Two Recitals

Max and Riley both had Spring recitals. Max had a ballet recital class, his final class of the year, and Riley played several pieces at a soiree that his teacher organizes at the end of each year.

Max, the leader of his class and is used by the teacher to set the example. Riley plays a Scarlatti Sonata and a Chopin Prelude.

It's been a busy Spring so far.  We still have about 5 weeks of school left.

Loading into the MET!

  The boys helped me take some things down to the MET to get ready for the beginning of the ABT season. Riley played on every piano he saw and gave us a short recital in List Hall.  The concert grand in the orchestra pit was still locked as it had just been moved into place for tomorrow's rehearsal and Gala opening.

It was Mother's Day today and we started off with pancakes and a bike ride in Central Park!

Riley's Charlotte Recital

One of the most amazing things that happened in Charlotte aside from seeing all of the relatives was that Riley got to play on his great-grandmother's 1947 Steinway.  It was the first piano to come to Charlotte from Germany after World War II.  She was very proud of it. It's now with my cousin, Charlie Henley.  They had it tuned and fixed up for Riley's impromptu recital.

My mom and Aunt Tet were there as well and it was amazing to be seated in the midst of the musical atavistic line starting with my grandmother, Shessie, through my mom and me to Riley.  He played 4 pieces, two Mozart sonatas, a Scarlatti sonata and Dr. Gradus ad Parnassum by Debussy.  Here's the video:

Wedding Weekend in Charlotte

We took a very short family trip to Charlotte to go to the wedding of Daniel and Rachel. Most of my family were there and it was wonderful to see everyone and reconnect. There were two camps, the Sims who stayed with Jake and Patricia’s, and the Barkers who stayed at the Hyatt in downtown Charlotte. Friday evening everyone descended on Jake’s house for a cookout and backyard fun for the kids.  There was a large open-pit barbecue over which the kids toasted marshmallows for s’mores! 

We played various sports and had to chase some homeruns over the fence into other people’s yards!  There were some strong hitters.  Mona and Tet were there and seemed to have a good time.

Back at the hotel there were some pool activities and much eating and drinking! The wedding was in a lovely setting in Charlotte and it all went off without a hitch (no pun intended!). Here are two videos from the weekend.

Snow and Sledding in Central Park

We had an excellent time playing in the snow and sledding last Saturday. Here's the evidence to prove it.

Hawk Watching in Central Park

It was a lovely late autumn day the Saturday after Thanksgiving and we were out in the Rambles of Central Park just hiking around when we saw Pale Male, the New York City Red Tail Hawk sitting in a high branch checking things out.  We rented a row boat and went out on the lake and got another good view of the hawk.

It is amazing that all this hiking and woodsy adventure is right in the middle of New York City.