Tuesday night was curriculum night at the middle school. The DH (dear husband) went to Sandbox's classroom (since I'd already met his teacher) and I went to Easel's. I was slightly embarassed when my cell phone went off but I caught it quickly and no harm done. Another person's went off shortly after, so I knew I was in good company. The two main teachers were going over what things they'll cover this year, including the expected outcomes (pronounced "oatcomes"), and had just reached a lull, when one woman's cell phone/MP3 player started blasting Pink Floyd's The Wall. It was hilarious when the school children started singing "We don't need no education!" The room erupted with laughter, and the woman was beet red. After it died down, one man raised his hand and "respectfully requested" that his son not be seated next to her son. It was pretty funny.
DH and I also met the band instructor, whom I liked a lot. She had nice things to say about Sandbox's musicality and manners. I was also happy to hear fromEasel's teachers that she does no appear as miserable as she makes out. Not that she doesn't feel rotten, but at least she's not moping at school and sitting in a corner crying.
A word about the raffle houses that Sandbox wrote about. There are two of them and we decided that we would be happy to win either one. I like the ground floor and upper floor of House 2 better, plus it's on a lake. But the home theatre in the House 1 is to die for. I would also be ok with the Mercedes Benz or a trip to Paris. Hmph, if anything, I'll probably win a grill. (Yes, Dagromm, I know that grills can be ill when you chill with your skills and all that, but I want to win a HOUSE.) Not to be confused with a House. Which would also be a nice prize. BTW, you can view the actual houses here.
Friday, September 28, 2007
Friday, September 21, 2007
Friday
I am busy at work with several evaluations on my current caseload and several high-profile cases coming down the pike. I've not done any Murder 1's or any with media attention so that should be exciting. And terrifying. The difference between those and the "regular" ones is just more scrutiny by co-workers before the report leaves our office and a higher expectation that I could end up in court.
And I guess a higher likelihood that some courtroom artist will sketch me in the witness box.
And I guess a higher likelihood that some courtroom artist will sketch me in the witness box.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
New Bloggers!
Hey everyone - the other two kids in this awesome branch of the family have added their blogs to the fray. Check out Easel's here, and Sandbox's here.
We're having our first guests over today. My old friend from grad school and her partner. Should be fun. We're gonna have Indian food and play board games. Whee!!
We're having our first guests over today. My old friend from grad school and her partner. Should be fun. We're gonna have Indian food and play board games. Whee!!
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Choral Francais
We have decided to attend the Anglican Cathedral of All Saints here in Halifax. 
I tried a church or two before the family arrived, but it's not much fun to attend by one's self, plus one of them was too low church for me.
The twins and I tried out St. George's round church. We had heard that the new organist/choirmaster was top notch and we were, of course, looking for a place for the gang to sing. We met him and he was cordial but not terribly welcoming. Even though he has worked with children in the past (according to web research), he didn't seem very excited about our kids singing for him. Afterwards, the twins were talking about how they didn't think they really wanted to sing this year, blah, blah. I told them we aren't paying for a choir course next summer if they don't sing this year. Plus, I knew this was just a reaction to the lame reception.
The next week, I suggested we try a big church I'd seen on the way to work - St. Philip's. Ugly modern buildings but big, so I thought it might have kids. Wrong. Before we even sat down, we knew this was a mistake. Easel stage-whispered "this is an OLD people's church!" She was right but they were too old to hear us or they may have been offended. The "choir" was three white haired ladies in what looked to me to be Presbyterian robes, and they were singing praise music (yuck. and yuck). I sent a note down to the DH (we were book-ending the kids in the pew) that it wasn't too late to ditch this joint and go elsewhere. He gave me the thumbs up, and we snuck out right after the Gospel. The kids were mortified - "I can't believe we just snuck out of church!!" I assured them that we were leaving to go to another church, not the bar, so I thought we would be forgiven.
We took ourselves over to the cathedral where we were warmly welcomed. The hymnals had music in them (the others hadn't - just lyrics), the architecture was suitably gothic, and the choir director was pleasantly eager to have our voices. I think he was a bit dubious about the kids until the DH gave him a CD of our choir back home. He was quite excited and, I think, very impressed, when he heard them last Thursday.
