Micah's Life Right Now

It's the end of an era for Micah. Sixth grade is almost over, and in the fall he will enter junior high. When did my boy get big enough to leave elementary school?

Last week, the entire sixth grade spent three days at Science Camp. I was lucky enough to drive up for an evening, and I loved watching Micah before he knew I was there. That's him with the kerchief around his head. When asked why he wore his bandana kerchief style, he shrugged and said, "Cuz." Good a reason as any, I suppose.

He has the best teachers in the world, and I'm so grateful for the school experience he's had this year. He rotated classrooms and teachers, learning a little bit more responsibility for his work and adjusting to different teaching styles. His grades can't reflect all he learned this year. I'm going to miss those teachers of his. They are truly fantastic.

Micah's also still spending lots of time at the piano. At his lesson yesterday, he and his teacher watched video on my phone of one of his practice sessions this week. While waiting, he snapped these pictures.

It was interesting to see Micah's perspective of where he spends so much of his time. He's preparing for the Arizona Study Program test this weekend, and he's been working hard on all four pieces, ironing out timing issues and fixing small mistakes. During his lesson yesterday, the tone of his music suddenly changed, and I can't even explain it--he relaxed into it and made the pieces his own. When he finished his final piece, his teacher looked over at me and we both said simultaneously, "WHAT WAS THAT?"

It's been a year marked with tons of growth on the piano. He and I compared the pieces he's playing this year to the ones he played last year, and not only has he increased his skill level, but he's increased his understanding of music--tempo, dynamics, and most important, listening to see if he's making music. I can't wait to see where this musical journey takes him.

As for me . . .

. . . you'll find me waiting through lessons in this chair just outside the door for the foreseeably future. He has many years left until he can drive himself nine miles to lessons. Lucky me. I love listening to him learn.

And stay tuned tomorrow for a kinda big, kinda small, kinda exciting announcement . . .

Yes. I'm going to leave it at that.

No. I'm not giving any hints.