Happy Solstice

HAPPY SOLSTICE!

Here comes Helen leading the parade with part of her Morris team--Maple Leaf Morris Dancers

Crowds followed along, dancing, singing, carrying suns, moons, and may poles.

There were several dances by the Maple Leaf team.
I am so happy that Helen has found a group of like-minded teens in the wider community.

Many cheers as a youngster climbed the pole to place the wreath.

Happy Summer to One and All

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Mornings on the water

Helen joined the high school crew team this spring. One of the many things she has missed from Waldorf is getting outside in the morning for a bit of exercise before settling into school work. She has also felt like the seasons have been passing her by a bit as they seldom get outside at school.

She has been out every morning at 5:30 a.m. for a row. She has been coming home talking about how beautiful it was and I see what she means.

Sunrise on the river

Here's her boat heading up river into the mist.

On Friday they had a very, very long row. They saw turtles, loons, geese, and ducks.
And the coaches let them gunnel up for a surprise breakfast.

What a great way to start the day.

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Audition Week

Last fall I wrote about The Audition--one of the most difficult parenting moments we've had. Liz ended up in the Green Mountain Youth Symphony--something we weren't expecting. It turned out to be a wonderful experience for her. She has grown musically and socially.

She had to re-audition this spring in order for the conductor to figure out which place she'll be in (and if he wanted her back). Here she is heading out the door for the audition. Quite a different scene from last year....thank goodness.

The conductor said she "nailed" her scale and liked the tricky song she had prepared for him.

A happy, confident girl who made it back into GMYS, although we don't know which part.

It was audition week for Helen as well. She tried out for both dancing and singing parts in the Winter Revels. She was very, very nervous. It is quite competitive to get into the Revels chorus. This year's show takes place in the court of Queen Elizabeth, so she had to learn and perform an Elizabethan dance.

She'll still probably be in the show, even if she doesn't make the cut because her Morris Dancing team will probably perform. She waits anxiously for the news.

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