Play It Again, Sam!

Leyden has been taking piano lessons since June from the same sweet lady who taught me piano lessons when I was Leyden's age. In December Leyden performed in her very first piano recital. It wasn't a formal recital where she had to memorize her music, but it was a fun Christmas recital where she played in front of a large crowd. She played Jingle Bells, then I accompanied her on Up On the Housetop. It was really fun to play with her and she did an awesome job!

She had her own audience - Meme, Maw Maw, Pots, Miss Melissa, Will, Daddy and me. We had a great time.

The Wednesday night after the recital, we had a fun Christmas sharing night at church. Leyden played Jingle Bells and I played Up On the Housetop with her. It was so much fun! Leyden is a natural in front of a crowd; I'm the one that gets nervous. So I made more mistakes than she did in both performances. Our little starlet is totally comfortable in the spotlight, and I think piano recitals are just fueling the ever-growing fire that is Leyden's quest to be on stage in front of people. If you know her, you know that she wants to be vet, but she also wants to be a star. (And Brad and I stand VERY FIRM in our rule - she must obtain her degree and veterinary license before she can go to the West Coast. After all, there are animals in California and she can make a good living at practicing veterinary medicine while she's waiting for her big break.)

Leyden is still taking piano lessons. I have to admit that she did ask if she could quit taking piano when she got to sharps and flats. I told her that they are the most fun because you finally get to play the black keys. We sat down at the piano together and banged out a few songs, and before long she had changed her mind. She agrees with me - the black keys are the best! Last week she completed the primer level and was very excited to show me her certificate of completion and her new Level 1 book. I hope she'll keep it up for at least a few years. I think everyone should be able to at least pick out a tune on the piano.

When we moved to our new house, I FINALLY got Brad to move my piano from Mom & Dad's house. I AM SO EXCITED to finally have my piano in MY house!!! I used to play piano to relieve stress. After college, I didn't have the piano at my house, so I stopped using piano as a stress-reliever. I am delighted that I will now be able to continue with my musical stress therapy! And I am so glad to be able to share music with my daughter. Music is an international language that everyone can understand, and I am so happy that Leyden can enjoy sharing her music with others.

Mr. Personality

This is Blue. You can't tell how big he is (a good, solid 70 pounds) but you can see how cute he is! (If you're into dogs with a mottled blue coat with a dash of red thrown in and pointy black ears.) He's a happy dog. See his big smile? He was especially happy the day this picture was made. Leyden had put an old t-shirt on him while we were playing with him in the garage. He walked kinda funny with the t-shirt hanging around him, but he was happy that we were with him.

Night before last, Leyden and I got home before Brad and the garage door wouldn't open. We went in the back door and began our usual evening routine when Blue started barking. He was in his kennel in the garage, just barking. It dawned on me that usually Brad gets home earlier and lets him out to go potty. I figured his bladder was probably aobut to bust. I still couldn't get the garage door to open, so I grabbed Blue's leash and put it on him. I opened the door to the house and took Blue through the living room to the back door. After he took care of business, I took him back through the house and out to the garage. Leyden fed him and gave him water and we tried to put him back in the kennel. No deal, Lucille... he went to "The Big Brown Door" that leads into the house and scratched. Leyden said, "Mom, now that he's seen what's on the other side of The Big Brown Door he wants to go back."

Very well said, Leyden. Very well said.

It's not likely that Blue will ever see the inside of our house again. He will definitely see the garage, seeing as how it is his primary residence at the moment. And even when completes his DogWatch training and stays outside all the time, I want him to sleep in his kennel in the garage at night so I know he'll really sleep. Because if he has the opportunity, he stays up all night chasing things. Just ask the armadillo.