Picnic in the Park and More

Yesterday the boys and I took a picnic down to the park near Main Man's office and treated him to lunch.

The lunch itself was nothing special - Black Forest ham on fresh home-baked bread, raw veggies, melon, cookies and soft drinks - but the time together was wonderful.

I hope Main Man found it as much of a boost to his afternoon as I did.

When we arrived home, the little boys continued work on their BIG PROJECT. They are in the midst of going through the massive amount of toys, books, action figures, and Hot Wheels cars in their room and playing "Love it or Shove it". They're doing a fantabulous job! I'm very proud of them. They're being far more ruthless than I would be. It's probably best that I leave them on their own to do it, or they wouldn't be nearly as efficient. ("Oh, but Sweetie, your Auntie Heather bought you this for your third birthday! You can't possibly throw that out!" There's no stronger sentimentality than that of a mother.)

In the evening, Main Man did something he hasn't done in a very long time - he went for a bike ride. #1 got a new bike this summer, so Main Man asked to borrow it. I sent him off the the grocery store for a few things. #3, who is a bicycle maniac this summer, begged to accompany him. So off they went - my oldest (so to speak) and my youngest - on an excursion farther than #3 had ever ridden away from home before. When they returned - well after dusk, I might add - both of them were pumped beyond words. They had had a ball together out on their quest, and they had even managed to remember to get the groceries I had asked for!

Brotherly Advice

Today is the track and field meet at the boys' school.

#2 is a little worried, as it's his first meet. Last night, he was anxiously thinking aloud, "They haven't even taught us how to do the ball-throw yet."

#1 replied with the air of contemptuous authority that only an older brother could convey, "I believe ... you throw ... the ball."

(Note the pauses for dramatic effect.)

;-)

Growing Up: The Sequel

Part II

#1 is excited about a jazz band clinic he's attending tomorrow. A trio from New York is coming in to play for and with the kids and to give them some pointers.

Several schools will be attending, including some schools he's never worked with before. He informed me this evening that even a Catholic school would have students attending.

With a dreamy look in his eye, he mused, "Hmmmm, Catholic school girls..."

Growing Up

#1 is definitely growing up.

He is now at least two inches taller than I am.

This afternoon we were at the church for an inter-generational Palm Saturday event. The event finished with a closing prayer in which we all stood in a circle holding hands. #1 just happened to be standing beside this girl who is just a little older than he is and is very pretty (but is absolutely and completely aware of it, if you know what I mean.).

I was giving him the gears about it on the way home. I said,"I noticed you happened to be standing beside someone interesting when we all got to hold hands at the end."

With eyebrows going up and down and a huge silver bracey smile he replied, "I know!"

Main Man was also giving him a hard time over it at supper. His advice was, "Be careful. You don't want to be just the flavour of the week."

#1's reply? "Oh, but what a week that would be!"

Thankful Thursday

This week I am thankful...

...for the new minister at our church. Her induction ceremony was on Sunday evening. #1 was a server for the ceremony. I was very proud of him. I digress, though: our new minister is fabulous. She seems to be really interested in youth, which suits our family perfectly. This Sunday, she's going to join the youth group in a rousing game of lazer tag!

...for #1's curling season, which wrapped up yesterday. He had a great time, and it would appear that he is hooked. He's already talking about gathering together a team for next year.

...that I've managed to shake most of this terrible cold I've had for the last week. My energy level is beginning to pick up, and I no longer go into full-out panic mode if there isn't a box of tissues in my line of sight, so I guess I must be getting better.

...for #2's dedication to his Tae Kwon Do. He tested on Tuesday, and we find out tonight if he passed onto his first official belt. He was pretty nervous before his test, but he did a great job.

...that #3 brought home the right rubber boots after Beavers on Tuesday. We got an email this morning that one of the little guys went home with someone else's boots (a common occurrence at this time of year when just about every 4 - 11 year old wears standard issue Wal-Mart $8 wellies), so I quickly checked, and we're in the clear.

...for my Mp3 player, which I dug up and re-juiced on the weekend. I hadn't used it much through the winter, and I'm so glad to be using it again. I love the feeling of being totally immersed in my music. I've taken to wearing it when I mark books and papers in the evening. Now, that sure cuts down on distractions!

