Our 12th on the 12th!

Jake and I celebrated our 12th Anniversary on the 12th of May.  It's a meaningful year for us since we have now reached the point where we have been in each others lives for the same amount of time as before we met and knew the other existed -- seventeen years!  From here on out we'll have known each other for longer than we haven't.  I really like that thought.

To celebrate we had tickets to Oregon Symphony.  We took advantage back in February of a "Leap Day Special" $29 tickets on the 29th for any performance left in the season.  It just so happened a guest pianist was scheduled to perform Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1, just for us on our anniversary :).  I'm glad we got tickets so early because the anticipation was fun -- it's always great having something classy to look forward to!

I'm afraid we have been completely spoiled since we had seats in the 6th row (thanks to that special) and I can't believe what a difference it makes.  We were so close I could see Arnoldo Cohen's hands reflected in the piano's lid; it was a sight to behold.  He was amazing as was the orchestra.

We were right in front of the viola section and it turns out our babysitter (who was at that moment home with our kids) takes lessons from the principal violist.  She told us just before we left she thought he had a few solos during the performance.  Indeed he did, two or three, which earned him a handshake from the conductor and some applause all his own.

We also saw the cellist we had seen perform as a soloist with Beaverton Symphony back in March (he's a Beaverton native).  I also saw the principal flutist the newspaper had done a huge spread on last month, when she was hired as Oregon Symphony's youngest principal player in 25 years.  She is only 22 and apparently a killer talent.

It was fun to see these musicians that have local connections.  It gives Oregon Symphony a community flavor for me, even as their star is rising on the national scene (their debut at Carnegie Hall last May generated lots of very positive attention).  Apparently the New York Times agrees with me in attributing this success to their conductor Carlos Kalmar.  He is phenomenal and quite the character.

Alright, enough about the symphony.  I could go on and on we had such a fabulous time.  Anyway, when we got home late that night we were very surprised to be greeted with cheerful, celebratory decorations!  Remember how I mentioned our babysitter (and violist extraordinaire) was at home with our kids?  Well, she enlisted everyone's help and created a homecoming fit for a couple celebrating their 12th Anniversary on the 12th!

Yes, that is Lucas on the couch watching Little Einstein's...with festive streamers over his cute little head!

Father/Son Camp out 2012

The annual father/son camp out was a week ago last week-end and I wanted to get pictures up on the blog.  I feel bad because Jake got razzed a little for bringing the camera along.  It didn't occur to me when I made him bring it that it's not a very "guy" thing to do.  It's alright, he was able to blame it on me and got bonus points for doing it for the Missus.  In any case, I really appreciate Jake's being a good sport about it and now we have some fun pictures!

 It was a memorable year, with Lucas getting to tag along for the first time.  It was a tricky spot for Jake since Lucas was probably a year younger than he "should" have been to go.  At the same time he's old enough to be very aware of what's going on and be super sad about getting left out.  So Jake made the sacrifice and brought him along.  It sounds like Lucas had an absolute blast and "only" ran off to play at the pond by himself once (oy!).

Joshua and Daniel declared they had had the time of their lives and I believe them.  They come back saying that pretty much every year.  Jake says they spent the vast majority of the time with "le cadre" and I am so thankful that there are so many boys their age to hang with.

Jake spent most of his time keeping an eye on Lucas but it sounds like he had plenty of opportunity to hang with the other dads too.  And most importantly he had time to make and pass around his specialty, cookie s'mores.

This year they got to go with the father/son duo of a family we're good friends with.  They all piled into their suburban and headed up together.  That's who's cool trailer tent that is, too.  I think the adults + Lucas slept in there and the then there was an "older kids" tent. 

Hooray for great weather over the father/son week-end 4 years running now!  Here's 'til next year!

vibrato!

Joshua's violin teacher has been having him do some exercises in preparation for vibrato since about the beginning of the year, and in the last few weeks she's been having him actually apply the technique to some of his simpler pieces.  I'm very pleased to report that there are some nice sounds coming from his violin!

The main thing here is that he is willing to do it.  I have seen several of his teacher's students dig in their heels at vibrato and basically fail to make much progress in this area.  I think it's because it is a new skill that doesn't feel natural and to be honest, doesn't sound very good up front.  In fact, after Joshua's first go his teacher made a comment, something about it sounding like a UFO landing down to earth,  but don't worry.  If you knew his teacher you'd know she could get away with saying that.

I think Joshua's at somewhat of a sweet spot, where he's young enough that self-consciousness doesn't get in the way and bless his heart, he is willing and eager.  During his practice I am basically acting like it's just the most natural thing, like why wouldn't he practice his vibrato?  It's just the next natural step in his progression.  So far so good, I really never want to be a pushy stage mom, that's not why we're doing this.  But at the same time I don't want him to feel like this is optional or that he only has to develop his technique half-way.

I have found it to be a delicate dance between parent and child with these things.  Joshua and I are both learning so much along the way not only about music but also about our relationship and such.  Valuable stuff to be sure.  It brings to mind what Jake said so wisely during a recent (unrelated) conversation; how they (our kids) feel about doing things is not to be discounted.

Anyway, I just wanted to record this here on the blog.  It will help for my own point of reference to know about when Daniel* (and any future Sorensen violinists) may be ready for this.  It may seem a small thing, but it is significant to me.  It marks real progress and maturity in Joshua and I just wanted to share in case anyone else wanted to be proud of him too!

