March 4, 2012T

We have spotted many bald eagles since we've moved to North Logan. This weekend we found a tree where on two occasions there were three bald eagles. They are massive birds and I'm starting to recognize them because from a distance they look like a gigantic headless bird (because the white head blends in with the sky. We love living in the country! There are often herds of deer in the pastures, and I was reminded yesterday when I was pruning our fruit trees of how quiet it is here. Love it!

Breck loves a good joke and laugh. Here she tucked her hair beneath a hairband and sent a picture to her family telling them she'd cut her hair. She likes to keep things fun. This week she went to 7th grade ski day and had a ball. She is getting so well rounded and active. She loves all things citrus and eats all the grapefruits before we get a chance. Tonight she and Talia played a piano/violin duet on a couple of primary songs. It made me so happy to hear this. I love the idea of our family playing ensembles together. Breck's sightreading has vastly improved this year.

Here is my baby. I love this picture because it shows the sparkle that is often in her eye. Especially when she is in her "pretend" world. We have fun playing pretend together. I always know when to jump in because she calls me, "mother." Probably from the "mother" on Tangled that she loves so much. Her hair is growing and is getting a little unsightly at times. Rhyse plays independently (though not neatly) very well. She just sings and talks and entertains herself with whatever she finds around. Her naps have been the type of toddler nap where when checked on you find a completely destroyed room, little girl sitting in the middle of it with rosy tired cheeks. She will then say, "I just barely woke up, or I really really need to go potty." She is smart.

Here is Prilly posing for Breck. We've decided to grow her hair out for fun. Capriel got a bunch of cavities filled this week and had no trouble at all. She also performed in her first Audutications. She ended up being first up in her class time. We were late getting there and she hadn't even had time to warm up. She stood up and initially turned to me at the piano to play which would have put her back to the judges. After a little explaining she turned around and played her Song of the Wind beautifully with confidence. I was so proud of her.

Here is Talia with her best friend Abby. They had cooked cupcakes together. They love to be silly and laugh and giggle. I got a kick out of one time when they had been playing a while-Talia wrapped Abby up in a huge blanket like a swaddled baby, then got out her violin and played a bunch of classical songs for her. I loved to see how proud she was of her violin and how she wanted to share it with her friend. Talia also performed yesterday. She played Country Dance from Bk 5. She did great. This song though sounding pretty simple has really tested her technically and I was proud of her efforts. Talia loved being there and wanted to hear "the good kids play," so we stayed to hear another class. It was wonderful to recognize that we aren't the only violinists in the community. It might be different and a little smaller and more relaxed, but there is definitely good music being played and shared. We are looking forward to going to the honors recital to hear more good players.

The five strand braid; a favorite of Breck's. Her hair is getting so long and she is so handy with doing fun things with it. All of us girls have gotten the gardening bug and begun working with seeds inside. Our weather keeps vascillating between blizzards and gorgeous sunny days. Breck has germinated and then planted like 6 different seeds-mostly herbs and vegies, Capriel and Rhyse and I planted our wheat grass and marigolds, and Talia is trying her hand at basil. Breck and I also tried taking a cutting from an old tropical plant Gma and Gpa Harrison were getting rid of. We're crossing our fingers!