Well as you can tell, I’m still finding my feet with my new posting schedule… but I’m going to give it a few more weeks before I make any rash decisions. New habits take time to get solidly established- even when the old ones aren’t working.
So on to this week’s triumphs and ummm, uhhhh, moments of lesser glory!
Do-Overs
No School and No Plan
Boy, this one really caught me off guard. Parent/teacher conferences this week, meaning half days of school Monday through Wednesday. Thursday is always a half-day. And Friday, because of the weather, we were given the option to pick the kids up at lunchtime. (I declined.) A whole week of early dismissal… give me a break!
It turned out fine- AJ went to a friend’s one afternoon, I had a house full of boys here one afternoon, and it was really OK, I just felt blindsided by the whole situation. Which wouldn’t have happened if my calendar and I had been on better terms the week before.
But it did throw me off my game, and meant that lots of things I’d planned to do just didn’t happen.
Guardians at the gate… grrr
One of the things on my list for this week was to drop all the stuff I’d cleared out for the middle school garage sale. It had been living in the back of the SUV since the weekend before when I got all industrious and cleaned closets, etc. The sale was happening off campus and so we were asked to drop donations at the home of a radio show during regular office hours. The notice in the newsletter said
If items are dropped off between 11-1, please be quiet because a live radio show is in production during that time.
So I spend my morning writing, working, what-have-you and take a little breather and run some errands around 11, thinking I’ll drop my stuff and be done with it.
Nice try. The receptionist politely, but firmly tells me that there’s no possible way I can unload my stuff because they’re doing a live radio show.
“But they said in the newsletter…..” and “I’ll be really quiet…”
Not remotely persuasive to her.
Grumble, grumble, kvetch, whine, moan…
The funny thing is that I was mildly annoyed at whoever put the info in the newsletter, and mildly peeved at the receptionist, but mostly I was irritated because I felt like I should have known better. There was a question lingering in my mind about why (or whether) they would really let people come in (even if they promised to be quiet!) during a live radio show.
Moral of the story: listen to that little voice inside. It usually knows something!
High-Fives!
Vision Therapy Complete!
AJ’s journey with vision therapy has come to a successful end- at least for now. No more weekly trips to the therapist, and no more exercises at home 5 days a week. DH was really the point person on this one, so lots of credit goes to him for making it happen week after week. AJ himself won’t cop to noticing any difference, but it seems like reading is not nearly the struggle it once was, and his teacher definitely notices a difference. It was a big time commitment and a big financial commitment, so I’m glad it worked, and I’m glad it’s done!
Musical fun!
AJ passed his Suzuki Book 2 test and joined the youth orchestra.
The true high-five from my perspective on the orchestra bit has to do with timing. His teacher (who conducts this group) had been encouraging AJ to audition way back in the fall. We had a lot going on and I didn’t want to add one more weekly commitment, so we passed.
After their fall concert in November, he suggested again that AJ give it a try. They were starting on new music and so it would be a good time for AJ to jump in and not feel too far behind the other kids. He was reluctant, but I pushed and we went to two rehearsals. He was totally lost, and not a happy camper.
My ‘pleasing people’ tendencies would have had him stick it out, but AJ was very clear that he did not want to do orchestra. So I broke the news to his teacher and that was that.
Until a couple of weeks ago, when the teacher brought it up again. The spring concert was coming up and maybe we’d like to come see what the orchestra sounded like, and then after the concert would be another opportunity for AJ to start.
Well, for whatever reason, the time was right. We went to the first rehearsal last week and AJ got his parts for an arrangement of Vivaldi’s Spring and Glinka’s Russlan and Ludmilla Overture. The Glinka is a bear (and will be performed with one of the more advanced orchestras) but the Vivaldi is really manageable.
And AJ is totally into it. He’s wanted to practice that piece first thing every night since he got it. And when he found out that there wouldn’t be any rehearsals for two weeks (spring break) he was seriously bummed.
I’m sure the honeymoon won’t last forever and at some point he’ll complain and not want to go- but for now, I’m just tickled that he’s having so much fun.
Teleclass!
What can I say, it was just a blast to talk to some great moms on Tuesday. I always end up wishing we had more time… Not sure that will ever change!
Live class!
This class ended a couple of weeks ago, but we’re having so much fun we’ve decided to keep going. The only real obstacle was finding a place to do it, but one of the moms has an office above her garage we can use at least for now. I love it when it’s easy!
As I’ve been writing this, the rain has turned to snow. And if the forecast is right, there could be a fair bit on the ground before it’s all said and done.
Now it’s your turn…
Got anything you’d like to do-over from last week? Something to celebrate (large or small)?
Let us know in the comments!
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Sounds like life is full where you are! As far as celebrations, it’s a birthday one here (for hubby today). Hope your weekend is wonderful.
Happy birthday to hubby! Hope you have a lovely celebration!