This is more of a Kayla blog post. She had her winter band concert last week. Here is a picture of her in the band. She sits front row, 2nd chair in from the end.

The girl who should be in the chair on the end was absent for the concert, and the other clarinets had to make up for it. They had three numbers, and I think the first one was the best of the bunch. Hard to believe that these are 7th and 8th grade students! They sounded pretty good.

The first one is called Fire Dance. Kayla likes this one best.

The second song is called a Childhood Hymn. That’s because you can’t call it what it is in a school, I suppose. Division of church and state!

The final song is called Yuletide Festival. A medley of holiday faves.

Kayla has a Solo and Ensemble contest coming up in February. As soon as she chooses her piece, she will start working on it.

Last night, we got a fresh coat of snow, just a few inches, but really good packing stuff. The girls had to go out and play in it, then come in for hot chocolate. They are lazing about in their fluffy pajama pants and socks! The holidays are coming fast – just a few more packages to wrap and we’ll be good to go!

Ashley caught the cold that Kayla was fighting. It has set her back on this persistent cough. She still needs her inhalers and we see the doctor again next week.

We wish everyone a super wonderful Christmas! We have so many blessings to count, and you are all on that list!

Note: I posted yesterday too, so make sure you check out that post also!

Yesterday was Ashley’s piano recital. She did a great job! There were 9 students playing at the recital- she was number 6 in the show. We listen to Ashley play here at home, working with Mrs. Schiller on Tuesday nights and then practicing on her own. We have no point of reference until we hear her play in the recital. All I can say is that we are very glad we started her in lessons when we did. Ashley has a knack for this instrument and music in general, and she has found a teacher who encourages her to grow!

She started her afternoon with a little Trevor wrangling!

Then she got down to business! She has 4 numbers (the other kids had 3). Originally, she was going to have 5 numbers, but the 5th piece just didn’t come together soon enough.

Up first: Frosty the Snowman.

Her next number was Carol of the Bells.

Then came Up on the Housetop.

And she closed with O Christmas Tree.

It was so cool to see all of the family who came to the recital. Ashley had a huge cheering section!

Kevin and I then went to my staff holiday party. It was hosted by our librarian, whose parents have this gorgeous estate in Lake Forest. Apparently, the home used to be a school, but was turned into this mansion. It has 3 floors, and all kinds of rooms and decorating. The kitchen has a pull out cabinet that houses a huge TV! We only have a few photos of the place. This first photo is the living room area that was the cafeteria of the old school.

The grand piano in the background plays itself when hooked up to an ipod. This next photo is the dining room.

It was a fun evening of food and white elephant gift exchanges.

We hope that Tiffanie and Trevor get better soon so that they can head home to the rest of the family! We are so glad to have seen them, and glad that they could be at the recital. Kayla has her band concert on Tuesday – we hope she makes it because she has picked up a cold too!