Heavenly Harps

Today, we attended the first of 5 mini educational concerts aimed at children who are 3-6 years old. These presentations are a fun, interactive way for the youngest listeners to learn about the instruments of the orchestra. The PNC Musical Rainbow concerts are performed by Cleveland Orchestra musicians and are hosted by a local actress and singer Maryann Nagel. Children have the chance to sing, clap, and move to the music as they have fun learning all about instruments.
Today's concert brought us to the 400-seat Reinberger Chamber Hall at Severance Hall. I had never been inside before but I wasn't surprised at how beautiful it was. It definitely had the "wow"-factor when you walked through the doors to the auditorium. We were lucky enough to get seats right up front so Grace could move around a little before the performance began. As you can see from the background, the show today was about harps.



Trina Struble, principal harpist for the Cleveland Orchestra, and Jody Guinn of the Cleveland Opera, shared their experience and love of the instrument with the children and their families.





Later, we went outside and walked around a little. But it was cold so we didn't stay long.Grace was in a silly mood but she allowed me to take a few pictures with little complaining.And, now....for the out-takes!This is what she did when I said, "Give me a pose!" Where does she come up with this stuff?

Preschool Parade

Today was the Halloween parade at Grace's school. I got lucky because we had a teacher professional development day and I was able to leave work for a little while to go watch. It was cold - only 40 degrees - with a little drizzle, but the kids didn't seem to mind. There are no words to explain how proud Grace seemed about her princess costume (even if her teacher made the kids wear their coats!) and how thrilled she was to see me there! That little girl smiled from ear to ear the entire time her class marched around the parking lot!

Coming down the steps with her class.

I love global warming

I realize that is not a politically correct thing to say. I totally get that global warming is responsible for some pretty devastating things for our Earth....melting of the ice caps, warming of the oceans, droughts, floods, crazy storms at unexpected times of the year....but it also means 75 degree temperatures in Ohio near the end of October....and I certainly can't complain about that!

On Sunday, we played outside for as much of the day as we could. We played in the yard, went to the playground, and then took Daisy to the dog park. That meant a bath and a good scrubbing for Grace and some extra laundry for me. But, again....nothing to complain about!

Can you see the "G"?

When my parents were here they helped Grace learn to spell her name and Nana and Grace did their "work" which included Grace learning to write the letter G. The other night she proudly showed us this G (can you see it in the middle on the right side?) that she did all alone. She took a wooden block with a G on it, went in her room, and came out with this. How cool!

We did it again!

For the third fall in a row we went trick-or-treating at the zoo! They call the event "Boo at the Zoo" and bill it as safe Halloween fun. The zoo does a nice job of having employees and volunteers at about 10 different themed trick-or-treat stations along the main zoo path. At some stations the kids get full-sized candy bars but most are non-candy treats and even stickers and coloring books and crayons. Grace was very independent this year, going up to get her treats alone, saying "trick or treat" and "thank you", and walking the entire time! This is BIG because she often asks Kyle to pick her up and put her on his shoulders. But the one time he picked her up she immediately asked to get down. I think she was enjoying the freedom wandering around in her princess dress. We also had to laugh when she walked away to look at the sloth bear (who was wide awake and very active) and then turned around and didn't see us for a second. We were both standing there together, watching her but she looked into the crowd and didn't recognize us and loudly called out, "Mommy, Daddy, where are you?". About 20 carved pumpkins were on display, too. Some of them were really creative. We might have to copy some of those ideas next year. Grace also rode the zoo's new carousel for the first time. There are 33 animals. This time she chose the kangaroo but we think we might make riding every one our goal before our membership expires next fall! And, she also rode the choo-choo train....an old standby and favorite! I love how she just gets right in there without any hesitation. But she has been on it enough times to know exactly what to do.

Voodoo

Voodoo was the nickname Jimi Hendrix had for his famous white guitar. I am sure Grace hasn't come up with a name for this adorable pink child-size guitar Kyle bought her, but since she insists on holding and playing it the opposite way of most people (like Jimi Hendrix), I figured we could borrow his guitar's name for now!When I started looking, I was surprised to find out how many famous musicians play (or played) with their left hand - Jimi Hendrix, Paul McCartney, Kurt Cobain, Billy Ray Cyrus, and Justin Beiber - to name a few. Most have the strings changed so they are in the correct order (bass on top) but some play the way Grace is doing it - backwards!

Mirror, mirror on the wall....

I think I found the fairest of them all!Nana and Ba got a preview of Grace in her Snow White Halloween costume.

After a bumblebee in 2008... and Boots from Dora the Explorer in 2009...

I am thrilled that Grace wanted to be a princess this year. I figure I'd better take advantage of all the girly, frilly stuff while I can get it!

A safari in Ohio? Yes!

On Saturday, we took Nana and Ba to one of our favorite places from last year. We first visited Wagon Trails back in September 2009 and thought it was so great that we knew we would return. I am sure as we made the 45 minute drive out there they didn't expect to see so many animals - including camels, zebras, water buffalo, ostriches, miniature ponies, and longhorns - up close and personal! But after our safari adventure, they both said it was worth the trip!

This is really "up close and personal"!The camels were my favorite.

They put their heads right in the wagon and tried to steal the food bucket!Nana was a good sport.
She even held the bucket for the ostriches who were a little aggressive.

At the end of the wagon ride Grace had a chance to feed some smaller animals. She tucked some food into her pocket especially for the pygmy goats. You can see how eager they were to get a little nibble!

Oh yeah! I was there, too!

John Deere?

I am REALLY not a country girl. But, I couldn't resist taking some photos of this enormous tractor parked in front of a field of corn. Somehow, it is just so Ohio, so fall, so country. Grace loved it. I think she was shocked when I told her it was okay to climb up. But once she got up there she asked for the keys! Did she really think she was going to drive it?Thanks to my mother being there Grace posed a little for me!And the ultimate city girl even got in there for her own photo shoot! I think it is funny how these two girly-girls put their feet up on the wheel trying to look "tough".

Singing in the rain

Actually, when the were doing this, it was windy....but it wasn't raining. I love how they laugh together!How do you like Grace's first umbrella? We went to Toys R Us and she could have come out with just about any toy. But this is what she chose!