Fountain of Fun

Jack and Robbie had a blast running through the floor fountain/water spout thingys at the Water Way Square last night. I only wish I'd had my camera and not just my phone with me. I would have taken more than just a few pictures and the quality would have been much better. Oh well, I guess we'll just have to go back!!!

Couldn't decide if I liked color or black and white better....

End of School

Robbie is finished with Elementary School and moving up to Middle School! The last day of school all of the 4th graders walked through the hallways of the school for the last time (a la Aggie Elephant Walk) while family members and classmates lined the hallways and "clapped them out" for the last time. Yes, I got teary eyed and all. I tried taking pictures of the clap out but Rob did not cooperate. I did get a few of him during and after the Awards Assembly. Below, Rob in the classroom celebrating with friends.

The kids in his class voted him "Class Athlete". He was most proud of this achievement.

Although he tried to play down his "Presidential Award for Outstanding Academic Excellence" and look all cool during the ceremony refusing to crack a smile or even hold up the certificate, he did pose for this picture once we made our way to the classroom and "others" weren't watching. ;)

If you were to ask him what is it that he is most looking forward to in 5th grade he would say, "lockers". I think he will also love being in band. He made percussionist and is taking the honor for granted. Apparently, only a dozen out of over one hundred students who try out are chosen to play percussion. I think it will be a great match for his personality. Of course, I may come to regret him being chosen. The man at Music & Arts who sold me some of the supplies for band for next year told me that "mothers of percussionists will surely enter heaven". Santa may have to look into a digital drum set. You know, the kind that doesn't make a sound unless you have an amplifier or are wearing a headset...;)

And the winner is...KATJA YANKO!!!!

Yes she did. By a landslide too!!!

She let it all out. Didn't hold back.

...even though she admited to being nervous

It was very exciting!!!!

Mrs. Flowers, Katja's choir teacher was very supportive throughout the entire competition.

Some of her volleyball friends, along with our whole family and many other family and orchestra friends came to cheer her on. Thank you to all who were supportive & encouraging all along, especially those who showed up on a school/work night to hear her sing. It meant the world to her.

Next year she gets to be a judge and present the next Knox Idol Finalists with their trophies.

Knox Idol - Round #3 Katja Sings Again...

Well, today was Round #3. The category was Top 40. The kids could pick any song that was on the top 40 list in the last calendar year. Katja sang "Party in the USA". See song below.

Compared to the other contestants, I felt she did very well and should move on to the next round of six. However, I must admit that I found her singing lacking in energy. She sang this song for me various times at home in the living room with much more energy while dancing and having fun. Today, when I watched her, I felt she was going through the motions but her heart wasn't into it. Later I asked one of her teachers if she agreed with me and she told me that Katja had been acting like she was "out to lunch" all day long at school. We all have those days, I guess.

Chris (her boyfriend), one the other hand, was ON! He sang "Hey There, Delilah!" and dedicated the song to Katja. The gesture could have come across as quite "cheesy", but he was so earnest and passionate in his singing that he moved us all. One of the teachers claimed to have cried. His song is below....

Only six will move to round #4. We'll see if Katja and/or Chris are among them!

Katja Sings in Knox Idol Competition- Round #2

In the second round of the Knox Idol Competition the 15 surviving students had to sing an "oldies" song. "Oldies" to a 12 - 14 year old is a song from the 1980's or earlier. Depressing, that, considering it is when I graduated high school! Oh well, time does not stand still...

Katja had a hard time chosing a song but in the end went with Whitney Houston's "One Moment in Time". See recording below:

The day she sang her voice was going hoarse but most people that aren't used to hearing her sing (most everyone judging and/or watching) didn't know that. So, she was able to cover it up pretty well. Now, her fingers are crossed in hopes of surviving to the next round and having time to rest her voice. She is "mouthing" her songs in choir class all this week to give her vocal chords a break. Hopefully, they will be recovered by Friday.

Another reason for me to feel old.... Katja has a boyfriend. When exactly did she become old enough to even have a boyfriend??? I certainly don't recall making an announcement, or giving my permission. Apparently, none was needed. Anyway, his name is Chris and seems to be a very nice boy (major plus if she is determined to have a BF).

