10 Km Wine Country Race

 Sophie and I ran the 10km Wine Country Race today.  Sophie smashed it with an 8th place finish overall, and 4th female.  After taking considerable time off from running earlier in the year due to her stress fractures, she has come back strong.  45:36 chip time.

I went into the race with the plan to run my splits sensibly and consistently and not blow up.  I was happy with a place of 2/55 for my age group.  My official chip time was 55:11.  Not a PR, but not my slowest 10km either.  I'm running faster than I was 10 years ago. 

My pre race breakfast was a banana and half a granola bar and about 1/2 a small Tim's coffee.  Just about perfect.  After the race, Sophie and I went to Cora's for a fantastic breakfast.  

Around here..

It's been the usual busy week around here.

Work, kids' activities and fitness related stuff for us.  Sophie competed in the Valley's Cross Country race this week and qualified for Provincials in Abbotsford.  She's had a great running season.

The kids both had a Pro D day today. Fynn went to the mechatronics camp.  He and his friend Taylor made a cool robot.  Fynn's a bright kid.  He is building his own computer at home purchasing the various parts as he can afford them.  Love how his mind works.  He also took a keen interest in the recent federal election.

Vic and I are competing in the Crossfit Open again this year.  We had workout 20.3 today.  I finally kicked up from the floor into a handstand.  Now it is time to work on the push up portion of the movement.  Very difficult.

Sophie got a job!

I'm so proud of Sophie. Earlier this fall she had a goal that when cross country running club wrapped up, she would try to get a job at McDonald's.  A couple of weeks ago, we went on line and found out how to apply (including uploading her resume).  Within a few days she had a return email requesting an interview. She had her first interview this past Friday and then a second follow up interview today.  She got a phone call later today that she got the job!  She goes and picks up her orientation package this week.

I'm so excited for her. Such a big step in her independence.

Limping to the finish line

The last crawl to the finish line.

Sophie is finishing Grade 8 and Fynn Grade 5.  Somehow, we have gotten through 3 competition dance programs (in 3 cities), weeks of soccer games (several out of town), track practice for Sophie, a ballet exam, a piano exam (which was a real nail bitter, and thankfully she did pass), weekly dictee tests for Fynn (thank you Carson for being such a great tutor), and finally me advocating for Sophie to re-write an important year end math final. She needed to get a better mark and with a bit of pushing and support it happened (she got an A!).

Seriously, parents need an award of sorts for surviving the year.

Track Meet

Sophie started running the odd weekend with Vic this spring and she was really doing well.  She could keep up to him, so when she said she wanted to join the Track and Field club at her school, we really encouraged it.

She practices a couple of times a week (a bit tricky as there are some conflicts with dance).  She had her first track meet this Saturday in Kamloops. 

The girls 4 x 400 metre relay came in first place!  Sophie also ran in the 1500, 200, and 800.

Planning ahead

Back in late summer, I read an article in a magazine about a college application / educational counseling service called IvyWise.  Since that time, I read more about them with the idea that some early planning would be good for Sophie as we will be navigating college/university admissions in a few years. Both Vic and I made some costly and time consuming missteps in our early post secondary education, and we want the kids to avoid this if possible.   I sent some emails and had a free introductory call with IvyWise before Christmas.  After filling out their online questionnaires (one that Sophie completed, and one that I did), we had our first 90 minute Skype/phone call today with Sophie's new counsellor, Amy.  We learned a lot today about the college admission process in the US (we want Sophie to keep her options open), but Amy also is experienced with Canadian universities as well.  Amy asked a lot of great questions of Sophie and Vic and I, and for an exploratory meeting, I think had some good take-aways.

I'll post more about this as we learn more and get more of a detailed road map to help Sophie as she makes her plans over the next few years.

Happy 14th Birthday, Sophie!

This is what happens when you blink.  Sophie is 14 tomorrow.

She invited some friends over Saturday night for a bowling party, pizza and cake.  After a couple of hours of bowling the girls asked if they could come back to our house for a bit longer.  Kate, Abby, Felicia, Cami, and Erica (Hunter was busy). 

