Like Father Like Son?

When Papa Bear comes home from a long day of weeding, tree trimming, mowing, planting and sprinkler repairs and instalation, he is very, very tired! He usually sleeps whereever he lands! As for Fudgie.... nobody quite knows what his excuse is! Sleep tight boys!

Toothless Goldie

Well, it finally happened! At eight years, four months, and five days old, Goldilocks finally lost her first tooth! She tried to hang on to that tooth for as long as she could, but today that tooth just could not hang in there for one more minute.Then it just sort of fell out all by itself. Goldie had many offers from people who wanted to help her get it out, but alas, Goldie opted for the "wait and let it fall out method" and it seemed to work out very nicely for her. The tooth fairy has been waiting and waiting to visit Goldie's house, and now will finally have the chance! Mama and Papa are so proud of their little Goldie!

Mama Bear's Retreat

It is pretty sad when a "retreat" is really a science class that is helpful for your job, but that's the only kind of retreat that Mama Bear gets!!

While Goldilocks was vacationing at her cousin's mansion, Mama took off and headed up the mountains with Teacher Friend and Jilly Bean. (TF and JB for short.)

TF had a fancy RV and drove it up the mountain to Hardware Ranch where the class was to be held. Mama followed behind in her van and was amazed as TF manuvered her truck and trailor up a tiny road, turned it 90 degrees, and drove through the gate! It was like threading a needle!(WOW! Thought Mama Bear!) The director was right out there with a panicked look on her face, but no worries, TF got it through that tight spot just FINE! (Thank you very much!) Mama bear was wondering why they did not make those gates bigger for trailors, but then later found out that just a few feet down the highway was a road that was actually built for trucks and trailors and that TF had driven up the walking path!

Well, we live and learn. AND Mama learned to be impressed with the driving skills of TF! TF earned them a title that very first day. From that moment on they were known as the crazy RV ladies.

Now, one would think that it would not be a lot of fun to have classes that lasted from 9:00am until 9:00pm, but with three crazy RV ladies, EVERYTHING IS FUN! The classes were great, but it was after class that the games began. JB has a way of bringing out the crazy side of Mama, and the giggly side of TF. So while JB and Mama bantered, TF laughed her guts out and this is how it went all night long! TF says that JB and Mama kept HER awake, but JB and Mama both agree that if she would have just stopped her insescent laughing, then they would not have had an audience, and may have gone right off to sleep!

One of the highlights of the trip was when the three crazy RV ladies took a long walk down the road. After about a mile and a half, they discovered a beautiful little water fall and were all taken back by the beauty of the world we live in..... Yes, there was a serious moment on this trip! They took pictures, but none of them seemed to do it justice.

Another exciting adventure was the canoe trip in the wetlands! Mama and TF were excited about his, but poor JB was frightened out of her mind! Of course TF and Mama had to tease her mercilessly about this. But, in spite of everything, JB strapped on her life jacket and put her life in the hands of TF and Mama and went on that canoe ride! What a brave little soldier! (White knuckles and all!)
All in all, the trip was a real blast, and they all came away with TONS of stuff to help them teach science to their students. All three crazy RV ladies tried to stay longer, but home was beckoning too loudly, and the Hardware Ranch people needed a break! (They could not imagine why!) So, they had to return back to earth. They all dream of the day that they might be able to escape to their mountain oasis once again!

ISSI is FUN!!

Goldilocks was very nervous for her first day of ISSI (Intermountain Suzuki String Institute) until she met up with her little Violin Buddy from home. Seeing a familiar face always calms the nerves a bit.

Mama and Goldie did not know what a treat they were in for when they signed up for a week of intense violin training. They attended some great classes with wonderful teachers who sparked a new enthusiasm for music. Some of the highlights of their week were seeing Jenny Oaks Baker in concert, hearing the Fry String Quartet, and witnessing some great student performances.

Goldie's repetoire teacher was from Japan and she loved dolphins. She encouraged all the students to think of their bow as a dolphin. Each time they played she would tell them to have their "dolphins" swim in the ocean to make the most beautiful sound that it could. Goldie just had to get a stuffed dolphin to help her remember this class! This teacher also made a little dolphin counter for all 80 of the kids she taught at this institute. What a treat!

The next class she attended every day was a technique class taught by a cool guy from Sweden! He had a neat accent and taught Goldie and the other kids many fun things to do with their violins. They played them upside down and backwards. They also played while sitting and clapping their feet together! He even taught them some great exercises for their bodies and brains.

They even marched around the room and in the hallways. What a Kick! The very best part of this class was the Sweedish song he taught them called, "Spatanoose" (a spitting song).

Goldie's Master class teacher was a lady from Illinois. She spent 12 minutes one on one time with her each day to help her with something unique to just Goldie. She would assign her homework every day and then Mama and Goldie would have to find some time to practice. One day they parcticed out on the lawn with Goldie's little violin buddy.

Goldie's favorite teachers were even there! Keenanonie and the Viola Diva herself posed for this picture. These are the teachers that have taught Goldie from the beginning. The Viola Diva gave her a great start and then had to move away for graduate school (Mama says "Graduate school" is a swear word!). Keenanone has continued on with her until this time, but will soon join the Viola Diva in that terrible place far far away! Mama and Goldie hope that they will be able to continue on without them! If there is a will, there is always a way! We appreciate all the hard work of these two ladies and will miss them very much!