Congratulations are in order!
5.6.2015
Congratulations, TC.
You've successfully completed your online drivers education! (DPS Course #108 provided by DriversEd.com.). It's now time to take your driving and written test and get your Texas Driver's License!
DriversEd.com
OH MY! I'm not ready for this, although TC is way past ready!
Congratualtions, TC!
You've successfully completed your online drivers education! (DPS Course #108 provided by DriversEd.com.). It's now time to take your driving and written test and get your Texas Driver's License!
DriversEd.com
OH MY! I'm not ready for this, although TC is way past ready!
Congratualtions, TC!
political funny
5.5.2015
From TC.
If this wasn't so true-to-life it wouldn't be so funny ...
If this wasn't so true-to-life it wouldn't be so funny ...
etiquette 101 & 102
4.21.2015
One of my teens had the absolute pleasure and joy of participating in the Christian Homeschool Formal this year. As a parent, I can tell you that I was VERY impressed with the professionalism and maturity exhibited by EVERYONE involved. A couple of days before the big event, they teens all got this email reminder/encourager. OH! how I wish someone had told me and my friends these things when we were in high school. OH! how I wish they would have taught us HOW to dance before letting us attend the prom. OH! how I wish that adults would have taken serious their jobs to chaperon and encourage us to be mature and still individuals with dignity and character! OH! how I wish we had NOT been allowed to bring dates, and had been assigned dances (like the kids were at the CHSF). OH! how I wish!!!!!
Okay -- enough of my bad high school memories... Enjoy! And see if you learn something new!
Etiquette 101
* Do not panic. This is not hard. In fact, one purpose for manners is to put you and others at ease because you know the right thing to do. It is a way of showing respect and kindness to others and a systematic way to be of service. The bottom line is.... Think of others before yourself. How can you make others feel special?
Keep reading.
Before the meal
* When entering a doorway or elevator, the woman should go first, unless the gentleman is turning on a light for her.
* The table host should make a point to introduce everyone. Smile, ask questions.
* Place cards should not be moved. Find your seat and trust your host's decision on the seating arrangement. You may meet somebody new!
* Men should stand when a female is entering a room or dinner seating situation. He again should rise as she is leaving. Don't seat yourself while a lady is standing.
* Gentlemen help to seat the girl on his right. She should move to the right of her chair, and enter with her left side first.
* Place your napkin in your lap right away, unfolding it on your lap. If it escapes to the floor, quietly say excuse me and pick it up.
* Mabel, Mabel, if you're able, keep your elbows off the table.
Which bread plate is mine? Hey, you drank my water!
* It's easy to remember: Liquids on the right, solids on the left.
* Often, a dessert fork or spoon may be placed above the plate. Save it for dessert
Come 'n get it!
* Wait until the entire table is served before beginning to eat.
* The host will pick up his eating utensil to signal the beginning of the course.
* The napkin should be put in the chair if you excuse yourself before the end of the meal. Butter should be put on the plate from the butter dish, not directly on the bread
* Break off a piece of bread before buttering. Do not pick up the whole piece of bread
* Typically, start with the fork farthest from the plate. When that course is complete, the waiter will remove it along with the plate.
* At a nice dinner, there should not be any unnecessary utensils.
* Food is passed to the right (counter-clockwise).
* Pass the pepper and salt together.
* If you don't care for something, don't mention it. You can always fill up on Cheetos and bananas once you get home.
* To signal that you have completed each course, the fork (and knife) should be placed parallel on the plate with the handles at about the 4:00 position. The waiter will remove the plate from your left. He will serve from the right.
* Once the entire table has completed the meal, they should wait for the table host to signal the "end the meal" by placing his napkin on the table. Upon finishing the meal, gently fold the napkin and place it to the left. Refrain from getting up from the table until everyone has finished their meal.
Oops!
* If your fork falls from the table, don't pick it up. Ask the waiter for a clean one.
* Slurping and smacking are out. Don't draw attention to yourself.
* You just couldn't help that burp? Really now! Make every effort not to let anything other that pleasant speech come out of your mouth. If perhaps an unexpected noise or chicken nugget should escape from your mouth, just excuse yourself quietly, and cover your lips with your napkin.
