Sing Verdi very loud *
Our bank holiday weekend so far has been fairly relaxed – Steve has been off racing and done well at a new hillclimb. Apparently the hours and hours of YouTube video watching did help.
Those of us left behind did orchestra, housework, some homework, had a visit from my sister, then congratulated Steve in the five minutes between him getting home and falling asleep. The girls went out to a friend’s birthday party and Anna had a sleepover afterwards.
Today has been slightly more interesting … we video gamed for the first part of the morning (mainly Pikmin 2), then went over to Steve’s parents’ for lunch.
After that we had the treat of watching a rehearsal for a performance of Verdi’s Requiem. It was organised by the primary school music teacher as a ‘here’s a trip you’re invited to but I’m not really organising anything’ so ended up being just a few families having an afternoon out together! Grandma came with us as well 
Just like a concert, only with added breaks and the bonus of being free! The Musical Director of the Devon Guild of Singers also founded a Youth Orchestra in Ealing, and tonight’s concert is part of the orchestra’s 50th anniversary tour.
Not sure what the kids made of it really but they all sat and listened well – good for them to hear and appreciate some different music for a change, even if they didn’t like the particular style. They definitely enjoyed watching the orchestra. Probably should have thought to print out a translation of the Latin for them or an explanation of the different parts for them to follow but there we go. I loved it.
Had to laugh as our bugbear about posture came to the fore again; one violinist on the front row had *awful* posture, and made us laugh out loud when he yawned during the performance and used his violin to cover his mouth. Don’t think he was actually playing at the time, but still!
Back to the grandparents’ afterwards for tea and general veg out time before going home. Steve came second today but one of his friends rolled his car so that eclipsed the afternoon’s racing for him I think.
Now we are being subjected to Dadnapped, argh. Suppose I have watched films with less stars than that before now; if nothing else it’s a chance for an early evening nap 
Still no plans for tomorrow although ideas are coming in, now I just have to work out how to keep everyone happy with whatever we end up doing …
* When you’re an opera star, with a large repertoire, how do you please the crowd? Sing Verdi very loud!
(Beethoven’s Wig, music and lyrics permanently engraved in family lore here, not sure if this is good or bad!)
May 6th, 2009 at 18:28
Hi Sarah – great to hear from you. I tried to reply on the blog to your comments, but for some reason it won’t let me. Anyway, in response to your comments…
I agree family films might be a better title, but I don’t like the term “family films”. It reminds me of the term “wholesome” which for some reason always makes me squirm.
Yes to all your choices – all good candidates. I think Willy Wonka has a subliminal shot of a chicken being decapitated (the 70s version).
Regarding The Goonies, its not dark, but it does have a lot of swearing for a kids film, which is good, because thats how kids often talk even though they don’t understand the words half the time. ET has another good example of this – the hilarious “penis breath” scene!
I almost included The Spiderwick Chronicles in this list too, but its not as good as A Series of Unfortunate Events. The Journey of Natty Gann was another option that didn’t quite make the shortlist (swearing, dog fights, attempted rape, children’s prison).