Lots of Catching Up

Well, once again, I can't catch up -- or even sum up.  So I'll just start with some new things that are happening.
  This little cutie just celebrated her first birthday.  We are still learning about who she is, but she definitely has some distinguishing things about her personality.
1. She loves to be around people.  When all the kids are at school she looks around at the empty house, then looks at me as if to say, "that's it?"
2. She has the funniest growl.  We like to call it her "Batman voice".  It is not something we taught her as a party trick, she has been doing it right from the very start.  People always look over so shocked to see a cute little girl made that noise.  I think we are in for a few wonderful surprises with this little one.

Lover Boy and I have been off to the races trying to keep up with what we need to do and what our kids have to do.  I have to admit, having 5 is hard, but I love every sleep-deprived minute of it.
The Composer has been busy trying to get his pieces published, finishing up a new curriculum for his school, starting a new group for electric strings at the High School, teaching lessons here at home and....I think I could go on and on about all the things he is involved in.  The list seems pretty never-ending!

This one turned 15 this year and should be driving on a permit, but he is a little scared to start - - honestly I think it has more to do with the perfectionist in him, he just likes to do things right the first time, is that too much to ask?  He recently received his new favorite instrument, an electric cello his dad made for him.  It is actually quite nice since he can play it with the sound off and not wake the sleeping baby next door.



Well, enough for now...I'll update more later.  I promise.

Christmas Updates

Merry Christmas

           I know, I know!  I have been meaning to send out a Christmas card every year and it doesn’t seem to happen—ever!  It would be too hard to catch you up on everything that has happened in our family for the past 14 ½ years, so here are 5 things you may, or may not know about each of us.

The Composer-

1. Teaches orchestra in Saratoga Springs, High School and Jr. High.

2. He teaches private violin and viola lessons after school
3. He arranges music and composes when he has extra time (which sadly is rarely).

4. He is in the Orchestra At Temple Square.  You can see him weekly if you watch Music and the Spoken Word on Sundays.
5. He is the “handiest man” ever.  His most recent fix was a lamp I loved and one of the kids broke.  It took him four hours to rewire the whole thing, fishing wires through small tubes and curves, but he did it--and it still works!

The Vocalist-

1. Started a preschool this year.
2. Also started teaching voice lessons again after someone BEGGED her (fine)!
3. Most of her time is spent running the family business—the home.
4. She keeps a clean house, when the kids are gone.
5. Spends her days trying to finagle kisses out of her baby.

4. The Cellist -
   
   
   
   1. Plays the cello and he’s pretty good—even by Randen’s standards.
   2. Loves science, particularly astronomy and chemistry.
   3. Is working on his third novel, but the first one that is pretty good.
   4. Spends a lot of time on his phone (given to him by his father…ugh), like any teenager.
   5. He loves playing with his little sister.  He is constantly taking her away from anyone else who has her—which is adorable and annoying at the same time.
   6. Was recently called to be Deacon’s Quorum President.
   7. Was “Grimsby” in this years community play, “The Little Mermaid”. (sorry, I guess Thayne gets 7.)

   	Can't get rid of this stupid text box! aghhh!

    
   
   
   The Pianist -
   1. Is super energetic.  Her nickname is “The Energizer”!
   2. Plays the piano and is starting the violin with her dad.
         She actually loves to fiddle around with all instruments.
   3. Is a beautiful and graceful dancer and danced her heart out
   In “The Little Mermaid” as a Seagull.
   4. Is in a Peer Leadership group at school.
   5. Loves salad and hates lasagna.
   The Singer
   
   
   1. Also plays the piano and is making amazing progress! 
   2. Is also a beautiful ballerina.  She and Lindy are in the
   same class.
   3. Started gymnastics this year and has already moved up
   one level. She can be found every night in our family
   room standing on her head.
   4. She was in her first community play this last year, “Th
   Little Mermaid”, where she played a Seagull with her
   sister.
   5. Was baptized by her dad this last April 27^th.
   
