Plunkers and Ticklers

After a year of standing in the kitchen and breathing deeply through another banging out of "Take Me Out To The Ball Game", all that practice has paid off and we've reached our recital. Don't get me wrong, some days I closed my eyes at that stove and smiled and tapped my foot to the familiar melodies, thankful for the lessons and the love for the piano. And while some are plunkers of those black and white keys and some are ticklers, we gush and bubble with delight as we watch our children take their seats at the baby grand in front of an audience.

 Mrs. Anger lovingly announces each child and a little of the story behind their piece.

 No longer the youngest pianist this year but grinning from ear to ear.

 Daddy and Oliver perform the song they wrote together.

 Emily LOVES to play and uses my childhood book.

 Molly plays a lengthened version of "What A Happy Day".

 Meg plays, "The River Flows In You" by Yiruma

 Mrs. Anger is a key tickler. We all sit and watch in awe.

Listening to Mrs. Anger's 92 year-old mom.

We love our patient teacher!

Taking The Stage

In grande finale style, our three girls demonstrated a year's worth of hard work and exhilarating joy as they took the stage at the dance recital.

waiting for her turn

hallway hair-do

tiny ballerina

She loves every minute.

something new for Molly

 

Hip-hop brings out a whole new energy!

Only stopping that smile for a second to concentrate.

glowing in her final performance

More than dancers, they are friends.

lyrical emotions

more ballet

posing with cousins after the show

Grandma comes to support her grandkiddos.

Mama watches with pride.

Oliver has his own moves.

Praising God for health and strength and opportunity to enjoy His gift of dance!

 

As Quiet As A Dragonfly

We call her the "bag lady" because everywhere we go (even in the woods), she carries a purse or bag of some sort. Inside are her "quiet items" for which she doesn't explain or seem to care if anyone notices. She has a purpose for them but she may or may not use them on any given jaunt. I think it comforts her to have her "itty-bitties" with her, just in case.

 

I photographed my girl as she wrote something in her notebook up on top of that rock and I photographed a dragonfly silently alighting on a stalk. Molly turned twelve last month and her gentle, beautiful, quiet way reminds me of that tiny, winged creature.

 

 

Molly, we love you. You are ever capturing us with your intriguing, thoughtful manner. Yes, you can be boisterous and energetic like your siblings, but it's not the norm. You are growing up so lovely and we're proud of you. May this year be filled with amazing growth and may you always hear God's still, small voice in your own quietness.

Going Out With A Bang!

We've moved around from home to home and this was our final presentation day for all the work we'd been doing this spring. These kids went out with a bang as they showed each other their favourite things about all they'd learned.

 Katie shared her verses for each body part. Her hairs are all numbered by God!

 Oliver compared a barn owl and a scarlet tanager in his A Walk In The Woods notebook.

 Mayson shared about her favourite books she's been reading on her Kobo.

 Aaron was learning about the World Wars and told us about Morse Code.

 Getting a closer look at pieces and parts of projects.

 Emily read about various species of insects in her A Walk In The Woods otebook.

 Sara told us all about butterflies.

 Eden created her own flower press and gave us a demonstration.

 Calvin showed us his 100 Birds Pin he earned on his trip to Pt. Pelee.

 Samantha had read the book, "Hanna's Suitcase" (a holocaust story) and presented her project on the girl's life.

 Molly read her favourite parts in her woods project.

 Serena also studied the World Wars and showed us her homemade radio.

 Caleb shared his woodsy artwork and showed us the wooden owl nesting box he created.

Brooke read an "incident report" she had written from the perspective of the hired man who looked after a herd of pigs in the Bible. Jesus cast demons from a possessed man into the pigs and Brooke's used In Their Sandals to created her version of the story. 

 

As moms gathered reports and projects, kids jumped into the pool and swam away the last of their schoolwork for June. Truly though, I can't wait till we see what everyone will be learning in September!

Music As Worship

Praise the Lord!

Praise God in His sanctuary;
Praise Him in His mighty firmament!

 Praise Him for His mighty acts;
Praise Him according to His excellent greatness!

Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet;
Praise Him with the lute and harp!
Praise Him with the timbrel and dance;
Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes!
Praise Him with loud cymbals;
Praise Him with clashing cymbals!

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord!

 

Psalm 150

 

It's His desire that we worship Him through music and through dance. His vey Word tells us!

Our sanctuary choir sang a few songs on this Music Finale Sunday. Terry had a duet.  

 My mom joined the Seniors' Choir even though she's not technically a senior yet. She's a senior-lover :)

They sing a lot about heaven :)

 

The BGT kids' choir always draws people to worship... and to laugh.

 

 All three choirs and the band join in one amazing throng!

kids waiting patiently

Praise the Lord!

Bring It On

Oh, Summer, how long we've waited for you!

 

Gratitude:

1612. laughter at weddings--my sister and her husband crack each other up

1613. and these two... seriously?

1614. picnics in the woods

1615. hammocking with friends

1616. sharing our favourite spots with some favourite people

1617, for the best two sisters in the world

1618. swinging from willow branches

 

1619. same aged cousins always want to have the same kind of fun

1620. finding a gazillion tadpoles in Mama and Papa's pond

1621. actually getting to take them home to our own :)

1622. how Molly helped the boys scoop them all out 

1623. reuniting with my dear, childhood friend and learning we both have Mollys :)

1624. how precious her little Molly is and how she loves my Emily so much

1625. how hot, sweat-dripping days are better with cousins

1626. the way Caleb retrieved his sister's pen from under the bridge

1627. witnessing the union of two great people under a perfect, blue sky, backdropped against the escarpment

 

Happy first day of Summer!

Bring it on!