* Ladies should excuse themselves to apply lipstick or freshen up their hair. They should also check for bits of broccoli stuck in those braces while in the ladies room.
How to make a big deal into not such a big deal
* Disaster strikes! The steak ended up in your lap, you knocked over her water when you tried to remove the béarnaise sauce from her sequined bag and then the hot green beans landed in the up-do seated next to you. Now what? Okay, remain calm. Humor covers a multitude of humiliation. Apologize quietly. Don't clean another's clothing unless they ask for help (you might get arrested.) And hey, at least everyone will remember your name!
* If you should spill something, try to contain it with you napkin, and seek a waiter to help you control the damage.
* Do not blow your nose with your napkin (or tablecloth) at the table. Excuse yourself to the restroom for such.
A few beautiful things about dance cards….
* You might meet new people!
* You get to bless these people with your excellent dancing and conversational skills!
* They are a great way to show respect and kindness to these people.
* You just never know…. We will be celebrating the wedding very soon of a sweet couple who met five years ago over a dance card at the Christian Homeschool Formal!
Etiquette 102
* If you really don't know what to do, look around. Do what seems least embarrassing for everyone. Remember, the point of manners is to be other oriented, making them to feel comfortable.
* Don't point out bad manners.
* Be friendly.
* Include everyone in the conversations.
* Watch your speech. Don't bring up "inside jokes." If you are on the inside, by definition, someone is left on the outside.
* Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit all those who listen" (Eph.4:29)
* Please refrain from using your cell phone or texting at the table. Enjoy the time with the friends!
Etiquette has value. It provides a framework for good manners, less confusion, and servanthood. Be a blessing to others. And have fun.
Okay -- enough of my bad high school memories... Enjoy! And see if you learn something new!
Etiquette 101
* Do not panic. This is not hard. In fact, one purpose for manners is to put you and others at ease because you know the right thing to do. It is a way of showing respect and kindness to others and a systematic way to be of service. The bottom line is.... Think of others before yourself. How can you make others feel special?
Keep reading.
Before the meal
* When entering a doorway or elevator, the woman should go first, unless the gentleman is turning on a light for her.
* The table host should make a point to introduce everyone. Smile, ask questions.
* Place cards should not be moved. Find your seat and trust your host's decision on the seating arrangement. You may meet somebody new!
* Men should stand when a female is entering a room or dinner seating situation. He again should rise as she is leaving. Don't seat yourself while a lady is standing.
* Gentlemen help to seat the girl on his right. She should move to the right of her chair, and enter with her left side first.
* Place your napkin in your lap right away, unfolding it on your lap. If it escapes to the floor, quietly say excuse me and pick it up.
* Mabel, Mabel, if you're able, keep your elbows off the table.
Which bread plate is mine? Hey, you drank my water!
* It's easy to remember: Liquids on the right, solids on the left.
* Often, a dessert fork or spoon may be placed above the plate. Save it for dessert
Come 'n get it!
* Wait until the entire table is served before beginning to eat.
* The host will pick up his eating utensil to signal the beginning of the course.
* The napkin should be put in the chair if you excuse yourself before the end of the meal. Butter should be put on the plate from the butter dish, not directly on the bread
* Break off a piece of bread before buttering. Do not pick up the whole piece of bread
* Typically, start with the fork farthest from the plate. When that course is complete, the waiter will remove it along with the plate.
* At a nice dinner, there should not be any unnecessary utensils.
* Food is passed to the right (counter-clockwise).
* Pass the pepper and salt together.
* If you don't care for something, don't mention it. You can always fill up on Cheetos and bananas once you get home.
* To signal that you have completed each course, the fork (and knife) should be placed parallel on the plate with the handles at about the 4:00 position. The waiter will remove the plate from your left. He will serve from the right.
* Once the entire table has completed the meal, they should wait for the table host to signal the "end the meal" by placing his napkin on the table. Upon finishing the meal, gently fold the napkin and place it to the left. Refrain from getting up from the table until everyone has finished their meal.
Oops!
* If your fork falls from the table, don't pick it up. Ask the waiter for a clean one.
* Slurping and smacking are out. Don't draw attention to yourself.
* You just couldn't help that burp? Really now! Make every effort not to let anything other that pleasant speech come out of your mouth. If perhaps an unexpected noise or chicken nugget should escape from your mouth, just excuse yourself quietly, and cover your lips with your napkin.
