Piano Lesson

 

 Last year, Henry officially started taking piano lessons. When we lived in Kansas City, I taught him a little from a book, but it was pretty informal. Now that we are here in Minnesota, we have the benefit of my mom.  It is a pretty good deal.

 When Henry started taking piano, he was naturally pretty good, but soon it started challenging him, and he didn't like it. He actually has to work!  There have been a couple lessons that Henry has been in tears, butt not many.

 

 Henry has expressed that he doesn't want to continue lessons, so we are officially forcing him to play piano.  I am okay with this.  It might be the only thing that stretches his mind right now. Years and years later from now, he might actually thank me....um, but not yet

 While we were there, Ruby and Malcolm came. I had some pictures of Malcolm, but they were either blurry or bad, so I only got Ruby.

 Even though it was a Sunday, we got up early and we had some time to kill, so what is a family to do...SWORD FIGHT!

Frances is really getting into the fighting thing and sometimes Henry will fight back a little too hard.  Game is over once a child gets hurt.  I want them to play a little rough, because I know it is healthy. I just cant stand watching or the consequences that inevitably happen.

 I am glad Frances likes the fighting stuff because then she is less into the princess stuff. It is all about balance.

Backyard Fun

When I was younger, I really thought that I would be a city girl.  I wanted to be close to the excitement and I wanted my children to experience what the cities offer. By and by my mind has changed.  I actually like a little piece and quiet. I like knowing my neighbors and being connected.

I like the big yards

 Big yard to do all kinds of things.

 Like go cross-country skiing.

 When we were starting our first full winter, I bought two pairs of skis: one for me and one for Henry.  When the weather is tolerable, we would put the skis on and go around our yard. It was always a lot of fun.  This year, it was time for Aaron to join in.

 Today he got skis and we all had a blast outside.  I brought the camera out to show all of the fun we had.

 Even though my kids were born in Kansas City, they are Minnesotan at heart because they love the winter. In fact, Henry says it is his favorite season.

 Frances was being especially photogenic and let me take picture after picture of her. I just had to put in a lot, because they all were great.

 I hope all of my family in Kansas City is now jealous and wants to come visit us. We love our snow!

Henry looking older than I feel he should look.

Franny making sure everything is in tip top order

Henry zooming past.

Frances playing while Henry comes closer

Frances is completely oblivious that Henry is trucking it behind her



After this we all were tired, cold and hungry, so we went out to eat.  After that, the night was basically done.  What a fun filled day.

Henry and Hockey

 

 Last night Henry had hockey practice; well actually it was a game. This is a nice outdoor parks and rec league so it isn't competitive and I think it is perfect for Henry. He was in this league last year, but I never could go because it was so freezing and I had to take care of Frances.  Yesterday it was pretty warm for winter so it was a perfect time to come. 

 I feel like Henry is growing right before my eyes. I look at a picture of him, and I no longer see that baby face, but I see a kid and beyond. When I saw him on the ice, I was overwhelmed. I expected to see the skating baby steps and slow skating that I thought he did, but I was wrong. This guy is really skating! I will say that he is not very aggressive, which in this case is fine with me. As I watched, I marveled with Henrys progress, both on the ice and off.

 With regards to the camera, I shot some with action sequence, I shot some in snow scene, but I ended up in manuel, so I could over expose the pictures slightly so I could get good detail on the skin. I suppose it is hard to shoot an ice rink with a setting sun and fast boys playing on the ice.  It was a good challenge for me and I think I got some good ones.

 Because I couldn't trim the pictures anymore, here are all of them:

Frances and Dance

Frances has always loved dance. When she turned 3, we were excited to actually sign her up for a class. So far we have had two classes and she has loved it. The only down side is that the parents are not allowed in the room, so everyone is cowered by the door.  Aaron got to go last week with her. These are his pictures.

Basketbal Practice

Henry has basketball practice yesterday. At first I told him I was coming and bringing along the camera; he said not to bring the camera. Then after a few seconds he thought about it and decided it was a good idea to bring the camera. He also reminded me to bring the camera when we were heading out.  I think it was smart to make the decision. I always have fun watching him play basketball, probably in the same way that Aaron likes it when he plays baseball.

This is probably my favorite shot of Henry. Look at that air!

 For the camera, I kept it in the action setting the whole time. I knew I needed a fast shutter speed and we were indoor, so it seemed like a good idea. When I have more knowledge about the camera, I will probably do more in manual, but right now it seems like a big risk.

 You know, eating a bar, singing and running back and forth.

Forget Henry, take a picture of me!

My favorite on of Frances

Not mad, just singing.

Time for water.

I really hope Henry continues basketball, but if not, I guess I have Franny. She told me that she wants to play basketball when she gets older. I hope that is true.