Ellie's piano recital

Ellie had her first piano recital on Monday. It was a very small, casual recital at the music store where we take lessons (Danny Ray's in Round Rock). The recital only included Ellie's teacher's students. Her teacher teaches many different instruments (trombone, clarinet, french horn, etc.), so not all the kids there played piano. Also most of them were fairly new at learning so Ellie wasn't totally out of her league since she's only been taking lessons since the beginning of August.
She did great! She didn't seem nervous at all. It kind of freaks me out actually since as most of you know she's incredibly shy much of the time. On stage though, she seems right at home.

She actually played 3 short songs. The video just shows one of them.

We're so proud and hope she continues to want to play. We also hope that she will smile occasionally and not look so solemn while she plays!

Hard Week

It's been a rough few weeks. Adjusting to my new schedule has been hard. Learning my new job has also been challenging. And to top it off, after almost 14 years, we lost Frank. It's been an adjustment getting used to the fact that he's gone. Several times a day, it will dawn on me that he's not here anymore to let in or out, feed, etc.

I'm glad he's finally able to rest and not be in pain. I don't think we'll be getting another dog anytime soon. The kids are already asking of course. I'm glad I had the distraction of work this week and wasn't home all the time to be reminded that he's not here. He was our first "baby" before we had any of our own. We got him about 6 months after we got married, so he's been a "Smith" almost as long as I have. It's weird without him. I'm sure we'll get used to it, but it will never quite be the same.

Rest in Peace, my buddy... Blaine Franklin Smith ("Frank").