Christmas Carols

So serious in front of the Christmas tree at City Center

This afternoon, Alex and I went to a fun concert at City Center in Oakland, put on by the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir.  There was a good sized crowd and the concert was very lively.  Santa Claus was there and he was dancing around the whole time.  In fact, I think that is why Alex looks so serious in the photo above.  He was keeping an eye on the dancing Santa, I think to make sure that he wasn't coming over our way.  He did have a brief encounter with the very jovial Santa, who gave him some chocolate, so maybe they will be friends someday after all.  

Alex's Rendition of Do-Re-Mi

Alex's Rendition of Do Re Mi from David Chng on Vimeo.

As I have mentioned previously, Alex really likes "The Sound of Music", aka "The Female Deer".  Here is his latest rendition of Do-Re-Mi.

ToddleBop Class

Co-op buddies Alex, Will and Grace at music class yesterday

Ukulele Festival in Wine Country

Ukulele Festival in Wine Country from David Chng on Vimeo.

We are always up for a good festival and we really enjoyed yesterday's find.  David came across a blurb about a ukulele festival (http://winecountryukefest.wordpress.com/) last week and we decided to check it out this weekend.  We enjoyed a nice drive up to St Helena, on yet another gorgeous California day.  The event was held at Beringer Vineyards, which was the perfect setting for it.  There were groves of redwoods with people sitting in the shade taking ukulele workshops, a whole selection of ukuleles to check out and purchase, and a lineup of great ukulele musicians to kick back and listen to up on the terrace, amongst the gorgeous old buildings, grape vines and sunshine.  We all enjoyed the music and Alex could not help but dance around to the cheerful tunes.  David took a little lesson on how to play and once again we have been inspired to pursue the ukulele.  What a nice relaxing day it was.  I always forget how beautiful the Napa and Sonoma valleys are until we get there and we don't want to come home.  The video gives a glimpse into some of the sights and sounds of the day.

Music Class

Alex and Johnny on the piano after class. 

Alex was enthusiastically playing and singing "Down By the Bay".

They always love the piano time.

Alex, Johnny and Jozette on the beloved patio outside of music class.

Plenty of running around happens out there every Tuesday afternoon.

I have not posted pictures of music class in a long time, but I received a new camera in the mail the other day (thank you so much, David!), so now my picture taking will maybe ramp up again, now that I have a super sleek, small camera to carry around with me.

We still have fun singing, dancing and playing instruments every Tuesday at Kim's class.  Alex is still very much an observer and doesn't sing the songs in class, even though he knows all of the words and will sing them all the time at home.  Funny, funny boy.  Yesterday he was doing quite a rendition of "Down by the Bay" on the piano after class.  It's not a song we sing in class, but we play it on the piano at home, because it happens to be one of his favorite Raffi songs.  I remember singing it in elementary school with Miss McDowell, long, long ago. 

We also said goodbye to Jozette and her mom Michelle, who are moving to the East Coast next week.  It will be sad not to see their smiling faces at music class, but we wish them the best in their new adventures out East.

Tuesday

Alex and Johnny in full concentration on their drums


Busy and cute drummers!


Playing with a snail after music class (poor traumatized snail)

We always have fun on Tuesdays, but today's schedule was a bit different than usual. We went to tumbling today, since they are closed this Thursday and then we were able to meet up with Carrie and Johnny for lunch at La Pinata in Alameda, which was alot of fun. The boys had a great lunch and the Mamas got to catch up and chat, so it was a win-win. In the afternoon, we went to music class and the rain stopped long enough for everyone to hunt for snails and stomp in some puddles. Always fun!

Baby Beluga

Alex's rendition of Raffi's Baby Beluga.

What he is singing:
Baby Buga deep boo sea
swim so wild and free
Heaven above
Sea below
Just a bit
Baby Buga
Sing little song for friends
Baby Buga
Swim so wild
Swim so free
Heaven above
Sea below
Lil bit

He's got the chorus down!

Here are the actual words with multiple verses:

Baby beluga in the deep blue sea, Swim so wild and you swim so free. Heaven above and the sea below, And a little white whale on the go. Baby beluga, baby beluga, Is the water warm? Is your mama home, With you so happy? Way down yonder where the dolphins play, Where you dive and splash all day, Waves roll in and the waves roll out. See the water squirting out of your spout. Baby beluga, oh, baby beluga, Sing your little song, sing for all your friends. We like to hear you. When it's dark, you're home and fed. Curled up snug in your waterbed. Moon is shining and the stars are out. Good night, little whale, good night. Baby beluga, oh, baby beluga, With tomorrow's sun, another day's begun. You'll soon be waking. Baby beluga in the deep blue sea, Swim so wild and you swim so free. Heaven above and the sea below, And a little white whale on the go. You're just a little white whale on the go.

Cool!

Alex playing the organ. He was quite impressed with the sound it made, especially when he pressed one of the little white buttons.

Makin' Music

Hey Mom, we're trying to play here... no flash please.
(left to right: Beck, Johnny & Alex)

Alex, this is so fun, isn't it?

Music class is the BEST!

Concentration!

Thanks to Kim and her talent and generosity, we have been enjoying music classes for quite a few months now. We have alot of fun singing, dancing and playing instruments every Tuesday afternoon for an hour. We look forward to a new session coming up in a few weeks.

These pics are from yesterday's class. Johnny and Alex had a fun time at the pool prior to class, but still had plenty of energy to play the piano after class. As you can see, they love it!

Fun on Friday!

Hard to get a clear picture of this trio, with all of the movement!


Quite a comfy chair


How dramatic!


Serious concentration

Hey, Grace and I are pretty good, huh?

Alex and I subbed in for Ayumi and Luke in their co-op today and we had a fun time with Sophie, Grace and Will. As you can see, Sophie is lucky enough to have a piano at her house, so that was a source of quite a bit of enjoyment. Grace and Alex were really getting into the piano playing toward the end. Grace is quite the dramatic piano player, as evidenced by the arm position. How cute is that? Thanks to the mamas and tots for allowing us to join the co-op for these two weeks. It's always good to get together. Now, off to swimming!