* Ladies should excuse themselves to apply lipstick or freshen up their hair. They should also check for bits of broccoli stuck in those braces while in the ladies room.
How to make a big deal into not such a big deal
* Disaster strikes! The steak ended up in your lap, you knocked over her water when you tried to remove the béarnaise sauce from her sequined bag and then the hot green beans landed in the up-do seated next to you. Now what? Okay, remain calm. Humor covers a multitude of humiliation. Apologize quietly. Don't clean another's clothing unless they ask for help (you might get arrested.) And hey, at least everyone will remember your name!
* If you should spill something, try to contain it with you napkin, and seek a waiter to help you control the damage.
* Do not blow your nose with your napkin (or tablecloth) at the table. Excuse yourself to the restroom for such.
A few beautiful things about dance cards….
* You might meet new people!
* You get to bless these people with your excellent dancing and conversational skills!
* They are a great way to show respect and kindness to these people.
* You just never know…. We will be celebrating the wedding very soon of a sweet couple who met five years ago over a dance card at the Christian Homeschool Formal!
Etiquette 102
* If you really don't know what to do, look around. Do what seems least embarrassing for everyone. Remember, the point of manners is to be other oriented, making them to feel comfortable.
* Don't point out bad manners.
* Be friendly.
* Include everyone in the conversations.
* Watch your speech. Don't bring up "inside jokes." If you are on the inside, by definition, someone is left on the outside.
* Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit all those who listen" (Eph.4:29)
* Please refrain from using your cell phone or texting at the table. Enjoy the time with the friends!
Etiquette has value. It provides a framework for good manners, less confusion, and servanthood. Be a blessing to others. And have fun.
GOD's rules - our family's rules
11.2.2013
This sweet reminder hangs in our dining room.
While there is no mention of the Bible or the 10 Words (Commandments) in it, the principles are completely in line with the Word of GOD and we have tried to diligently teach our boys these rules for life through the lens of GOD's instructions..
Deuteronomy 6:7
Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
Deuteronomy 11:19
You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.
I love that these are short, concise statements, but that as the kids have grown and matured, the meanings have deepened and broadened with their maturity and understanding. Now in the teen years, we are working with these broader interpretations.
* Promises are made to be kept or they should not be made. People will judge you, and GOD, if you claim to follow Him, by the promises you make and keep, or don't keep. Your word is one of your most valuable assets. Don't squander it.
* Sharing shows that you care for others and lays open your heart for others to see your Savior within.
* The world does not revolve around you. Your jobs is to make others believe the world revolves around them, in love.
* Tell those you love "I love you" often because it is always good to hear it, even if you know it.
* Children, obey your parents in the Lord for this is right. Ephesians 6:1
* Do all that you do, whether in word or deed, unto the LORD. He gives us our talents, motivation and abilities. We certainly should use them to His glory!
* Always, always, always tell the truth. Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are His delight. Proverbs 12:22
* We all make mistakes. We all mess up. Don't take yourself so seriously that you can't laugh at yourself.
* A hugs can cover a myriad of difficult issues. A hug can change the mood of a room. A hug can make someone's day. A hug can even literally save a life. Hug often!!
* Grompa (my father) used to say, "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all." The LORD says that kindness and gentleness are fruits of the Spirit and should manifest in our lives if we love him. The Bible also says that the tongue is the most destructive weapon we have. Use it wisely! Use it lovingly!
* Love, love, love each other!
While there is no mention of the Bible or the 10 Words (Commandments) in it, the principles are completely in line with the Word of GOD and we have tried to diligently teach our boys these rules for life through the lens of GOD's instructions..
Deuteronomy 6:7
Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
Deuteronomy 11:19
You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.
I love that these are short, concise statements, but that as the kids have grown and matured, the meanings have deepened and broadened with their maturity and understanding. Now in the teen years, we are working with these broader interpretations.
* Promises are made to be kept or they should not be made. People will judge you, and GOD, if you claim to follow Him, by the promises you make and keep, or don't keep. Your word is one of your most valuable assets. Don't squander it.
* Sharing shows that you care for others and lays open your heart for others to see your Savior within.
