Ahhh…running the bases on a hot Sunday afternoon at Kauffman Stadium. July 6, 2002 found us, once again, at a Royals game celebrating Rod’s birthday. After the game, the kids get to run the bases (more importantly, so does Linda).
Many, many happy memories with running the bases with the girls. They’ve been doing it since they were born – really.
Occasionally, they get to take in some batting practice with Sluggerrrr at the Little K.
Linda has been hard at work coordinating a joint conference between the Kansas and Missouri Music Teachers Association, being held this weekend.
The keynote speakers are Dr. Randall Faber and his wife, Nancy Faber. They have authored some of the most popular piano teaching books; many piano students have likely played some of their material.
Dr. Faber performed a most wonderful concert last night at the conclusion of the conference day. Mozart, Chopin, Liszt, Debussy, and Gershwin were offered to the audience in amazing lyricism and technical prowess. Most enjoyable.
Afterwards, the kids met with them and got autographs on their respective books.
Linda’s paternal grandmother turned 95 years old the other day. We met today with some of the family to celebrate with her.
Congratulations, Neva. We had a wonderful afternoon with you – the chocolate cake was awesome!
Anna and Emily stayed up late and then got up early to finish up the banner that they hung over the entry into the kitchen.
They took every free moment they had yesterday to create cards on the computer. We really had a nice time before church.
The girls served as alter servers this morning, giving me and Linda the opportunity to sit quietly in the pew to enjoy the service…and then a family with 4 kids under age 5 sat right behind us. God sure has a great sense of humor.
We had lunch at Zardas (awesome barbecue) and dinner at Jose Peppers (even more awesome mexican) – mm, mm, good.
Finally, as a special gift, I mowed the lawn so Linda wouldn’t have to.
So, this blog has been up and running for a couple weeks now and there’s been very little mention of Linda. The real reason for this is that she’s usually not in the picture. Always busy and frequently behind the video camera – she rarely gets her picture taken.
However, she is the rock of this family. Full time mother, full time wife, full time piano teacher…she is always busy.
The end of her spring teaching semester is coming to a close, but the judging season has picked up. She’s out of town here and there listening to other kids play for her. Last week she judged in a small Missouri town and they requested a picture that could be given to the local paper so her picture could accompany the story about her coming to judge. The above picture is the one she gave.
Beautiful wife, adoring mother – we love you!
This weekend is filled with rehearsals and concerts for the 2010 Kansas City Music Teachers Association Multi-Piano Concert. This concert involves 18 grand pianos on stage with 2 players at each piano. This duets-only concert includes around 20 pieces that have different sets of players on each set. It’s like an orchestra of pianos.
All four of us are playing again this year. I’m playing with Anna; Anna is playing with Emily; Linda is playing with Emily and also with several other students. It really is a lot of fun.
The picture is from the yesterday’s rehearsal.
I have been talking to Linda for the past year about getting her a new bike. Actually, it’s been more like begging…and it’s been more like 3 years. Ever since I fell in love with biking, I’ve wanted her to join me.
Now, I really prefer to be ride my thick-tired, full-suspension mountain bike on dirt trails over big roots and even bigger rocks. Linda, however, prefers pavement. Actually, Linda prefers her 1980 Schwinn 10-speed that she got in 6th grade.
I’ve asked many times to help her find a new bike that is lighter, faster, and more adult-sized. However, she has threatened me with bodily harm if I ever brought a new bike home – and then she’d take the bike back after I lay bloody on the floor.
In the past year, Linda found the exercise bike at the gym to be a great workout that also allowed her to read at the same time. She also recently decided to do a portion of the Bike Across Kansas trip this year. If she was going to do this, a new bike was in order.
Today was the day we found just the right bike – a Trek FX 7.3. She won’t admit it, but I think she’s VERY happy. Along with the bike, we also purchased a CycleOps Magneto trainer so we can use our bikes inside during not-so-great weather (I also have a road-hybrid for pavement riding).
Congratulations, Linda, on getting such a cool new bike!