KID PILE UP!!!

They love rough-housing on our bed and usually manage not to hurt each other too much.  --Victoria


P.S. I can't believe how wiry (skinny) Benji is...  (these photos make me think that we need to get a feeding tube of butter into that boy -- he eats healthy food and enough of it but I guess his metabolism is just really fast)

Benji's School Concert (and keyboard performance debut!) (part 1)

Benji's school had their Spring recital yesterday evening and of the two classes of students in his grade, Benji was one of four students who was chosen to help accompany the songs on the keyboard.  We are so proud of him!  His amazing music teacher planned some great programs that instruct parents to take the program home, spread it open, and have their child copy the music notes (see photo below).


Benji did a great job during the recital.  I'm delighted to see how much he's enjoying music in general and learning to play the keyboard in particular.


--Victoria


Here's the program.

Musicians in place (CHECK OUT BENJI ON THE RIGHT!) as the singers start to file onto the stage...

Mr. Levy does a sound check on Benji's keyboard.

Waiting for the show to start!

The next post will include links to videos of the concert!

Tamar channels Captain Underpants

Although her battle cry is not "Tra-la-la" like the Epic Captain Underpants.  Instead, she likes to run away in the middle of changing her clothes and yell "NAKED GIRL TO THE RESCUE!"  I have no idea where this came from but it's hilarious!


--Victoria

Camping Weekend with Benji in Vermont!

Benji and I went to Vermont this past weekend with friends from my dance group, to participate in a major dance festival that happens every year.  Benji met some friends his age who are children of dancers I know from other groups, and decided that he likes folk music and dancing.  Hooray!


--Victoria




Here's the tent we borrowed from a friend.  Tents are MUCH different than they were when I was a kid!  There were so many cool features.  Now I want a tent.  😊

This was the field we camped on, with a large communal tent for gathering (and protection from rain) in the middle of the field.

At the end of the weekend, the participants do a Maypole dance.  We couldn't join in because we were trying to beat the traffic home (which we managed to do!)

Benji, asleep in our tent in the morning.

Hanging out with his friends and watching some folk dancing.  He asked me why I hadn't brought kit (the team costume) for him.  Next time!



Watching the dancing with his friends.  Minutes later, he put down his toy and started busting out some great moves!  He just couldn't contain himself; apparently the music really spoke to him.

Pretending he is scared (he was not scared at all, in reality).

Playing Crokinole in the main hall with a headlamp flashlight (you never know when the lights will go out . . . )

Team Car Cleaning

My latest project has been getting the kids to help around the house more with chores and generally being more helpful and independent.  Last weekend, the car was a total mess when we got home after visiting friends, so I told the kids we were going to clean it up as a team, and that whoever did a good job would be rewarded by getting to use the Windex spray and wash the windows.  Benji used the mini-vac, Daniel used a broom, and Tamar used the duster.  They were all extremely motivated by this prize and each did a great job.  Benji worked the hardest and was allowed the extra-special privilege of washing the OUTSIDE windows as well.  He really got into it!  Unfortunately, I only got a photo of Tamar hard at work with a duster (assisted by Minnie Mouse) because the early use of Windex spray required a high level of supervision to make sure it only went on the windows and not on seats, carpets, or eyes.  The car looks much, much, nicer now.  --Victoria

Weekend Visit to Friends (part 3)

The kids were full of energy after our walk, so Kyle put them to work, digging a hole . . .  and filling it in.  They were very excited about this project (and gullible, apparently).  Kyle also gave them each a lesson on the care and maintenance of the tools they were using.  Daniel, in particular, really appreciated this.  --Victoria

Weekend Visit to Friends (part 2)

Laura showed the kids lots of different types of plants and flowers.  Benji was excited to find a ladybug on a daisy!  --Victoria