Here's to you, Gigi!

Grandma, this Friday you turn ninety-nine years old, and we couldn't be happier for the chance to have you in our lives for as long as we have!

My earliest memories from childhood are of you in your house on Wolf Road, cooking feasts for the family in the downstairs kitchen...scurrying about, serving salad, then mostacciolli, then meat...and then more meat...all to be followed by sandwiches later that evening made with the leftovers from our meal.  Your home was always one that kept our bellies full.  What good times and fond memories I look back on from those times.

You demonstrated to all of us how to cook for an army, how to wheel and deal on prices, how to speak a strange Italian-English hybrid language (Cuesta qui?), and how to be strong and carry on when life throws its curve balls.  I personally learned a lot about poker, dice, the effects of prune juice (why did I have to drink that when I spent the night?), vinegar shampoo rinses and Johnny Carson (who you graciously let me stay up to watch with you in your bedroom).

I am so very proud of the strong woman that you always have been...and I'd like to think that if I can pass that along to my girls, they'll be able to face just about anything.  I love you so very, very much; and I wish that I could be there in person with you to celebrate the beginning of your 100th year in this world.  Maybe we can make it down there to visit next year? 

Here is a look at your family (that wishes you didn't live so far away!):

And now for some video greetings:

And this just in...more video greetings:

Nashville Film Festival 2013

The Nashville Children's Choir was asked to perform at the Nashville Film Festival at Regal Cinemas Green Hills before the screening of Die Thomaner: A Year in the Life of the St. Thomas Boys Choir Leipzig.  In 2012 the St. Thomas Boys Choir Leipzig celebrated its 800th anniversary, outlasting all ups and downs of European history.  Imagine that! This children's choir has experienced 800 unbroken years of existence.  Amazing.  NCC was asked to help introduce this documentary covering this extraordinary choir.  Our family loves the opportunities that the girls' participation in this choir brings.  Good times.

Arriving early--we learned that showing up in uniform causes the theater staff to decline asking for your ticket.  May try this from now on. :)

Practicing ahead of time in a theater set aside for that purpose.

Sweet picture with our beloved Mr. Josh, one of the directors of the NCC.

And of course, the video:

Cheekwood Homeschool Day Visit 2013

Our trip to Cheekwood this spring was fun. The weather was just a little chilly, but comfy for the brisk pace needed to cover the massive grounds in just a few hours. We picnicked, messed around on the sculpture trail, lamented the lack of green in the Japanese garden (though still beautiful, and just a bit of imagination allows the onlooker to fill in the brown with green), fooled around with a hollow log that was begging for a featured photo op, and had a "rest" in the pet cemetery.

Belle could see so much more with her new glasses.

This is a massive conjoined twin grape cluster.  Weird.

I am so thankful for what good friends these two are to each other.

Instruction: "Quick, pose!"   

Results:

Again...this was only a pet cemetery.  I guess PETA can get on our case for disrespecting the dead animals.

See?  Just use your imagination to fill in the brown with green, and this back view of the Japanese garden area is still beautiful. 

A favorite spot: on the bamboo trail leading to the Japanese garden.