   
   The Little Musician –
   
   
   
   1. 
      
      Is the sweetest baby ever.  I’m a little surprised I could have a mild child; everyone else has been wild.
   2. Loves reading books and can be found often in the corner with pillows and a few books.
   3. Loves writing and has been able to hold her pencil “the right way” since she was 7-months-old.
   4. Was not a snuggler at first, but will climb up on your lap if you have a blanket and a book.
   5. Words she can say: Mom, Dad, Thayne (Tae), Lindy (she actually says it right!), Amy (emphasis on the EE), happy, and yes (es).

Nowhere to Go!

  I can't believe this happened to me...again!  I have really never been in situations where I have felt threatened or violated until recently.
 
  So hear is what happened.  My husband came home from work last Friday and just wanted to do something fun with his family.  He didn't want to stay in, he wanted to go out.  So we decided we could afford to take our kids out to dinner and a movie, if the movie was at the "Dollar" theatre.
  That sounded great to the kids, as they jumped up and down in total disbelief at the wild and "generous" nature of their usually cheep parents.  An outing was just what this family needed.  So we checked for a fun family movie, packed the diaper bag and headed for Subway.
  Dinner went off without a hitch, unless you count the baby throwing practically everyone's food off the table, but pretty normal for a family of 6.  We were laughing as we hopped back in the car and headed to the theatre.
  The first 30-40 minutes were great.  I sat next to my husband holding his hand, enjoying the disney flick and pretty much thinking of how blessed I was.
  Then of course the baby started to fuss.  Lets face it, we knew this was going to happen.  I stood up with her at the back.  Some other parents were letting their kids run along the outside isle and my 16-month-old was raising objections that she was not allowed to join in.  Since no one seemed to be complaining or giving the other children dirty looks, I let her down. (mistake #1)
  I tried to follow closely enough that I could grab her if she became a problem.  Most of the outside seats were not taken so she would bob in and out of an isle.  On one of these occasions I grabbed her and sat her on my lap to see if she would stop and watch. (mistake #2)
  I pointed to the movie and tried to whisper in her ear to help her understand what was happening, but a movement out of the corner of my eye caught my attention.  While the baby was finally engaged in what was happening on screen, I looked over to see the curious movement that had caught my attention (mistake #3).
  It was not a pleasant sight.  Lets just say I saw a little too much of somebody.  I was completely disgusted and immediately left the isle.  As I thought more about it I grew more disgusted.  How could this happen?  Why was that guys girlfriend holding his hand and smiling about what was happening?  Why was he at a kids flick?  Did his girlfriend not understand how sick that really is?
  My mind was reeling with disgust and rage that I completely forgot to report it.  I waited until the movie was over and got my family out of there!  They were a little confused why I was so angry, but they understood as I vented in the car on the way home (I believe in being totally honest with your children about such things, not hiding it from them so they will never know what to do if it happens to them).  We all agreed I should have reported it and gotten him kicked out!  Huge oversight!  I was just so disgusted and enraged at the time to think clearly.
  So here is what I've learned:
1.There is no place that is safe anymore outside the walls of your own home.  Sad, but true.  How can I as a good parent let my children experience the world while still protecting them from the most evil parts of it?  Especially if evil is going to be in such vulnerable places?
2. The "dollar" movie is not the most reputable place.  We are a family of 6 on a school teacher's salary and can't afford to take our kids to the "Big" movie theatre - even without dinner, it's $60.  I guess in the future we will just wait for the Red Box and save even more.
3.  I need to look past my disgust and rage and think of others.  As I thought of that night, I have realized that that man could have been charged as a sexual predator.  What other kind of person goes to a kids movie to please himself?  A sick person who needs help.  I usually have to take my husband kicking and screaming to those kinds of movies, most guys you probably would.  The system is there to protect us and I should have used it.

