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.

Fynn's First Tennis Tournament

Fynn wrapped up his spring tennis lessons today by taking part in the Rogers Rookie tournament at the Salmon Arm tennis club today.  Fynn placed 2nd in his grouping.  Way to go, Fynn!

Skating and Skiing

We seem to be all in as far as winter sports go this year. Between hockey, figure skating and skiing, we have been busy!

Vic and I took Fynn up to Silver Star today.  Being March 3, we are never too sure how much more good ski days are left before the conditions turn to more spring-like.

Today was probably the best day we have had. It was crisp, clear and snow was beautifully groomed.  I think it was ski day #9.  Sophie had dance practice, but she has easily skied about 11 or 12 times as she is picking up extra skiing as a member of the high school ski club.  This video shows Fynn really tearing it up!  He's really come a long way this season. 

When we got home from the mountain today, I headed out to public skating, as I am trying to get as much skating in as possible.  My skates are getting more comfortable, but still not 100%. I had my 8th lesson last Thursday, and I think today was my 4th-time public skating in 2019.

Fynn - hockey

Here is Fynn (#20) playing defense for his hockey team.  It's the PeeWee tournament this weekend, so lots of hockey for us.  Not relishing the early start tomorrow morning, but proud of how he is playing, working as a good team member, building his accountability (he packs his hockey bag, I don't) and giving him focus and something to do in these long Canadian winters.

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.

Happy 10th birthday, Fynn!

He had a great day!

He got to spend a bit of time with his buddy Alex after school.

Then he opened presents at home and was thrilled with his new Go Pro and a nice comic book (Archie) from Sophie.  Later this week will be his party (bowling alley and a sleepover) with some of his pals.

I love this boy madly.

Fynn....soccer

Fynn continues to enjoy playing Development level soccer. We were down in Kelowna today for two of his games.  Great to watch his skills progress.

HRT

After about a year of feeling horrible, with hot flashes, low energy and some brain fog, I asked my doctor last week if I would be a candidate for hormone replacement therapy (HRT).  We talked about the pros and the cons, and the big study back in the early 2000s that prompted many women to stop taking hormone replacement therapy to ease their menopausal symptoms. We decided the relatively small risk for me was something I was willing to take for a better quality of life.

I have only been on the very low dose of estradiol and progesterone for two days, but I can already say that my hot flashes have been reduced.  I went from having 10-12 a day, to around 2-3 (so far).  I never thought I would want to be on hormones, but because I am feeling quite a bit better in a relatively short period of time, I am quite supportive of any woman who talks to her doctor and decides to do this.

On an unrelated not, Fynn had an awesome couple of soccer games in Kamloops this weekend. Pictures below.

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.

Hockey mom

Vic had a planning session for a volunteer board that he sits on, so I was solo hockey parenting today. Fynn had his first game of the year in Lumby, a small community about an hour south / east of where we live.  We loaded up his gear and picked up our Tim Horton's coffee and hot chocolate around 9:30am and headed out.  It was kind of fun just driving with Fynn on his own.  I let him sit up front with me and we played AC/DC almost all the way there (we both love it).

It was nice to be able to talk to Fynn without the distractions of other family members vying for my attention.

He is #12 this year for the Black Panthers.  All ready to go for another season.

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.

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

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.

celebrating

“Some things are more precious because they don’t last long.” -Oscar Wilde

I love this quote.  Today it seems appropos as we celebrated the end of the second term of school, good report cards and two weeks of freedom for the kids from routine.  Spring break!

Sophie and Fynn got their report cards this week.  Fynn had a good report card mostly with "3s".  Sophie hit it out of the park and earned 14 "4s".  She worked very hard this past term and it paid off.  Vic and I are so proud of both of them.

Midnight travels

Poor Fynn.  He was so looking forward to his West Kelowna hockey tournament this weekend.

We made it to the tournament and he did play one game, followed by a swim in the hotel pool, pizza, and a game of mini sticks with his team.

However, things got a little interesting and frankly quite disgusting about midnight (or shortly thereafter) when he threw up his entire dinner all over his bedding, carpet and his PJs.  I am sure the more resilient families would have asked to change hotel rooms but when we factored in the smell, soiled linens, etc and Sophie who seemed slightly traumatized by the whole experience of her brother throwing up beside her in bed, we decided to call it a night and head back to Salmon Arm. With the light traffic it took just over an hour -- so not too bad.

On the positive side, his coach stopped by with his medal and Vic one the 50/50 draw!

Goalie gear

“There is no position in sport as noble as goaltending.” – Valdislav Tretiak

Fynn has been asking for months if he could try being a goalie. He got his wish today at practice. He found out that it is much harder than it looks. Hard to get up, hard to move, and hard to stop those pucks. So proud of this little guy for showing such determination

A busy morning

When I went upstairs to get Fynn up this morning, I smelled something none too pleasant.  He had unfortunately soiled himself.  I immediately put him in the bathtub to clean him up.  This was followed by his clothes and all of his bedding being put in the wash with bleach.

When I say soiled himself, he really did.  Not to the point of diarrhea but close enough.  He hadn't been complaining of a sore tummy and he never woke up last night, so I'm not sure what happened.  He was actually pretty cheerful this morning, so whatever was bothering him last night didn't seem to impact him this morning.

Vic went up to his room a bit later and discovered that the smell from his mattress had permeated the entire house.  Because he has had multiple nose bleeds and other "accidents" on his mattress from when he was younger, we opted to replace the mattress.  The furniture company came and took away the old mattress for a very small fee and delivered a new mattress.  Money well spent.  Here's to a good nights sleep and a better smelling morning :)

Christmas concerts

Both Sophie and Fynn had their school Christmas concerts this week.

Sophie had the added bit of preparation as she played Silent Night on the piano during the pre-concert

 as parents were being seated.  She did great and we are proud of her for taking a risk and performing in front of so many people.

so happy

It was the final day of Fynn's gymnastics class today, so I went up to his school and watched for a few minutes.  He had such a grin on his face as he went though his stations.  What a kid!

In other happenings, Vic took the kids in for their flu shot (I got mine at work a couple of weeks ago) and they all did just fine.  Touch wood, we all stay healthy this winter.