* The world does not revolve around you. Your jobs is to make others believe the world revolves around them, in love.
* Tell those you love "I love you" often because it is always good to hear it, even if you know it.
* Children, obey your parents in the Lord for this is right. Ephesians 6:1
* Do all that you do, whether in word or deed, unto the LORD. He gives us our talents, motivation and abilities. We certainly should use them to His glory!
* Always, always, always tell the truth. Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are His delight. Proverbs 12:22
* We all make mistakes. We all mess up. Don't take yourself so seriously that you can't laugh at yourself.
* A hugs can cover a myriad of difficult issues. A hug can change the mood of a room. A hug can make someone's day. A hug can even literally save a life. Hug often!!
* Grompa (my father) used to say, "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all." The LORD says that kindness and gentleness are fruits of the Spirit and should manifest in our lives if we love him. The Bible also says that the tongue is the most destructive weapon we have. Use it wisely! Use it lovingly!
* Love, love, love each other!
I Corinthians 13:4-8 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
the piano recital was a great success...
12.20.2011
Music Man's piano recital was Saturday night. He looked so adorable, but don't tell him I said that, he'll only say, "Mooooooom!" :) Actually, all the kids looked great! There were about 6 or 7 families this year and lots and lots of new piano players! A friend from our homeschool group was there, too. I'd forgotten her girls were taking lessons from Miss A also! ...even her kindergarten sweetie!! She played Away in a Manger and just beamed (as did her mom and dad).
Music Man was not nervous at all, or so he claimed. He was ready to go and did a great job. We were so pleased to hear him keep his timing and be so calm about it all. How does he remember all those notes and crescendos up in front of all those people, especially when he doesn't even look at the music! I am amazed!! He definitely did not get my DNA for performing in front of others.
He played the theme from The Pink Panther movies first, which had all the adults in the room jammin' and smilin'. Later he wowed all the little boys in attendance by playing "The Imperial March" from Star Wars - the looks on all the little boys faces was truly priceless.
My very favorite piano pice, besides the ones my boys play, I heard at a friend's house. "River Flows in You" is absolutely beautiful! Here is a link to listen to it if you are not familiar with it: http://www.last.fm/music/Yiruma/_/River+Flows+In+You (No, it was NOT in the Twilight movies!!!!)
Thank you, Father, for little boys, big smiles, pianos and the ability to feel the beauty of music deep down in our souls.
Music Man was not nervous at all, or so he claimed. He was ready to go and did a great job. We were so pleased to hear him keep his timing and be so calm about it all. How does he remember all those notes and crescendos up in front of all those people, especially when he doesn't even look at the music! I am amazed!! He definitely did not get my DNA for performing in front of others.
He played the theme from The Pink Panther movies first, which had all the adults in the room jammin' and smilin'. Later he wowed all the little boys in attendance by playing "The Imperial March" from Star Wars - the looks on all the little boys faces was truly priceless.
My very favorite piano pice, besides the ones my boys play, I heard at a friend's house. "River Flows in You" is absolutely beautiful! Here is a link to listen to it if you are not familiar with it: http://www.last.fm/music/Yiruma/_/River+Flows+In+You (No, it was NOT in the Twilight movies!!!!)
Thank you, Father, for little boys, big smiles, pianos and the ability to feel the beauty of music deep down in our souls.
homeschooling on the prairie...
11.15.2011
We have reached a milestone in homeschooling this year! No really! This is something to celebrate!!
The boys are starting to be less and less dependent on mom for every little thing in school!! Texas YEEE-HAAAAAW! ;-)
They can read almost everything on their own, and prefer it that way if I can manage it. Often I find them reading ahead and then I have to figure out where to go from that point. I certainly am not complaining! That is not a bad problem to have! TC, growing taller than his mother every day, is mostly independent in his study now. His eighth grade year, which has included some of his first high school classes, is whizzing by at warp speed! High school credits are starting to tally up! Yikes! That means I have to keep up with a transcript now! LB, who is celebrating a birthday today and loving having a day off of school, is tackling his last year of elementary. It's been a year of HUGE steps in so many areas for him.
