“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.” ― Plato
Theo getting ready to sing at the Congdon Park Holiday Program
I think listening to music, learning to sing, and playing an instrument are important skills for the developing mind. Music is like learning another language; music is a universal language and it is all around us. I grew up dreading piano lessons and lying about how many hours I practiced violin (and later the viola) but I am very appreciative that I can still read music and appreciate the dedication and commitment to master a song and courage to perform in front of a crowd.
Last week, Marit had a holiday party at Hidden Valley Preschool where parents were invited to come play at school. Marit made us a little ornament and she enjoyed showing us around her school. Weekday events can be difficult for me to attend but luckily I had a half day of cardiology clinic and was able to sneak out from 11:45-2pm to make it to the last 10 minutes of Marit's party and then quickly head over to Congdon Elementary to watch all of Theo's Winter Holiday Program. Each grade performed three songs from around the world to a gym full of parents, grandparents, teachers and staff. While there was a heavy Christmas theme, I was impressed that there were a few other holidays and languages featured, too. We also got to enjoy some solos from 4th and 5th graders - everything from the piano to ukulele and violin to vocals. Theo did a great job with his "special job" in the "Uno, dos, tres" song. He is in the top left of the risers; is it a big surprise that he's the tallest kid in his class? Seth broke the news to him that he will forever have to stand at the top of the risers and he seemed a bit disappointed. I was a very proud Momma and I was so impressed how they got all these kids to perform together! I hope you enjoy the performance too (click the youtube video below).
Theo singing
Press play to watch 2 of the songs from the 2018 Holiday Program (1st song starts at 1:15):
Last Tuesday, I took the kids to Duluth's famous Bentleyville free holiday light and music show. It has been one of the warmest Decembers so on a balmy 36 degree night we decided to check out the 20 acre park with over 5 million lights in downtown Duluth. The kids enjoyed seeing the lights of different characters playing various winter sports, like curling, hockey and skiing, as well as seeing the giant Christmas tree timed to various Christmas carols. Marit insisted that we visit Santa (again) and of course we tried roasting marshmallows but we burned all of them in the hot bonfires.
At work I signed up for the cookie exchange, which I later learned required baking 8 dozen of the same cookie and then exchanging them with a dozen or so coworkers. The kids were amazing helpers to make the shapes and decorate sugar cookies. We only used 12 sticks of butter and they were a big hit!
Siblings fighting over the rolling pin
Do you like my cookie?
Yummy cookies!
Marit's holiday party at Hidden Valley Preschool
Marit and her preschool friends opening their presents
Road trip out West by the numbers We just returned from a 2 week road trip out West. We drove over 3000 miles and saw some amazing scenery. Enjoy the pictures at the end. 9,449 - elevation of the popular scenic trail Bear Lake, an alpine lake below Hallett Peak on the Continental Divide in Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP). We hiked around Bear Lake and then down to Alberta Falls our first day in the park together as a family. 7,203 - elevation of Inspiration Point that overlooks Jenny Lake, the scenic lake at the base of the Tetons, as well as Jackson Hole and the Gros Ventre Range. We hiked the 2.2 mi Cascade Canyon Trail to Hidden Falls and then up 450 ft. elevation through a conifer forest and along a steep granite ledge to Inspiration point. 1982 - the year a breach in the earthen dam at Lawn Lake brought down the wall of water and created the Alluvial Fan in RMNP. The kids enjoyed taking off their socks and shoes and dipping their feet in the ice cold water fro...
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) summer 2024 trip We had a perfect week in the BWCA. Blue skies every day, highs in the upper 70s, lows in the 50s. No rain. Minimal bugs. We had a fantastic site. Nice day trips and picnic lunches. Caught some fish. Played games and roasted s'mores. Other than the full moon putting a damper on the night sky and northern lights, it was basically a 5 stay week! We made some haiku's the describe the trip, enjoy! BWCAW Haikus by John, Seth, Katie, Lauren, Theo and Marit Entry one-four, go! Two canoes paddle by turtles, down winding river. Portages we go, Hauling packs, paddles and poles. Makes voyageurs strong! Theo and Lauren carried their canoes 200 rods. They voyageurs now. What's a perfect site? Great views, tent pads, jumping rock. We hit the jackpot! Misty morning, coffee Beavers swim by in the bay, Reading on the rock. Paddle to day hike Sioux Hustler trail to Devil's "Where is your permit?" The greatest s...
Seth, Theo, Katie, JoAnn and John overlooking the Cascade Mountains from Mount Constitution on Orcas Island. Orcas Island, San Juan Islands Orcas Island is in the San Juan Islands and is one of our favorite places to visit in the greater Seattle area. We spent Labor Day weekend with the new grandparents - John and JoAnn - at a little cottage at Leiber Haven Resort. We spent most of the weekend relaxing: we watched the sail boats and ferries go by and made s'mores by our beachside campfire. We also managed to hike a few miles around Obstruction Pass State Park, go to the top of Mount Constitution on a perfectly clear day, kayak around Obstruction Island and see a few seals and Mount Baker, watch the L pod (a resident Orca pod that lives in the area) fish for salmon off San Juan Island, and see the beautiful wooden boats in the Deer Harbor Marina. Theo loved the motion of the ocean and slept the whole time in his "infant" life vest. Washington State Ferry f...
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