Is Mr. S real or not?

We told Zack this year. But all season long there seem to be some additional thinking as he saw Santa and other Xmas paraphernalia.  Christmas Eve was no different. He found the Santa Tracker on Google.  He couldn't stay in bed that night. He kept checking the computer to see where SC was.  I tried to ask various questions about the logic, but it seemed he wanted to believe.

Well, then, I found a way to send Zack an audio from Santa.  The message made several personal comments, & ended with "hurry to bed before Santa arrives".   Off he darted, only to be heard from one time to make sure we were in bed for the impending delivery. 

It was hard to let go of his delight and excitement, especially with his understanding of the magic coming a little later than most. Despite being almost 12, he still has the innocence of a younger child at times.

We enjoyed my parent's company at church, dinner, & opening their gifts to Zachary.  Lauren stayed the night & Christmas was over by 8:54 am the next morning.  

Opening his Oboe 1-3 books so he can work on being an oboe teacher.  Thanks Pops and Granmommy.

Opening gifts, having a jolly ol' time!

Happy Lauren on her new iPad!

Grandad stopped by to deliver goodies too.

The most desired gift...R2D2 Star Wars Lego set, only 2,167 pieces, recommended ages 16+.

Today we find the beginnings of an oboe teacher.  Using the white board for instruction.

And his new companion, which seems to be moving from room-to-room.

He became Famous!

Saturday we had plans to attend the Hip Hoppin' Nutcracker by the Houston Symphony.  This would be our early Xmas gift and I knew Zachary would be excited.  It was a surprise until we picked him up from school play practice.  As excited as he shows, he was all in for the trip.  And then I told him that they had asked him to meet the maestro and to conduct a song.  Again with the modest response, but a level of excitement known only by a mom.

I really had no idea what to expect.  The lady met us in the lobby and then took us all (me, John, my mom and step-dad, and Zachary) back stage.  He got to meet the conductor and visit with him a bit. He was quite cute, asking his favorite restaurant, and telling him that he had played oboe for six months.  The conductor said oboe was his instrument.  Zachary then asked, "Are you good?"  The conductor, Maestro Franz, chuckled and commented that he used to be.  They exchanged a few more questions and answers, and then Adam Dinitz (English horn) was passing by.  Zachary called out to him, and introducted my mom as "Granmommy".

Granmommy meeting Adam

Zack talking with the Maestro

Then we went out from Maestro Franz's room and he met other musicians, asked them to play a few things, and they did.  He also took a few pictures with the maestro and Adam. 

Not the best picture as another flash was going off.

And then the moment we've all been waiting for...the opportunity to conduct.  Now, I just want to tell you that I was nervous.  Zachary does not do as many unexpected things as he did a few years back, but with this, I just did not know.  To my amazement, he did great!  The cool part was as we were leaving, musicians and attendees recognized him, and said that he did a good job.  I'm not the best camera woman, especially when I'm trying to watch and video, but here we go...

http://youtu.be/vEfVIoQP3vI


He was funny when he got back to his seat.  He said something about thank you letters, and I figured he was asking to write one.  So, I hushed him so he wouldn't disturb those around us.  He had written a thank you note to Adam after he met him the first time.  So later he said, "the musicians will all send me thank you notes now since I conducted for them, right?!?" 

We've been published

Back in June, we went to a free Houston Symphony concert at a local church.  I sent a thank you afterwards because a young lady made a special efforts to bring a bassoon along for Zachary to be able to handle.  That simple letter has turned into many opportunities for Zachary, including going to shows with tickets received as gifts and getting to meet certain musicians.  We owe the young lady who has taken interest in Zachary.  And now, she has gone and printed the thank you letter plus other correspondences in the December Houston Symphony magazine.

I'll be the first to say I'm no writer, but they said they would make it sound real good and the picture would look good too.  I'm hear to tell you, they must have forgot to do both, but then it is not about me, is it?  You'll have to click on the picture to be able to read the article.