Rounding up May 2013

Wish I was posting June. Oh, how it pains me to be a full month behind on this!

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1. READ

• You are Special - a lovely book Georgia borrowed from the school
• Neil continued reading his Malazan series (1200-page books)

Madeline at Wascana on May 3.

2. WATCHED & LISTENED

TV

• Top Chef Canada (N/K/M/G)
• hockey playoffs (N)

DVDs/Movies

• Ice Age: Continental Drift (girls; Netflix on their computer)

Podcasts (K) - tried a few new ones, but they didn't stick

• WTF podcast (Marc Maron) - interview with Huey Lewis - 30th anniversary of Sports! - good interview; left me feeling nostalgic for Huey Lewis and the News :)
• Photography.ca (one show)
• Photography - Tips from the Top Floor (one show)
• The Digi Show

Videos (YouTube)

• Dumb Ways to Die - PSA from a railway company (the girls watched it over and over, and played the game on the iPad)
• The Duck Song

What's left on the trampoline after the girls are finished playing with water balloons.

3. EVENTS & OUTINGS

• Neil, the girls, and my manager attended my final Dale Carnegie class/graduation
• birthday parties: Georgia went to a home-salon party and a bowling party at Nortown Lanes; Madeline went to a party at Bath Goddess
• sleepovers with: Alissa (S) - 4 times
• playdates with: Elise, Keira, Victoria (G); Alex, Mattea (M)
• the girls went to K4J - last time for Sophia as a Captain
• Sophia attended a regular EDGE evening and a "lock-in" (sleepover) at Holy Cross parish - she loves going to EDGE
• the girls participated in a video for Greg Johnson, Tornado Hunter - they had to chase him like a scene in Rocky: Tornado Hunter Pre-season Training (they're on at 2:40, but hard to spot; Sophia's wearing pink) - the girls also enjoyed exploring the shore of Wascana Lake after the video shoot
• Georgia went shopping with her Auntie Laurel during the older girls' Saturday dance class
• Sophia and her friend Alissa went to Africa Day at Laval (in the evening); their classmates Angie and Alvin had invited them - it looked like a fantastic event with lots of food and entertainment
• on Mother's Day, we visited three greenhouses: West 25th, Cherry Lane, and Doorn's
• we had a potluck lunch at my work place - I was in charge of the theme and I asked everyone to bring a dish (or main ingredient) that starts with the first letter of their last name - I took Blackberry Lemon Salad
• we returned Rob's Jeep to YG and had lunch with Mom and Dad - the girls played with two of their cousins for a little while, too
• we went to the GAA Quiz Night Fundraiser (for the Gaelic football team, Prairie Gaels) - Neil and I teamed up with our friends Corey and Emma - we enjoyed the quizzes and did pretty well at 7th out of 13 teams; the kids had fun with games and crafts, and Neil won the big raffle prize: a night in the executive suite at the Travelodge (which we haven't used yet)

Kids running after the Tornado Hunter for his pre-season training video.

MUSIC & DANCE

• I attended a set-dancing workshop at St. Luke's Hall - learned the Corofin Plain Set; also, one evening at The Pump to practice the Antrim Square for Mosaic; first time dancing as a "lady" and I was totally disoriented!
• the girls danced in the Prairie Gael recital at the Leboldus theatre - a full hour of dancing - good show! the older girls had fun doing a couple dances to pop songs, including Firework (Katy Perry) and Inner Ninja (Classified); Georgia's group did the Fairy Reel very well! Laurel, Donna, Lou, Mom, Bev, Colleen, Grandma Mantay, and Sophia's friend Alissa were there, too
• the girls danced at the Save the Children Strawberry Social - Donna, Lou, Laurel, and Mattea (M's friend) were there, too - the older girls wore their new curly dance wigs for the first time; the girls brought home too much stuff from the flea market tables
• we enjoyed Georgia's Music for Young Children recital where she played two piano pieces very well: 1-2-3 Dance with Me and Piano Polka - duet with Mrs. Young. She also played in the Sunbeam 1 bell ensemble and sang the MYC Theme Song
• we enjoyed Sophia's spring band concert at LeBoldus - an impressive concert performed by band students from grades 6 to 12

Sophia is the closest trombone player on the far right.

SCHOOL

• Sophia and Meghan bought some items to wear for "twin day" at school; Madeline twinned with Mattea; Georgia with Victoria
• Sophia went out for lunch to Thai Garden with Meghan and their teacher (a treat Meghan had earned)
• the girls enjoyed a Subway lunch day, Smoothie day, and Record-breaking day at school
• Sophia spent a whole school day at a liturgical retreat
• Sophia went to the school's grade 7/8 drama, Mystery at Shady Acres, with Laurel (Bronwyn was there with her class)
• Sophia participated in a band tour to three elementary schools
• Madeline went with her class on a field trip to a classmate's beautiful farm (which we've all visited before) - they were lucky to have great weather for it
• Neil talked to all three grade one classes (separately) about bison

Bronwyn and Sophia before their first performance. / Neil trying the new leprechaun cut out.

