Grandma Henke

 

These are the Southern Utah grandchildren tonight at the piano recital.  I was so pleased with how the five oldest girls bravely performed on the piano and for Steele’s job of being our announcer.   Aren’t they all beautiful in their pretty Christmas dresses?   And doesn’t Steele look handsome?

Steele didn’t want to take piano lessons this year.  He said it “isn’t my thing right now.”   We decided he is such a good talker and comedian that he should be our announcer and he didn’t let us down!  I had typed out a script for him and he’d practiced it but when he got up there and started one paragraph he started it and then said, “Wait, I don’t want to say that.”  I said, “You are the announcer you have to say what is on the script.”   So reluctantly he read, “A year ago these girls didn’t even know how to play the piano and now they are so good I am proud of how hard they have worked and how well they play.”    Then he happily went on to his first joke.

                                                                                                                This little sweetie liked the candy table.   I love her beautiful red curls and sweetness.   She was so sweet during the recital.  She was sitting on my lap and the next one younger got jealous and she gave up her seat and sat beside me!   She is like that.

Grace played three songs.  The first was Peter, Peter Pumpkin Eater … why is it a Christmas song?   Well, doesn’t everyone love pumpkin pie?   She also played Joy To The World and Away In A Manger.   Kerra was kind to sit by her and help her with her music.

Chloe had her song completely memorized!   She played Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer.  Each of the girls stood before the guests and introduced themselves and told what songs they would be playing.   They all did it so well!

 

Kerra and Faith played two duets, Jingle Bells, and Angels We Have Heard on High.   They did so well to stay together and keep the timing right!    They have really practiced hard to do this as a surprise for their parents.

 

Faith played a Christmas Medley of: Good King Wenceslas, We Three Kings of Orient Are, I Saw Three Ships Come Sailing In, Go Tell It On The Mountain, and The Snow Lay On The Ground.   Like all the girls she was poised and did a fabulous job.   It just thrilled me to see what all these girls have learned in just one year!

Kerra played Up On The House Top, and My Favorite Things from The Sound of Music.   She has been very helpful to her younger sisters in helping them practice at home.    All the girls have been helpful to each other and very encouraging.   It’s nice to see them excited for each other without any display of envy or jealousy.   They just all wanted each other to do well.

Kaitlyn played I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas, O Little Town of Bethlehem, What Child Is This, and Oh Come All Ye Faithful.  She really pushed the last few days to perfect the hardest of these, which was O Little Town of Bethlehem and she did a great job on it!   She is on her 3rd day of wearing contact lenses.

Afterwards everyone enjoyed cookies and punch and the performers gathered around to receive their surprise from Grandma.   It was a fun Christmas program.   I can’t encourage people enough to do whatever it takes to provide music lessons for the children.  It helps their confidence, their self esteem, and how well they do in their school studies.   You will never regret the effort or sacrifice it takes.