It's all worth it!

It was a busy afternoon. I picked Regan and her buddy Sam up from preschool at 2, then got Porter and Landon from school at 3:20, then took Landon to violin at 4, then we had an hour to get spiffed up and eat dinner and we left for our recital. We were feeling brave, so we took all the kids with us. I printed out some coloring sheets for Turner and Regan (which they didn't use), and Porter brought his book so we were hooked up. Cooper and Turner made it through about three or four pieces and then they were done. I took them into the children's playroom that was down the hall from the recital room. I stood out in the hall while they played so I could hear the recital pieces. I was afraid that I would miss Landon's song. I walked in right when he was going up to play. He was REALLY nervous and hadn't been playing that great this week, so I was a little worried. For nothing. He did fabulously well. He played Twinkle, which he has known for a long time now, so it was comfortable for him. He played two rhythms and did such a good job. He kept his fingers in tune, he used the right amount of bow, had a good bow hold...I know this means nothing to most of you, but it's just amazing sometimes watching the little kids and knowing all the things they need to coordinate--and it's really hard for them--and suddenly they do them all right at the same time--in front of an audience! We couldn't have been prouder of him! Regan was so cute. When Landon was done and came and sat back down, she said, rather loudly, "Landon, you did GREAT!" I heard several snickers nearby us. It was so sweet.

Hayden was the penultimate (that's my favorite word for any of you who didn't know--my kids are sick of me using it!) performer. He played Veracini's Gigue and might I say, he did an AMAZING job. He played it so well! He got lots of applause and even cheers when he was done. I was so proud! We recorded it, but haven't figured out how to get it on to the computer, so for now you'll just have to take my word for it. He was AWESOME! Regan was so excited at the end of the concert and was begging me to let her start taking violin lessons. She said, "At the next recital, maybe I can play Twinkle, just like Landon!" We'll see... All those hours and hours and hours and hours have been worth it!