The family wanted me to try singing with them.
Now, I have sat in on numerous intensive choir rehearsals when I was a proctor for the RSCM so I know I am barely qualified - I have minimal music reading ability and a limited alto range. But, they really wanted me to do it, and I thought it'd be a good opportunity to teach, by example, how one approaches something they feel ill-prepared for and always behind the curve. The kids came home the first day or two from school moaning about how behind they are in French compared to their classmates. After giving them the "stick with it and you'll improve,; it's OK to struggle a bit and not be the best" speeches several times, it seemed a good idea to put my money where my mouth is. So - I'm in the choir too.
The first rehearsal was interesting. We showed up and basically doubled the choir with our presence (the group that comes on Thursday is quite small). The soprano section leader looked a little uneasy about our 12-yr-olds but our kids (all 3) blew their socks off if I do say so myself. It was a big challenge for me. It helps me to be next to a strong voice and I wasn't. Plus, I have heard many of those pieces before, but I was always listening to my kids (mostly) and that means focusing on the soprano parts. I wanted to quit about 20 minutes in, but hung in there and didn't embarass myself too badly. The robes are gross polyester but, what are ya gonna do?
The kids have now completed one whole week of school. Sandbox is enjoying it, Rake is making friends and is embracing the tougher curriculum, and Easel hates it. She's having the hardest time adjusting and accepting that we live here now. *sigh*
I tried a church or two before the family arrived, but it's not much fun to attend by one's self, plus one of them was too low church for me.
The twins and I tried out St. George's round church. We had heard that the new organist/choirmaster was top notch and we were, of course, looking for a place for the gang to sing. We met him and he was cordial but not terribly welcoming. Even though he has worked with children in the past (according to web research), he didn't seem very excited about our kids singing for him. Afterwards, the twins were talking about how they didn't think they really wanted to sing this year, blah, blah. I told them we aren't paying for a choir course next summer if they don't sing this year. Plus, I knew this was just a reaction to the lame reception.
The next week, I suggested we try a big church I'd seen on the way to work - St. Philip's. Ugly modern buildings but big, so I thought it might have kids. Wrong. Before we even sat down, we knew this was a mistake. Easel stage-whispered "this is an OLD people's church!" She was right but they were too old to hear us or they may have been offended. The "choir" was three white haired ladies in what looked to me to be Presbyterian robes, and they were singing praise music (yuck. and yuck). I sent a note down to the DH (we were book-ending the kids in the pew) that it wasn't too late to ditch this joint and go elsewhere. He gave me the thumbs up, and we snuck out right after the Gospel. The kids were mortified - "I can't believe we just snuck out of church!!" I assured them that we were leaving to go to another church, not the bar, so I thought we would be forgiven.
We took ourselves over to the cathedral where we were warmly welcomed. The hymnals had music in them (the others hadn't - just lyrics), the architecture was suitably gothic, and the choir director was pleasantly eager to have our voices. I think he was a bit dubious about the kids until the DH gave him a CD of our choir back home. He was quite excited and, I think, very impressed, when he heard them last Thursday.
The family wanted me to try singing with them.
Now, I have sat in on numerous intensive choir rehearsals when I was a proctor for the RSCM so I know I am barely qualified - I have minimal music reading ability and a limited alto range. But, they really wanted me to do it, and I thought it'd be a good opportunity to teach, by example, how one approaches something they feel ill-prepared for and always behind the curve. The kids came home the first day or two from school moaning about how behind they are in French compared to their classmates. After giving them the "stick with it and you'll improve,; it's OK to struggle a bit and not be the best" speeches several times, it seemed a good idea to put my money where my mouth is. So - I'm in the choir too.
The first rehearsal was interesting. We showed up and basically doubled the choir with our presence (the group that comes on Thursday is quite small). The soprano section leader looked a little uneasy about our 12-yr-olds but our kids (all 3) blew their socks off if I do say so myself. It was a big challenge for me. It helps me to be next to a strong voice and I wasn't. Plus, I have heard many of those pieces before, but I was always listening to my kids (mostly) and that means focusing on the soprano parts. I wanted to quit about 20 minutes in, but hung in there and didn't embarass myself too badly. The robes are gross polyester but, what are ya gonna do?
