Changing Up a Bit

Our style has been cramped a bit. We discovered today the library will no longer accept backpacks or large bags beyond the front desk. We had to empty our backpacks and carry our stuff to our table which doesn't sound too terribly horrible until we had to do it. It just made for an unorganized visit. We don't know just yet how we will do things from now on but we will figure something out. It's just a hurdle we will have to get over. 

We really enjoyed the girls' first music lessons here.  So far, the choices have been made.  Emily - drums, Morgan - guitar, and Allison - drums and guitar.  As mentioned before, they will also all three be taking piano lessons.  Morgan already knows a little guitar, some piano, and clarinet.  She's very musically inclined anyway and does exceptionally well at playing by ear.  Emily loves to sing and carries a tune beautifully.  All these things, I have to wonder how they could ever be my children. 

Although I can't get it to upload,  I have a short clip of Emily playing the drums for the first time.  Not too shabby for a first timer.  Her instructor was at very impressed and said she'd have the beat down by next week.  Allison tried her hand at them too while she was trying to decide which she wanted to do.  The instructor asked her if he could persuade her to learn the drums because after hearing her, he realized she had a good beat going on.  Looks like I'll have to invest in more drums soon.

Back to the Library

I was going to post about the incentives I use to keep the girls motivated, but it's taking too long to get things together to take pictures to give you a better idea.  I do want to share, though, so hopefully by the end of this week I'll post all about it.  We've been pretty busy around here as you can see in my regular blog.  So, I decided to get away from all the mess here at home and go back to the library where we can focus a bit more on learning.

Morgan bought a book the other day that I thought would be interesting to read aloud.  When she was younger, she was addicted to American Girl books and Emily and I read some of the Little House series last year.  I'm guessing this book will be of interest to all of us.

Here is the description:

Lizzie and Rosanna are cousins who share a friendship that should last forever.  But when the Civil War breaks out, they find themselves on opposite sides.  Lizzie joins the cause of the Union as her brother and father fight for freedom.  Rosanna is swept up in the passions of the old South and her love for a young Confederate officer.

Torn apart by their alliances and separated from each other, Lizzie and Rosanna are tested by love, tragedy, and the sacrifices they must make to survive.  It will take one of the war's bloodiest battles - at Gettysburg - to bring them together again, forever changed.

Sounds pretty "dig in" worthy, I believe.

A chapter a day, so we will finish it in 49 days.  That's the plan, anyway.

The girls are also beginning some music lessons today.  They had all 3 started learning guitar right before we moved here over a year ago.  I didn't know anyone who gave them here, but a place just opened in town a few months ago.  I finally checked it out and they offer guitar, bass guitar, and drums.  Emily is wanting to take drum lessons.  That's about right since we left the drum set at our old house due to no room for them.  They will also begin piano in the next few weeks.  Some schedule tweaking has to be worked out with their teacher before they start.

That reminds me of back when Morgan was about 7 years old and started taking her first piano lessons.  I have it on video and it's the funniest thing.  I'll have to find it, then convert it and post it.  Precious. Precious.

It's off to bed for me.  I've pulled a very very late one tonight, so that means loads of coffee in the a.m. to stay focused.