Superior

Lisette has been working hard practicing the piano and memorizing her songs for Federation. On Saturday, she went to Kingsbury Hall and played her songs for the Federation judges. She played “Merlin’s Dream” and “Irish Jig.”

She was a little nervous, and she made a couple of small errors, but she got a rating of Superior! I’m so pleased on how well she’s been playing. She plays with a lot of feeling and style. It’s so nice to hear the nice music she makes at home!

Chinese food - cub scout style

On Saturday Lisette had her piano recital. She memorized a piece called Malaguena and gave a great performance. Her friends Joy and Camille also performed, so after they were done they ran around and had some fun. I think the boys had more patience listening to all of the students play knowing their would be cookies afterwards.

Afterwards we went to the cub scout Blue and Gold Banquet. It was themed to the Chinese new year. The had really great decorations, but the "chinese food" was the best part, it was really funny! It was if they took the old standard "potato bar" and switched rice for potatoes.

So after you dished out your rice, this is the choice of toppings:

• Cream of chicken soup
• Cheese
• Celery
• Green onions (those were hardly touched)
• Green peas
• Corn
• Chow mein noodles

It kind of reminds me when an army buddy took his mother-in-law who was visiting from Mexico to Taco Bell. She said, "Wow, this is really interesting, what kind of food is this."

"Mexican," he replied.

Piano lessons

On Saturday Lisette had a piano recital. She played an arrangement of the William Tell Overture. Lots of other kids played their songs and afterwards there were cookies to snack on (that was a big plus for the boys and Saffron.)


Lisette is pretty good at practicing, though she does miss a few days. But she seems to really enjoy playing, so we're glad that my parents left the piano with us when they moved to Alaska. I'm impressed about how much she has improved this last year. Her songs are getting more complex and she plays them with a lot of style.

Melinda's aunt, Robin, is her piano teacher. Lisette also enjoys lessons because she can stay and play with Joy when they're over. I hope she wants to stick with it; I quit piano lessons when I was a kid and I regret it. I'm looking forward for the day that I can sit back in an easy chair and listen to Lisette playing ragtime on the upright piano.