Amalia's 1st Recital

Our little girl is growing, and with that growth have arrived new interests and passions. Lately she indicated that she'd like to try out piano, especially because her good friend Eva has been playing piano for a while now. When we visit Eva's house the girls can sometimes be heard upstairs having fun at the piano and, after a while, Amalia decided to turn this amateur approach into a more formal one. So, for the past few months she has steadily worked to understand how to play, how to read notes, how to share her abilities. 

Her teachers, Mr. Oleg, has indicated that she is a "very quick learner" going through the first two books at a term which usually focuses on just one (we believe). Apparently he is very impressed with her development and loves the fact that, unlike most other students, she likes to sing as she plays. He finds this a beautiful part of his work with her. 

At home she practices (though not as often as she's been asked to) and, as she plays on a used keyboard we just purchases for her, she sings away as well. We love the sounds, the music, the wonder of the experience. Who knows where it will lead?  Either way, no matter where it might lead (or not) we will celebrate the enjoyment she puts into it and be proud of all she does!  

But, for the time being, here she is in her very first performance (a short one, but she's pretty awesome!). 

And then she was seven!

 

Amalia had a hard time getting used to the idea of our having moved countries, so it was important for us to "get this right" when her birthday came around. The problem in Dubai in May is that, by that time, those temperatures are starting to "get up there", meaning that special events have to be moved indoors. Thankfully Amalia was happy to go to a trampoline park named Bounce for a birthday bash with a few of her good friends in her new town!  

The children bounced around as the adults chatted away upstairs, until they all got together to sing happy birthday and enjoy some cake and snacks.  It was a great end to the day, especially given that her special day was followed by an entire weekend of celebration. 

Earlier on her birthday our growing girl had been welcomed to the day with the now tranditional numbers on the floor leading the way to her first present of the day. This was followed, as per usual, by a pancake breakfast (earlier than normal due to it being a school day) starting with a birthday pancake in the number of the age of our girl. She ate it happily!

Later in the morning daddy was invited to visit her class and read her a book or two of her choice. She had chosen Guess How Much I Love You, daddy's favorite book. She also chose The Giving Tree which during the reading, she wanted to join in. And so, as her classmates sat on the floor and followed the reading, Amalia and daddy took turns reading one page each of the book. 

All in all it was a wonderful day for our little (or now not to little) girl. We are so very very proud of you Amalia!  Love to you, always!