Predators Game

This is Kyle Hankins.  We know him because he is the accompanist for the Nashville Children's Touring Choir.  He is a fiercely talented guy, and a bit of a goof.  No, a lot of a goof.  :)

This is his alter-ego: Krazy Kyle.  He plays the organ for the Nashville Predators at their home games.

Last night, we FINALLY got to see Mr. Kyle in his element.  It was fun.

The Predators play at Bridgestone Arena, a place we are most familiar with as a concert venue.  Now we know why it was SO cold in here during the CMA show!

She's grounded for trying that blasted ducklips face.  Argh!!

We were in the super-duper nosebleed section.  Which was just perfectly fine.  I actually think I followed more of the game being higher up!

We learned a new chant by the Predator natives.  When scoring a goal, fans of "Smashville" graciously chant:

"Hey...YOU SUCK!  Hey...YOU SUCK!  We're gonna beat the hell outta you!!"  

Sweet, right??  Belle thought it was hysterical.  Moo was puzzled...you know, because it is SO not proper:

A Sweet Visit

Before our lives got a little "upended" by the necessity of moving out-of-state, we were part of a cozy little group of homeschool friends who saw each other about twice a week--once at choir, and once at our little co-op.  Life is full, and the tendency to fall out of touch happens to the closest of friends... so it is comforting to know that just because contact is limited, heartstrings still remain.  We love these people, and are so thankful that they visited us.

I love that I had NOTHING to do with taking any of these pictures.  Another way in which my services are slowly being phased out as my girls and their friends get older.

Today

Today, we had a dear friend over to do some violin practice. Then, the girls went outside and took some pictures that capture their beauty, friendship and silliness.

They also worked to play (by ear) a favorite piece from choir as a sweet gift for their choir directors: 

Ben Folds' Piano Concerto at The Schermerhorn, 2014

For the sake of my folks, I'll start with a link to an article about Ben Folds: 

Who is Ben Folds?  <--click amp="" br="" dad="" here="" mom="">

Next, a couple random background pictures:

He is super animated as he plays, and doesn't stay seated for long.

Delightfully nerdy, don't you think?  Yeah, I think so too.  But, first and foremost, he is a brilliant musician and I love the way he brought intelligent and informed conversations about music and vocals to The Sing-Off--an acapella Idol-esque show.  Each time he spoke with contestants, I felt like the audience was getting an education and "inside baseball" discussion between musicians.  That was how I got hooked on this guy.  When I heard that he was coming to the Schermerhorn to unveil his piano concerto (commissioned by the Nashville Ballet, apparently), my interest was piqued.  Then, an offer for free dress rehearsal tickets came in my email box via Moo's involvement in the MCYO; and another offer of an abbreviated "Young People's Concert" the day after that--again free--and there was no way we'd miss it.

When we got there and said we were with the MCYO, we were told we'd be put right up front so we could see the keys.

The Schermerhorn is beautiful, inside and out.

Warm up time--before the camera ban.

Sneaky picture number one.

Sneaky picture number two. 

We had the opportunity to move all the way to the front row by the stage after the performance, and there a small group assembled for a Q & A with Ben.  He's a pretty no-nonsense guy, friendly and a bit off-color in his language...but fundamentally humble about his craft and intentionally encouraging to the students that sought his counsel for musical careers--either in orchestration, composition or performance.  Tomorrow, we'll likely go back for a repeat performance (albeit abbreviated I think), and another Q & A, both with Ben and Maestro Giancarlo Guerrero.  Pretty neato!

Spring!

100th Day 2014

Since moving to Nashville, we've been invited to three 100th Day celebrations at my friend Julie's house.  I am so very thankful for her hospitality and willingness to bring my daughters and I into this special get-together each year at a little past the midpoint of the school year.  There have always been five moms present with their kiddos--Julie, her neighbor Mandy, her pal Mary from church, and her friend Annessa (who I learned lives really close to us now), and myself.  There are a total of 12 kids from preschool age to freshmen (freshwomen?) in high school.  It is one of the rare occasions that we get to enjoy the multi-age classroom experience that homeschooling can afford--since my girls are older, we tend toward just "older kid" types of activities and tutorials, etc.  There is really nothing sweeter than recreating the special atmosphere of the one room schoolhouse, with its wide range of learners present.  Julie is a certified teacher and a brilliant lady, so this is not just a party--it is a fun and cooperative learning environment, complete with games and collecting points to redeem at the end of the day at the "store". From start to finish, it was just pure, good fun.

Not pictured: running around in the yard, playing by the creek and an impromptu violin duet performance by Caroline and Moo.  We are very thankful for this yearly event and the friendships formed because of it.  Thank you, Miss Julie!