New June thread! Happy Summer Everyone!

[just7]

Wendy--I think it depends on your child. Are they motivated to learn? Has it become their passion? I have heard of children as young as 5 or even younger. One of my girls' piano teacher said that she prefers it when they are at least 9. So I think it's up to you and whomever you choose as a piano teacher.

[MommyRose]

Our piano teacher likes the age of 8 - 10 and thinks that is the sweet spot for beginning. Josh was 9.5. Zach will be 8.75 and Seth will be just 7. We decided to try with him because he is really showing an interest in learning and because he has such a good memory with things and seems so teachable right now. Theresa and I have talked about him and decided if it isn't working we'll just stop and wait. I kinda have my own requirement for starting and I don't think he's there but we'll see. I really like them to be able to regulate their own learning with it. Josh has done great. He times himself, he checks off what he's practiced and learned and goes forward in the books. I really haven't been involved a lot. I really might be hating it with the younger two taking lessons! We'll see!! Zach has been begging to start all year and I wanted him a little older too. He shows a real nimbleness on the keys so I'm looking forward to what he does with it. Their dad can pick up and play by ear a bit and we are seeing some of this in them.

I started lessons when I was, I think, 11 or 12. I've always felt that was too old. First of all I was one that didn't have a gift for it...at all...but then when you are that age other kids have been taking lessons for years. Not only are they way better but they are way beyond 'Twinkle Twinkle'!!

Yes, congrats on HTF Trisch! Woo hoo!!

Finally got smart last night. All the chickens are roosting in the barn so we SHUT THE DOORS! No crowing. Sometimes it takes a while to smarten up this girl but when I do...watch out!

[Nikki Dawn]

Rose, funny you say Dys. is a catch all phrase. We didn't realize it affected the way they heard things and processed it. We learned that with my ds. He would swear something said something completely different than it did. He would think we were lying to him.

Your ds was adorable on the piano. I wrote you in the first post but it was lost. Congrats on the roosters and future hens. We have some that are starting to speak. Time to let them have their fate. I would lock them up with the hens but frankly they are mean and I don't like them. Some fiesty boys!

Thanks for the advice everyone. So trying to put my finger on it. I feel like I am swimming trying to guess.

Jennifer, if you find that link let me know. Sorry to hear your ds is still struggling. My 14 yo(in 2 weeks) is the one dyslexic here. He is a genius but don't push him to read or write. he does great in school but it was a rough road getting there. Your son will get there. I am having a hard time because the extra help the school systems had to "get" my son there are no longer available. Funding is no longer there for the school and now kids are falling through the cracks. It seems unless you are severely disabled you don't get the help. Sigh! Trying to figure out how to help her is frustrating to me. My neighbor had to hire a tutor for her son because the school won't help but expects him to be with everyone. She spent the money to have him privately tested in order to try to pursuade them to help.

Wendy, I think 6 is young unless it is her gifting. I don't think they are too young because look at the lovely jap kids that are way over most adults in playing. If she is gifted then I wouldn't see a problem. I do think teachers are key to whether it is good or not. My first one was awesome and didn't drill something to boredom. The next worked for the symphony and wanted perfection. I hated it because I didn't want to play perfectly they way she heard it but wanted to enjoy myself. So I quit.

Trisch, you are doing awesome on the wo's! Great job!

Okay off to feed the kids. Great day to all! And .... Joni, how are you?

[lorig]

Nikki, how old is your dd? I started a reading book with my son when he was 5. Ever since, it's been like pulling teeth to get him to read! I have to admit, that I wasn't very consistent with him either, but I think it was because it was such a chore to read with him! So, I put the book away for about 4-6 months, while we tried Bob Books. Then, about a month ago, we got the original book out and he started reading great! It was then that the Lord told me, he wasn't ready to read before, but now he is! Now, he breezes right through his lessons.;-) He was 7 in March. I don't know if that will help/encourage you, but wanted to share that with you in case your dd just isn't ready yet.;-) I'm praying for you...I know the "not knowing" can be frustrating.

Way to go Trisch!!!

[just7]

Found it!! Had to look through my deleted files in the email program. I knew I had sent the link to my friend who is tutoring my son!!!


http://www.readingplus.com/

[WendyD]

Waving hi!

We were crazy nuts and went to an observatory to see Venus cross the sun. It was outside and crazy hot in the sun. The guys liked it as you could see the sunspots and venus in the telescope and DD was afraid to look. But I saw it!!! lol Did I say it was crazy hot? I was melting...

[just7]

Cool, Wendy! We had a dense cloud cover here so I'm not even sure it could have been seen!

[MommyRose]

Crazy Hot eh??? Oh...yuck! Glad you got to see it though!!!

I will be busy today because, well...I am just crazy. Gonna drive 1.5 hours to look at some new goats! Bwahahahaha!! There is a method to my madness though. These girls are fresh, no kids, and give 1.5 gallons a day and have good longetivity with their milk supply. (Trisch agrees! ) The price is crazy good for my area and I can severely cull my herd. Right now I'm milking 6 a day to get 2 gallons!!! ARG!!! I want more for less!!

Later ladies! Have a good day!!!

[BlessedMama]

Have fun, Rose! You've been bitten by the bug and there's no going back now!

I'm just recovering from post-wedding-craziness! And it wasn't even any of MY family's wedding! LOL! My left hand got really tense...was very glad when the ceremony actually started! I had a glissando run from a middle note to a very high note--once I nailed that I felt I could enjoy the rest of the wedding!

No workout planned today--going to watch HTF, hopefully CC Floor, too. Then I thought I would talk through HTF via my notes. We'll see how that goes!

[WendyD]

Milking 6 a day to get that? That's a ton of work. Hope that milk tastes awesome! :-)