Holden's A Capella Group

Holden started an a capella group at his school. They performed at Fanning Elementary's Night of Music - a mostly painful 150 minute long stream of kids who want to perform but lack much talent. Holden's group worked hard, rehearsed and performed without a crutches like iTunes, Youtube, sheet music, etc. For several weeks I would get a text at work that Holden was going to rehearse at someone's house after school. Holden said they figured out this song and all the harmonies all by themselves. Pretty sweet!

Updates on DJ, Riley and Holden

I haven't posted in a while, so it's time to update everyone on DJ, Riley and Holden.

We just got back from a trip to San Francisco for Spring Break. Riley, Holden and I drove in the Prius. We stayed in The Good Hotel, a hotel on 7th and Mission in the South of Market district. It's an eco-friendly hotel that lets hybrids park for free saving us $50 a night. They try to save water too, so they put sinks on top of the toilets so that you can wash your hands (or have a drink) while the toilet fills up. Here's a funny video that Holden made to show you how it works:

There wasn't enough room in either bed for two people, so Holden set up a place in between the beds for sleeping. Before bed, though, Riley and Holden played around a lot. They got along great during the trip, by the way.

The main purpose of the trip to San Francisco was to see the San Francisco Conservatory of Music which is a music college that Riley might want to attend when she graduates OCSA. We saw two recitals and a dress rehearsal for Don Giovanni. Riley audited a few classes and had a lesson with the principal trombone player in the San Francisco Symphony, Tim Higgins.

One night, we drove to a beer, wine and coffee bar to hear a quartet play chamber music.

While Riley was auditing classes or getting an expert trombone lesson, Holden and I walked around San Francisco and stopped for a snack. 

While we were away, DJ started in job as a Starbucks barista. His last day at Blaze Pizza was the night before. He sent me a pic of his Starbucks materials and his store which is in the Brea Mall.

On the way back from SF, we stopped in Mountain View to see Uncle Paul, Aunt Shu and Cousin Sage. The kids' grandparents were visiting, too, so we got to eat breakfast with them before the six hour drive back to Orange County.

Before the trip, Holden had an acting recital where he did a monologue from the Sixth Sense.