Typical of this month: someone is always doing homework at the kitchen table.
Every month I start my review post marvelling at how busy we have been - and then the next month we are even busier. I don't think I even took a breath until mid-month - since the beginning of September. October was more than a little nuts with the full flow of school and hockey underway.
- Chloe is so happy to be in the Oakville Children's Choir and enjoyed her time at the retreat. A full day of singing and getting to know each other. A great start to the season.
- Hockey logistics! Crazy. The first Saturday of the month, Caden played with his team, Louis convened, Cole was in Guelph with his team when they met with a nutritionist for a couple of hours before the game. He left with a friend from that game and met up with Louis, Caden and a buddy for the Maple Leafs game at the ACC in Toronto. I'd like to say this was not a typical day - but it was.
- Claire is enjoying her timekeeping of the Minor Atom group. She is up and at the rink for 7AM on Sunday mornings. Keeps her in early on Saturday nights. Yay!
- Our annual furnace-is-on-the-fritz happened, again. Thank goodness for our friend Bruce who got the heat going before the end of the month. Fortunately Mother Nature was kind and the weather stayed warm - for the most part.
- Claire was joined by Marley and "The Davids" at the Optimates Dinner. It was her first time being honoured for good marks. I was, of course, proud mama and thrilled for her.
- Our beautiful maple continues to hold her leaves. Such specacular orange and yellow leaves against the bleak gray skies. Glorious.
- Claire is still hanging out with Oskar, who appears lovely and treats her well. Can't ask for much more than that. Oh, and he has "good flow" so that's a bonus ;)
- While we were attending a presentation by a renowned Sports Psychologist, Cole announced his goal was to be drafted. Drafted? Since when? What? Clearly this hockey thing is not a passing phase.
- For the first time in two seasons Cole did not win a cross country race. He came in 2nd. Huge blow! But he realized he was unprepared and far too cocky. Next race, the finals, the plan is to be better prepared and more humble. Sometimes humility is a good thing, and he was. Not only congratulated the boy who beat him (by 40 metres) but started talking with him about the upcoming rugby season. Boys are funny.
- Much of the beginning of this month I was sick. So sick I would have rather had all four of my kids simultaneously with no anesthesia, sick. I'm happy to say I have completely recovered and will (sadly) never eat cheese again.
- A couple of the mums of the 2013 graduating class (gasp, too soon!) held a lunch at a lovely little restaurant downtown - as in our town, not the town. It was nice to get to know the ladies and hear some of the stories. This particular group of kids, it has been determined, is a bit wilder than past groups. Knock wood, Claire has not joined in with the wild crowd. In actual fact she is considered a dork. I'm thankful for small mercies.
- Claire has started to join Cole's teammates at Yoga on Friday nights. She loves it and has quickly evolved into the "teacher's pet". Girls are definitely more flexible than boys. I'm glad they are both enjoying the class and hope they continue the discipline.
- I headed out to Scrapfest in Oshawa. What a gorgeous drive - along the 407 to the end. The colours were spectacular and it was such a nice day. I met up with Sue Sykes (finally) and Lori Mancini (finally) and hope I don't have to wait long to see them again! I wish I could have stayed longer but had to get back for ... a hockey game!
- My friend and fellow hockey mum, Carey, had a Stella and Dot trunk show at her gorgeous home. So nice to meet such lovely ladies, she really knows how to throw a party and the merchandise was gorgeous!
- We had a rare Saturday afternoon hockey game at home which was quickly filled up with a team dinner at Philthy McNasty's during which Cole managed to "bond" with his team with more bonehead decisions: this time it was to eat a 24oz hamburger in 7 minutes. Thanks to (nurse) Shelley for holding the bucket. His first bonehead decision, to endear himself to his team, was to shimmy up to the roof of Chesswood Arena to retrieve a football this past summer - then shimmy back down. I spend much time rolling my eyes :)
- Caden and I had a grand adventure attending a Maple Leafs game in Toronto. Taking the GO train is very civilized! There is a special train that leaves just in time to make it to the game. I miss living in the hustle and bustle of downtown, but this works pretty well.
- I built a blog for one cyber-friend, which inspired me start building another for a local friend. It is a lot of fun. I might just do a few more.
- Cole is turning into a young man to be depended upon at school: he's had siblings "shadow" him for the day for potential entry into the school next year and late in the month he was chosen to be a Chapel Beacon. I often think he raises his hand too much (wonder where he gets that?) but he seems to thrive on the activity.
- We got news that the last of the confirmed bachelors is getting married! Pete stood up with Louis at our wedding - almost 16 years ago. So happy for him and his bride to be :)
- Life is changing and we're going with the ebb and flow of our kids - their needs and wants are changing - and Louis and I are enjoying how our little family evolves.
So now our attention is re-directed and I'll be focusing on digging out winter gear, upcoming teacher conferences, studying for exams, and many Ella assignments. It's always better to be busy :) What about you? How was your October?
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Do you have a story to tell? If so, and you need a bit of inspiration, be sure to go to this post and enter to win the new "Journaling That Matters" e-book from Ella Publishing Co. I will be drawing for the winner TONIGHT at 10PM EST.
