I don’t know how I skipped over this image that Kristi took for us, but I’m adding it to the stack of the ones I’m having framed. I used to play piano by ear when I was a kid, but I never really learned how to read the bass clef. I’d just listen to things and try to figure them out. I knew all the classic piano songs kids play (chopsticks, etc.), but there’s a more complicated one that my mom taught me and I still know every note. I don’t know the name, but it’s a lively, cheerful duet. I taught Leta the part that’s played on the higher notes, and sometimes when she’s frustrated with a song she’s trying to learn I’ll scoot her over and we’ll play this song to lighten the mood. Here we’re playing that song together.

I asked Marlo if there is a particular instrument she wants to learn how to play, and when she said, “The violin!” I almost had a heart attack. If this is indeed the case the people who make earplugs are going to have one very loyal customer.