{SQT} Lots of Music Fun

1. Federation for Violin

Congratulations to the girls for performing so well at the National Federation of Music Clubs non-competition audition for violin! They've worked very hard, and this was Margaret's very first year playing violin.

Federation for piano is in a few short weeks . . .

2. Girls' Choir

On Sunday, Mary got to sing for the Mass for the first time with her girls' choir, since she auditioned and joined upon turning ten. After Mass, the girls also sang a wassailing song at a festive Epiphany celebration outside.

About half the choir present

3. And Even More Music!

The girls and Joseph surprised me with a fun musical performance of arrangements they composed themselves, all described in the brochure they wrote up. It was fun!

Then one evening, our older kids participated in their first folk music jam, which is something that a bunch of middle and high schooled homeschoolers participate in regularly in our social circle.

The kids ate a potluck dinner and then had a grand old noisy time playing and singing folk music with myriad instruments: piano, fiddle, guitar, banjo, ukelele, mountain dulcimer, penny whistle, accordion, and maybe others I'm forgetting!

We are just thrilled to encourage and inconvenience ourselves (buy the instruments, drive the hour, expend the evening) to make these kind of wholesome social activities occur instead of letting our growing-up kids spend their time the way that many kids are nowadays.

There were nearly twenty youth there from babies up to college-aged. This kind of multi-age socializing is one of the things that attracted me initially about homeschooling. It's not that these kids don't desire some times with only same-aged friends, but they're generally genuinely open for a great time spent with a wide variety of ages.

4. Thirteenth Wedding Anniversary Date

I have no pictures to offer, but last Sunday we had a lovely time going to dinner at Brio and going out to see, "Stan and Ollie." I can't attest to the historical accuracy, but it was a really touching movie, clean and decent.

David (17 months) did not appreciate being left at home even with the fabulous brother-sister babysitter team we hired who our other kids love so much, they were talking excitedly about them for a week in advance and now my three-year-old is saying, "Me growing to grow up big just like M----!" (the boy babysitter).

5. Margaret's Art

I'd really like to encourage my seven-year-old daughter's art. I find sketches and paintings of hers all over the house daily: in piles, tossed on the floor, and so forth. Do any of my readers have ideas for letting her pursue her art in a more formal way next school year?

6. Meal Plan for the Week

It's not gourmet, but it does the job.

Friday

B - cold cereal / steel cut oatmeal
L - PBJ
D - eggplant Parmesan, spaghetti and marinara, green salad


Saturday

B- protein pancakes
L - TBD
D - restaurant for Mama's birthday

Sunday

B- French toast, skillet potatoes, pears, bacon
L- N/A
D - crock pot carnitas, homemade brownies and ice cream

Monday

B- bagels + eggs + bacon
L- frozen corn dogs and fries / PBJ / salad + hard boiled egg
D- rotisserie chicken, Brussels sprouts and bacon, brown rice

Tuesday

B- toast and eggs
L- frozen pepperoni pizza / salad + hard boiled egg
D- slow cooker black beans, brown rice, frozen chicken tenders

Wednesday

B- frozen biscuits + eggs + sausage patties
L - frozen taquitos / PBJ / salad + hard boiled egg
D - Mary's homemade chicken noodle soup, John's homemade drop biscuits

Thursday

B - frozen waffles + sausage links
L - frozen chicken tenders / PBJ / salad + hard boiled egg
D- fast food on the drive home from dance

Morning and afternoon snack options: Greek or whole yogurt, pretzels with hummus, cheddar pretzels, popcorn, muffins, baby carrots, applesauce, trail mix

7. Miscellaneous

It was mostly a quiet week with Chris gone on business travel. Lots and lots of travel lately!

Joseph, the cowboy

John cooking us fried chicken dinner

When Mama puts a new roll of toilet paper on the roll and then leaves the three-year-old alone to use the potty independently, this creativity results . . .

For more 7 Quick Takes Friday, check out This Ain't the Lyceum.