...that daylight once again shines through the kitchen window while we eat supper. I love when the days begin to get longer. I always look forward to that first morning of work after the Easter break, when my alarm is greeted by daylight.

...that April Fool's Day falls on a weekend this year. As a teacher, I consider this occurrence a special gift from God!

Have a great week, everyone!

Thankful Thursday

This week I am thankful...

...for my job. At this crazy, hectic report card time, I often forget how much I truly love it. There isn't a day goes by that these students of mine don't make me smile.

...for my husband. Again, he often bears the brunt of my busy-ness at this time, but I do truly appreciate how he takes up the slack with things around home, even though it's often a busy time for him, as well.

...for #1. Last night I was telling him that I was getting too much attitude from him, but, all things considered, we probably get a lot less than the average family.

...for #2. Somehow, without our realizing it, he has grown into the most responsible of the three. He is meticulous about getting his homework done, he is usually patient and guiding with #3, and he actually cleans his room when he is asked to. Who'd 'a' thunk it?

...for #3, who can make me smile through anything. Last night I was at the kitchen table, books spread all around, red pen in hand, when he came in and asked me for a snack. I snapped, "Please get your father to get you a snack. I'm too busy." Seconds later, he was by my side, asking in his wee voice,"Are you too busy for a hug?" Priorities, priorities...

...for my dog. I often have trouble sleeping at report card time. You know, you've all done it - you wake up and you stew about unfinished things, will you have enough time, will you find that paper you lost, blah, blah, blah... Anyway, I have found that if I can touch the warm fur of my dog, it relaxes me and helps me settle back into sleep. And luckily, he's a bit of a cuddle-pup, so it works well for him, too.

Have a great week, everyone, and take some time to ponder what you are thankful for.

Thankful Thursday

This week, I am thankful...

... that our Oscar party is over for another year. After 17 years of putting on a certain type of party, you would think that it would be just a mere hiccup in your week, but it's always a major cough, almost a gag, no matter how successful. It's so much work.

... that Main Man is making more of an effort to turn lights off when he walks out of a room.

... that #1's braces are more manageable for him now. I was getting a little worried about the number of Advils he was popping.

... that #2 had a fabulous time on his Cub Scout ski trip, and that, unlike his father on his first foray onto a ski hill at age 10, he did not break his leg!

... that #3 had such fun on his first sleepover Saturday night. I think the family might be vegetarian. He said they had peanut butter soup for supper. He wasn't all that impressed with that, but had a great time otherwise.

... for movie nights with the girls. Even if the movie isn't all that great, it's nice to get out.

... for supper out with the girls. (Yes, I've had a big week!) Last night a group of us teacher-librarians got together and attended a fundraising dinner for the Willow Awards. It was an evening of delicious food, delightful conversation, and divine literature.

... that March has arrived, which must mean that spring is just around the corner. We did, however, have a major snowfall last night, so that corner may still be a little far away yet.

... that, even with report cards less than two weeks away, panic hasn't set in yet. I'm sure it will soon, though.

Have a great week, everyone!

A Glimpse into the Empty Nest

Main Man and I had the house to ourselves for five hours on Saturday evening. It felt like an out-of-body experience, almost as surreal as our Saturday evening out two weeks ago.

#1 was out babysitting for friends of ours.

#2 was on a weekend ski trip with his Cub Scout troop.

#3 was on his first sleepover.

I know what you're wondering - probably exactly what a girlfriend of mine asked last evening when I was relating this story to her - if we had the house to ourselves for five hours, what did we do for the other four hours and 45 minutes? ;-)

Anyway, as I'm sure you'll consider going down that particular road to be just ever-so-slightly TMI, I will turn the corner...

Main Man and I cannot complain in the least about our social life. Now that #1 can so capably babysit, we get out once every week or two - more than we have in years. Still, being alone together in the house is extremely rare - so rare that I can't remember the last time it happened.

Unfortunately, this rarity fell at a time when it was difficult to take full advantage. Our family was in the middle of preparations for probably our biggest night of the year - the Academy Awards.

