December

December was less stressful than in years past. There was no Nutcracker, no violin recital. We had the gift of time and we enjoyed it!

In addition to putting up lights outside, XX asked to string the lights on the tree this year. I gladly gave up this job, except for the top of the tree. I hope she'll decide to do this every year!

We made the trip to see Santa early in December. He didn't disappoint; it was a great visit under a magnificent tree.

(Some people like to goof around in every photo these days.)

It was so cold one afternoon that Red decided the warmest place in Galaxy's bed would be on Galaxy.  

XX and I stayed up one night chatting and ended up taking some silly selfies.

XX played carols with her teacher for the lunchtime crowd at the local grocery store. They were able to make over $75 to help feed the needy in our area. (The whiskers are just XX's idea of fun for the day. She wore them as if there was nothing unusual ... and for her, there wasn't.)

Matching PJs for Christmas Eve aren't unexpected, but always exciting. 

Suzie, Dave, Carver and Sebastian came for Christmas Eve dinner. I guess it speaks to the great evening we had that this is the only photo I took ... before they came!

On Christmas Day, XX made some angel bags in the afternoon to take out to some of the cold and hungry people in our area.

After Christmas, we went to a light show and carnival where we remembered what cold really means.

We saw the family again just before New Year's Day, Steff and Jim included, for a great ice cream lunch. XX was impressed by Sebastian's drawing skills!

It was a lovely, lovely month, the perfect ending to a wonderful year.

Cool Weather ...

... means ...

 

 

 

    

... hats!

Thanksgiving

It was simple and perfect.

XX looked forward to pumpkin pie most of all.

Or, as Sebastian said, "Whipped cream. With a side of pie."

Good food, good company. Perfect.

Music

XX had her first performance with the Youth Symphony. She looked so grown up ...

... until we saw her with everyone else in the group (under the white arrow)

The main conversation in the lobby was about "the tiny girl" (possibly also because unlike everyone else in the group who filtered in slowly through the chairs from the back, XX charged downstage and marched across in front of the whole setup as if she were planning to conduct).

There was a performance of her chorus class at the Conservatory. In just nine weeks, they were sounding like angels, most of them not singers but pianists, violinists and guitarists. It's hard to believe they were able to sing this in four parts: sopranos I and II, and altos I and II.

She also entered her first competition, the Crescendo International Competition.

She practiced many hours by herself and with our neighbor, who gamely accompanies her regularly. Due to scheduling, though, he could not make it on "the day," so in a bit of emergency fashion, she found herself rehearsing the morning of the competition with someone else.

XX was apprehensive at first ...

... but then found it all clicked well. The two of them had a lot of fun and it was a great experience for XX in learning how to adapt musically.

They played well and XX was awarded the highest points and a first place honor!

Joshua Bell

XX was fortunate in getting to meet Joshua Bell after hearing him play in concert. A bonus was that he played a piece she loves and is working on!

October

The month was mostly about Halloween. 

Funny hats ...

  

 ... seasonal arts and crafts ...

 

 

... with time for a lunch with neighbors ...

 ... and an evening with Aunt Steff...

No matter how busy we get, there is always time for a dog cuddle...

 

We made the obligatory trip to the pumpkin patch.

 

And at last it was time for costumes!

Galaxy loves to watch bugs, so she was, naturally, a bug.

Red thinks he's a tough as a lion.

  And XX has always loved pigs.

Conservatory fell on Halloween Day so everyone was encouraged to wear costumes. Didn't take much persuading! 

She was pretty excited to get a watch, her grandfather's. Even sized down, it's far too big, but she thinks there is nothing better.

 This year, XX had a few friends come over to go trick-or-treating. Two of her friends had never been, so it was extra fun for them. The girls only went two blocks then declared they were done (good thing as their bags were FULL since neighbors were giving them lots). They came home to trade and gloat (about six pounds each!), then make and eat pizzas. It was a really great night for all, we decided we'd have to figure a way to make it happen again, even though it won't be fortuitously on a Saturday.

 

 Happy Happy Halloween!