A Very Musical Valentine’s Day

Never say music teachers aren’t romantic.  Here in Washington State, members of the National Association for Music Education come together the 2nd weekend of every February for our All-State music education conference.  For the last two years I have been the choir manager for the Washington Jr. All-State Mixed Choir that is comprised of roughly 90 7th and 8th grade musicians selected by audition from across the state.  Given its timing each year, it’s no surprise that we often end up celebrating Valentine’s Day with our colleagues instead of our cuties...but this year I got to do both!

The world’s best husband, otherwise known to the universe as Adam volunteered to take a day away from his own demanding job and class schedule in order to accompany me to Spokane for this years conference.  While I know that Adam would have been more than capable of taking care of Eila on his own for a few days - the truth was that I was the one who wasn't ready to leave her for that long.  Besides - it was great timing for a beautiful, WMEA sponsored, family hotel get-away.

While I was off wrangling rehearsal and performance spaces, Adam got to scout out downtown Spokane.  The weather was gorgeous - a real blessing when your wife steals the car.  Here are the buddies in front of the Spokane Falls.

Best friends!

Hey!  Look who’s back from being a workaholic!

Adam was on his own for half a day Friday - but SATURDAY - well, let’s just say I left the hotel room before 7 am and didn’t get back until after 9 am.  The good news for Eila was that her daddy’s the BEST and took her on a Valentine's whirlwind tour of the city.

Checking out the turtles.

Making circuits at the Spokane Science Center

Giant baby solving a wood puzzle.  She’s so smart!

Playing with musical circles in honor of Mom’s musical day.

Adam was even brave enough to put on the Ergo and bring Eila downtown to our final concert Saturday evening.  While I don’t think Eila’s quite ready to take the stage yet, Adam was really patient with her and kept her moving in and out of the concert to keep her sociable.  Apparently she’s great with the music - it’s the applause she doesn’t love.

After the concert and clean-up (including the redistribution of my 90 cherubs to their rightful owners), my perfect little family took me out to a delicious late night dinner at a cute local burger joint.  It was all we could all do to keep our eyes open.

Eila might be the one who’s sleeping here - but it’s her mom that’s really ready to pass out.

Thank goodness for enormously comfortable giant hotel beds!

Sunday mornings were made for lazying in bed.

With all of the fun and excitement of the the All-State choir, the conference, and the holiday, we didn’t really get a chance to take an official Valentine’s Day/3 month birthday picture.

Awkward family Valentine’s picture attempt.

A bit better.  

Happy Heart Day!