February 2018

When Sophie was 4 I started her on violin in a Suzuki program. It was very intense, but I was determined that she was going to do it. Despite my dreams of her becoming a beautiful violinist, after almost three years of tears and drama around practicing I finally let her quit. After taking a breather she said she wanted to start piano. This time I took a totally different approach and let her play what she wants when she wants (with guidance from her teacher of course). Although it’s been slow going, she loves it, which is a much better situation.

This weekend she had her first recital, which is a very casual event at Settlement Music School. Basically, the teacher decides when a student is ready, and one weekend a month kids who are “ready” perform. There were 5 other kids, playing piano and cello, and it lasted less than 30 minutes. She was super nervous, but played beautifully, and was proud of herself afterward, which was the best part.

Here she is practicing one more time before we left for the recital.

We’ve heard Frère Jacques approximately 147 times in our house over the last month… but it was worth it 😉

It was a big stage and a big piano, and she did a great job!

Read more

It’s mid-February and I’m officially done with winter. January felt like it was 147 days long. But we’ve been keeping busy trying to enjoy all of the fun things about winter (which I keep having to remind myself exist).

Dave has taken the girls skiing several times and we did a ski weekend with some friends in the Poconos. Both girls are getting pretty good and both really love it, which is great (Dave is in heaven). I’m still happily sitting inside with my book by the fire 😉

IMG_2838

Here’s Sophie helping Lauren get her ski legs at Spring Mountain.

We also had to say good bye to our au pair, Lydia, who ended her year with us in January. It was so sad to see her go. The girls were pretty bummed, especially Sophie. But, just days later we welcomed Lina, our new au pair from Sweden who will be with us the entire year. The first two weeks were a tough transition for the kids, but I think we’re all settled in now.

Here’s Sophie and Lina

Philly has been consumed with Eagles fever. On February 4th they won the Super Bowl, the first time the team has ever won, beating the Patriots, who won the last five yeas. It’s pretty much the only thing people are talking about and the media is covering. Last week Philly had a celebratory parade, which was just nuts. The City pretty much shut down and hundreds of thousand of people came in to watch the team parade down Broad Street.

Here we are all wearing our Eagles gear. And a the best shot I could get of the parade. The city was just a sea of people and it was impossible to get close to Broad Street. People were climbing anything and everything they could to get a good view.

At the beginning of February Lauren decided that she wanted to get her hair cut again – very short this time. She loves it, and so do it – no brushing drama!

Here’s the cutie and her new ‘do.

I just keep reminding myself we’re just a few weeks away from spring break and the Bahamas!

 

Read more