Capriel's first violin recital

This is Capriel's first violin recital. She was so anxious and excited. I was very proud of her for doing her best. Even though she forgot a note, she remained poised. My favorite part was her impish, beautiful smile that I got when she proudly finished. She was so happy to actually be able to participate and not just watch. The cookies were certainly an added benefit.

Talia also played very well. I love accompanying her, though sometimes I wish I could just watch and listen. I so enjoy making music together and creating something beautiful (she much more than me) together. One of my favorite things in the world is to watch her play with her teacher. When she listens to someone "really" play, she will automatically match what her teacher does. It is like a little window into the way she will someday play.

She made the cookies for the refreshments pretty much by herself. They were a chocolate crackle cookie rolled in powdered sugar. She had made them the day before and as the recipe said they had absorbed most of the powdered sugar. So she followed their suggestion and re-dusted them again the next day. She did this independently and anyone who knows Talia well knows that she isn't one to scrimp on sugar. She must have put cups of powdered sugar on the second time. As Craig opened the van door to get out with the plate of cookies and gust of wind picked up and threw powdered sugar all over him. As he walked in the recital room, he looked like he'd just been white-washed. Anyone who ate one of the cookies had a similar experience. There was powdered sugar everywhere! It was almost so abundant that you nearly inhaled the excess as you breathed during the eating process. It was good that they were so yummy!

As you can hear from Talia's video, Rhyse was vocalizing her opinion. This is quickly becoming a problem and we are beginning to disrupt many a social event. I think this time she wanted to sit on Craig's lap (Capriel already was) and hold the camera (he was filming Talia) Thankfully, Breck took her out. It seems we need a whole crew to manage.