  It has been a funny few months where I have been "exposed" twice to these indecent episodes, and both times with my children.  My heart is sad.  This world is growing sicker and sicker and we are told by countless media people that we have every right to please ourselves.  NO YOU DON'T!  Not in front of my kids you don't!  And if I ever see you again...you'd better watch out.  Mama Bear is gonna go all crazy on you! (can you see my crazy eyes?)

October Fun

For those of you who don't know, I started a preschool.  It is really fun.  We had a low key day today because most of our friends were sick, so I took our one lonely preschooler on a Field Trip to a Pumpkin Patch.  

Of course, my little one tagged along and had a blast walking through the rows and rows of endless pumpkins--which is fitting because that is her nickname, Punkin (that's how we say it).

Apology

I realize that I may be the worst blogger in the world, but frankly, I don't really care!  There would be too many things to catch-up on, so I will not attempt.  Here is how the family stands now...
The Composer:
Has not been doing much composing lately, he is busily writing his own school orchestra curriculum.  What spare time he has he spends teaching private violin/viola lessons and scouting.  The family gets any leftover time (which isn't much), but we relish every minute of it.
The Cellist:
Is still plugging away at the cello.  He is now 13 and the principle cellist in his school orchestra (which isn't really hard because, lets face it, it's middle school orchestra).  He just went down to UVU for an all day cello competition--his first--and did very well.  He is very into science and, of course, is in all honors classes.  Perhaps I shouldn't say of course, it has been a very long road to get him excelling at school, but so worth the work!
The Pianist:
Is still a pianist (although her little sister could give her a run for her tittle).  She has also recently taken an interest in the violin and the ukulele.  She is now 10 and in our favorite grade, 5th.  She recently had a very bad run in with a tree and has some facial scaring we are working on. (poor thing)
The Musician:
Well I don't know if the Musician is quite the right tittle for her now.  She does take piano, along with her sister, but she is also involved in Ballet and Tumbling.  Tumbling would probably be her favorite.  She is now 8, and in 3rd grade.
The Vocalist:
Me, well--I'm busy.  I started a preschool this year!  I'm having a really great time, I have the cutest group of little girls.  I'm also busy running around after a one-year-old, because, if you didn't know, we have added a new member to our family band!

She is the sweetest thing, so curious and into everything at this moment.  Today she ate some chalk and a tiny bit of dishwasher detergent.  I'm thinking she is not going to sleep well tonight.  We have been having so much fun with our new little addition, the children just adore her and are the best babysitters!  I really mean that.

Catch Up

There would be way too much to catch up on so here is what's happening now.

The Cellist is going to be playing his first Gig up at Symphony Hall this Friday. He is in his first chamber group and will be playing his Cello in exchange for tickets to the Symphony! So exciting.

The Pianist is as crazy as ever. She is definitely the most energetic of all the kids. She just can't hold still. I don't want to change that about her, but she is also starting the second grade stubbornness! Any ideas?

The Violinist keeps me laughing. The other day she said that for Christmas she just wanted and Ipod and her stocking full of "Grown-Up Chocolate". A girl with simple taste! My kind of girl!

The "grown-up chocolate" is not naughty...for all those who are wondering. The Composer and I buy this Bavarian Dark Chocolate with a 70% cocoa content. We had a weak moment and shared it with her and now I have had to resort in finding a new hiding place. Luckily she is not tall enough to get at it yet!

The Composer and I just got back from down south where he was the guest conductor at their Orchestral Festival. He did awesome and everyone loved him. One parent said they had three different children in three different orchestra's and they didn't hear him say the same thing twice (he heard 18 orchestra's that day)!

Me...I'm just trying to keep up with everyone else's schedule along with cleaning houses and substitute teaching! Now Christmas is coming and I'm trying to get gifts done and Santa Cookies finished before it's too late. I made 301 cookies last year...and I'm afraid I'll have to make more this year. Ahhh!

Happy St. Patrick's Day