Final Concerts in Indianapolis

Last weekend Anna and Michael had their final violin and cello concerts as members of the Indianapolis Academy of music. Anna's music was challenging and we have had many interruptions during the past two months, but she played well. I can't even think about saying goodbye to her teacher Kathy Hershberger, who has become such a good friend and been such an amazing teacher. We already said a teary farewell to Michael's teacher Cara Miller who is leaving the academy and teaching full time at IU in Bloomington. She has been commuting to Indy (1 hour 20 min.) to teach in the Indianapolis Academy. As the cello group began their first song of the dress rehearsal, "French Folksong," the mom sitting next to me and I started to cry. I can't explain how these simple songs become such a big part of your life when you practice instruments with your kids. I view the opportunity to take lessons from these two great women as two of the greatest blessings of our time in Indiana.

Easter

I came home from our trip to Utah for Grandma Holdaway’s funeral with a nasty cold. It kept our Easter celebration simple, but there were Easter baskets and Anna and Sarah sort of had matching dresses. Anna dumped the candy from her basket into a plastic bag and her pink rubber duck began nesting in her basket of grass right away. Michael hasn't set his light saber down. Travis took the girls to church while Michael and I stayed home sick. My sweet visiting teacher actually taught RS for me. I hope that she will be blessed and that I will never have to ask for that kind of service again! Michael was supposed to give a talk, but in his place Anna bore her testimony in primary. Having attended both her great-grandma and great-grandpa Holdaway’s funerals in March and April, it was a good time for her to bear her testimony of the Savior’s Resurrection.

Old Toys Rediscovered

Michael Max received this rocking horse for his first birthday. He never took to it as a young toddler, but Anna adopted it and named it Brony (the Pony) and later renamed it Alice, when all things had to be girls. When we brought it in from the garage and wiped the dust from it, Sarah (10 mo.) squawked until we set her on it. She sat on it happily for ten minutes, then squawked to get down. She even likes it when her brother "helps her rock." I love seeing old toys loved again.