Every year since we've been married, Main Man and I have hosted an Oscar party. We pride ourselves on certain traditions peculiar to this particular gathering. Every guest goes home with at least one doorprize. When an acceptance speech goes on too long or someone undeserving wins a statuette or a production number is just too bizarre (Remember Rob Lowe and Snow White?), guests delight in throwing marshmallows at the television. Every guest fills out a ballot indicating who will win each category - yes, every category, right down to best documentary short and best sound mixing - and throws two bucks in the pot. Whoever gets the most picks correct wins the pot. For second and third prizes, we provide donated restaurant gift certificates. We just don't consider it a successful party unless at least five or six guests are sitting on the floor. We simply don't have seating for everyone. And food! Well, basically, I don't sit down at all, as I'm kept busy keeping the kitchen smoking (so to speak) as the snacks and appetizers make their way guest-ward.

Anyway - I digress. Back to our evening alone together...

As I was saying, Main Man and I were busily cleaning house for our big night. I often say - if it weren't for the Oscars, my house would never be thoroughly cleaned!

We did take some time for ourselves, though. We ordered in from our favourite East Indian place and enjoyed a delicious meal of Samosas, Channa Masala, Butter Chicken, Basmati Rice, Naan, and Raita with a fine red wine. Our boys aren't big on East Indian, so it seemed like the perfect thing to do with them gone.

Still, as wonderful as our romantic meal was, it didn't take long for my heart to feel the stabs of hunger pangs. I really started to miss the boys. Finally, about 9:00, I gave in and phoned #1 to see how his babysitting job was going. He was doing just fine; he had tucked in the little girl he was looking after and had settled down to watch some tv. Main Man wouldn't let me call to see how #3 was making out at his sleepover. As it was his first, Main Man was worried I would make him homesick. But I missed him! Maybe I wanted him to be homesick!

Oh, not really... I know that isn't healthy.

Still, I've never really considered before then just how empty that empty nest can be.

Band of Brothers and Sisters

Last night was "February Blues" at our local high school. Performing were various jazz groups from the school community.

The first act was a little group called "Junior Green and Gold". They happen to have a very talented first saxophone called #1.

It was a lovely evening. There were tables laid out with blue tablecloths and flickering candles. Exotic coffees and caloric cheesecakes were available. Main Man and I felt as if it was date night, even with #3 sitting between us.

Although the acts on stage - both orchestral and vocal - were spectacular, I enjoyed the entertainment offstage just as much. Watching these music students with their friends touched my heart. This is the culture I want my boys to be a part of when they enter that big scary place called high school.

When I was their age, I attended a tiny rural high school. There were six students in my graduating class. Although I admit wholeheartedly that that situation gave me distinct advantages with regard to things like student/teacher ratio and social situations (It's hard to maintain a "clique" with only six kids.), occasions such as last night's "Blues" give me pause to consider what I might have missed out on. How wonderful to have a music program at all, let alone a jazz program comprehensive enough to provide an entire evening of entertainment. And even more wonderful to have a group of friends who live for the same things you do. Imagine being able to choose your friends based on interests and values and not on geography. It would have been unfathomable in my high school experience.

The high school our boys will attend is perhaps the largest in our city. Last night, in addition to #1's elementary group, two jazz bands and two vocal groups performed. These ensembles were formed only from students from the high school. The population of the school is huge, and the talent is immense. The friendship and camaraderie amongst this particular group of kids, though, is palpable: the way they cheer each other on, the way they send an encouraging glance or smile after a friend performs a solo, the way they wave to one another on and off stage.

Because #1 is part of the jazz band, he is getting to know kids from other elementary schools in the high school area. These will be his friends when he enters those formidable hallowed halls. He will have a safety net that other kids may not have, because he is beginning to weave that net now, two years before he really needs it.

Last night, I could see that he is already amongst his band of brothers and sisters.

Bracing News

My #1 got his braces today. He's doing pretty well.

I think he's adorable. As a teenager, I always thought the guys with braces were cute. Guess I still do.

Funny the little things kids worry about. A new girl in #1's class has braces, and she has a bit of a speech problem. #1 thought her speech concerns were caused by her braces, and he worried that his braces would do the same for him. He's relieved that they haven't.

Tomorrow evening, # 1's jazz band has a concert. I hope he'll be able to play. We've been told that it's much easier to play the sax than the trumpet after getting braces, so I have my fingers crossed.

Tomorrow is also career fair at his school, so he'll be presenting all afternoon. I hope he'll be okay.

