Piano Recital

When the boys were little, my least favorite time of day was "witching hour" between 5-6. It's the time when the boys would be hungry, cranky, crazy wild. I would try to make dinner, my patience running thin, waiting for Ken to come home. And when he did come home, sometimes I would just go into my room and shut the door. Oh, it was a stressful hour. 

Now, witching hour is my favorite time of day. The kids are still crazy wild and hungry, but we exist in an organized chaos. Some days we get home just before 5:00 from various sports or after-school activities. While I make dinner Riley colors, Ellie reads to me, and the boys play the piano and violin. Often Cora is crying for attention, so we all take turns calming her and trying to make her laugh. When dad gets home the kids drop what they are doing and rush out as fast as possible to get "first hugs." I, by the way, always get first kiss. Then we try and eat kids as a family, clean the dishes, time for bed. On a perfect night, we get in some scripture study, reading, and baths. I'll admit right out that we only have a perfect night 2-3 times a week. I hope I never forget the beautiful chaos of witching hour. I will miss it when it's gone.

After lots of hard work, the boys had a great piano recital at a local church. They both love playing the piano, and I am so lucky to say they never complain when I ask them to practice.

Abe playing his piece (my videos were taking too long to upload. Sorry, no music.)

Otho memorized his performance pieces. I bet he could play them with his eyes closed!

 Abe got an award after the ceremony for completing a year of piano.

 Otho got a trophy as well, since he upgraded to another level of books.

And we can't forget cute Cora, who actually sleeps straight through piano playing. I think chaotic noise sooths her to sleep. Guess that's what happens when you are the youngest of five crazy kids!