Looking for a way to bring peace and joy to your day? Seasons of Joy is my 10-week seasonal guidebook to add rhythm and fun to your daily routine. Each guidebook has ten weeks' worth of circle times, stories, arts, crafts, and handwork, painting, playtime activities and more!
Michael had his spring orchestra concert last week, and they all did a fabulous job! Often homeschoolers are pitted against public schoolers in an "us vs. them" death match as to which is better. I homeschool, but I am so thankful to live in a county that provides a free public education to every child. I'm also thankful that Pennsylvania law mandates that school districts allow homeschoolers to participate in extra-curricular programs. Our school district has a nationally recognized strings program, and Michael's teacher, Mr. Radspinner, was just recognized for his excellence in teaching as well. It's amazing what he can do with these kids!
Ah, the joys of music camp! Every morning this week, the older three went to music camp where they sang, played rhythm instruments, learned the recorder, played chimes, made crafts, studied Bible stories, and learned to play Boomwhackers. On Thursday, they had a picnic lunch and a concert at a local nursing home, and Friday night was the concert for friends and families.
Here's Katie Grace's group playing Boomwhackers
and singing. I had a picture of playing chimes, but you couldn't really see her above the table.
I didn't get a picture of Michael playing chimes either, but he really did a great job! Here's Michael's class singing "Swim Faster Jonah".
Then there was the recorder. When I was student teaching, I had to teach recorder to fourth and fifth graders. I hated it, and last night reminded me why.
The worst part? They sent the recorders home with them! They're here. In my house. In all their loud shrillness. *shudders*
Then there was Nicholas. He looks like a little singing angel, right? Wrong.
And whoever gave that boy a Boomwhacker was either nuts or extremely optimistic. It wasn't just an instrument. It was also a telescope, an ear trumpet, a sword, a microphone, and heaven knows what else.
The whole group singing the camp song (Daddy taped this one)
Seriously? They did a great job. I can't believe everything my little ones learned in just one week, and they had a great time
Michael goes to his old elementary school for cello/orchestra, thanks to a nifty little PA law that says the school has to let him participate in extra-curricular activities. Last week he had his very first orchestra concert. There were a lot of things I don't like about our school district, but the music program is phenomenal. They have 650 kids enrolled in their strings program. That is just amazing.
Here's Michael with his cello.
And here's Michael and his buddy Noah, who was in his class at school.
I'm hoping to upload a video, but you tube is being difficult. Let's just say that I think the strings teacher is a saint and must own stock in Tylenol.
The Symphony Orchestra had a free family concert featuring The Carnival of the Animals by Saint-Saenson Saturday! They did this in conjunction with the library, who hosted a series of workshops featuring mask maker and dancer Jamie Peck. DH had to cancel the 30-Hour Famine due to snow, so he was able to stay home with Nicholas and Daniel, and Michael and Katie Grace were hard at work making masks. And, voila, Zazu and Simba!
The concert was wonderful. It also featured Mendelsohn's A Midsummer's Night Dream (Katie Grace enjoyed listening for the donkey brays!) and a Chopin concerto. I was a little disturbed by the fact that Daniel was really digging the Chopin, LOL!
The masks and dancing was pretty incredible, even if the pictures weren't (no flashes in the concert hall!)
