The pool is officially open for the summer! We made our first trip to the pool on Saturday. We grabbed Jimmy John's and hung out for the afternoon. It was a beautiful day!
On Sunday, Morgan hung out with friends all day. Matt and I took Avery to her piano competition. She played Fur Elise and got a superior ribbon. She was disappointed that she didn't place. It was actually the lowest she's ever scored in the competition and pretty surprising to all of us. But, judging is subjective, so things can go differently with different judges. We told her you can't get too wrapped up in one person's opinion. We grabbed ice cream on the way home, which of course always helps! :)
From one event straight to the next... we all headed from Wheaton to Elmhurst to catch the piano recital. Avery had lunch in the car and changed clothes at Jimmy Johns because she had to be at the church early to warm up. Morgan and Matt met us at the church later (Morgan had to get her medal and grab some lunch). My parents also came to the recital. The boys and Avery all played songs. Hunter had to leave early for a baseball game.
She wasn't super happy with her performance, but it's a tough song! We are still proud of her for getting up in front of a church full of people and playing. :)
Avery participated in the Illinois Music Association annual state competition. She played two movements of a sonatina. The competition breaks the kids into groups of about 10 based on their level and age. She was in the Junior 1 division this year. Another of her piano teacher's students was in this same group. He normally tries to split them up, but couldn't this time. We just like to make sure she isn't in a group against Grayson, so that the cousins don't have to compete against each other. :) Each group gives out trophies to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. The rest of the kids get ribbons.
There were three kids in her group that played multiple movement pieces. The others played shorter songs. Avery played great! Maybe a little faster than she normally plays, but that was probably because she was so nervous! When she sat back down, she looked at me and said her hands were shaking!
After all the kids played, I knew who the winner would be. The girl that played after Avery was flawless and played a difficult song. It was actually the song Avery played in the competition last year, but Avery only played the first movement last year. The other two spots were going to Jim's two students, Avery and Bella, but I didn't know the order. Avery ended up with 3rd place and Bella took 2nd! There was a 0.5 point difference in their scores, so it was close!
Grayson got a 1st place in his room! Hunter and Beckett got ribbons. Beckett played in a later group, so we didn't get pictures with him.
Here is the score sheet they gave her with comments on her performance.
We are so proud of Avery for practicing and getting up there to compete! I'm not sure who is more nervous when she does these things... me or her! ;)
Avery and the Wilken boys had their winter piano recital on Sunday afternoon. Avery played the first half of the sonatina she has been working on. She played great! :)
Afterwards, Avery chose Starbucks to celebrate her great performance!
Not only was Avery doing Cinderella this weekend, she also had a piano competition on Saturday morning. She played the same song from her recital. She got 48 out of 50 points, which got her a 3rd place trophy. The judge wrote some really nice comments about her piano playing. We are all super proud of her!
Yesterday was the Spring Piano Recital and Avery, Grayson, Beckett and Hunter participated in it. (Morgan doesn't take lessons.) Hunter came straight from a baseball game, so he wasn't with us beforehand for pictures. Morgan was at Lizzie's birthday party, so she skipped the recital this time. We had Grandma Ruth and my parents in the cheering section. I didn't get any pictures with my parents, though!
Avery had her winter piano recital on Sunday. She played a piece called "The Harp" and then she played "I Just Can't Wait to Be King" from the Lion King. She did great! I was a little worried because she was kind of inconsistent when she practiced, but she was ready on the day of the recital. The boys also played songs (they all have the same piano teacher). Morgan was even inspired during the recital and said she wants to start piano lessons. I'm not so sure about that... but we'll see! Of course, she has a new thing she wants to do everyday!
Today, Avery participated in the IMA piano competition at Wheaton College. Grayson, Beckett and Hunter also participated. Originally, Avery and Grayson were competing in the same group against each other. But, their piano teacher was able to move Avery so that they wouldn't be up against each other. When we showed up, they didn't have Avery on the schedule at the new time, so she was a little upset and worried she wouldn't be able to compete. But, we were able to get it all worked out!
Avery played Night Clouds, the song from her recent recital. She did mess up one note, but kept on playing. She also got dinged for playing the low note at the end too loud. But, other than that her performance was very good! She ended up with a second place trophy! I think she was able to pull it off even with her mistakes because her song was a more difficult choice for her level.
Here is Avery's warm-up and performance:
After the competition, if you win a trophy you have to come sign the paper and pick it up.
We were lucky that Mama and Papa were in town and were able to see the kiddos perform at the competition.
Here's Avery's score sheet... she got some nice feedback!
Grayson had competed earlier in the day (at Avery's original time slot) and he got a 1st place! Erin said that two other kids played Avery's same song during that time slot. So, lucky we got moved!
Sunday morning started with an early morning soccer game for Avery's tournament. Morgan helped out the team again.
The girls goofing off before the game
Morgan action shot!
They ended up winning 5-1. Morgan scored 2 goals, one was from a free kick (which I actually got on video!)
We grabbed some quick lunch, but didn't have much time before we had to get ready for Avery's piano recital. A few pictures of her before the recital...
Here she is playing her song:
The boys also played in the recital. Grayson had to leave early for a football game, but we got pictures outside with the other boys.
Avery had a piano recital on Sunday. She played two songs - Etude in F and Let It Go from Frozen (which was just a fun one to do). She was nervous, but did great! Jim, the piano teacher, said she has great technique and sounded really good! :) Grayson also played in the recital. Beckett and Hunter skipped this recital because Erin had bought tickets to see Lion King before she knew about the recital date.
Morgan and I waiting for the recital to start
Avery with "Mr. Jim"
Grandma is slouching, but the girls are getting pretty tall!
We are now the proud owners of a baby grand piano! You may wonder how this happened?!? Well, our piano teacher found this online being sold by a couple that was planning a move and didn't want their grandmother's old piano anymore. Jim (our piano teacher) went to check it out and said it was in excellent condition and that Avery just HAD to have it! Ha! And so, now we have it! It really is in great condition and Avery loves playing it!
Avery participated in a piano competition on Sunday, along with the Wilken boys. It was through the Illinois Music Association. Their piano teacher arranged everything. Avery played the same song she had played at the recital. She wasn't nervous until we pulled into the parking lot! The kids are broken up into groups based on their level and age. Each group has about 8 people. They award 1st, 2nd, and 3rd trophies and then ribbons - superior, excellent and very good. So, everyone at least will get a very good ribbon.
She played really well, just a few small issues that the judges pointed out. She did go a bit fast, but I think that may have been the nerves. She ended up with a 3rd place trophy and she was so happy!
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