I'm pleased that he's not shy about smiling with his new grills. Actually, I think he quite fancies them. Maybe he believes his old mom that he looks cute in them.

Bracing Update: When #1 came home for lunch, one of his front brace brackets had come loose. I rushed him to the ortho over his lunch hour to get it fixed. The ortho is really a great guy - he fixed it right away and was very apologetic for the pain caused as he did. (BTW - He's a real cutie too. I think #1 will need his mother to accompany him to all future appointments. Dad just won't do.) #1 still had time to eat lunch at home before heading back to school. He seems to be coping with career fair pretty well.

Thankful Thursday

This week I am thankful...

...that yet again, after our furnace shut down in the middle of the night, I managed to get it started again yesterday morning. I'm especially thankful for this because the temperature was -28 degrees Celsius outside.

...that I survived having my teaching observed by my principal on Monday. I know I'm a fairly good teacher. I've never really had complaints - at least nothing serious - from students, parents, colleagues, or administrators in all of my eighteen years of teaching. Still, I experience nervous shakes whenever I'm observed. One more lesson to have observed, and I'm done for four years or so.

...for books on CD. I've been borrowing them from the library and listening to them as I drive to and from work. It's so great! There are only 2 downfalls: my car CD player skips when it's really cold, so I miss the occasional word and phrase - at least until the car warms up. And I have to choose my audio-books carefully or I could make a fool of myself. I was listening to Mitch Albom's For One More Day, a story in which the main character is contemplating suicide and is taken on this spiritual journey to spend one more day with his mother, who had died years before. Well, as I mentioned in my comment on the previous post, I tend to be a weeper, so there I was, bawling my eyes out on the highway to work. Luckily I had a touch of a cold at the time, so when people at work asked, I chalked up the red eyes to that. Not sure what that trucker who passed me on the road was thinking, though.

...for#1's band teacher, who has encouraged him to join the jazz band. He couldn't play earlier in the year because the practices were the same time as his volleyball games. She needled him and needled him until he finally joined last week and he loves it! I told him it was an honour to be so persistently recruited by a teacher. He said, "Well, she kept telling me that she was sure I would like it, that jazz is in my bones, whatever that means." I think it means that she knows him very well.

...that #1 still gives me a hug and a kiss and tells me he loves me before he goes to bed. He's 12 now, and I expect that may stop soon, but I sure hope it doesn't.

...that when #2 asks what's for supper and I reply, his response is almost always,"Yes!" He is by far the least picky of the three.

...that, on cold mornings like we've had for the last week or more, my little car still starts. It's an amazing little vehicle.

...that when my blogposts are few and far between, as they have been lately, people still drop by to see what I have to say. I'm especially thankful that some see fit to drop off a little comment. Thanks, folks!

Have a great week.

I've Decided I Really Don't Like...

...sleepovers.

#1 had a friend sleep over last night. They camped out in the basement with junkfood, a couple of DVDs and a rented GameCube. Of course, #2 and #3 wanted to join in the fun, but #1 wouldn't hear of it. I tucked in two broken-hearted little boys as they listened to their older brother and his friend giggling it up in the basement.

They stayed up late (of course), resulting in grouchy, hard-to-deal-with children this morning. #1 even had the audacity to complain to me (albeit privately) that the sleepover wasn't nearly as fun as it could have been because his friend wanted to go to sleep at 2:00. I think his exact words were, "Who sleeps at a sleepover?!"

I don't even like it when the sleepover is at someone else's house. There's something about when our family is not together overnight that makes me feel uncomfortable. I've even caught myself doing a mental inventory when I awaken for a quick moment in the night. Is everyone in their beds where they're supposed to be? Just the sound of #2 snoring in the next room helps me settle back to slumber.

Looking back, I didn't like sleepovers as a kid either. I'm sure that makes me the ultimate in dweebie. I was the kid who got homesick and had to go home, so - yeah - do that twice and you never try again. I remember having girlfriends sleep over at my house, but I don't remember it being a huge deal. I don't remember begging for a sleepover, like my boys sometimes do.

I guess I'm just being a stick-in-the-mud. And - don't get me wrong - just because I don't care for them doesn't mean I deprive my kids of them.

But - no - I simply cannot say that I like sleepovers.