a dream come true

Tuesday was the big night of Max's All-Star Evening with the Utah Symphony! All of those rehearsals and hours of practice were leading up to this.

Sadly, both Marc and his parents were out of town, but Jill, Lucas, and I went to Abravanel Hall in Salt Lake. Michelle, Nicole, and Kristen met us there. (Eva was home with a babysitter.)

The first half of the concert was the Utah Symphony and a guest 13-year-old violin virtuoso. She was incredible. They played Tchaikovsky's Concerto in D Major for Violin and Orchestra.

Jill had to resort to counting the lights above the performers when the movements went long.

setting up

Ready.

From our original seats, we could only see the cellist's feet, since this symphony uses a non-standard arrangement with the cellists in the center. Fortunately, Max's teacher found us some empty seats in the center where she was seated, and we moved at intermission. Then I had a perfect view of my boy! I was thrilled.

We were not supposed to take video, but I couldn't resist getting just a couple of snippets:


{part of Finlandia by Sibelius}


{part of "Montagues and Capulets" from Romeo and Juliet by Prokofiev}

They also played Wagner's "Siegfried's Funeral March"

I didn't take a single picture of the whole symphony! (I guess I get a bit short-sighted.) Jill took this one, where at least you can see the entertaining Russian conductor.

When the performance was over, Max received a bit more instruction from his mentor.

A section of the Chihuly installation in the lobby.

I'm never downtown at night! (Well, except for seeing the lights at Temple Square at Christmastime.) 

I loved seeing one of Max's dreams come true, and I was so proud. It was a wonderful night.

our little brainiac

This is Max. When he is home, he is most often found doing homework and studying, or practicing the cello or piano. He seriously does little else. (In this photo, he is talking to a classmate, walking through chemistry problems together. It sounded to me like he was speaking another language.)

At times, I wish he had a little more balance in his life. More time for social activities, or relaxing, or whatever. But I guess he must like it this way, because he keeps his school chock full of difficult classes.

Recently, he has had two big pay-offs to all of his hard work:

1. He got a 34 on the ACT! (33 the first time, 34 the second, thus fulfilling the dream he had where he got a 34.)

2. He was selected to play as a guest youth artist with the Utah Symphony! Another dream come true, and a rare opportunity, especially for juniors.

I am so happy for him, and so proud.
It's pretty cool being surpassed by your children!

school plays, part I

When Max told me his school was going to be putting on a production of Les Mis, I was really surprised, and a little bit skeptical. I wondered how in the world a high school could pull it off.

Then when he auditioned to play in the pit orchestra and became the only cellist, I wondered how in the world he would manage the crazy schedule of being at school until 10:00 p.m. or later, all while taking driver's ed. and having to be at school at 6:00 a.m.!

His schedule was indeed difficult, and he fell asleep in quite a few strange places/positions, but it was all worth it in the end because he had such a wonderful time – and the show ended up being truly impressive.

We all went to see it on Friday night. I didn't know if Eva would make it through the whole three hours, but she loved it! (She fell asleep on my lap for a bit after intermission and was disturbed to discover she had missed the wedding scene.) Lucas really enjoyed it as well, despite his professed dislike of musicals.

I was really impressed with the cast and the caliber of their performance. I don't think my high school could have done it! We had several good singers, but probably not enough to outfit this huge cast.

I hadn't seen Les Mis or even heard the music in many years, but it all came right back to me as I watched. Marc and I found ourselves humming along and singing these familiar songs long after the show was over.

During the finale, I remembered how much fun it is to be part of something big. It is a great play, and I'm so glad Max had the opportunity to participate!

so happy

Last year, Max had to write a persuasive paper for his English class. He wrote about wanting a better cello.

Some time later, his private teacher told me that he really needed a better instrument, that he is so talented and that he would just soar with a better instrument.

Last month, his school orchestra teacher suggested that he leave his cello at home and just use one of the school ones. So the school cellos are better than the one we have been renting for nearly 4 years now. Huh.

Last week, after four months of phone calls back and forth with the music store, after innumerable delays, I got word that they had some cellos for Max to audition. (I loved that, that he was auditioning the instruments.)

Last week, we bought a new cello!

It is a Davidoff, made in China.

When I asked the gentleman who selected the instruments for Max to audition why he chose those particular cellos for Max, he said that he had observed Max during Utah Valley Youth Symphony rehearsals. He knew that Max had a lot of talent, but that he also tends toward shyness. (Heavily.) He wanted Max to have an instrument that would not allow him to play in a shy way. An instrument that is powerful.

His teacher was kind enough to come and listen and give her opinion. After an hour of playing 4 or 5 different cellos, he selected the first one that Mr. Taylor had pulled for him. Mr. Taylor was delighted. Max was delighted. It has a big, rich tone, and he played it big. I have never heard him play like that before.

Last night, we all attended the Youth Symphony 50th Anniversary Concert. Max was just so excited to be able to play the concert with his new cello. It was a great concert, and I could just see how thrilling it would be to be a part of it. Good times.

high excitement

There has been some high excitement around here. First of all, Lucas got new shoes. (He needed new shoes in the very worst way.) He picked out these Vans and a pair of basketball shoes. He walked around with a huge smile and told us numerous times that he can run faster and jump higher now.

Also, he went back to school today, after missing 6 days due to another sinus infection! Oh, happy day.

Max is going to the state competition for his cello solo! He has worked hard and long on that piece, and we are so proud of him.