The kids have now completed one whole week of school. Sandbox is enjoying it, Rake is making friends and is embracing the tougher curriculum, and Easel hates it. She's having the hardest time adjusting and accepting that we live here now. *sigh*
Monday, September 3, 2007
I'm Back!
Whew!!
So I haven't written anything in, like, two months I know. maybe no one is out there reading anymore. And I wouldn't blame you - I've been remiss...
In no real order, here's a quick rundown of the last two months:
- The family came and it was great. We ended up renting my boss' condo for three weeks while we waited for our house to be ready and then for our stuff to arrive. It was a beautiful luxury condo with a lake view from the 6th floor - awesome.
- I am loving my job. We've moved into new offices and, although I don't have a window (no one does) I do have new furniture and computer.
- We visited a couple of beaches, some too cold to swim in and one which was plenty warm but full of jellyfish. Sandbox got adept at flinging them and all the kids got stung. All the beaches were gorgeous though.
- We got into our house and we are still sorting out what the movers broke, scratched, and lost. Can't find the sub-woofer anywhere. Miraculously, they didn't scratch my bed so they get to live. For now.
- Our cat Sherlock became neurotic as he crossed the Canada-US border and is having a hard time adjusting to the new place. He is scratching up a chair or two with which he is not familiar (because they came from my office) and he wants to pee in the music room. The DH and I aren't having it so the cat is spending a lot of time outside. He sits outside whatever window is closest to us and whines constantly.
- The kids got registered for school which starts this coming Wednesday. We like the schools but they are smaller that the ones they were used to in the Midwest and that might be an adjustment. Rake is signed up for the IB prep courses - those that get them ready for the International Baccalaureate program. They also seem to have a decent drama program so she's looking forward to it.
- I'm so ready for the twins to find some friends - they're bored and need some peers!
- The DH is job hunting and trying to stave off the funk that comes with unsuccessful (thus far) job hunting. He's doing a good job.
That's the quick and dirty recap for now. So You Think You Can Dance is over so I'm sad. BUT we have satellite TV now - Sandbox and I are watching a Labour Day Remington Steele marathon. Yippee!
So I haven't written anything in, like, two months I know. maybe no one is out there reading anymore. And I wouldn't blame you - I've been remiss...
In no real order, here's a quick rundown of the last two months:
- The family came and it was great. We ended up renting my boss' condo for three weeks while we waited for our house to be ready and then for our stuff to arrive. It was a beautiful luxury condo with a lake view from the 6th floor - awesome.
- I am loving my job. We've moved into new offices and, although I don't have a window (no one does) I do have new furniture and computer.
- We visited a couple of beaches, some too cold to swim in and one which was plenty warm but full of jellyfish. Sandbox got adept at flinging them and all the kids got stung. All the beaches were gorgeous though.
- We got into our house and we are still sorting out what the movers broke, scratched, and lost. Can't find the sub-woofer anywhere. Miraculously, they didn't scratch my bed so they get to live. For now.
- Our cat Sherlock became neurotic as he crossed the Canada-US border and is having a hard time adjusting to the new place. He is scratching up a chair or two with which he is not familiar (because they came from my office) and he wants to pee in the music room. The DH and I aren't having it so the cat is spending a lot of time outside. He sits outside whatever window is closest to us and whines constantly.
- The kids got registered for school which starts this coming Wednesday. We like the schools but they are smaller that the ones they were used to in the Midwest and that might be an adjustment. Rake is signed up for the IB prep courses - those that get them ready for the International Baccalaureate program. They also seem to have a decent drama program so she's looking forward to it.
- I'm so ready for the twins to find some friends - they're bored and need some peers!
- The DH is job hunting and trying to stave off the funk that comes with unsuccessful (thus far) job hunting. He's doing a good job.
That's the quick and dirty recap for now. So You Think You Can Dance is over so I'm sad. BUT we have satellite TV now - Sandbox and I are watching a Labour Day Remington Steele marathon. Yippee!
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