Violin - lin - lin - I woke up this morning to the screeching of strings.

Mattie has taken up the violin.

It took her about a day before she would let anyone else touch her new quarter-size string instrument. Her enthusiasm is admirable, but, having only had one lesson, the sounds are (as of yet) a bit monotonous. More accurately, they're multitonous, but repetitive.

"Mommy" I heard her asking. "Can they hear me outside."

I didn't quite catch the answer, but I'm pretty sure it was something like "Yes. Does that bother you?"

"No. I want them to hear me."

And this is our shy daughter?