We have been using My Father's World curriculum for a couple of years now. http://www.mfwbooks.com/ We started it right in the middle of the 5 year sequence. It has been THE most enjoyable, helpful, interesting, engrossing, teaching curriculum we have ever used. As the teacher, I've found it to be a perfect balance of what I had been putting together on my own, what I liked about a couple of other curricula out there and an answer to prayer about what to study, to what extent and in what way! Each year I would collect and organize and hunt and plan and feel rather like I was reinventing the wheel in order to plan out a year of school. My Father's World (MFW) has changed all that. It's what I would have done, if I'd had the time, energy, money and intrinsic motivation to keep on doing what I'd been attempting to do all those years.
MFW is a bundle for history, Bible, science, music, art, reading, reports, etc. The parent/teacher adds the math and language arts. They offer recommendations regarding, and even have lesson plans for, math and language arts, but they also recognize that not everyone will use what they suggest for many reasons. So far we have studied "Rome to the Reformation", and "Exploration to 1850". This year we are doing two years at once so that TC gets all five years under his belt before he moves to the high school curriculum next year. This year we're conquering "Creation to the Greeks" and will be starting "1850 to Modern Times" after the new year.
WOW! What an amazing journey we have been on with "Creation to the Greeks"! In our studies last year and before, we became very interested in early church history -- pre-Christ's birth and the first 2 centuries. It was only a natural step, then, for us to then go back to "Creation to the Greeks" -- and it was God's divine plan for us, as well. This year we have studied the Torah, the first five books of the Bible, the Hebrew roots of Christianity, early church history, and what every day life and culture were like when Christ, the Messiah, walked the earth and then died for our sins and rose again. We have looked closely at the Torah, learned about Jewish and Hebrew culture and Judaism, and have been thoroughly enraptured when learning about and celebrating GOD's Biblical Feasts from Leviticus. We all agree that our faith in and our relationship with God the Father is deeper and stronger now than ever. We've learned more about His plans and seen more of His hand at work in the ages passed and in life in general than we ever imagined was there! Praise our Father!
The boys are starting to be less and less dependent on mom for every little thing in school!! Texas YEEE-HAAAAAW! ;-)
They can read almost everything on their own, and prefer it that way if I can manage it. Often I find them reading ahead and then I have to figure out where to go from that point. I certainly am not complaining! That is not a bad problem to have! TC, growing taller than his mother every day, is mostly independent in his study now. His eighth grade year, which has included some of his first high school classes, is whizzing by at warp speed! High school credits are starting to tally up! Yikes! That means I have to keep up with a transcript now! LB, who is celebrating a birthday today and loving having a day off of school, is tackling his last year of elementary. It's been a year of HUGE steps in so many areas for him.
We have been using My Father's World curriculum for a couple of years now. http://www.mfwbooks.com/ We started it right in the middle of the 5 year sequence. It has been THE most enjoyable, helpful, interesting, engrossing, teaching curriculum we have ever used. As the teacher, I've found it to be a perfect balance of what I had been putting together on my own, what I liked about a couple of other curricula out there and an answer to prayer about what to study, to what extent and in what way! Each year I would collect and organize and hunt and plan and feel rather like I was reinventing the wheel in order to plan out a year of school. My Father's World (MFW) has changed all that. It's what I would have done, if I'd had the time, energy, money and intrinsic motivation to keep on doing what I'd been attempting to do all those years.
MFW is a bundle for history, Bible, science, music, art, reading, reports, etc. The parent/teacher adds the math and language arts. They offer recommendations regarding, and even have lesson plans for, math and language arts, but they also recognize that not everyone will use what they suggest for many reasons. So far we have studied "Rome to the Reformation", and "Exploration to 1850". This year we are doing two years at once so that TC gets all five years under his belt before he moves to the high school curriculum next year. This year we're conquering "Creation to the Greeks" and will be starting "1850 to Modern Times" after the new year.
