Move over Beethoven

Spencer and Sophia had their very first piano recital on Friday night the 27th. It was held at the Steinway Piano Gallery and was for their instructor's elementary age students. They both did incredible. While they were both a bit anxious, neither of them showed any nerves once their turn came (Sophia led off the evening) and both played all of their pieces really well. Tina and I were really proud of them. They each had a chance to warm up on any of a number of pianos on the showroom floor, but the recital was actually held in a small concert room built especially for music appreciation and education. Each student introduced themselves and the pieces they would be playing before performing on a Steinway 9ft grand piano. The piano they played that night was featured in a PBS special called Note by Note which chronicles the 1.5 year process of handmaking a Steinway grand. The piano (which is 5 years old) was purchased new for $118,000! Logan and Averie Hurley came along to watch their buddies perform. (Then we raced home to watch the Zags get throttled by the Tar Heels in the NCAA tournament :(

The first video clip is of the kids' teacher, Joyce Kelly (aka Ms. Joyce or Ms. Kelly). The Manager of the Steinway Piano Gallery urged her to play a bit during his introduction. Here is part of the piece she shared. She is truly an amazing pianist (and this segment isn't even close to the best part). The second clip is one of the 6 short numbers Spencer performed. Tina got everything on video, but I missed his first two (and most complex) pieces with the digital camera.

Who says you never use math in real life...

The kids and I went to Taco Bell for lunch after the St. Patrick's Day parade two weeks ago. (Tina worked the night before and was sleeping). Maddie had already eaten a 5 layer nacho but kept telling me how hungry she was, so I got her another one. With eyes opened wider than should be physically possible and both hands held up in front of her, fingers extended, like she's stopping traffic, Sophia says, "DAD, THAT'S 10 TOTAL LAYERS!!!"

A few nights later, at dinner, Tina was talking about work and said something about how many CNA's were on duty and how many patients they had when Spencer blurts out, "I feel a story problem coming on!"