Recently, it was finally Eva's turn to bring the "Sound Box" to school. (Somehow, the only picture I have is on my phone, and I can't figure out how to get it here...) Each child takes a turn with a different letter of the alphabet. Hers was T, so she had to fill the box with things that start with the letter T. Even though she brought the box home several days before she was to return it, filling it was of the utmost importance, and we had to drop everything to hunt for T objects. We put in a bag of miniature Twix bars for a T treat.

Yesterday morning, she badgered Marc and I into putting together quick sound boxes of our own, for her entertainment. The girl has got skills.

A rather frightening photo of one of my new leg braces.

I got my new, super-expensive, custom-made leg braces. My family teases me about my "cyborg legs" – they really do make me look part machine. But the combination of the braces, the physical therapy, and the injections must be working, because I can now walk down stairs normally most of the time! And I no longer avoid putting on the brake in my van for fear of not being able to release it. Cause for excitement indeed.

As for Marc, he has been having a rough go of it, and I'm not sure that he's all that excited about anything right now. Well, maybe his spring study abroad program that he'll be splitting with another professor...

five for Friday

1. Marc's home teaching companion told him that packing your nose with black tea bags helps with bloody noses. He went and got me some late Monday night. We didn't exactly know where to go from there, so we steeped a couple in hot water, squeezed them out, and I put them up my nose. I couldn't really say if it made a difference, but it did feel strangely soothing...

2. Max had a school orchestra concert last night. His teacher is over the orchestra at two neighboring junior highs, and they combined for this concert. Max was the first cellist from both schools! He even had a small solo, which I missed due to Eva being noisy and crawling all over me. Not my proudest parenting moment. Also, his teacher announced at the end of the concert that all parents were required to take their students out for ice cream. I didn't feel like I could do that right then, as I was already late to book club, so I gave him a rain check. Thanks a lot, Ms. J.! Again, I was not feeling like a very good mother.

3. The blue sky has returned and it is really feeling like spring here. (Well, spring in the high 40's, anyway. And it should hit 60 next week!) I was really interested to notice how much my spirits rose when the sun came out. I hadn't realized that I was feeling particularly down, but suddenly I was just -- happy. And energetic. Welcome back, sun.

4. I discovered this blog today and it is way cool. Not a ton of posts yet, but some very cute free downloads! http://heirloompaperie.blogspot.com

5. Hooray for haircut day! I always have to wrangle Lucas into it, as he wants to grow his hair out and I don't like it when it covers his ears. He also can't stand to have his picture taken. (before)

Eva, however, was begging for a haircut, and since her hair was getting quite long and they were having a $6.99 sale, I obliged. She is so short, the stylist found it easier to just have her stand while getting her cut... Of course, Eva talked everyone's ears off the entire time.

(after) Eva's hair still doesn't look like she got 2 inches cut off! But the boys, oh, the boys. Now they're cute again. And I could tell that even Lucas liked it.

First Festival

Max had his first Solo and Small Ensemble Festival last week, and asked me to be his accompanist! I was honored, of course. It was really fun to rehearse and play our first duet together.

Jill was kind enough to pick up Eva from preschool and hang out with her while I attended the festival and then took Max out to lunch.

The festival was held at American Fork Junior High. Seriously, the Cavemen? (If ever there were a textbook case of an oxymoron, Modern Day Caveman would have to be it.)


Max got nervous and forgot to announce his piece, which was "Calm as the Night".

Marc's parents were able to come from Salt Lake and hear him perform -- they are always so supportive of us, and I know that it made Max feel great.

Max wanted to go to Olive Garden. Since it was his special day, I let him order whatever he wanted. Beware when you tell a teenage boy to order whatever he wants! We had SO much food: the standard salad and breadsticks, smoked mozzarella fondue appetizer, and then he ordered salmon and I had the chicken marsala. Max had an Italian soda as well. The boy can put it away. We had a leisurely lunch and chat and then went across the street to Paradise Bakery to get some cookies to bring home as we were both too full for dessert.

I'm proud of my boy! He is passionate about music, and he puts in a lot of time practicing. We had a great day together and I hope we will be able to perform many duets in the future.

*By the way, he got his scoring sheet and he was awarded the highest marks!*

oh, happy day!

Today started out to be rather a sub-par day. Eva woke up at 6:20 because she had a stuffy nose and couldn't breathe. The dog threw up, for no apparent reason, on the carpet. We used our last Pull-Up last night and Eva was not going along with my new all-underwear all-the-time policy. I was tired and didn't have the energy to deal with it all. But things definitely improved over the course of the day!

First of all, Jill arrived for Creative Friday. Instant mood-lifter. Even though I still had plenty of Eva struggles before I got her down for her nap, it didn't bother me as much as it normally would because I knew I would get some quality conversation time with Jill.

Secondly, Max got his acceptance letter today for the Utah Valley Youth Symphony Orchestra!

He is so excited and I am so excited for him. I am sure this will greatly enrich his musical experience and open many doors for him.

And finally, my niece Fiona was born today!!


Isn't she beautiful?

Jessie and Timm welcomed another baby girl into their family this afternoon, earlier than planned, but she was ready to come into the world. It was so strange to be so far away, it hardly seemed real -- until Timm put the phone up to little Fiona and I could hear her adorable sleep noises. It's real now!

Fiona and Timm share a birthday, how cool is that? And I get to go see her in person in just one short week...

It was definitely a very happy day!