Orchestra, MyPod and Dog Tag

Jacob was selected as one of thirty middle school students to get to play with the Heights High School Symphony Orchestra this week. He has attended rehearsals the last few weeks, and the performance was Friday. They performed "Pines of Rome" by Resphigi. Jacob says that it was fun to play with four other horn players. It was nice for me to be able to hear music that sounded cohesive and melodic. The middle school band is not nearly as pleasant to listen to. Cleveland Heights-University Heights Schools has a nice music program with very talented performers and directors. They also make quite and effort to get younger kids integrated and excited about doing music at each grade level and in various ways. Instrumental instruction begins in fourth grade. Lillian is taking flute lessons once a week at school now. Jacob is involved with the middle schools honors orchestra, solo & ensemble, as well as the band at his own school. He even qualified for a one year scholarship through Reaching Heights to get private lessons. (By the way, this picture was taken during the performance from the middle of the auditorium without a flash. I like zoom cameras that can be adjusted for low light levels.)

Just before we went to the concert, the girls were watching a preview of the film "Coraline" on the iPod. Abby calls this device "MyPod." It's is a very cool tool. The problem is that the kids think that they get to use it more than the official owners, Mom and Dad. Too many fun game apps.

Another thing my kids like to do is play "Dog Tag." Here are the rules: run around the living room and dining room, scream, bark and don't stop. Every once in awhile try and get caught. It's a fun game. It's a loud game. It's a crazy game. My mom said that kids need a home with a loop. If there isn't and architectural loop, then the kids will create one. The primary loop in our home goes through the living room, past the stairs, into the dining room and back to the living room. If you add the dining room table, you get some interesting variations of the loop. There are also portable obstacles (chairs), pit stops (stairs, den, kitchen), and hiding places (under the tables or in the broom cupboard). One can even slide on the wood floor, with or without help. It's pretty funny watching the dog try and change directions since her paws and claws don't grab the floor.