Campbell's First Piano Recital

Campbell has taken formal piano lessons since December '09. Before that, he had taken an after-school program called "Piano Wizard," which is like Guitar Hero for the keyboard. And he has always been good at picking out tunes.

His recital was yesterday, and we were so proud of him. The first video is Campbell; the second is his friend, Isaac, and the last is their piano teacher, Chase (playing a piece he composed himself).

Guitar

Just before Christmas, our family was having a discussion about scales on the piano and chords on the guitar. John pulled out his guitar for the first time in a long while, and Helene showed a keen interest in learning more about it.

John looked up some guitar tablature and was showing the kids how to read it.
Campbell headed to the piano to find the same chords there. He has been taking lessons for a couple of months now and is thriving. He has a natural talent for piano, and he loves it. I have never had to ask him to practice. He just gravitates towards the piano several times a day and works on a little bit of his assignment each time. Campbell has his father's ear for music along with his mother's ability to sight read music - nice combination.
Helene turned 7 this past weekend, and her big gift from us was a guitar and lessons. She is so excited! Her first lesson was on Tuesday. I was pleased to see her intense focus (her eyes and focus were on her teacher or her guitar the entire time) and even more thrilled that she had her guitar out on the way home in order to show me what she had learned because she was so excited about it. Helene's teacher said she was picking things up very quickly. It is so nice to see the kids enjoy what they are learning.

Helene's Birthday Party

I uploaded the pictures for this entry right after Helene's party, but I just realized that I had failed to write anything or publish it.

So, the short version is that Helene turned 7 in January and had a Polly Pocket themed birthday party. 6 girls were present, including the birthday girl. It was probably the smallest and most low-key party we've ever had, and it went really well.

The girls played with some of Helene's new toys.

Those who arrived first were put to work decorating!
They did some crafts.
They made their own bagel pizzas.
There was gift opening.
Helene wanted ALL of her Polly Pockets on the cake together.

And there was some singing. I don't know who initiated this, but its inappropriateness cracked me up.