Reasons I seem to like Katja's boyfriend so far: (this may, of course, can change at any moment)

1. He seems smitten with her. He has for a looooong time. I can't fault his good taste.
2. He has good grades and good behavior at school. (I have inside sources... ;)
3. He carries her books or viola to the car or door whenever appropriate. Very gentleman like behavior...something you don't see much of among kids their age these days. I know, I am a teacher.
4. He has an artistic side... sings beautifully, plays the cello, and is taking piano lessons.
5. He likes Robbie and does not treat him like "Katja's annoying little brother" (as Katja sometimes does when Chris is not around) = major points!
6. He went with us to the county fair and rode on some of the rides with Robbie, leaving Katja to be the "odd one out" several times so Robbie wouldn't feel excluded. He didn't say anything about this, he just did it. Scored major points with me there!!!
7. He enthusiastically helps with things like the trash and picking up Jack's toys when visiting our house. Great role model for Robbie in that respect. Che-ching! - more points....
8. He treats Robbie like the brother he never had and Robbie verbalizes that he thinks of Chris like an older brother. Sighh... ding-ding-ding-ding-ding= Jackpot!

He and Katja have been best friends all year but finally decided to "go out" together after all their friends pestered them about making it "official". YES, YES, I had to do the trite parental thing and ask "where are y'all going?" And YES, yes, she groaned and found NO humor in my question. It's a right of passage thing. I had to ask. Those of you with younger children will have a hard time resisting when your time comes...

He also sang in the Knox Idol competition and should make it to the next round. His song, Halleluyah (from Shrek) is below:

The next round is "Top 40" (in the past year). Katja hopes to sing "Party in the USA" by Miley Cyrus. We'll see if she and Chris make it to round #3!

Robbie found a new love...

Basketball!!!

No, he does NOT love it more than football. Puleeeeeeeze, as if THAT were possible!?! But, he does enjoy it exceedingly well.

He is playing at the YMCA. I didn't think he was ready for a more competitive league since he hasn't really ever played much...or so I thought. I didn't realize that he's been playing "Knock Out" during recess at school every day for the last two years. Just call me "clueless". Anyhow, he seems to have picked up some nifty moves on the court at recess and has surprised us all. He is one of the top scorers for his team. He is actually pretty good at shooting the ball and believe it or not, he has not gotten more than 2 fouls in any game yet!?! No, I am not kidding!! I know, this is quite surprising considering how physical and aggressive he is! As you can imagine he gets many rebounds. He is also good at stealing the ball. Of course, he does need to work on not "traveling" or "double dribbling". This is were lack of experience gets him right now but he'll figure it out!

A quick shot after making an interception and running the ball back. Yes, he did score!!!

YES, he did make this shot below! I cheered so loudly when that shot went in that I'm sure you must have heard me wherever you were! If out of the blue you heard a faint "That's my baby!" last Saturday...ahem, that was me. ;) His basket was made from FAR away, but not quite far enough for three points. But I didn't care. I just cheered and cheered. It looked great to me! See him in the far right of the picture wearing black with a white jersey on top? That's my baby!

I can't wait for next Saturday's game!!!

Katja sings "Popular" from "Wicked" for Talent Show

Katja sang the song "Popular" from the Broadway show "Wicked" at her school's Talent Showcase last weekend. Warning:

• The recording, which grandma did with her 2nd best video camera as Robbie confiscated her HD one, is not the best quality but the sound is decent.
• A boy (good friend of Katja) played the part of "Elphie" the green witch in order to lend some more humor to the number. At one point even Katja is overcome with laughter in the middle of singing.

Cute, eh? Too bad about the baaaaad taping job! She choreographed it herself and could not help from her teacher as the process included tryouts and therefore the teacher (who was one of the judges) could not help any of the participants in order to remain fair and impartial... Now she's done with that and focusing on Knox Idol. She's already survived to the top 15. I will keep everyone posted on her progress there and will try to get video of her songs from her music teacher to post here. If she makes it to the final three EVERYONE is invited to come cheer her on for her "finals". Each person in the audience will get one vote so we need to get a big crowd for her if she makes it! Stay tuned!

It takes a Village to raise a Musician!

I know I could not make the right decisions for Katja without the the guidance, help, and support of her wonderful teachers. We had a mission this weekend- to buy Katja's first viola. The Mission was accomplished successfully thanks to the dedication, knowledge, connections, experience and love of children and music of her two private teachers. Since all I was good for was driving Katja to San Antonio to the Texas Music Educators' Convention where vendors from all over the US convened this past weekend, I took pictures to preserve the memories. The pictures tell the story.

1. Before we arrived in Town her teachers were busy narrowing down the options.

2. Once we arrived we lost no time getting started.

3. This is only the right side of one of the two the Expo Halls...

4. With thousands of people talking and trying out instruments simultaneously it was impossible to be make an informed decision with regards to tone quality within the hall.

5. It was surprising to me how we were allowed to take valuable musical instruments to a hotel room so we could play them in a quiet environment. Apparently a common practice. It helped, of course, that the salespeople knew the teachers by reputation. I just had to take a picture of Katja walking through the hotel/convention carrying three instruments. No one even gave her a second look.

