afternoon of music and food

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On our way to Ethan’s first guitar recital!

 

In my childhood memories, there is always my Dad….playing his guitar.  We all loved to hear him play.  He sang, we sang, we danced.

Jacob, our firstborn, plays the violin.  It was a milestone day when we got to listen to Dad and Jacob’s first guitar and violin duets…..with Ethan always hanging about, at Grandpa’s elbow, looking longingly at the guitar.

So, at just the right time, Ethan began his journey into instrumental music by beginning classical guitar lessons, two years ago now.  My Dad’s name is Gregory, Ethan’s middle name is Gregory, so I’ve always thought of Ethan as partly my Dad’s boy……it means a lot to me to have him carry on the guitar music into our family.

We took a semester of music lessons off when Seth was born, but Ethan started up his lessons again this fall with the same teacher.  His teacher’s name is Nick and he is very good.  One of the things I really appreciate about Nick is that he teaches rhythm and theory just as much as the song itself…it’s not enough that Ethan can play a song in a recognizable way, it must be perfect in beat and rhythm, too. 

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The room was FULL of people….the young guitarists (I think the oldest was a college student) and all their family members.  Rich and I sat toward the back, it was Jacob, then E, then Grace, then me with Seth or Caleb on my lap, David, and the Rich with either Seth or Caleb on his lap.  Caleb was the one who found it hard to sit still, he had a oozing bloody bandaid on his forehead and every time he twisted around to whisper “IS THIS THE LAST SONG?” I flinched away from him.  As it was, I got his blood on me.  (He had run into a desk here at home).

Seth sat still and loved hearing the audience clapping, his head would turn all around and his eyes were huge, looking at everyone clap.  Then, in a delayed reaction and often into the next person’s performance, HE would start clapping, too! 

Ethan had to wait through about 10 songs before it was his turn.  Up he went, sat down by his teacher, adjusted his book…..and they both played together;  “Jingle Bells”, “The Streets of Laredo” (our favorite), and “Good King Wenceslas”.  I was proud, and happy that Ethan wore matching socks.  And that I got out the iron and ironed his clothes for him.  (wow, am I a mom or what?!)  The music sounded perfect.

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My Young Guitarist

We had a reception afterwards.  I brought along some pineapple banana bread, sliced and arranged on a white fiesta bread platter.  My children ate cookie after cookie, with ice cold punch.

Even Sethie got to eat a big big cookie.  It made his Dad very nervous, but Seth did a good job and I was ready with a napkin.

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Joanna, I am wearing the shirt you gave me in this picture…and you all can see how the baby belly is coming along.  Jacob took this picture for us. 

After the recital, Rich and I took the kids to a Mexican place for dinner.  Even though they ate lots of cookies, they did a good job on their dinners.  And I was thrilled because the food was served on genuine FIESTA platters!  We had a good time together and the kids were full of conversations.  I’m glad Rich and I can still go out on nice dates, even if we do have half a dozen good lookin’ little ones in tow.  What wonderful times we are having on our family adventures. This particular afternoon was devoted to music and food, how can you get any better than that?

(PS.  I’m sitting here laughing because I found “The Streets of Laredo” on playlist.  I listened to it…had no idea what the lyrics were to the song until just now.  I must say, the tune is lovely but the story is pretty sad, to say the least (a dramatic cowboy song, a sad song of untimely death).   I added it to my site just for today so that the kids can hear it.)

0 thoughts on “afternoon of music and food”

  3. I’m proud of Ethan too!!! By the way, doesn’t the classical guitar make a beautiful sound? I bought one years ago and enjoy playing it from time to time (I wish more often). Won’t it be WONDERFUL when Ethan and Jacob start playing duets together??! This is an exciting stage of motherhood for you! I hope to be back later to comment on some other posts!

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  4. How wonderful, that your children are getting a musical education. My dad is a guitarist, though he never had any kind of lessons, just picked it up when he was younger, and my sister and I both dabble at guitar, mostly because we have such fond memories of Dad playing. Seth looks so cute with his cookie, it’s almost as big as his face!Love your shirt – Jo has good taste!

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  5. How NEAT!! Pretty soon you’re going to have your own little orchestra! It reminds me of the original version of, “Cheaper By The Dozen” with Myrna Loy and Jean Crain. If you’ve never seen the original version, your family would probably enjoy it….but the ending is kinda sad.

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  6. Sounds like a wonderful day.  Love he part about the “is this the last song” part  Seems like here ia always one in a large family that does that…LOL

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  7. The first shot CRACKS me up!!!I also laughed and laughed at you saying you were so happy he had matching socks, I can relate!!What a wonderful gift you are giving to Ethan!  I wish your Dad could have been there to hear it as well!Tha shirt looks fantastic!

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  8. Recital’s always bring back so many good memories for me.  I have never played an instrument, though now I do wish I would  have learned, but I took Voice lessons and I do praise God for that gift too.  I’m really hoping that some of our children will take an interest in some kind of instrument.  I think what your family is doing is wonderful.  Blessings to you.

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  9. Sethy sure looks like one of the boys in that car picture. How great that Ethan is following in his Grandfather’s footsteps! I think the cookies are the reward for the kids after sitting still. Glad you all got to go to dinner too! You little mommy belly is so cute.

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  12. I enjoyed reading your post, but my favorite are your pictures. You just keep getting better and better! The portrait of Ethan after the recital was over is wonderful…did you pose him near a window? The light on his face is just right

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  14. Two of my guys play guitar…as does my son in law and now my grandson has begun. They love to play together as we gather at Christmas and in the summer. They are all self taught. Good for you…for making certain he has lessons. There was no money for them when mine were at home. They were all in private school. Choices made at the time. You know?Ethan, work hard and learn all you can! Playing the guitar will be something you enjoy your entire life!

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  24. It’s wonderful that your older boys are learning to play an instrument. I took piano and didn’t like it much. I worked all one summer and bought myself a guitar and taught myself to play that. It has brought me a lot of enjoyment through the years. I love taking my guitar someplace quiet and just singing to the Lord!

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  27. that’s awesome – I’ve some boys who would love to learn one day… 🙂 in the mean time, they are enjoying singing and picking out chords on the piano 🙂 good for your son ~ he will bless many with his hard practice and gift~

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