Piano Recital

Last Sunday we attended the girls' piano recital.  So fun to watch all their hard work pay off, they both performed so well.  Mark and I were so proud!

Here is a picture of the girls with their piano teacher Jill

The Hartungs, our friends from way back at Scott AFB, also performed.  Amy and I always reminisce about pool parties at her house when the girls were pre-schoolers. 

McKenna with the Peacocks!

McKenna just started piano this year.  She is so excited about it and never complains about practicing.  Jill has told me that she is picking up concepts so quickly and has tons of potential! 

Bailey has really become an accomplished pianist.  Just like McKenna, Bailey never complains about having to practice piano.  She can spend hours playing music.  We just have to remind her to practice her lesson songs before she moves onto other fun songs.  Mark and I are so proud of her and see lots of potential.  I really hope we can find the right teacher for them when we move to California!

Piano Party

Yesterday the girls performed at their Piano Party. This is an idea that I love, a casual celebration and sharing of the kids piano skills. There is no pressure, they can wear pants AND there is the promise of sweet treats at the end. In a few months we will do the traditional recital which is equally important. Bailey's new piano teacher is great and her main focus is that piano playing should be fun. With the knowledge and skills that Bailey gained with her former piano teacher, who we just loved, she has now continued. Jessica has let her pick songs that she has always wanted to play, that are challenging and allow her to continue to utilize the skills she has gained. Plus, we decided to start McKenna on the piano. I was a little worried as she has not learned how to read yet, but we found a book series that is made just for that stage. Yippee!! Meanwhile I continue my role as roadie to my musically talented family. Plus I get to make sweet treats along the way.

I found this idea for cupcakes from a Martha Stewart magazine. Her idea was to make hearts for Valentines cupcakes and I liked it so much that I tucked it away, waiting for a moment to use it. Super cute, super easy. Just melt chocolate chips, put them in a ziploc baggie, snip the corner and go to town. I "drew" my designs on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper. Then they went into the freezer until we were ready to go. I thought they would be super fragile but they made it to the party in one piece. This has opened up a whole new world of baking ideas for me.

So here are the girls performing their pieces. The first two are their solo pieces and the last two are the duets with their teacher.

McKenna with Magic Tree House:

Bailey with Wild Rider

McKenna with Cuckoo Clock:

Bailey with Prelude:

My baby on a Grande!

Team Bailey

Mark and I often find ourselves wondering what good things we did to deserve a daughter like Bailey. She is special to us, she is compassionate, loving and kind not to mention the fact that she has a great sense of humor and is highly entertaining. Bailey rocks!

Bailey is also a piano player! Lately she has been struggling with this role in her life. Up to this point piano has been fairly easy for her. She is reaching a more advanced level and is now finding it very challenging, which means more work. It can get discouraging when something becomes harder to do. BUT my dear, as you work and accomplish your goals you will find a great reward in the feeling of accomplishment, and we as your audience will also receive the benefits of your hard work. I just love hearing your little fingers dance on the keyboard!

So I wanted to help provide you with a little motivation and excitement for piano playing.

Did you know that pretty much every bit of music that you hear probably started out on a piano? What you hear on CD's, radio even movies start on a keyboard with a composer plunking out a tune. Did you know that Beethoven was born in Bonn Germany? So close to us that we should definitely go see his house while we are here, don't you think?


You recognize this CD don't you? It is the cd you listen to every night to help you to fall asleep. The entire CD is piano music by the musician Paul Cardall. I know that you find this music very soothing and enjoy it a great deal, otherwise you would be bored by now and asking for something more. I think it is because it is piano music combined with primary songs and you find a deep connection to both!

Now really, who wouldn't want to play the piano so well that it catches on fire? I know for a fact that this intrigues you, admit it!






And finally, I left the big motivator for the last. Remember Kelsie from High School Musical? If it weren't for her piano playing there wouldn't have been a HSM movie, the whole movie was centered around HER play, HER piano music that she wrote and performed by herself.




And really, this one is a no brainer, a PINK piano in a swimming pool?! Doesn't get much cooler that that! And the fact is, they have to have a piano player to make it all come together. I can just picture you there, move over Ryan and Sharpay, make way for Bailey!


So here is a sample of what I am talking about, Bailey playing the piano, the sound I love to hear in my house! Don't give up! We sure like what you've shown us so far!

Bailey's Special Day!

What a thoroughly enjoyable day we had today preparing for Bailey's piano recital at the castle. Definitely one of those days that you just love being the parent of a special girl. The anticipation had built throughout the weeks as she continued to practice and the search was on for the perfect dress. The day of the recital was spent making Bailey feel extra special. She took a long bubble bath, put her hair in rollers, got a facial, painted her fingernails and finally the biggie: she got to wear a little bit of make-up! We are so proud of Bailey and the hard work that she put in to getting this piano piece ready for the festival. She got an excellent rating which resulted in the invitation to perform at the castle recital. She is very talented and we can only hope that her passion for music will continue throughout her life. The following photos are from the day as we prepared and then arrived at the castle followed by the grand finally, her great performance!

She made it!!!!!

Bailey found out tonight that she has been invited to play at the castle recital. This is very exciting for her (and for us)! She will have to dress up in her best and will get the opportunity to play on a real life grand piano. What a special opportunity for her. This picture is from her first piano recital about 3 years ago. She has come a long way since then and we are proud of her talent and determination. Bailey's music rocks!