2013-05-28: Jury Recital

Nigel played at his music school's jury recital today, and did a very good job. These past few weeks have been spent practicing Twinkle intensely to get it ready for this event on short notice.

Nigel has only just learned the full song, having worked on the rhythm since the beginning of lessong and the first line of the song for some time now. Despite that, and the stresses of pushing to add speed and steadiness to his tempo and fingering, he has brought the piece to a jury-ready level.

Mom and Dad brought him down to the Salt Lake Recital Hall, where they waited for his turn, Nigel dressed in a shirt and tie. They didn't have long to wait before Nigel was called to come up and perform (his first jury recital!). He responded well to the situation, and spoke clearly when saying his name and what he would play.

Mom and Dad were particularly proud of his work, and of the way he presented himself this day. It was very fun to watch him and see all he is becoming. Events of significance, like this one, really do well to highlight his development.

2013-05-27: Homesmobile

Nigel has dubbed RVs "homesmobiles"

2013-05-19: Butterflies Graduation

Nigel graduated from the Butterflies pre-school group into the Sacred Travels program today. He went up in front of the congregation to receive an award from the DRE, Trista Emmer. He was also recognized in the printed program, along with the other children who were graduating.

2013-05-13: Busy but Productive Day for Mom and Nigel

Nigel went to pre-school this morning, then Mom brought him home and they started working. They were very busy beavers!
By 2:30, they had come home, had lunch, practiced writing (see images), listened to Suzuki, practiced violin and started rest time.

2013-05-11: Busy Mother's Day

Mom ran her first 10k this morning! Congratulations to her on all her hard work!

Nigel and Dad were on-hand to see her finish, as she came down from Big Cottonwood canyon. So were Nigel's friends Devin and Ray, as their mom, Ashley, ran the race with Mom. They were faster than expected, and Dad barely got them there in time.

After the race, it was off to get a present and head to Josh's birthday party, at Jungle Jim's. Dad was really pushing things to squeeze that in before violin lesson, and the visit didn't end well, with the family needing to leave before Nigel was ready to go, and still ending up being late to the lesson. Everyone got lessons that day, on violin, time management, and staying calm in the face of great grumpiness.

Following violin lesson, Mom and Dad took Nigel to get signed up for soccer in the Fall. Dad signed up to coach, as has become the tradition.

2013-05-05: Invented Terms

Dad made bread and milk for a snack today. Nigel dubbed it "breadotine", presumably after Ovaltine.
Nigel's pet word these days is "smackle-tackle", and he uses it particularly when he wants to express a non-specific emotional reaction, like when he has been tickled.

2013-05-04: Park City with Grandpa and Grandma M.

Nigel is very excited to go to Park City to swim and bead with Grandma and Grandpa. He has voluntarily put on his swimsuit before violin practice this morning.