TrulyGrace

Marissa's Birthday 2006, Mozart's Birthday Party 2006

Today is Marissa's birthday. We have a lot of activities planned for the festivities! I am excited.
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Before dinner I went to Mass at the Immaculate Heart of Mary parish. There was a choral creche in front of the building next door, and the church was decked out in lights and garlands all the way to the highest cupola. There was an altar with the Infant Jesus, and a creche. I had hoped to listen to the Polish Christmas concert afterwards, but only heard the first few numbers, all sung in Polish. The first piece included dancing by this year's winsome debutantes and escorts. Then, it was time for dinner.

Dinner was at a great Italian restaurant, Legends at the North Shore. We had a bianco pizza for appetizer, and a selection of pastas, parmagianas, calzones, and seared ahi tuna for dinner. Gift opening was between courses. William and Marissa went afterwards to see the IMAX version of the newest Harry Potter movie.
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After dinner, I went to a Mozart's Birthday party replete with fare: German classical piano music by the hosts, Bob and Mariann; predominantly German (and EU) hors d'oeuvres, drinks, and desserts; and free-flowing wine and laughter. Church choir members were there; Bob's sister was there, as were her long-standing friends Mayor Maggie and Neighbor Aber from the Mister Rogers show.

The evening's music program included Bob and Mariann playing on their 90-year old Sohmer piano:
Mozart's Sonata in F (K. 497) piano four hands
Bach's Toccata in E minor
Mozart's Sonata in F (K. 332)
Schumann's Arabesque (Op.18)
Bach's Siciliano arr. for one piano four hands
Brahm's Hungarian Dance #6



The program was bookended by snacking and socializing. There was a tour of their home, including old (and older) portraits and daguerrotypes of family members. There was even a watercolor of the hosts. A highlight of the evening for Jessica, Erin, and me was meeting Maggie and Chuck from the Mister Rogers show.
As Jessica aptly stated to Maggie, "I feel like you're my aunt!" Many of us brought the people from the Mister Rogers show into our living rooms more often than our own aunts and uncles. We discussed the show, the impact on their lives, Fred Rogers, multigenerations watching the show through time in my family, meeting the show's people in person, and the Pittsburgh Children's Museum.

We concluded the evening with a Sousa March; and afterwards, Jessica, Erin, and I took leave.

posted by Grace @ 1/07/2006 12:41:00 PM