Clarinet

 This year as a fifth grader, Alaina has to learn to play an instrument.   With some encouragement from her mom, she chose the clarinet!    For this of you who don't know, I was an avid clarinetist through college, playing in the Marching Illini and the Symphonic Band at University of Illinois.

I still have my two clarinets, and so I have been able to give Alaina some lessons at home.   It is amazing how my muscles have weakened overt the years, and though I can play the sound is not very beautiful anymore.   But I am still good enough to get Alaina going.   What fun!

Taller than mom?

 You be the judge.

I think his fluffy hair is giving him an advantage.    Still, it's close.

His feet are definitely bigger, ha ha!

16th Anniversary!

 Last weekend, Jason and I celebrated anniversary #16.

We made plans to heard to Tahoe for the long weekend to celebrate with the Toma family.   Unfortunately, the weather was miserably cold and rainy.  We made the best of it though, and tried to enjoy a cozy weekend together.

On Saturday, we went on our neighborhood cabin tour, which is a Serene Lakes tradition on Labor Day weekend.   We walked through 5 cabins  and our favorite was a mid-century modern one right on the lake!

On Sunday, we made the trek to Sardine Lake for a short walk and then dinner.   (We had hoped to take a real hike during the day up there, but the weather did not cooperate!). But by later in the day, the rain had at least stopped, and we took a short stroll around the lake before a drink in the boathouse and dinner.  

 

Monday was finally clear and sunny, though still cool, so no beach time this Labor Day!   But a nice long weekend nevertheless.

Yay for 16 years!

First Days of School

 Well, I am little behind in my posting, but recently both kids started new schools!

Ethan began his freshman year at University High School in the city on Aug 21.   He was appropriately nervous about his first day, knowing basically nobody in the school and having to take the public bus.

 

He has been doing great though--the bus drops him off about a 20 minute uphill walk from the school, and I sometimes can pick him up on my way home from work.

He has already made a few friends, and has decided to try cross country for a fall sport.  He is finally getting a taste of homework! 

Alaina stated middle school as a 5th grader on August 24.   She was also nervous about having to switch classes--although almost all of the same kids from her elementary school will be at the middle school, so socially it has been an easy transition.   This year all the kids get "free" hot lunch too, so one less thing to worry about bringing each day.  She has been biking or scootering, and although it is further than the elementary school, it is still not too far!

They are growing up fast!!