Today we went skiing...lots of snow which made it somewhat difficult as the runs weren't really groomed.  I think this was our 6th time up this season which isn't too bad.

Vic and I also were able to squeeze in some time with Guy Greavette of Vikings Weightlifting who is helping us with our form/technique as we try to learn Olympic Weightlifting.  Things are coming along....slowly.  The photo of me is an attempt at a Snatch.  A very difficult move at the best of times.

Fynn also played hockey in Lumby and his team had a nice little win.

So this is happening...

tomorrow Sophie turns 13.  How did this happen?

Her friend Hunter is coming over for a movie (LaLa Land) and a sleepover.  Tomorrow, I'm treating 7 girls to a lunch at Cafe Tasse, and then cake at our house.

Best mom over, right?

Lots going on

We got up early today for Fynn's hockey tournament. Fortunately this was a local tournament so we didn't need to drive anywhere, but Vic and I did need to be at the rink by 7am for his first game.  Fynn got a goal in this game which he was thrilled about.

Later I attended a celebration of life for a co-worker who's son passed away from cancer at far too young of an age.  It was tragic and my heart breaks for her.  I am reminded to count my blessings.

Later that afternoon it was back to the rink for another game, then the kids had their piano recital, of which we had to leave early to get Sophie to her dance rehearsal.

 This was followed by our final stretch of volunteering for the tournament and finally Vic's work Christmas dinner.

Back to School. My wishes for these two.

Today marked Sophie going into Grade 7 and Fynn into Grade 4.

It was a fairly smooth morning.  I was up early.  About 6am as I was having trouble staying asleep.  I went into the living room, ate my cereal and watched a bit of morning news.  Sophie came down soon after, fully dressed.  Not too long after, I woke Fynn up.  Around 7:25am or so we left for school.   Earlier than our usual departure time from the previous school year but I think we were all anxious and ready to just get to school.  Fynn was dropped off first...quite possibly one of the first kids at his school.  Sophie was next.  No issues or problems.

I headed down to work, grabbing a coffee and settling into my office before most of the others.

Here is a photo I snapped this morning before we got into the car.  I hope all mornings go as smoothly.

My wishes for you two (in no specific order):
- that you will eat the lunch we pack for you
- that you will reconnect with old friends and smile and be kind to kids you do not know (everyone is new at some point)
- that you will engage (say hi, speak up in class, ask questions) with your teacher
- that your teacher will love teaching
- that you enjoy wearing your new clothes but you will not judge others by what they wear or are not wearing
- that you will work hard, manage your time, and not see me as the demon at home when I ask you to do your homework and Kumon math
- that you will have fun!

Happy September

The kids go back to school tomorrow.  Sophie in Grade 7 and Fynn in Grade 4.  Part of me is filled with a bit of dread as it means my summer of not being a taxi will be officially over.  The kids have been mostly independent all summer....walking or using public transportation except for when they needed to be dropped off/picked up at summer camps.

Sophie is starting competition dance classes this fall so that means more taxi cab work for me.  I suppose Vic and I will survive with the "divide and conquer" approach that seems to serve us well.  He primarily ensures Fynn is at his hockey practices and I look after Sophie and her dance commitments.

On the personal side, I am looking forward to a senior level HR program that I am starting through UCLA distance this fall.  It's been awhile since I did a more formal program for work, so it will feel good to get back into something structured.  We also have a trip to Disneyland coming up.  Not ideal to take the kids out of school 2 weeks into the school year, but this is a "redo" of the trip we messed up last May due to Fynn's expired passport.  Eek.  Just thinking about that fills me back with dread.

Day tripper

I was literally a Winnipeg day tripper yesterday as I travelled via plane from Kelowna to Winnipeg and back in one day.  A long story, but we had planned for Sophie to travel to Winnipeg for her RWB summer dance intensive 2 week camp as an unaccompanied minor on Westjet.  Due to a change in their scheduling they were not able to accommodate this (a bit crummy from a service perspective).  We could either send her a day early or a day later as a minor on her own, or I could go with her.  I opted to go with her.  It actually was not too bad.  The hardest part was getting up at 4am so we could catch our early morning flight.  Apart from that, I enjoyed some quiet time with her, had a couple of good lattes at Starbucks in the airports I passed through (Vancouver, Winnipeg) and did a lot of reading.

