Piano Contest? Piece of Cake

Laura participated in the Minnesota Music Teachers Association Piano Contest again this year, in which she plays in front of a judge and gets ranked on various performance areas. She was a "winner" of the first round in January, so she got to go to the finals, and this week we found out that she was a "winner" in the final round too! Now she gets to perform at an honors concert at the Minneapolis Convention Center in May. And she made it all look so easy.

Here is Laura at the University of Minnesota, waiting to check in for her finals performance last weekend.

Here is Laura waiting outside for her number to be called to play. She was the picture of calm amongst the other nervous parents and students (since Laura is always so calm, I tend to be calm too. If she's not worried, why should I worry?).

Here is Laura at Barnes and Noble celebrating the fact that she never has to play the piece "Castle Days" ever again. See that mysterious handsome man with the smoldering look in the background? Yeah, that's my husband.

After lunch that day, we went to the Walker museum to see an exhibit about everyday objects as art. I couldn't take many pictures, but I did get a shot of the giant folding table and chairs.

Way to go Laura, we are so proud of you!

Pippa, Poopa, Rub My Tummy, Meow Meow Meow

Pippa has settled very nicely into our family, and has turned out to be just the sweetest cat ever.

Matt was quickly won over when he found out she was so good at giving hugs. How adorable is this? I wish he would stop calling her "Poopa" though. She's a litterbox champ (No, I am not going to toilet-train this cat. I've learned my lesson).

A family picture on my birthday. Pippa was still a little wary of Penelope at this point.


Even though she's five, she is still very playful.


Karl is her favorite playmate, because he's as playful as she is!

Pippa and Penelope are right on the verge of becoming besties. Every day they sit closer and closer.


Laura found out that she is a cat person, and Pippa realized she loves Laura's room filled with pictures of cute animals. Obviously I love Pippa too, especially when she stretches out and wants a tummy rub! Everybody's been teasing me because I know how to speak kitty. Pippa is a little chatterbox, and how can you not answer those cute little meow meow meows?