Chess Tournament

This year Noah started going to chess club and he's really enjoyed it. He gets to stay after school each Monday. His best friend Jackson is also in it. So every Monday Jackson's mom and I take turns picking the boys up from chess club.

On Saturday, Todd took Noah to the Charles County Chess Tournament at Westlake High School. Noah's was in the Kindergarten to Second Grade division. He had a lot of fun and even came in 3rd place! (His friend Jackson came in 2nd.) That's pretty good for not really learning how to play chess.

In chess club, they just let the kids play, but they don't actually teach them how to play chess; they're supposed to already know. And we don't play often at home. So Noah did an awesome job without any coaching or knowing any special strategies. Maybe now we'll actually start playing with him more, and helping him to learn more about chess. (Although, we'll have to learn to, because he probably already knows as much as I do about chess. I know the rules on how the pieces are supposed to move, but that's about it.)

Abigail's recital

Abigail had a recital January 28, 2012.  (I know, I'm a month behind, but hey, I'm getting it posted so that's something.) Abigail has been taking lessons for the viola since around August of 2011. (In school they don't get to start playing an instrument until 5th grade; Abigail is in 4th grade.) But there is a lady in another ward that shares our building who teaches violin and viola, so we signed Abigail up to take lessons with her.

I was so proud of how she did. She loves playing the viola, and I think part of it is knowing that most kids her age don't play an instrument yet. I know for me, I find it hard to play or sing by myself in front of people; I'm much more confident when someone else is playing/singing with me. So I'm always proud to see my children get up in front of others to share their talents.

(PS- I took pictures at the recital, but none of them turned out very well. Surprise, surprise. :( But I thought I would add a nice picture of Abigail. This was taken my my neice, Miquelle, and I love it. If only I could take pictures like a 15 year old. Lol!)