Piano Update

"Mommy, I don't need this job anymore."

--Ryan on playing the piano

So the boys have been in semi-private piano/keyboarding lessons for the past month or so. It's just the two of them and me, so that helps a lot.  It adds one more thing to our nightly routine (which is already hectic!) but this is such a good thing for them. Studies show how beneficial learning to read and play music is for kids. Not to mention the discipline involved in learning to play an instrument. The boys have to practice each and every day, and they don't always like it, but it's good for them. I learned to play violin in 4th grade and the clarinet in middle school. I hate to toot my own horn (see what I did? Ha!) but I was a pretty good clarinetist. I regret not continuing to play, but I've been learning the piano along with the boys, so I'm rekindling my love of music through them. Ryan is the one who really wanted the lessons, but Evan is a natural at it. He has a really good ear and he catches on quickly. But then, he's over it and he doesn't like the repetition involved. Ryan is pretty good too. He works a little harder but he gets it. He is really good at staying focused and not getting distracted, and once he has it, he has it. We are working on Merrily We Roll Along and Ode to Joy. We have two weeks to learn them both...wish us luck!