Tuesday 31 December 2013

Winter Beauty

The view from my kitchen window this morning.

It is a beautiful way to end the year.

Sunday 29 December 2013

Heard over the pulpit today (while Allen was conducting): ...and for our intermediate hymn we will sing, "Let Us All Pass On."

Tired of this year yet, dear?

Tuesday 24 December 2013

Flames Game

The kids and I volunteer in the concession at games and concerts at McMahon stadium and at the Saddledome. Perhaps volunteer is a bit of a misnomer. We do get the money eventually. It goes to swimming. The Flames organization has a deal set up where kids can earn money for sports and school trips. They actually consider it a donation to kids sports. It is really great. The work isn't glamorous, but it is nice for them to be able to work and contribute towards costs. They get tips, which is fun. They are usually spent on mini donuts or in the Flames store.  Best of all, we often get to watch parts of the game or concert - the last part anyway!

We also get to see all sorts of interesting behind the scenes stuff. For example, last night as we were leaving this guy was loading up all the St. Louis Blues hockey bags. Huge bags, all matching, each with a players number on it. Best looking hockey bags I have seen in a long time! They are a far cry from those poor bags that get drug through the snow after being dumped out of the back of a truck at the rec centre where my kids have swim practice. And I guess another benefit of being a pro is someone hauls your equipment around for you (although, judging from the moms I see hauling hockey bags at the rec centre there are a lot of pro kids in Calgary).

Last night, when we arrived, there were about 10 police men at the security desk where players, employees and important people come in. They were all decked out like sharpshooters you see on TV: bullet proof vests, dull grey outfits with big black boots, and really big guns. When we walked in, I said to one, "Are we expecting trouble tonight?" He did the best don't-respond-and-show-no-emotion I have seen in a long time. 

Turns out they were there because Stephen Harper attended the game. He picked a good one. Flames won it in overtime in a shoot out. Very exciting!


Monday 23 December 2013

Weaving


Peirce has always liked weaving. He wraps strings around cardboard and weaves stuff like no kid I have ever known.

Allen discovered that a friend of mine knew how to do REAL weaving, and had a loom. He asked if Peirce could come over and do some weaving. The stuff he makes is absolutely incredible! He has even created his own patterns. He is one talented kid :)


Saturday 21 December 2013

Big! At Storybook Theatre




Tonight we got to go see Big at Storybook Theatre. It was especially fun because Peirce's friend, Gabe, was in the play!


We thoroughly enjoyed the story. It was a great time! Our family really loves Storybook Theatre!!





Wednesday 18 December 2013

Winter celebration

Peirce's school had a fabulous winter celebration. It was really great. I really love French Canadian celebrations! you can check it out here.






Saturday 7 December 2013

Pronghorn Meet!

My family is all gone to Lethbridge for a meet so I'm watching from afar. So far things are going well! go Jill!




In the end, she took time off everything! Now that is a good weekend!



Friday 6 December 2013

LDs and ED

Today was early dismissal. I have a love hate relationship with EDs. I always want to make it a special day, the kind of day that kids really want to be sure to never miss. Today we had a research day to launch the structure projects we are doing for science. It was a crazy day. Not all the links I had planned (and tested just the night before!) worked. We had indoor recess so there were no breaks. It was a mini marathon of madness.....but I would say we could call it a success.

In the afternoon we had a presentation about learning disabilities. I'd have to give it a mixed review. It was good to be made aware again of the challenges kids can be experiencing with their learning. However, there are so many questions. How do I know if a kid has a learning disability or they're just surfing along on the "that's good enough" mantra. 

I suppose I will turn to the only way I know to get some answers.....keep reading. And all along the way, remember to add a little more kindness and gentleness when it comes to interacting with children.

....but first, I have a huge pile of marking to plow through! Good thing for cold days (apparently the coldest in the world). I have no desire to go out tonight!


Wednesday 4 December 2013

Snow day!!


We have had the blizzard of the decade. I remember this happening a lot when I was a kid-but I don't think my kids have seen it in their lifetime. There was so much snow that today school busses didn't run. That just doesn't happen! 

Unfortunately, I still had to work. I was scheduled to go to an iPad workshop. It was so amazing!! I learned a ton. I was really glad I braved the crazy roads and went.

The kids stayed home. They found some awesome drifts and built a fort in one of them. So much fun!


Tuesday 3 December 2013

Favorite Place

This is my new favourite place in my house. I love to sit here early in the morning, or late at night with the light on and read or pray or just think.

Love it.