Just Bang it Out!

My mom and dad met in marching band -- yes, really, at NIU. He was a drummer; my mom a flutist. My mom came from a family of musicians (in her German-Swedish-American family, you played an instrument, if not two!). My uncle August even ran away from home to join the Air Force - to play the flute in the marching band, and not to fly planes. True story (right, Mom?).

That said, I kind of liked the piano but I never had the heart for competition and criticism. And, except for ballet - I never really did - and still don't! Dom had a year of Suzuki violin but didn't take the world on fire with his music ability. 

Now Rhys, unlike our friend Jamie, doesn't have a passion for the drums but was interested in taking a Rock class for 5-6 year olds. And since we are game for trying things - I signed him up.

First class - a success. We will see what number 2 brings!

Living the Life

Living La Vida Loca plays in mind as I look at this picture -- it makes my heart happy!

 Claudia loves going to school and playing with her bff "M" -- they love to play dress up, play Mama and Baby, and talk about who is bigger...

Is Claudia following in her mother's passion for dance. This reminds me of all the Doris Humphrey Modern Dances I performed at The Academy. Ah, youth...! ;) 

It's time to plan next year's schedule -- and we are faced with considering which preschool class to enroll Claudia in (four mornings, five mornings, five full days) and even considering changing schools as we are paying non-resident rates, which were hiked up for next school year.

Lots to think about -- good thing we are done making those decisions for Rhys as public school, here he comes in August 2013.

A right of passage

Legos are a common theme around the 5-year-old age group (just read Shemoney's update and it was about Legos, too!).  Rhys received his first Lego sets for Christmas/Birthday - and his kind Aunt Kate put them together for him while Dom and I could only think of the mess and otherwise negative attributes of having hundreds of tiny, tiny pieces around the house.

Ok, before I get emails on the subject, I do believe they are good for spatial awareness and for teaching patience -- but I am sorely tempted to "lose" them anyway until he is at least eight. 

That said..stick with me...

This weekend I took Rhys and Claudia to a benefit for a local reading charity. The event included lots of great crafty stations, clowns and jugglers and an actual play. The most popular spot for R and C - the Lego table. For Rhys, it was because he followed his big kid bff to the table - and the big kid bff is a huge Lego fan (and is eight). And of course Claudia goes where Rhys goes. Claudia was the only girl there and by far the smallest - but perhaps the craftiest....I later found ensconced in her hands Lego pieces stolen from the table.

Aunt Kate - you may have your Lego partner after all!

Spirit of St Louis

Claudia and I are able to take some time to explore museums a few times a month while Rhys is at school and it is a non-babysitter/work day for me.

Today we headed to the History Museum for a fun hour of looking for dragons among the beaver pelts, Steamboat wheels and Cardinals memorabilia. We avoid the paying exhibit halls and enjoy the free standing exhibitions and the warm air.

These are the times I am grateful for my part-time, flexible work schedule and put aside my career frustrations ... for a little bit at least. 

Claudia is my Spirit of St Louis!

Run

We love scaring ourselves with the life-sized (for a teenager) T-Rex at the Science Center.

Big Brother Rhys

Rhys gets to show off his big brother skills with our new nanny's two-month-old son.  He is very excited about "Ash", as evidenced by this photo. He even said he wished Ash was his baby brother...and has made him paintings and likes to make him laugh.

I am sure the shine will wear off soon but it was a good first week with our new sitter - and it made my working life MUCH easier. Now, I just need one more project to help cover the costs.

Claudia is also interested but likes her "babies" to be more interactive.

Under the knife

Dom's all smiles - ha.

After a few months of growing pain on the tennis courts, Dom went in for a consultation last month to see what was wrong with his knee. Six weeks later - we are at the Ortho specialists and Dom is having Arthroscopy on his left knee so that his surgeon can fix a torn, um, something or other. I have to admit I wasn't paying as much attention to the terminology as I should have.

Now the patient is at home recovering and should be back on the courts in six weeks. I will just be happy that he will be able to walk and run without screaming in pain!

Batman Friends

When Rhys started school this year he mourned the loss of his old friends, especially best buddy "L". He would cry at drop-off for the first month. But, just as we had hoped and expected, he bounced back and has made a new crop of best buddies in this new class.

And this time he has some really good friends who are girls: active, fun-loving girls who are also 5 and like to play chase. But right now his best new buddy is another "R" who likes nothing better than drawing pictures and making superhero stories with Rhys.

At Rhys' birthday party.

It is a good lesson for parents, too. It is hard to lose your day-to-day friends and contacts...but, if you do try, you can make new friends while not losing your old ones.

I am back to working on my friendship circle, too.

Kai, Zane, Jay and Lloyd came to the party, too!

The show-stopping cupcakes from Rhys' birthday - thanks to Cakes by Lynn, our local professional baker.

NinjaGO

For his birthday this year we sprung for the BounceU mid-week party package and invited all the local four and five-year-olds and his school friends. About 15 kids showed up - some bringing their little sisters (not that Claudia wanted to play with them), and they all bounced and ran and slid down slides ... it was great (and well worth the cost since we didn't have to clean the house after Christmas).

Rhys said it was "awesome."  High praise indeed!