Bode Superior

Bode participated in the Colorado Springs Music Festival.  He did this same festival last year, and the format was the same.  Bode had to memorize two pieces of music, and then provide the sheet music to the judges.  He then had to perform the music from memory in front of judging panel.  Yes, it seems a bit nerve-wracking, but Bode didn't show any signs of anxiety.  We were allowed in the room for the performance, but, like last year, there was a big sign on the door that say no recording of any kind was allowed.  Thus, we only have our memory of Bode's playing, which was exceptional--note perfect on both pieces and I also believe the dynamics were spot on.  Here's a picture of Bode with Mommy holding up the blue-superior ribbon.

Bode and I also got a shot together, but this was before he was awarded his Superior rating.  Note also how tall Bode is getting--just past Ashley's shoulder, which is just scaring the crap out of the both of us.

Finally, a close-up of the ribbon and certificate.

The festival is structured such that if you participate for three years in a row, and get a Superior for each performance, then you will be awarded a gold-cup.  Bode is very excited about this possibility, but we have told him he needs to keep practicing because next year's pieces will be that much harder.

It's the end of February, so this means it's time to get ready for the garden.  I spent some time putting up some lattice for the ever-growing raspberry bushes, and I also planted some seedlings.  I have planted pumpkins, melons, corn, and peppers.  Thus, far, only the corn and the melons have hatched, but it has only been seven days.  Here's hoping to continued good indoor-growing :-)

Work is going great (there's always one lie in each blog post)...but spring break is only four short weeks away.  Pleasant week to all.

Warm Skiing

We headed up to Breckenridge on Thursday evening.  We had a feeling Bode would be "sick" on Friday :-)  The weather was incredibly warm for February--45 degrees and sunny.  The mountains were pounded with close to five feet of snow in early January, but they haven't received much since.  This is not to say we had a bad time; quite the contrary, we always enjoy our time skiing.  Per the usual, I took some pictures.  First up is Mommy and Bode just after riding the Falcon lift, which happens to be Ashley's favorite.

Next is a shot, albeit a poor one, of Ashley and Bode.  They are one of the little dots in the picture below.  I wanted to take the picture earlier, but I fumbled the camera.

I then took a movie of Bode skiing.  Obviously it was a beautiful day.

Someone right after this movie was taken, the fun quickly ended.  Riding up the Colorado chair, Ashley realized, with awful dread, that she no longer had her phone.  What a sick feeling that must have been.  We tried to figure out the last she had it, and it was on the other side of the mountain.  We said our goodbyes, and she hot-footed it over to peak 10.  We told her we'd meet her at the car.  Bode and I leisurely made our way back to the base of Peak 9, and decided to stop for some professional pictures, which we pirated off the website.  We look happy, but pictures are more fun with Ashley.

While waiting for Ashley, I decided to call her phone, and amazingly, someone answered.  They had found the phone, and were back at their condo.  Ten minutes later, Ashley arrived at the car, dejected and downbeat, but her spirits quickly lifted when I told her the good news.  She met up with the Samaritans, and then we had a nice lunch at Eric's.

We lazed around the rest of the day.  The skiing was good, and Bode is doing great.  However, I had elbow surgery a couple weeks ago, and couldn't really plant with my pole, or really move my left arm in a normal balancing fashion while skiing.  Thus, we decided not to ski on Saturday (that and the fact it was crappy weather).  We did go to the rec center and played in the pool, but otherwise, a very uneventful weekend.

Back to work tomorrow--boooooooo! :-)  Pleasant week to all.