Music

C-15 is still playing violin.  He has now also been taking piano lessons for the past year.  I'm glad he still wants to continue with his music education.  L-17 has officially retired from piano lessons.  She has taken lessons with a couple of short breaks since she was seven. As kids grow up you need to create new rules.  Our new family rule is:  When you are close to 18 years old, if you want to continue with your instrument, you can pay for the lessons yourself.  If they were headed for Carnegie Hall, I'm sure we would revise the rule, but since no one is really practicing enough to get our money's worth, mom and dad aren't going to pay. 

P-13 is continuing with piano despite his dislike for practicing, but we have finally decided that M-11 can stop.  Maybe she will want to start again someday. This was a really hard decision for me that I put off for years, but it just feels right now.
I really do love listening to my kids practice their instruments.  I wish I got to enjoy it a little more often! :)