This was Kelton's first recital. He did so well. He played a song called Teeter Totter and a simplified version of Book of Mormon Stories which even required him to move his left hand. Kelton hasn't had many lessons, but he is doing so well. He gets frustrated very quickly when he is trying to learn, but as soon as he gets it, he is so happy he can't stop smiling. It is fun for me to watch him enjoy playing the piano.
Natalie continues to do very well. She has so much natural talent and picks up on things so quickly. I will admit, it fills me with excitement and pride. She played The Entertainer and Keep the Commandments (from the Hymn book--not a simplified version). I was so amazed by her dedication to learn the hymn. It was a little tricky for her, but mostly because her fingers are still so small. She will have a much easier time with hymns once her fingers grow a little longer. At one point, I was feeling like there was no way she was going to be able to finish learning the song by the recital date. I asked her if she wanted to stop and learn something a little easier. But she was adamant that she was going to learn Keep the Commandments. It was so awesome to see her stick to something that was hard for her instead of taking the easy out I had offered her.
My other students are doing very well also. I have a good group of students. I currently have nine students, including my own two kids. For this recital, I had all of my students play one recital type song and one hymn or primary song. The church songs are so much harder to play and require a lot of work, so I wanted to showcase the hard work that my students had put into those songs. In the picture, from left to right on the bottom row is Allie Mawson, Hailey Bryson, Raena Mawson, Samantha Bryson, Alexis Egbert, Kelton, and Natalie. To the left of me is Kanesa Gay, and to the right is Emma Vaterlaus.
Then next morning, May 10th, we had Joyschool graduation. This past year, I have been involved in a Joyschool co-op for preschool with three other moms. Actually, the first half of the school year, there was one more mom, but she had a baby and didn't continue with the second half. Damon has loved going to Joyschool and playing with his friends. I, as one of the "teachers" had mixed feelings about the joyschool program. First of all, it is very outdated. It was created around 30 years ago--I remember kids my age going to joyschool--and it hasn't ever been updated since. Really, it is a great program that focuses on values, but it just isn't really my thing. It is a little too.... fruity and fluffy for me, if that makes any sense. I will skip it in the future if the opportunity every presents itself again.
In the picture from left to right are: Damon, Alice Hale, Haydn Mawson, and Eugene King.
Kelton had his Kindergarten promotion was on May 20th. They had a cute little program to go along with it, a slideshow, and cake. Nate was able to go in to work late so he could come see Kelton.
Kelton has had the greatest Kindergarten teacher this year--Jenn Vaterlaus. She is also in our ward at church. She does so many fun things with the kids and cares so much about them. She put together a giant book of different things the kids have made throughout the year and gave it to us at the end of the promotion.
It is kind of hard to believe that the school year is already over--that Kelton is no longer in Kindergarten and Natalie will be in 4th grade!
No comments:
Post a Comment