A step forwards

.... literally and symbolically. Walking home today from school (for the holidays!) Katie walked home with her own clarinet on her back the whole way for the first time. She also carried another bag in her hand and I carried two. She's recently started carrying her own school bag on the way to school as well without grumbling.

Busy day today. She had a double music lesson to get her set up for the next couple of weeks that B is away for. She concentrated really hard and did a lot on both instruments. She'd decided she wanted to learn a couple of particular pieces, for no apparent reason, which B found amusing. The clarinet piece is one I will be able to learn to accompany her. They talked about the festival & how proud B was of the way she handled herself. She privately told me later that she felt katie deserved to win both classes (and it was one of her others that won one of the classes). But she was delighted to have seen how katie handled herself- in terms of her calmness/lack of nerves, her acceptance of B being busy with others and her grace in not winning. She was really pleased to hear katie saying she'd had a fantastic day. It was a six sticker day! I love that my clever grade 3 clarinettist still very much benefits from the positive reinforcement that comes from stickers!

We had a chat today about some changes that are likely to come along soon. After her clarinet exam is done, Katie is going to be doing a trial, a pre-audition, with the Yorkshire Young Musicians. Yesterday the director said she wants katie to come for a Sunday & is very excited to hear all the things happening so far in Katie's journey. If she starts there, it will mean quite a difference in her music lessons and her music schedule. Responsibility for her lessons will pass to YYM, with a near full day of music school on a Sunday. Katie's very much "up for it"- on the promise from B that she will stay involved in Katie's music and that it would mean they could have more funsies time together. B and I are both divided of heart about this one- she said "the human part of me wants to keep hold of her, all to myself- but the teacher in me knows she's ready for this". She said it's what she would want for her girls and that she thinks it's time we work hard to make it happen.

We arrived at school about 9.10 to find that the orchestra rehearsal had been moved to morning so she dashed straight in as they were setting up. She likes the new pieces that they're learning for exhibition evening in the summer. She's pleased that she's been moved to first clarinets for the concert work. They had a good rehearsal for Little Big Sing- the teachers couldn't remember the dance they'd done so they asked Katie. Who of course could. The afternoon was spent watching Finding Dory. A good last day of term for my girl!

We walked home and arrived to Grandad & granny. They'd come for a quick tea before heading out for an evening concert in the city. Katie and I went out to dance class shortly after anyway. They had a new teacher tonight. Katie said her dancing was more funky and sassy than the normal teachers and she had a great time. Their principal popped in to see them and brought them all easter cupcakes. Katie bounced out class, dancing in the sunset. Until she realised that was class done until after the holidays.