticipated a job change for Pete, but it all worked out in the end and we are thrilled...and so is Christopher. His school is the best. It is all boys and very nurturing. They know boys well...they really get it. He gets so much exposure to art, music, community service...the academics are great and the environment is both challenging and encouraging. I wish all schools were more like this one! He's got a day and a half of school and then the 8th grade goes on a 3-day camping trip next week in order to help the boys get to know their advisors and their advisor group peers since they will spend so much time working together during the year. Christopher was up at 6am and in the shower by 6:15 (so not him!). When he arrived, everyone greeted him so warmly and appeared to be very glad that he was back. He was all smiles. It's his community and I'm glad he gets to remain a part of it!

A Trip to the Playground

Matt's a Senior!

Hannah started 1st grade yesterday and Matt started 12th grade today. He's now 6'1" (and still growing), he's been taking driving lessons and is about to take his license test. He is also about to start the college application process. I can't believe this is is last year of high school...and his last year at home :( Where did all the time go?

First Grade

Hannah started first grade this week. She has a young, new (well, to our school), enthusiastic teacher who seems very nice. She is also a dance instructor! How she does all this with one year old twins, I don't know but it sounds like she has the energy to keep up with Hannah.

Hannah wasn't as nervous heading back to school as she was last year before she started kindergarten. In fact, it sort of snuck up on her. The night before the first day, it dawned on her she'd be gone ALL day instead of 1/2 a day like last year. She got a little emotional and worried. She wondered if she'd find the bathroom (kindergarten bathrooms are right inside the classroom) or what it would be like to go to the BIG cafeteria for lunch. She worried she would miss me too much. We snuggled in bed and talked about it all and she asked, since she would be away from me for the WHOLE following day, if I would stay in her room to sleep and cuddle with her that night. It was very sweet....and I did. We had a big breakfast the next morning and in spending all that time relaxing over pancakes and eggs, we almost missed the bus. It's always hard to let them go in the fall. Summer never lasts long enough for me. I miss all that time with them!

I'm Back!

I can't believe I haven't posted since May. So much has been going on. I was away with the kids for the summer. Most of that time (and before) my computer was being repaired by the Geek Squad (no comment :)) and it is now about to go back in for the third time so I'm trying to upload photos and do a few posts before that happens. I plan on buying a new computer because I'm not sure this one will ever be coming back home again (a lemon) and I cannot do without one while in school (which starts again next week). I have a lot of catching up to do with photos and posts of what we've been doing for the past three months. I also have to catch up on most everyone else's blogs, too. It was great spending our summer by the Ocean, but it is good to be home again and getting back into the normal routine again.