Band & Orchestra Concert

Our Children Brina and Joel at the Home School Band & Orchestra Concert.

We are blessed to have our children a part of the West Michigan Home School Band and Orchestra. Unfortunately we missed the latest concert but we have enjoyed their concerts in the past. The above picture was taken from their recent concert. It is very fun to listen to the various bands, which start from very young children playing in the recorder band, all the way to Symphony Orchestra. Joel and Brina both (I believe) are in the Concert band, (I can't remember because it seems they are advancing all the time). These bands are very accomplished, and usually some of the bands go to the State Band Festival every year and compete with all the other accomplished High school bands in Michigan. It is not uncommon for the Home School bands to receive an A ranking. Anyway we are happy to have them in this organization.

In other news, Maxim is doing very well. He was happily singing today while dressing himself after a bath. He is a very happy child who is quietly grumpy when things do not go his way. Jenna and I are trying to teach Maxim that we pray before meals to thank God for all we have. I am sure he does not understand what we are saying, but it is interesting that sometimes we remind him to wait before starting to eat, and sometimes he reminds us to pray. He does this, not by words, but he looks at me and holds his hand up (We hold hands during prayer) then he closes his eyes. Today for the first time, he started praying some, he would repeat the names of our children, and himself and Moma and Papa. It was very nice to hear. I also appreciate what Maxim has learned for himself. He usually dresses himself, and then puts his own cloths away. The caretakers try to teach the children to do whatever they can for themselves. The children in Maxim's group have a nap every day around 1:30 in the afternoon, and they are taught to be quite during this time. I have a feeling that most of them don't get much sleep, but they usually remain quite. I am pretty sure it is the caretakers who are really getting rest. It is very hard for us to pick up Maxim all the time, and play and take him to the restroom. I had forgotten how much work this was as our (previous) youngest child is 13. I imagine that it is difficult for all the caretakers to have to lift so many special needs children. Consequently the children get very little "fun" contact with the caretakers. I do appreciate all the caretakers do for the children however, the children are loved and all there needs are taken care of. (This comment is based on what Jenna and I have seen in Maxim's group). There are several other groups that we are aware of but have not seen the interaction between caretaker and child.