6. Once in the hotel Katja took turns playing each viola several times while her teachers listened.

7. Her teachers listened to each instrument without looking at it so as not to be influenced by make or looks.

8. Then her teachers played the instruments with their eyes closed to assess feel and sound from the player's perspective.

9. Mrs. Brosvik played each instrument again (eyes open) while Mrs. Meitz listened (still not looking). This allowed us to hear what the instrument would potentially sound in the hands of a pro. (no offense Katja!)

10. The Winner, by unanimous choice was Viola #3 - a 15" Pedersen from Robertson & Sons out of New Mexico. Not a typical instrument for a 7th grader, we were informed, more appropriate for a High School All-Stater. I guess we picked a good one!

11. All were QUITE pleased with the purchase.

12. But we were not finished yet. Apparently, she still was in need of a new bow.

13. So more shopping was on the agenda. Katja did not mind one little bit.

After a physically and emotionally exhausting afternoon and some really fantastic music by some of the most promising young musicians in the state of texas we celebrated over a wonderful dinner complete with steaks and Pinot Noir!

My heartfelt thanks go to Mrs. Brosvik and Mrs. Meitz! It is teachers like you that make a difference in the lives of children and their futures. You are a credit to your profession. I know my child's life is even more wonderfully blessed because of your part in it.

Symphony Portrait

Katja had her first official Houston Youth Symphony portrait taken this year. My baby girl looks so grown up...*sniff*

Her first concert was this past fall. She played for the HYS's String Orchestra (the youngest group out of four ) and sat 2nd chair viola, which translates to "front and center", right in front of the conductor. She was thrilled. Aunt Beth and uncle Robert surprised all of us by purchasing tickets to her concert (before they even went on sale...sneaky!) for the whole family so we all sat front row center of the balcony and had a fabulous view. Afterwards (see pictures below) they had us all go to their house for a little post concert reception for Katja.

My 12 Favorite 2009 Christmas Moments...

(in no particular order!)

#1 - Santa's Helpers....

Jack and Jayce LOVED everything associated with Christmas. At the sight of a camera they would scream "candy cane" and crack themselves up....

#2 - Waking up Christmas morning in coordinating (warm & cozy) holiday "jammies"...

What can I say? It's a tradition that started when I was a child and I've continued with my kids.

#3 - Watching my kids come down the stairs to see what Santa brought them.

They are so good. They actually wait for me to get my first cup of coffee, feed the dogs, and get the camera before they rush to look under the tree.

#4 - Grandma and Papa's annual attempt to get a picture with all of their grandchildren.

This year the grandchild count reached 7 with the birth of Luke to Paco and Kerrie. Unfortunately, Luke did not make it to the picture this year. Maybe next year!

#5 - Spending time with my big brother and his family.

Robert Jr. travels a lot so while we get to see his kids at least once a month, we don't get to spend time with him and Beth nearly enough. Christmas is the one time we know we'll get to spend some time with them.

#6 - Spending time with my baby brother and his family.

We hang out with them all the time as Jack and Jayce are not only cousins but best buddies but having the boys discover the joys of Christmas together made it even more special.

#7 - Spending time with my sister and her family

Michelle and Chris own two stores so during the holidays we barely see them until they close their stores on Christmas Eve and FINALLY get to relax.

#8 - My Kids' Reactions on Christmas Morning to their loot...

Never mind that they are now 12 and 10 years old respectively, I can still manage to surprise them with gifts that they weren't expecting but were thrilled about. For Katja this year it was book #2 of a series she just fell in love with. For Robbie, what else, a new football and kicking tee.

#9 - Finding The Perfect Gift for each...

If you know my kids, NO explanations necessary, right?

#10 - Cousins playing football in the yard

I am saving this picture! I bet they'll still be playing football like this on Christmas ten years from now! Of course, grandma won't have to worry about them running into the street then and they won't be in matching outfits.... ;)

#11 - Robbie Singing Karaeke on Christmas Eve

Robert and Beth got a portable karaoke machine for all the cousins to have fun with. Much to our surprise Robbie was first to grab the microphone and give it a go!

#12 - Katja Singing a Solo (One Candle) with her choir about Peace.

She sang this several times. The first time was during the choir's Winter concert with all the lights off and her lighting the first candle during her solo, etc. Unfortunately, the lack of lighting resulted in a black screen during video taping much to our disappointment. Fortunately, the choir went from school to school during their Winter Tour singing songs from the show and I was able to record her while she sang at Robbie's school. His classmates found her to be pretty. Robbie was perplexed, "Pretty? Dude, that's my sister..."