Stray Cat Strut

Today was Graham's second and final performance with Hickman Music School. He has loved his time there! This semester, he was in Miss Jo's extended day class. They called themselves the chickens and they spent the semester singing (of course) and learning about inventions and weather. He played outside, painted, did puzzles, danced, etc. His favorite thing might have been pizza day Tuesdays when Miss Jo would give him up to seven pieces of pizza until I finally asked her to limit him to three!! Seriously, that kid can eat.

This year's spring program was called Totally Awesome 80's and it was very cute! The kids looked great in their neon shirts, high tops, and side ponytails. Graham's song was Stray Cat Strut but he was also in several group numbers which were surprises for us parents. I could not believe he was center stage playing a drumset at one point. He never even mentioned that! In his number, he was ridiculous. He sang the entire time but in an incredibly silly voice which most people thought was hilarious but I was a bit disappointed by since I know he can sing it well and he sang so well at the Christmas program. Oh well, he's a ham and the crowd loved it! 

Graham is definitely not shy nor does he suffer from stage fright. He's a natural performer and we love watching him shine!!!

Graham's Christmas Program

This morning was Graham's first Hickman music school program and it was adorable!! Graham was a candy maker and wore and apron and chef's hat. He did not want to put it on at first (he is always a little weird about costumes) but after seeing all of his friends dressed up he changed his mind and put it on. He and the other kids in Ms. Jo's extended day class kicked off the show with a little performance that showed what they've been learning this semester about instruments and composers. Then each group sand their song. Graham's song was so precious and he definitely stole the show. Loved seeing him up there! He has been singing those songs in the car for weeks!

Catching Up

We've been a bit MIA on the blog so before I get to the big news, I will update some happenings from the last month or so: Jack is still loving kindergarten at Crossings! He comes home every day with news of exciting things that he is doing and learning at school. He has made lots of new friends and is just thriving! I am amazed by how much he has already learned and not only by the content, but also the passion in which he relays the new information to us. He is obviously being taught by some very loving teachers who know how to inspire kids. Graham is equally thrilled about being in music school. He comes home and tells us of all the songs he has sung, what he ate for lunch, how he quacked like a duck, said the pledge of allegiance, etc. He is practicing lots of new songs when he is home and entertaining all of us with his dance moves and animated expressions while he sings. He loves taking a show and tell and so far has liked taking blankie, the ABC school bus, his new Thomas book, and his little BB car. We finally decorated for fall. The boys are so excited about the pumpkin decorations and Halloween toys! They think they want to be Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker for Halloween this year. We bought a minivan! It is not new or even close but will do the trick. I feel like such a mom driving it! The boys are extremely impressed by the size and the doors that open on their own. They think it is the coolest car in the entire world. That won't last long but I'm glad they are excited! Jack learned to ride his bike without training wheels! He is such a determined little guy. He just decided one day that he wanted to do it and by the next day, he was cruising! Daddy helped of course, but Jack likes to do things mostly on his own so after a bit of instruction, it was trial and error until it all came together. We are so proud of him. I am especially proud because even after taking a very big fall and busting his lip, he got back out there and isn't scared a bit. He is so big and brave! Daniel, Adrienne, and Brooklyn came to visit a couple of weeks ago! Brooklyn is getting so big and is even thinking about crawling. She got a kick out of watching her cousins play outside and they just love loving on her and teaching her new things. Here is a picture overload:

Graham's First Day of Music School

Last Tuesday, Graham went to his first day of music school at Hickman. I had a feeling he would like it and I was not disappointed! We took a little tour before class started and he was ready to kick me out and get down to business within minutes! He particularly liked the yellow room and wanted to go back there and sing songs on the microphone. I'm sure he spent plenty of time doing just that once I left. When I picked him up he was all smiles and told me all about his day. After school on Thursday we ran to CVS for a couple of things and he told every person he saw that he had just been to music school. Graham is going to extended day which is four hours instead of two and he is in Ms. Jo's group. They are the Ducks. I am so glad he's enjoying it and can't wait to see what is in store for us over the next year!

Music School Program

Jack performed in his second Hickman Music School Program on December 17. This, of course, was the Christmas program, featuring snowflakes, candy canes, toy soldiers, and hot chocolate girls, among other things. All of the little ones were precious in their costumes! Jack was a reindeer along with three other little boys and he was so cute! Unfortunately, he didn't sing and I think his costume must have itched pretty badly because he spent most of the program scratching his leg (when he wasn't trying to pull ornaments off of the Christmas tree costume of the little girl next to him)! Not quite as adorable as his performance in the summer program, but adorable nonetheless. He seemed pleased with his performance so that's all that matters! And he was so excited to have Mumo, Papo, Bebe, Grandad, Gigi, and Hetty Sue there watching him. Here are a few pictures