Last Sunday: Park Ridge Civic Orchestra. We were very near the front, and Nick was pretty excited about the Brahms concert. What I didn't know was that we'd be listening to "A German Requiem" - yup, it was all in German. Didn't seem to bother Nick at all.

Observations of a preschooler during the concert:
- from a certain angle, a harp very much resembles a tree.
- there are so many string instruments you can't see the woodwinds or brass
- apparently, it is NOT ok to watch the adorable 4 year old in his tie transfixed by the show - I was admonished to watch the conductor
- A 7 movement requiem "is even shorter" than Vivaldi's the Four Seasons (he believes it has to do with the lack of an intermission)

After the concert we went for ice cream at the Picwick Restaurant. Because, if you're from this area, you know: where else would you go? While we were there several of the musicians came in to eat. One was carrying a violin case, and he immediately had to tell her he liked the concert. After that he asked nearly everyone who walked in if they were a musician. Of course, we had the table right by the door, so that made it rather difficult to actually EAT the ice cream. He ended up drinking it instead.

But, we had one last surprise for the day. After paying the bill I took him up the stairs to the closing reception... most everyone was gone already, and they were starting to clean up, but there was one person left. You'd have thought it was Jimi Hendrix - - but no - -it was.... (wait for it)... the conductor!

For the first time in his short life, Nick was speechless. Absolutely flabberghasted! When he did find his voice however, the poor guy couldn't get away! Nick asked if they could please play Peer Gynt next time. He started to hum it, and I couldn't tell who was more impressed at that point.

So - for the past week - he's been conducting. He announces the piece, conducts the crescendos, then takes a bow when he's done. Guess we'll be starting music lessons this summer. This morning he conducted Peer Gynt, Morning Mood by Greig, A Brahms Concerto, and the Nutcracker Suite.

Quite a morning in my house!