The Month of January

Is this month not flying by...it just seems like yesterday we were celebrating New Year's Eve?

So, since my last post, we've truly settled back into routines. January is very busy for me at work as we prepare for student led conferences. I'm not sure about the wisdom of having them at the end of January, but whatever! I feel like my whole January - prime teaching time, is taken up with preparing the kids for student leds. I'll be glad when they're over and we can move on!

Maddie had her RCM exam for piano on Friday. It was a first experience for her. I think she was quite nervous and unsure about the formality of the test. The examiner turned out to be a woman with long curly locks and pretty funky, artsy attire. I think that put Maddie at ease right away. Anyway, from what I heard through the closed doors she didn't make any major mistakes. She said it was "easy"! We'll get to see her marks in a few weeks.

Maddie also turned 9 this past week. It was fun to celebrate with family on Sunday. We had chili, caesar salad, buns and cake. Then Mike left early Monday morning on business to Philadelphia and Boston. It was a long week without his help! He gets home tonight so we are all happy about his return! Chelsea made a cute welcome home sign for him and hung it on the door to the garage.

On Maddie's actual birthday, the girls and I went to see the new Veggie Tales movie. It was okay...not as good as Jonah. The kids got a few laughs out of it and they enjoyed just going to the movies. We were one of three families in the theatre!

On Friday night, I went out to our friends' place. Barb is celebrating her 40th, so her family had planned a little party for her. It was fun to visit and enjoy a delicious meal.

Today after highland dance we helped Marin celebrate her 2nd birthday. It was fun to see her excitement and delight at her gifts and cake...such a cute stage.

So, life is just rolling along. The girls' schedules are getting busy and I struggle with balance for them. Miss Maddie would like to be involved in everything. She thrives on activity, but I've said no to some of her requests. Chelsea goes along with the schedule, but I think she gets overwhelmed so I have to be careful with her too. The piano is a must for now. I really think a musical education is important and they like it. The soccer is good too. Mike loves helping out and the girls have made some friends and developed some good team skills. The highland dance is not time consuming...it's great exercise and they like it too. The problem is, they are really good at it, so the teacher is kind of encouraging me to let them compete, which involves more practice and of course, more money. I want to give them opportunity to find their gifts and talents, but I also want to have time at home to just "be". I know school will become more time consuming in the next few years too. Fortunately, they are both doing great at school without doing much homework at all, but I know that might change. Then there's swimming lessons to fit in when we can! I would also like them to know how to ski and skate.... Balance is harder than it looks....

Anyway, I'm so tired I can't see straight. It's bath and bed for me.