*  I'm excited for Daniel since lefties have a natural advantage in developing their vibrato (it's done with their dominant hand and all).

Just Because

Here's what's going on around here this morning. Happy stuff!

Just as a side note, I am so so glad we went ahead and got this motorcycle!  It has been incredibly popular and well-used among our boys and pretty much every little guest that comes over; boy or girl.  We've had many a tussle over whose turn it is to ride.  I guess this means we're cool because we'd have to be to have such a cool toy ;)

 

Paint Job

It's been a couple of months now but back in January we got our master bedroom and bathroom painted and I wanted to document it here.  The story behind why we did it is long and boring and makes me look kind of bad so I'll spare you the details ;)  Suffice it to say we like it lots better now and are happy with the result.

It was quite the process picking just the right shades; one for the bedroom, one for the bathroom, one for the ceiling.  We tried a total of 15 colors which I think meant at least 4 or 5 trips to the paint store:

For the bedroom we ended up picking the shade that was my second favorite, we were worried my very favorite would be too dark (here in Oregon it's a good idea to keep things light).  I'm feeling wistful about my favorite but am loving the light airy feel the one we ultimately chose provides:

 

For the bathroom area we opted to go with what was basically the same color, just a shade lighter (it was one level up on the color card).  It works very, very well in this space and I think we picked the best color we could have here.  It creates a warm, soothing feel:

  

Caden's First Haircut!

I took Caden to the barbershop for his first haircut the other day.  We love this little barbershop, they are just perfect for our family of boys (thank you Laurie and Sarah!).  I took some before and after pictures but am bummed that you can't really tell much difference between the two.  You can totally tell in person though and it is great to have a baby with well kempt hair (it really was getting unruly).  I decided to post the pictures anyway because, well, I just really wanted to post pictures of my husband and our baby!


Before:

 After:

 "I am shorn!"

 

My Birthday!

And thus it ends, this March Madness of birthdays for our family, with my birthday on the 27th.  This was our first year celebrating all three March birthdays and I have to say we had a blast.  Sure it was stressful at times, like the one night I didn't get home from birthday shopping for Joshua & Caden until 11pm and then Jake and I had to stay up 'til past midnight wrapping the gifts on a school night, or when I was given one week notice to prepare my first ever Relief Society lesson in the middle of all this.  But overall it has been such a fun time for our family and what a great reason to party and celebrate multiple times in under 2 weeks!

To kick things off for my birthday some friends took me out the week before for dessert at Papa Haydn's.  This was our second time there and I have a feeling it won't be our last.  I love going out with these ladies!  We talked and laughed 'til way past closing on our first time around, but Papa Haydn's was very gracious (and delicious!) and I highly recommend it to anyone in the Portland area.

On the actual day of we got to wake up to birthday muffins a good friend had dropped by.  They were delicious and disappeared unbelievably fast. All the boys were home for spring break so we spent a leisurely morning and then met Jake for the lunch buffet at Round Table.  It is hardwired into my genetics, I love Round Table pizza and this particular location is so family friendly it's not even funny.  I brought plenty of quarters and the boys spent most of their time at the arcade in the back between bites of pizza. 

Check out Lucas' stash! He won all of this from the claw game over at the arcade (oy!). I didn't know a 3-year-old could work those things, but apparently lots goes on at that arcade while Jake and I talk and enjoy our pizza.

 

Jake came home from work with the chocolate cake and Baskin Robbins I had requested (thanks so much Jake!) and I opened my presents:

Lucas was my official gift-getter, a responsibility he took very seriously.  Maybe a little too seriously; he also designated himself my official gift-opener:

After our little shindig at home Jake took me to see Hunger Games.  We go out a lot but a birthday date is just that much more celebratory!

I feel kind of self-congratulatory doing a birthday post about myself, but I decided to swallow it and just go ahead since we had such a blast as a family and I want to be able to remember and look back on the great string of partying we got to do this March! Treasured memories for sure and I truly appreciate everyone who went out of their way to help me feel special and loved.  My husband and children, family and friends sure know how to spoil a gal!

Joshua's Birthday - Friend's Par-tay

Throwing a birthday party for a nine-year-old boy is a lot of fun!  We had a house full of 11 boys on Friday night (including our own four) and I am still basking in the glow and energy that they provided in abundance.  And Jake and I are still high-fiving that we pulled it all off!

Upon arrival we hired each boy as a Lego designer and had him work on a creation while we waited for everyone (and the pizza!) to arrive.  Each guest came up with something unique and awesome, of course. I took a picture of each designer with his creation and emailed it to his parents afterward. Here are the ones I would have emailed to myself!

Pizza!

Designing Pokemon cards:

This picture is fairly representative of what things looked like in between the planned activities.  The boys quickly and easily fell in to a game of their own creation which was great, but I suppose I should have let the parents know that we would be providing arms to each guest:

I love seeing Caden playing with a tractor in the background of this one!  I know this is Joshua's birthday party post but since he loves Caden so fiercely I don't think he'll mind my saying how much I love seeing our littlest guest in the background of so many of these pictures!  It's really fun to see Caden thoroughly enjoying the party and hanging with all the guys in his own baby way!  Too cute!

Here's the game we ended with while waiting for parents to arrive.  It involved a coat worn backwards, socks worn over the hands, a butter knife & fork and a chocolate bar: