A few more photos of our trip to Florida.
was when the five Smith fellas (and Madison) built a workbench in the garage.
Steve and Nathan exhibited a great deal of patience working in 95-degree heat while Andrew and Grayson kept inserting their small selves into the proceedings and proclaiming, “I hep. I hep!”
In fact, Grayson even went so far as to profer his recently procured Dollar Tree shovel in case the need should arise for such a nifty tool.
In spite of all that good “hep” they received, Steve and Nathan still managed to get the bench built.
Noah was right in the middle of it–learning and asking questions, just the way his grandpa did as a boy. (There is a famous story of Steve taking his crib apart with a butter knife when he was just a wee one.)
Meagan had the idea for everyone who “hep-ped” to sign the leg of the bench so that many decades down the road, the Smith Master Craftsmen would be remembered.
Love this picture of Noah and Madi standing on top of the bench.
The finished product.
Let me apologize ahead of time about this video. If you dare click on it, you will be singing the song the rest of the day. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Also, let me mention that Steve has not broken out in a dread disease. He is merely wearing a thousand stickers placed on his face by his sticker-loving grandkids.
Steve and I thought Grayson did especially well in this next video. For being just three years old, he did great keeping right on track with the rhythm of the song and even ending on the right beat.
And Noah was so very proud of himself for learning the chords to his song. Start them young!
On the way home from Florida we stopped into Charlotte to spend some time with this grand Southern lady. Love my mom-in-law so much!
In closing, I wanted to mention that I have a few things going on medically. Since this post has gotten a little long, I will post about them a little later in the week. Be sure to check back.
What about you?
Did you play an instrument as a child? Who taught you? Do you still play?
Did you ever build or make something as a child that you still remember? Did anyone help you with it?
🎶”Rain, rain, go away….”🎶. Love all the fun memory- making in this post. Adorable. Shhh- I have played clarinet, saxophone and piano. Surprise.
Cheryl,
I had no idea you’ve played all those instruments! I tried clarinet for about 10 minutes but it didn’t go well. Kudos to you.
Thank you for sharing the Florida trip with us. There is so much to smile about in this post! The overall joy and excitement is felt from Andrew, Noah, Madison and Grayson. Really loved Grayson helping out with his shovel, a treasured moment! Noah’s inquisitive nature is a promise of good things to come. The photo of Madison holding Grayson is very sweet. Becky, keeping you in my prayers, praying for complete healing.
P.S. Also very impressed with young Pastor Steve’s skill with the butter knife!
Gloria,
Joy and excitement are definitely two perfect words to sum up that visit . . . along with a little happy chaos thrown in along the way.
What a sweet post! I love all the pictures!
I played the flute in middle school but that was the extent of my musical career. My younger son played violin for 8 years and then picked up guitar. He is rarely without a guitar now and I miss the sounds of it when he’s gone.
My dad built the house I grew up in when I was about 10 then he built a lake house a few years later THEN he helped my husband and I build our house! I wish he was still here to help my son build his house. He was not a contractor or a construction worker so we did this on the side of our “real jobs”. Lots of love, sweat, blood, and tears in those houses! I remember writing on the studs before we sheetrocked in all the houses.
Good luck to Nathan on his new position and to everyone else for the new school year!
Suzanne,
Sounds like your son AND your dad had (have) many gifts. Being able to build a house “on the side” is just incredible to me. And what a great idea to write on the studs; even though you can’t see the writing you will always have the memory of the words and the memory of working on projects together.
And hooray for your son for continuing on with his guitar playing–that’s something he can do for life, unlike sports.
“These are the good old days!”
Steve,
Truly!
I just love how you and Steve pour life and love into those grandchildren. They will never forget dancing in the living singing that song. What a blessing!!
Thanks for the stuck-in-my-head song!
Lisa,
I DID warn you about that song! 🙂 But it’s worth it for the memories of all the singing and dancing.
I didn’t play any instrument as a child, but am learning to play the keyboard now through some online lessons. I am trying to relay the lessons to my 80 year old mother who has always wanted to play the piano. The grandkids are so lucky to have Steve teaching them, I’m sure those are memories they will hold on to. I hope your medical issues aren’t too serious. You have already overcome a lot.
Raquel,
Good for you learning the play the keyboard AND teach what you’ve learned to your mom. The very best way to learn something is to teach it to someone else. Don’t give up. You’ve got this!
I loved all the pictures you shared (especially the one of Steve & Mrs. Vernie)! And what a sweet idea for everyone to sign the workbench leg! I played flute and piccolo in band (from 5th grade thru 12th). I can sorta still play, but I don’t sound near as good as I once did. Prayers for whatever you’re dealing with medically.
Sue Ellen,
Flue and piccolo, huh? At least those were easy instruments to carry around! Steve played an upright bass in symphony band and that was not quite so much fun. 🙂
The only time the size was a problem was my senior year when we beat our cross-county rivals (for the first time in YEARS) in overtime, in the rain and when I threw up my hands celebrating the win, the piccolo went flying. The repair bill was not pleasant.
Sue Ellen
Oh dear. NOT a good day for your poor piccolo!
Love those pictures. Grayson did very well in keeping the time. I was impressed! I did take piano lessons as a child, but didn’t go very far with the lessons. wanted to try the clarinet when I was about 13, but for some reason the music teacher was against me and did every thing to discourage me – he did, I quit. My dad played the guitar, but never had a desire to play one. Love that work table/bench. Am sure many wonderful items will come from there and it was a great idea for them to sign their names. Great remembrance.in years to come.
Sharyn,
That makes me sad that a music teacher did everything he could to discourage you. What in the world?! Music teachers should be the most encouraging people on the planet because they are imparting such a wonderful gift.
Growing up I played the organ and the flute. I played out church organ for my oldest friends wedding, which was very intense. So enjoyed all the photos and the singing. Praying things are ok with you.
Cindy,
I didn’t know you played the organ and flute. Not too often one meets an organ player these days. And what a privilege to get to play for your friend’s wedding. A day to remember.
Thank you for the prayers.
What fun pictures! I also love the one of Noah and Madi on the work bench. They are touching hands and it’s too sweet. My grand kids are that way with their siblings too and I just love it!
I took piano lessons for the longest time as a child. However, I really, REALLY disliked the recitals. I just hated getting up in front of people. My brother and I always had to play a duet and that part was better than being by myself. I also had an accordion that was so fun to play. As a teen, I got a guitar and took lessons but that didn’t last long. I remember my fingers hurting….lol
LeeAnne,
I know. I loved the touching hands thing. They just seemed to do it subconsciously.
Hooray for accordion players! My mom played when I was growing up and I had a small accordion that I played for a while. Accordion players are rare and extra special!
The picture of Noah and Madi on the first day of school remind me of pictures from years past of Nathan and Sarah and the close relationship that they share!
Angela,
What a lovely thought to compare Noah and Madi with Sarah and Nathan on their first days. And how wonderful is it that you even REMEMBER those pictures. You’ve been reading a long time!
Your photos are beautiful! I love the signed workbench leg and I think Noah and Madi should do yearly pics on it! I took both piano and guitar lessons – a year each – and still love to play when I have an instrument available. Didn’t really build things when young. Did find a way to make a hanging swing off of the old chestnut tree. It was after 50 and helping build our home that I took up power tools and changing things up both inside and out! Prayers up for you!
Guerrina,
You say you took up power tools like it was no big deal. I would NEVER be brave enough to use a power tool so my hat is off to you!
Taking guitar AND piano lessons was a good idea because the chording on them is interchangeable. Glad you still enjoy playing.
I always love looking at all your pictures and hearing all about your family.
Praying for you Becky.
Love and Hugs,
Joy,
Thanks for the prayers, love, and hugs. They are felt and appreciated.
I took several years of piano when I was in grade school but I didn’t keep up with it. My cousin took from the same teacher so we often did duets at recitals. My younger brother started band in 5th or 6th grade and can play any brass instrument. He gives private lessons to some homeschooled kids, directs their municipal band in the summer and local philharmonic orchestra in the fall, winter and spring. My niece has been taking piano lessons since she was 4 and will soon start her masters in piano performance and pedagogy.
Looks like you had a great time in Florida. Noah is such a good big brother, reminds me of another Smith big bro.
Good luck to Nathan in is new work role!
Phyllis,
Well, I had to look up pedagogy. I’d see it before but never knew its meaning. Sounds like your family was triply blessed with musical talents of all kinds. What a gift!
Well this was a fun post! Of course medical issues caught my attention so will anticipate that later 🙁
Back to the post, the kids are adorable. Growing so fast and good voices there! Music is so important and multilayered. Steve is a wonderful teacher and encourager. I still see Sarah in Maddie’s eyes and face shape.
Your MIL looks great, and now that I mention it, I see Sarah in her face too.
I played piano, taking the typical formal piano lessons when I was elementary school age. The problem was that my mom made my sister and I play for her friends when they came over. We hated doing that, we were very shy overall and it turned us off. So after a few years we stopped. Fifty years later, I have picked back up here and there on a keyboard, trying to make friends with it lol, but still wont play for others, just my Sarah and grandaughter because they think every note is fantastic haha.
Lesley,
The best audience there is is people who think every note is fantastic. 🙂
My sisters and I were always called out to sing for visiting friends and relatives. I don’t remember minding it too much but I can see how you would be turned off by it if you were shy.
So glad to hear you have picked it back up all these years later. Keep it up!!
Love the pictures from Florida. It is always so fun watching little ones learn. I played that piano growing up and have my Grade 8 from the Royal Conservatory of Music. I could have gone on and become a certified piano teacher but the amount of practice to do those last two years would have been crazy with finishing high school and going to college. I have the upright piano that my father learned to play on in my house now.
Mel,
The Royal Conservatory of Music. Wow. That sounds impressive and very official! I have such talented readers.
And what a treasure to have the upright piano your father learned to play on. You can’t put a price on that.
Love the autographed workbench leg!
Mrs. Pam.
I know, right? 🙂