Today was piano lesson day. The two oldest wanted piano lessons from me so I have begun teaching them on Thursdays. It is fun to see the different way they think about things and how they love music. Isak loves learning to play new songs. His first week he learned one. then the next week he got two more. This week he was asking for new songs. I think for Joseph the intellectual appeal is big right now but the biggest part is spending time one on one with me. I taught him about the note values last week and today he wanted to find a song that had all of them. So we started looking through the primary book till we found one. Now he wants to learn that one for his new song. They are both working at one hand songs, but playing with twho hands. I and Daniel both feel strongly that it needs to be fun for them. So I only add in the technical stuff a little here and there and try to tailor the lessons to them and their interests. To try to teach them finger/hand position and get them ready for multiple notes with the same hand... I have them do finger gymnastics. Little challanges and lots of praise. Ella sometimes wants to learn and sometimes doesn't. The advantage of me being the teacher is I am flexible. I only teach on Thursdays but if one kid doesn't want to do it. Ok. When I did do it with her it was playing games to group the sets of three and two black keys together. And start learning I am a child of God. I think we did one phrase. I can't really teach unless Daniel is home and has Rebekah, because she doesn't understand to leave the piano alone while we are doing lessons. And since the piano is under her room we can't do it when she is asleep. ;)
So it is what I have already been doing with them but on a regular basis. I give them assignments to practice during the week, which happen more or less.
Originally I thought that we would pay me as the teacher, but we can't afford that. But Heavenly Father has a way of blessing us anyway. I would have saved up for an 'assistant' A sturdy kitchen aid thing, Swedish brand sold all over the world. I was given a tool that helps with the stuff I wanted it for now. I have been making juices and purees with it. It going to be close to see if our full upright freezer can hold everything that I am putting up this summer and fall. Should we plug in the freezer box and up the electric bill? (Fridges and freezers are a huge part of electrical usage thus bill). It will definitely make it easier to sort things and keep the variety in use. We have a lot of a few things and the rest is hiding in the mix. Oh I just remembered the pumkin that will come. hm.. freezer box? We got four pumpkins this year! I am selling two. But I still have tomatos growing, apples, pears and fall raspberries. So I think I will be plugging in the box.
At least I know we will have plenty of fruits and vegetables all winter. Even if it is an apple pear zuchinni based diet! And now as the weather keeps me inside more, I am turning my mind towards inside house projects.