WOW! What an amazing journey we have been on with "Creation to the Greeks"! In our studies last year and before, we became very interested in early church history -- pre-Christ's birth and the first 2 centuries. It was only a natural step, then, for us to then go back to "Creation to the Greeks" -- and it was God's divine plan for us, as well. This year we have studied the Torah, the first five books of the Bible, the Hebrew roots of Christianity, early church history, and what every day life and culture were like when Christ, the Messiah, walked the earth and then died for our sins and rose again. We have looked closely at the Torah, learned about Jewish and Hebrew culture and Judaism, and have been thoroughly enraptured when learning about and celebrating GOD's Biblical Feasts from Leviticus. We all agree that our faith in and our relationship with God the Father is deeper and stronger now than ever. We've learned more about His plans and seen more of His hand at work in the ages passed and in life in general than we ever imagined was there! Praise our Father!
the maestros
12.2.2010
The prairie kids have been taking piano lessons for a while now. Each winter, their teacher, Miss A, offers up an evening of performance for all of her students. Family and friends can gather to hear how much the children have improved, visit with one another and enjoy watching their children shine shine shine!
Music Man LOVES playing. He practices off and on all day, every day. He misses playing when we are on vacation or there is not a piano in the immediate area. When we are out someplace and he sees a piano, he begs to sit and play it, even if total strangers are there. Last year, as we got closer to the recital, I took him to Costco. Yes, Costco! They always have pianos for sale the during the holidays. It was simply one of the best outings we have ever had! He played all of his memorized songs for the shoppers and received several compliments. Talk about a confidence booster! He told me on the way home that he likes to perform for others on the piano, but he does not like to sing. ;-)
For the 2010 Recital, Music Man performed Carol of the Bells, Up on the House Top and a ragtime favorite, from memory. No music. All the other children, including TC, had music. He didn't open his and he only took it up there because his mother was nervous he'd need it and not have it.
TC did very well, as well! Oh my! How do they get their hands to work on two separate things at once! lol It was TC's first recital ever. I think he was nervous, but he played flawlessly and I don't remember him looking up at his music either. :) He likes playing, but doesn't like the all eyes on him. I can understand that. I was, and still am, exactly the same way. :) He has been working so hard and I know that piano isn't what he really wants to do, so, this year (2011), TC won't be performing. He has decided that piano isn't for him. :( (Although, just between you and me, I think he liked it more than he admitted. I am so happy that he still walks by the piano from time to time and whips out a tune or two that he had memorized - especially "Great Balls of Fire"). I hope and pray he will pick it back up at a later time, maybe when there isn't such a "competitive" feel about it with younger brother.
Music Man has been looking forward to this year's recital for months! He picked his songs a couple of months ago and has had them memorized for a few weeks now. He will be performing "The Imperial March-Darth Vader's Theme" (from Star Wars, of course), and Henry Mancini's "The Pink Panther" -- from memory, again, of course. :)
Music Man LOVES playing. He practices off and on all day, every day. He misses playing when we are on vacation or there is not a piano in the immediate area. When we are out someplace and he sees a piano, he begs to sit and play it, even if total strangers are there. Last year, as we got closer to the recital, I took him to Costco. Yes, Costco! They always have pianos for sale the during the holidays. It was simply one of the best outings we have ever had! He played all of his memorized songs for the shoppers and received several compliments. Talk about a confidence booster! He told me on the way home that he likes to perform for others on the piano, but he does not like to sing. ;-)
For the 2010 Recital, Music Man performed Carol of the Bells, Up on the House Top and a ragtime favorite, from memory. No music. All the other children, including TC, had music. He didn't open his and he only took it up there because his mother was nervous he'd need it and not have it.
TC did very well, as well! Oh my! How do they get their hands to work on two separate things at once! lol It was TC's first recital ever. I think he was nervous, but he played flawlessly and I don't remember him looking up at his music either. :) He likes playing, but doesn't like the all eyes on him. I can understand that. I was, and still am, exactly the same way. :) He has been working so hard and I know that piano isn't what he really wants to do, so, this year (2011), TC won't be performing. He has decided that piano isn't for him. :( (Although, just between you and me, I think he liked it more than he admitted. I am so happy that he still walks by the piano from time to time and whips out a tune or two that he had memorized - especially "Great Balls of Fire"). I hope and pray he will pick it back up at a later time, maybe when there isn't such a "competitive" feel about it with younger brother.
Music Man has been looking forward to this year's recital for months! He picked his songs a couple of months ago and has had them memorized for a few weeks now. He will be performing "The Imperial March-Darth Vader's Theme" (from Star Wars, of course), and Henry Mancini's "The Pink Panther" -- from memory, again, of course. :)