I think I simply have to give in and just get used to our months being of the whirlwind variety! Our October had us going here, there and everywhere, every day packed full of opportunity and change.
- I really enjoyed heading up the Scott Kelby photo walk here in Oakville. It was a cold and blustery day, but a few hearty souls joined in and many wonderful photos were taken. I learned a lot through the process and should I lead things next year, I'll plan my time better as it seems to slip though my fingers!
- Claire is a rock star! Really. At her homecoming (and then at Walkathon) she got up on stage and rocked out singing with the band. She knew all of the words, all of the notes, everything!
- I am not a shopper. The idea of spending a Sunday - 11AM to 5PM - in a mall is outrageous. And I did. With four kids. Save me.
- Typical of Caden: his class was expecting a foreign student to attend. He was arriving from China. What did Caden do? Downloaded the "Mandarin" podcast and spent a day studying so the new student would feel welcome. He really is that thoughtful.
- Warming my heart? Claire is now studying potential universities to attend. I sit in the living room listening to her talking with Cole about their plans for the future and which schools should go onto the "short list".
- My Uncle Bud passed away early in the month. I will always remember his voice, humour and frequent bursts of laughter; that he taught me to play solitaire when I was about 7 or 8 at a summer cottage in Shediac; that he barbequed the most tasty lamb chops; that he happily (I think) played chauffeur on a couple of occasions when I was at university; shared more than a few bowls of vanilla ice cream and nuggets of advice while watching the weather channel late at night; and, that he and my Aunt Beth were married - happily - for 64 years. Wow.
- Hockey season is underway for my little guy. He is so keen he shows up at least an hour before his practices so he doesn't miss out on anything. I love his enthusiasm. Hockey season has ended for my older guy who has elected to hang up his skates and put on cleats instead. The kindness and understanding of his coach really made me think there's hope for hockey!
- We enjoyed (?) a crazy warm Thanksgiving weekend in New Brunswick - it was 30C+. Not condusive to the velvet and cashmere finery I had packed! It was lovely to see so many of my family and family friends. It was a jam-packed few days.
- Chloe is on the school basketball team and got to play in her first game - ever. The Middle One's do a lot of bench warming. She was very good and for a kid who has never played before this year, and did a great job understanding her position and cheering on her teammates.
- I feel somewhat vindicated in my firm belief that you learn more from your mistakes than from your successes with the publication of this New York Times article.
- Mid-month Cole received an invitation from Sport Oakville to attend a Recognition Ceremony. His Crusaders team had been nominated by the Oakville Crusaders Rugby Club to receive a "medal to honour excellence, perseverance and dedication in the area of sport development, performance and contribution to the community." It was a lovely ceremony and nice to see many of the boys and their parents.
- Caden is very happy to be #6 on his Predators team - sharing the same number as his favourite NHL hockey player, Shane Weber. Too bad they aren't coming to the ACC this season. But who knows, he may change favourites mid-season. Fickle, that boy can be fickle!
- So, it turns out I'm on the Parent Association at school now. This should be interesting.
- Cole suffered from hypothermia while away at Temagami with his class. It is never a good thing to get a call from the program director while your kid is away: immediate panic. Cole was fine, but the next time he packs he should be more prepared than cocky ;) otherwise he'll end up back in the silver burrito!
- While Cole was away we, Claire and I, attended the big fundraiser for his team. I was given strict orders from Caden to bid on the big barbeque. I did. We're now waiting on a deliver of a big barbeque! So happy to be able to help one last time and grateful to those guests of ours who attended even knowing Cole was no longer a member of the team.
- I volunteered at two of the four Picture Days at school and it was so nice to put faces to the names that I've heard for years. There are some really wonderful kids, and some real stinkers. I had forgotten how hard it can be to navigate high school. What I did enjoy was some really great conversations with the other mums there with me for the day.
- Claire has caught the first cold of the family. It has really effected her ability to sing and she is so very frustrated. A lingering cough is not helping matters.
- Over half of the blogs in my Google Reader were purged and things are now manageable. Until I add more!
- Nothing beats a quiet tea - following a lovely lunch - with a girlfriend in a quiet corner. Especially if there are peanut m&m's nearby!
- I don't sleep well when my kids are out of the house. This really felt like the month of the sleepover with all of the kids away overnight at one point or another. Maybe if I could coordinate that it all happens at one time?
- Broadway look out! Claire has joined the cast of RENT and attends weekly rehearsals with a new group of friends. She really enjoys it. Cole has auditioned for the school play and hopes to get a part in the school musical, Grease.
- For those four people on earth who didn't know, Appleby hosted Harvest Colours and the middle school baked many delicious treats. Our kitchen was busy with a few dozen vanilla and chocolate cupcakes made ... and eaten!
- Caden was invited out with a teammate to the new family shinny night at Kinoak. The dad was thrilled to have my guy so keen to learn. Big lesson: it's easier to teach someone else's kid. Bigger lesson: there are some really kind people out there - just get out there.
- I met a girlfriend who was in town - well, Burlington - for a tennis tournament with her little guy. So good to see them both and watch him play "my" sport.
- I love that a mandatory part of the Upright Rugby program is yoga.
- Our weekends, for the first time in a decade, are now far more open than ever before. We actually have an opportunity to sleep in and catch up on much needed rest - by all of us. What an amazing change. Good for all of us!
- Now that Cole's hockey season has *poof* gone away, so also has all of the tournaments and commitments. However will we fill that time?
- Parent/Teacher conferences were held at school over two nights. I only made it to the first night so I'll have to catch up on the phys. ed and art teachers along the way! The good news is the kids seem to be thriving with their studies.
- Caden attended his entrance interview. There was laughter coming from the office, so I think that's a good sign. Fingers crossed.
- Claire has started her varsity volleyball practices on the weekends - well in advance of the season. They are a very dedicated group of girls. I'm looking forward to seeing her play this year.
- I'm really enjoying my photo walks. I'm learning a lot about my camera and learning a lot about my emerging photography "style".
- Caden was our only trick-or-treater this year. He went out as Luigi (of Mario Bros. fame) with his buddy Sam. A huge haul, but unlike other years there were no Tootsie Rolls and lots of Bubbles and juice boxes.
- We are all stunned over all the snow in the North East. Nothing here ... yet.
- For the first time ever we are contemplating a road trip - south - for Christmas break. We have 20 days to fill and no hockey tournament. Yes, that's right, NO HOCKEY TOURNAMENT. Hello dolphins and sunshine :)
October reinforced a number of lessons, one key reminder being "if you want something done, do it yourself". And I am. It's exhausing but good. November will be busy with the kids getting to and from activities, rehearsing for performances and studying for exams. I thrive in routine and November seems to be the one month a year where all of it comes together. One variation will be adding Maple Leafs games to our rotation!
