A "Hallet" finds a Home

I mentioned previously that an exciting event has occurred in our home. To be quite honest, all the pregnancy vibes floating around the blogosphere have given me a little bit of baby fever. As completely irrational as it is and would be, I almost wish I could share news of another human baby....but that is NOT the case!

Instead, I have a new baby of the not human kind, and not the furry kind either. I feel almost as unworthy to have this baby as I do my four biological children! Anyway, we were made an offer that we couldn't refuse on this beautiful "Hallet and Davis, Co., of Boston" baby grand piano. I've been calling her "Hallie", much to my childrens' chagrin. The day she was delivered here to our home was a very exciting day....it really was like getting a new family member. An investment for a lifetime. As I mentioned, I do feel very inadequate to have such a beautiful instrument, but I'm already practicing more and playing more daily than I have in many years. Every Sunday morning, I have the privilege of playing a beautiful piano, and that is usually when I do most of my practice time, before services on Sundays. Now, I am committed to applying myself more to all the things that I have forgotten or set aside. Not to mention, with 3 of the children taking piano lessons, it has been wonderful to have this new blessing.

My old piano sits forlorn in the corner having seen better days for sure. I've had that piano since I was 4. I'm hoping that my brother will want it since he's "setting up house" in a few short months with his soon-to-be-bride. Just hauling it off somewhere would be a little sad for a sentimental sap like me.

So, now that the "mystery" has been uncovered, it's on to the pictures!

Waiting very excitedly for the instrument to arrive.

The movers showed up right on time.One insanely heavy creature, she is! I love the way the Hallet &Davis Co beautifully finishes even the bottom of the piano; it's as beautiful beneath as on top!Just adjusting the artist bench that came with it, and we're good to go.Lauren takes her "for a spin". Mommy did too, but I won't be posting that unsightly picture! :)

Ahhhh....such a beauty!

I wanted to post some after shots of the work my hubby did on the landscaping. I just couldn't bear to leave it at those 'undone' photos! (I am especially delighted with the 'blushing bride' hydrangeas that Derek indulged me in!). It still has a ways to go, since we bought fledgling plants and shrubs. By this time next year it should be blossoming quite nicely

We are still basking in our wonderful weekend with having Brent here for a concert yesterday, and being able to have Sonja come along too! We had an awesome time together and got some great pictures to boot! I plan to blog on that later. This is just a 'hold-over'!

Blessings on you all this Monday morning,
Tara

P.S. I FINALLY UPDATED MY RECOMMENDATION STUFF AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE! IT'S THE STUFF IN THE FUNKY YELLOW COLOR! I WAS JUST TRYING TO DIFFERENTIATE FROM THE PREVIOUS STUFF. AS ALWAYS, YOU MUST SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM TO FIND MY RECOMMENDATION LIST. THANKS!

A Week in Pictures

The story of my life this week can best be told in pictures. Busy week of school-work with the children. It was a good one, though. Lauren has been learning about early Rome, and had done a study on Augustus Cesear. It was exciting to her this week, to learn that Jesus was born during this Emperor's reign. Part of her assigned history reading was the story of Jesus' birth from the Bible! She thought that was so cool and it just brought the History to life for her so much more. She is also learning the first steps of composition writing, what it means to proofread, etc. In Math, the focus is on adding and subtracting multiple numbers along with listing their related fact families. She has fun with that. It was a good week of the three R's for her!

Cameron has also been busy working on finishing up Kindergarten. The primary focus there is, of course, READING! But we're also working on writing. This seems to be harder with boys than with girls, in my experience. But we're getting there! He is also learning all about the 13 Colonies, and Early American History. This is proving to be a fun study for the whole family, as we are planning a family vacation to D.C. in a few weeks. I feel they will be better prepared to appreciate the things we see and experience after having learned about it beforehand.

We also worked very hard in our yard landscaping this weekend. (Derek hates it when I say "we" since he really did the bulk of the hard work!) But I did help and so did the kids! At this point, I only have 'before' pics, because we're gonna have to finish up in the morning. Saturday just went by way too fast, as we had my Dad's birthday dinner to attend that evening.










But these are a few pics of the work in progress. I will need to post some 'after' shots when it looks better!


We did enjoy a nice evening out
celebrating my dad's birthday.
Went to one of the best steak-houses around,
and had fun hanging out with the fam.







AND FINALLY, I HAVE SAVED THE BEST FOR LAST. IN HONOR OF MY DEAR FRIEND, HEEEERULD, I WILL POST A FEW PICS OF OUR WONDERFUL TRIP TO THE ALE8 FACTORY. PLEASE ENJOY!




A picture of the bust of the GENIUS who created Ale8, Mr. Wainscott. View reverently, please.

So there you have it. My last seven days in a snapshot view. Not too terribly exciting, I know. But it was time for a new blog and this is what I have to offer!
Hope you all have a fantabulous week!

Blessings,
Tara