Paprika's First Piano Recital!

Paprika had her very first piano recital yesterday - and she did great! Grandma Pat came down from Santa Barbara for the occasion.  Here she is with the girls just after she arrived:




One of my 13 Goals for 2013 was to take at least one family photo every month.  Well, January was coming to a close and I still hadn't done it!  So, Grandma Pat took this quick photo of the five of us. 

My goal with the once/month family photos is just to get us all in the picture - I am trying not to be mired in perfection or worried about us all looking perfect.  Because that's not reality. 

The reality is that Ginger isn't a fan of posing for pictures - and she lets us know it.  Haha!  One day I know I will look back on this photo with Ginger grimacing as a precious snapshot of our family.  I love that it is real.  I often wonder about photos that are so beautiful and posed, and well...not really REAL. 

My goal with my photos is to remember the reality of each day - the good, the bad, the out of place hairs, and the mismatching outfits.  And how beautiful it all is, even when it's not perfect.  :-)





This is a photo of me and Mr. M right before we got in the van to go to the recital.  I had Pat take a quick pic of the two of us - I need to do that more often.  I cherish the pictures I have of just me and Mr. M   :-)





Here we are at the recital.  Paula and Daryle, my neighbors and friends, came to support Paprika.  They brought flowers and French caramels for her.  How lucky are we?????



Paprika was the second student to perform.  When they called her name, she went straight up on stage...all business.  If she was nervous, she didn't show it!  :-)





After she took her bow (and went back onstage to get her music!):




After everyone had gone home, Paprika went back onstage and we took a picture of her with her flowers, her caramels, and her little participant pin (on her dress). 

I know her dress seems really big on her - but it's the dress she wanted to wear.  I ordered two dresses for her from Ebay  - and this one came huge!  But she said it made her feel like a queen...and since it was her day, she could wear whatever she wanted.  She was so happy in that dress, it made me smile, too:




Violet and Ginger were great during the whole recital.  About halfway through, Violet fell asleep and then afterwards, we transferred her to the van and she stayed asleep!  We went out for ice cream, but since Violet was asleep, I stayed in the van with her while everyone else went in to get ice cream.  Then we got home and she was still asleep - so again, I stayed in the van with her...for over two more hours!

This is her after we got home and we were parked in the driveway.  I loosened her carseat straps after we parked so she would be more comfortable (I just didn't want anyone to think we were driving around with them so loose):





So, as I was sitting in the van about two inches away from Violet, not making a peep (so as to not wake her up), I realized I didn't have my phone or my laptop or a book or anything with me to keep me entertained.  All I had was the camera.  So after about an hour, I got so bored I started taking pictures...(that's how I took that picture of her above) - and then I started taking pictures of myself and random pictures of the van.  Hahaha.

This is me being silly in the van.  I was feeling loopy!  :-)





Here are the flowers Paula brought to give Paprika - notice the butterfly. How cool is that?!



Paprika felt so special!  Aren't they beautiful?!  :-)




Last but not least, here is the video of Paprika performing at the recital!  We are so proud of her!!!!





The End!