Aaaaack - What Day is It?

I haven't posted in so many weeks that I can't believe it! The thing is, I've had the "create a new post" window open for the last 5 days, and I really have wanted to write.

I spent last Saturday accompanying 21 kids at the solo and ensemble festival. Because I had so many kids and they were at two different schools, I was at a dead sprint for the first two hours. Run into one room, play the piece, dash out before the judge gave the critique, and race into the next room, repeat the process, then drive to the other school and do it all over again. It was so much fun! I haven't spent so much time at the piano since college and I discovered that I miss it... a lot.

In preparation for S/E, I had to rehearse with each student three times here at the house. The girls have gotten really good at identifying instruments by look and sound, a fabulous, if impractical, skill. Those rehearsals took a lot of time, and Kelly and the girls were amazing and so patient with me. As much as I love the music, I love them more and promise not to make a habit of such a schedule. After today. At 5:30. When my concerto auditions end. I promise.

So here's what has been happening while I've been crazy busy:

Anna has been studying the American Revolution in school and I completely loved this project.This is Anna's valentine that she made at school. That week, she had a bad cough, and on the heart she wrote, "You are my cough drop."
And here is Daisy's love bug. Preschool teachers are the BEST.
Here are Lizzie and Anna in their concert dresses. They had their music concert last Thursday and I was accompanying the second half. The week before, Kelly let me know that he would be out of town that night. So I took all four kids and had to recruit parent-friends to watch Lucy and Daisy. Lucy had to be carried out of both concerts. Of course. I tried to play over her, but that kid can SCREAM. Sorry to all the parents whose video recordings picked up my baby wailing her guts out.
Two weeks ago, Kelly started with a really nasty cough. Three days into it, I made him go to the doctor. He went while the rest of us were at church. Daisy had a little cough so she was with him instead of at church. [Because that's what we do people. We stay home when we're sick!] Anyway, it was pneumonia. But before you gasp in horror, it's important to know that pneumonia is so common this year in Wisconsin that it's like having strep throat. We know at least 20 people who have had it. One quick round of antibiotic (and a business trip to LA) and he is all better.
And now we're up to date, and I will try my hardest not to get so behind with my posts again.