I am really proud of Sophie for taking this big step of staying away from home for 2 weeks, half way across the country!  Nice that she could reconnect with her friend Faith whom she met last year at the school.  We will be heading out to Winnipeg via Vancouver to meet her in a week and a half.

Love travelling!

Summer musings

It seems hard to believe that it is the middle of July.  The kids are well into summer routines and I'm enjoying not have to get them ready for school or the homework fight.  They are still doing their Kumon math once a day (most days) which can be a struggle, but in the grand scheme of pushing them a bit, it isn't too bad.

Fynn had a full week of camp last week, attending the Epic Sports Academy.  He loves most kinds of sports (apparently with the exception of karate) so he had a great time attending with our neighbour's son, Dillon.  Sophie is off to Royal Winnipeg dance intensive in August, so still a couple more weeks of her being at home.  They do have a science day camp the week after this coming week that will keep them busy.

As for me, I've been continuing with my CrossFit Lite classes and I am proud of my progress....basically sticking with it since January is my greatest accomplishment and I'm starting to see some nice shoulder definition.  The effort was worthy of a new pair of Lululemon shorts I got when we were in Vancouver a week or so ago. Here's a photo of their beautiful art gallery.  We took in the Picasso and his women/muse show.  Excellent and only in Vancouver!

That's it for now!

Sheri

Sophie, dancer

Sophie wrapped up her dance season with the year-end show tonight. She dances 4 days a week. I don't think we will know what to do with ourselves now that it is over for the year.

She did so well.  The poise and confidence she has on stage is lovely to watch.

Piano recital time

Sophie and Fynn's piano practicing culminated in their recital today at Piccadilly Terrace.  Sophie had two songs and Fynn had three (short) ones.

It was great to hear the kids play and showcase their skills and the residents of the seniors home seemed to appreciate it too.  We appreciate their teacher Jen organizing this.

Here is a photo of the 3 of us before we went in. Yes, that is Fynn in a polo shirt.

Sophie is babysitting

Sophie has been after me for months to help her find a babysitting job.  Since she turned 12 in February it seems to be on her mind, especially as she always seems to be in search of spending money on the weekend.

One of my co-workers has two young daughters who Sophie has gotten to know a bit better through her dance school.  Since today is the start of spring break it was the perfect opportunity for Sophie to watch the girls in the park for an hour or two while her mom ran some errands.  Sophie had a great time with the girls, gained some experience and earned a little spending money.

I must say, this feels like a real milestone for Sophie and nice to have that under her belt.

Family Priority Goal: Helping kids achieve more than they could have imagined

I took half a day off work today and took Sophie to Kelowna (about 75 minutes away from our home) so she could take her Grade 1 Practical Piano exam (through the Royal Conservatory).

It has been months of hard work (and hearing the same 3 songs and scales!).

It was worth it today to see her accomplish this goal.  We won't know her marks for a few weeks but I am pretty confident she did just fine.  To celebrate I took her to her favourite frozen yogurt place -- Menchies.

I promised her a bit of a break from piano for a month or so, and also to give Fynn some time to focus on piano as it really has been heavy duty intensity on Sophie.

Ahhh......

Sophie's Grade 5 Graduation

Grade 5 graduation at Bastion Elementary today.

Sophie transitions to Shuswap Middle School in the fall.

Talk about a range of emotions. So proud. So thankful for her teachers, her awesome principal and the support staff. So happy she has such sweet friends. So excited for what's next for her.

Sophie and Erika

Sophie's friend Erika came over yesterday and had a sleep-over.  I took a few photos of the girls when they were hanging out around the house.

I vaguely remember age 11 and not feeling particularly

good about my appearance.  These two are beauties.

Year End Dance Show

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't happy that Sophie's dance is over for the year.  She dances 4 times a week (two times on Monday, once on Thursday and Saturday morning).  Towards the end of the season it was getting stressful and we were already for it to be over. 

It truly was a happy evening as we got to see the culmination of her hard work as she performed during the show.