My First Piano Recital --OR-- "Mommy, I Can See That Christmas Tree From Space!"

Last night was my FIRST piano recital, as a piano TEACHER anyway. I won't be posting any pictures, since my students' parents may not consider the fact that I have a non-private blog a teaching bonus. You will have to rely on my larger than life descriptions.

I think I was more nervous for last night than any recital I ever performed in as a student. Thankfully, since you can't step in the same river twice, my nerves were assuaged by the time I had my second recital this afternoon. Although I started out teaching piano a little afraid that I wouldn't be good at it, or that I wouldn't bond with my students, over the course of the last few months I have grown more confident in my abilities, and I have grown particularly fond of my students. By last night I was feeling quite invested in them, and had my hopes high for a successful night. I had also mostly made up my mind that I was also going to play something, and have spent the last few days subjecting my poor family to "Mary Did You Know?" ad nauseum.

I will say this: It's a good thing I wore a black shirt, because by the end of the recital I had sweat my way through it. I couldn't believe my prolific moisture release. I will also say this: My students did great! I was beaming with pride. The majority of my students are beginners, and it was completely rewarding to see the metamorphosis from a child who knows nothing of piano to a child who can play a song in only a matter of months. I know that they worked hard to prepare, so I hope they felt equally rewarded by the appreciation of their audience, as well as their teacher. Kate's take on the whole affair? "All that clapping gave me a HUGE headache!"

On another note, I made up my mind to tone the Christmas decor WAY down this year, since the majority of our holidays will be spent in Phoenix. Kate and Bruce both were a little disappointed at the prospect of dialing things down, so we made a trip to Big Lots tonight with my mom to see if we couldn't find a tree that would be a little smaller, and not such a giant task to put up and down. Our mission was successful. Then Kate spied a two foot tall pink Christmas tree. She begged and begged for a tree in her room, and since it was only ten bucks, and since Bruce had actually called me a Scrooge, I let her get it. Then of course she needed sparkly pearl garland and shiny ornaments. The poor tree is so heavy laden with decorations that it is prone to tipping (maybe it's just giving up, really).


Kate took the picture so sorry about the finger in the corner there, but check out how jazzed Kiki is about it. It takes a lot of excitement to elicit an "Underbite Smile."