How to Practice Piano in Six Easy-to-Follow Steps


Step One

Sit with good posture and play the pieces your teacher gave you for the week.

Step Two

Smile when your brother sits beside you and invite him to a duet.

Step Three

As he begins to take over the piece, gently slide (no pushing, please) him over and place your arm over the notes he shouldn't be playing.

Step Four

If this technique fails, sweetly place your arm on him and explain to him that you are a budding pianist and would like to continue your devotion to music. He'll begin to understand that you are under time constraints and that you must take your music seriously.

Step Five

Don't be surprised if your brother is overcome with joy and decides to hug you. He isn't trying to slow you down in your endeavors, he is simply expressing his deep-felt emotion.

Step Six

If you've truly impressed him, your brother will even give you pats on the back(side).

You'll never know what music does to people until you begin to play an instrument.

It really does soothe the savage beast.....as illustrated above.

Short and Sweet......Bittersweet

52 Weeks of Living - Week 22: Porch Music
Originally uploaded by jannza

I always know when the boys aren't home. I have a cupboard full of glasses. I have so many clean glasses that they won't all fit on the shelves!

I love having the choice of what to drink out of.
I love knowing the glasses are clean and not sitting dirty hither and yonder.
I love seeing things put away where they belong.

I don't love missing my boys.
I don't love their time away from home.
I don't love the lack of porch music.
I don't love days that go by without seeing their smiling faces.

Spoken like a true mom,
Me

The Birthday Boy

Some time ago...

How do these children grow up so fast!? Time moves along like it's in a big rush to get somewhere fast. What's the hurry? Can't we slow down a little and smell the roses?....or coffee?....or in this guy's case, the vanilla cupcakes? (Make that chocolate cupcakes as the E-girl pulled a switch on Birthday Boy without his knowing until it was too darn late. )

Mr. Middle-child just celebrated 17 years yesterday. I tried to tell him to enjoy these days as birthdays start coming very quickly after this.

Everyone's so excited to be 18, then 21. Then zip.........you're 26 and then 30 and whee.....you're off again. It's fun but fast.

Here's to you, Mr. Middle! Be smart, safe and wise all your days and remember the value of family. We all love you. And drive safe!

The 17-year-old version

This is Scary

What does a teenage boy make himself for lunch? He rummages around the kitchen for a while, heats up the oven and comes out bearing.....what's that??!!

I didn't make this I just grabbed it out of his hands 'cause I wanted a picture for all posterity. And proof of how much this boy eats! Yikes!