Theater Arts Camp Day 4

Well E was cast as a dwarf for a Snow White and the 7 dwarf scene they are working on and she is learning a song from Matilda. Totally age appropriate theater introductions happening which is awesome.

And this happened...



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Theater Camp Day 3

Calvin rode a pony. They had a petting zoo and ponies come to Kids Klub yesterday. So even though it was a LONG day for him, it was a fun one. His teacher gave us a photo of him on a pony. He doesn't seem super excited about it though.



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Theater Camp Day 2

It was a tipsy turvy day. First Cal got dropped off early so I could have E at camp (in La Canada) right at 7:30. I had to be at the office and then on the road to SD by 7:45. After a day of meetings and climbing scaffolding I got home from SD at 9:45.

Ellie also had her piano lesson today (time change for summer) and as I was in SD, Nick took her and Cal stayed at school late.






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Theater Arts Camp Day 1

Today was the first day of a 3-week long theater arts camp for E. It's a long day filled with tap dance, movement, improv, singing, stage crafts and set design, etc... She said that most the campers are teenagers (with phones!).

No photos of camp, drop off is pretty streamlined and they don't want parents walking in.

Have a cute pic of the kiddos.



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SBNHM Camp Day 5

Last day of camp. As much fun as she has had I think she's ready to come home.







Calvin was a little troublemaker this morning. He used a dry erase marker on the ottoman. He was happy to show me the ball he drew, but then very sad when I told him it wasn't okay. He even helped try to clean it up (we weren't successful this morning).













On the way to school I witnessed a motorcycle hit a car, the motorcyclist is pretty lucky he is alive (he was able to move his legs so I think he will recover and he had in a helmet). After calling 911 I was interviewed by police who arrived. I was pretty shaken but Calvin (who stayed in his car seat the whole time) was excited to see an ambulance and a fire truck and police cars up close. He even got to meet a policeman.

Yeah, it was just a long day. It's been a long week.

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SBMNH Camp Day 4

I went to Phoenix today. I had a 6:50 am flight and was able to coordinate with a friend to watch Cal first thing in the morning and take him to school. Awesome friends make amazing villages.



Ellie apparently made pizza.



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SBMNH day 3

Happy Birthday to me!

Nick and Cal made me a cake and I got to FaceTime with E! Awesome!!












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SBMNH Camp Day 2

Thunder Lizards!

She may be there for wizard camp, but the museum is also hosting a TRex.









Meanwhile...
Cal bonded with the classroom pet.



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SBMNH camp day 1

Yesterday Cal and I took E up to Camarillo to do some shoe shopping and to meet my parents who took E up to SN for camp at the Museum of Natural History. The theme of camp this week is Wizarding 101.

Apparently the first day went well and E was sorted into Ravenclaw and made her own wand.



Cal and I had a great morning. He was confused as to the whereabouts of his dad and sister, but I reassured him that they were coming back soon.

We failed at a selfie today though. Blame it on the heat...


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Suzuki camp day 5

Our last day was great. Final classes and a finale recital. Ellie did so well in the recital!
























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Suzuki Camp Day 4

Master class is something really meant for older kids. Basically one has a class with a "master teacher" in front of an audience. In our case it has been Es group (3 other kids studying Book 1, two of which are from her studio), the parents, and piano teachers learning how to be Suzuki teacher. There have been about 15-20 people observing the approx. 15 minute lessons with each kid.

At the beginning of the week it was tough. The kids were nervous, the instructions were hard, they got bored during the other lessons (they are way too young to get the concept of listening to other lessons to learn themselves).

But yesterday was a turning point, they all did well. Today was amazing. The teacher poured compliments on E telling her her tone was fantastic, she had great control and able to play so well, her hand balance was great, her fingers were strong and that it was obvious she was talented but learned quickly and practiced well. She also told E that there was nothing more for Musette, Cheistmas Day secrets or Allegro she could work in with her.

Then she asked if E had started Book 2. Ellie very confidently played the RH of the first song in Book 2 and wowed us all. She was so proud of herself and is actually excited for master class tomorrow when Ms. Diana will work with her on Ecossaise.








Also, she has become close with two kids from her group who are also from her studio. One little boy and her played so well on a trial duet that I think they are performing it in the finale recital. They listened so well to each other's playing it was like they had been friends and playing together for years.



Other pics from today.









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Suzuki Camp Day 3

Today we had glockenspiels and a picnic followed by Ellie's first recital at camp (she will have a formal recital in Friday with all the piano students) and then a concert with an amazing professional violinist who was a Suzuki student.

The picture below is Ellie and her two newest, closest friends Max and Esme. Both take lessons with Ms. Samantha and they have all their camp classes together.



Here is E playing the glockenspiel in Orff





Picnic



Her recital! We had originally told Ms Samantha E would play Allegro for her recital pieces. But...she changed her mind and we had been practicing Musette as her recital piece. However, the program for today's recital listed E as playing Allegro...so to the practice rooms we went and practiced it. Despite playing it really fast and not having a footstool she did really really well, maybe one of the best she has played it.









(Little E watching Big Ellie, her friend Max's older sister and also a Ms. Samantha student play)

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Suzuki Camp Day 2

Another day full of classes, practice, solfege, ear training, recitals, and so much more.






But today there was picnics and swimming and pizza and face paint and a magic show.








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Suzuki Camp Day 1

This week Ellie is at Suzuki camp. It's about 100 kids ranging in age from 5 to 18 from SoCal and beyond taking music classes. There are about 24 piano students and lots and lots of string instruments. Camp is at Scripps college.

Fortunately Ellie's piano teacher is on the faculty and several students are in attendance. Within minutes of her first class Ellie had made good friends with two of Ms. Samantha's students. And they have all their classes together so it's great that they like each other.

Her day starts with a group class (theory, eat training, etc), then she has Orff, then Dalcroze, and then a master class. After that there are some choices and yesterday E did yoga.














We also spent a few minutes in a practice room.



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