Beethoven or Bust!

Today marks the end of another concert week, as well as the end of our 2011-2012 season.  This season has been so amazing.  Everything was amazing, from our new performing arts center, the people we got to meet (and sing for...Placido Domingo, Patti LuPone), down to the music we were able to sing.  We sang Braham's Requiem, Maller's 2nd Symphony, Handel's Messiah, and now we finished it all off with Beethoven's 9th Symphony.  Amazing!  Here is a youtube clip of our dress rehearsal this past Thursday.  It's a small clip, but shows the pure wonder and awe that is "Ode To Joy".

Doing It Tanner Style

Yesterday Todd took the kids swimming.  At one point, the whistles blew for the kids to get out of the pool so the adults could swim in peace for about 15-minutes.  Todd set Riley and Tanner up with a thing of Pringles, and they started happily munching away.  Todd looked up a moment later to see that Tanner had parked himself next to this older handicapped gentleman.  Without even looking at this man, Tanner reaches in to the Pringles can and hands a stack of chips to him.  The man, of course, grabbed them quickly and started eating them.  When the man had finished his chips, Tanner again reached in and gave him another stack.  Eventually this man started "talking" to Tanner in totally incomprehensible speech, and Tanner just looked up and said, "Your welcome."

This child of ours never ceases to amaze us...and it's not always a good thing!  This time, however, it was a happy amazement.

The Casts Are FINALLY Off!

After many LONG weeks, Riley finally got his casts off.  Hooray!  I happily bid those non-waterproof walking casts adieu...and good riddance!

While we were waiting to get them off, we enjoyed playing some Wii...I mean, is there a better way to pass the time than playing tennis and bowling on the Wii?  No.  No, there is not.

Riley thought the "saw that only cut your cast and not your skin" was really cool.  And as soon as they started cutting his casts off, Riley busted up laughing.  Apparently it tickles like crazy...who knew?

Now it is only pools and sprinklers and summertime fun for us.  There will be the weekly physical therapy appointment thrown in there as well, but we won't let that mar our fun!

Having Fun

Today marks the first day of Tanner's summer camp at the local YMCA.  He came home so excited!  He loved it.  When I was asking him all about his fun morning, this is what he said:

Tanner: It was so fun!

Mommy: Did you get to go swimming?

Tanner:  Yes!  Welllllll, my teacher got mad at me because I wasn't listening, but don't worry...(and now he whispers)...I still had fun.  (snicker, snicker.)

Todd and I then commenced to heave a big-old-sigh.....followed of course by a lecture about how we need to listen to our teachers because they are just trying to keep us, and everybody else, safe.

But don't worry...(and now I say with a whisper)...I don't think he was listening.

Xbox Nosebleed

The kids favorite game lately has been Plants vs. Zombies.  Since they only get Friday night and Saturday to play they're pretty serious about it.  I came down and found Riley had taken matters into his own hands with his nosebleed.  There is dedication for you.  Made me laugh!

Play-Doh Bad News

Conversation today with Tanner

Tanner:  (comes in to the room with a ball of  Play-Doh) Guess what the bad news is about me and  Play-Doh?

Mom: What?

Tanner: Sometimes I eat it.

Mom and Dad: Tanner, we don't eat  Play-Doh .

Tanner: Well, the good news is, that I only eat it at school.

Well, if it's only at school, then it's okay...not!

Happy Birthday To Me

Well, I am officially 33-years young...(and I don't look a day over 32!)  I had such an absolutely wonderful, fantastic, couldn't be better birthday, and I have to blog about it.

A few weeks ago, I received an email from the director of the Kansas City Symphony Chorus, Charles Bruffy, telling all of the chorus about an opportunity to sing in a choral festival event featuring Craig Jessop as conductor.  The deadline to apply already had passed, but Charles said there were still openings.  Well, singing with Craig Jessop was something I really, REALLY, wanted to do, so I called the number immediately.  And wouldn't you know it, I got in.  All I had to do was say that I sang with Charles and I was in...no audition necessary.  It turns out that several of my chorus friends wanted to participate as well but didn't get in because the women's section was full.  It is truly a miracle that I was able to do this, and I am so thankful!

We were a chorus that was only together for a day and a half before our concert...needless to say, it was a little stressful...or at least, it should have been stressful, but Mr. Jessop is such a wonderful conductor, that even though the music was difficult, even though we struggled, even though our time together was short, he made it so enjoyable.  It is the mark of a great conductor to be professional, to expect great things, and yet not take the joy out of singing.  Craig did just that.  It was wonderful!

Though I had never met Mr. Jessop before Friday, he has a history with my family.  When he joined the Tabernacle Choir years and years ago, the secretary of the choir sat him right next to my dad.  There they sat, together in the Mormon Tabernacle, singing together and becoming good friends.  When I introduced myself to him as Sara, Tom's daughter, he just took my hand and said, "Your father is a dear, dear friend."

We sang amazing songs: Gustav Holst's "Psalm 148" (one of my grandpa Ken's favorites and oh so beautiful); Benjamin Britten's "Festival Te Deum" (very difficult, but also the most rewarding to sing);  a jazzy spiritual "Let Me Fly" (so fun, but let's face it folks...I sound like Minnie Mouse, not a black slave workin' in the fiel'); several Mack Wilberg arrangements (or as one lady in the choir knowingly called him, 'Mick Wahlberg'...I didn't correct her because it was too funny!) "My Shepherd Will Supply My Need", "Redeemer of Israel" and, of course, our big finale, "Come Thou Fount".

I feel like I have connected several dots in the musical legacy that my family has left me.  I have sung with Bob Bowden, in the Tabernacle, with the Mormon Youth Symphony Chorus.  I was able to meet Jay Welch, a former Tabernacle Choir director, and one of my dad's favorite people.  And now, I have sung with Craig Jessop...and we sang in none other than the RLDS temple, currently called Community of Christ.

Such a great weekend.  Thanks to Todd for taking care of things here at home while I sang my guts out.   It was a fantastic way to celebrate turning 33!  (and might I add that I came home to a clean house, my broken Nook exchanged for a new one, and a gift card to Barnes and Noble to fill my Nook shelves with books!...Really, could it have been any better?)