MOSAIC (May 30-June 1)

• Thursday: Madeline, Sophia, and Bronwyn danced twice; Madeline's friend Mattea spent the whole evening with us; after the Irish pavilion, we visited the Kyiv Ukrainian, Brazilian, and Italian pavilions; the girls saw several friends dancing at the Kyiv; we met Donna, Lou, Laurel, and Chris at the Brazilian pavilion and saw a great show on the stage at the Orr Centre; home about 10:30
• Friday: I curled Georgia's hair with the hot rag rollers and lots of Redken Hot Sets 22 spray - it actually worked well, but the hour-long process was unpleasant for both of us; Georgia danced twice - Beginner Reel and Fairy Reel; I danced the Antrim Square; after the Irish pavilion, we visited the Korean, Hungarian, and Scottish pavilions; the girls tried on traditional Korean dresses and learned a traditional Hungarian dance; home about 10:30, except Neil who worked at the Irish pavilion until 1:00 am
• Saturday: I washed and curled Georgia's hair, and got myself and the girls ready for dancing (thank goodness the older girls wear wigs!); Donna and Lou picked up Dash in the morning (big thank you!); we were at the Irish pavilion for almost 12 hours... Neil ran the Children's Program (bracelet craft and leprechaun scavenger hunt) with help from Laurel and Tammy (dance mom); the girls and I each danced twice (six times between us); Rob, Robyn, Ethan, Jordyn, and Kacy came to see the girls dance (first time!); after their performances, Laurel took the girls to stay overnight in Avonlea; Neil worked behind the bar all evening; I enjoyed a one-hour break between the girls leaving and my last dance performance, and then worked at bar ticket sales from 8:30 to 11:15; the Dust Rhinos from Winnipeg were playing; Neil and I helped clean up for 30 minutes and then went home - exhausted!
• Food: I enjoyed a few bowls of Brewster's beef stew with potato cakes from the Irish pavilion; loved the Bulgogi (spicy pork, rice, and cabbage with Ranch dressing) at the Korean pavilion; and the girls ate a bunch of Tipperary Chips and TCBY frozen yogurt all weekend

Fantastic show at the Kyiv Ukrainian pavilion.

4. RECIPES TO REMEMBER

• Blackberry Lemon Salad - delicious! (used EVOO in place of flax oil)
• Chocolate Coconut Milk Ice Cream - dairy free and awesome!
• Mason jar salads - my first ones included grape tomatoes, cucumbers, radishes, sugar snap peas, matchstick carrots, and lettuce - washed everything in water and vinegar
• Cilantro Lime Ranch Dressing - yum
• Neil's Ham & Broccoli Stuffed Potatoes
• Soft tacos: corn tortillas, grilled chicken breast, caramelized onions and peppers, lettuce, tomatoes, and salsa (no need for cheese or sour cream - for me)
• Gluten-free Sandwich Bread - good, but too expensive - cashew butter alone was over $6 on sale
• Neil's Pasta Sauce - this is my favourite! I enjoy it on spaghetti squash or gluten-free pasta
• Homemade "Holy Crap" or "Qi'a" cereal - my variation: 1/2 cup (+2T) hemp instead of 3/4 cup (+2T), 1 tsp cinnamon instead of 1/2 tsp, and no dried apples - excellent! I mix 3 Tbsp of cereal with 5 Tbsp almond milk and let sit for five minutes
• Chicago Dog salad - my invention: everything but the bun, sliced or chopped and mixed together

Our mini walk-in greenhouse (purchased last year on clearance).

5. GIFTS

• birthday gifts for two of Georgia's classmates and one of Madeline's
• Georgia received a fancy hairband from Auntie Laurel (which she wore at her piano recital)
• for Mother's Day, I received a card and artwork from Georgia, a card and watercolour painting from Madeline, and a fancy card with a Chai tea bag from Sophia; plus, a book about flowers and a kitchen tool rack (from the Strawberry Social flea market)
• we gave R&R a Canadian Tire gift card to thank them for lending their Jeep to us
• Neil received a LazyBoy recliner from a friend - the timing was perfect because his favourite chair broke the day before

Neil and Georgia planting seeds.

6. SPECIAL PURCHASES

• for the girls: soccer shoes for Gaelic football; plastic cord to make scoubidou crafts a.k.a. boondoggle - who knew?! (thanks to Google and Pinterest for the names); good skipping ropes; sketch books; balloons (to fill with water)
• for me: cute red shoes for summer, tennis elbow brace
• new curly dance wigs for Sophia and Madeline
• annuals, perennials, peat moss, two large pots, and three extra large tomato cages
• 2004 Toyota Sienna - found on UsedRegina.com - fantastic condition! much better than our old one and quite a difference between the '01 and '04 - the private sale process went very smoothly and we were able to pick up the van the next day - hooray!
• lidded garbage containers for each of the girls to have near their seats in the van - we're committed to keeping it clean
• 500 ml jars to make smaller mason-jar salads for the girls
• 11 new songs for my iPod - good to have a music update for walking in the morning
• spring school portraits - I ordered some to give away this time; it's been a few years since I last did that

Our "new" van.

7. HEALTH

• my right arm started hurting so badly, it became a useless appendage - I couldn't lift, grip, or squeeze anything! - saw my doctor on May 10; she referred me to physiotherapy and suggested I start using a brace which I wore often for at least a month
• I went to physio at CBI four times, iced my arm several times a day for awhile, and did some of my computer mousing with my left hand - and my arm started feeling better
• Georgia and Madeline had a cough and sniffles
• Georgia had a fever and vomiting one morning (and just in the morning, as usual)
• I developed sinusitis and it was pretty bad for a couple days
• Neil went to the chiropractor for his back and hip
• Sophia stayed home one afternoon with a stomach ache
• Georgia vomited several times on the Saturday morning of Mosaic - of all days! thank goodness she was fine the rest of the day, as usual - seriously, what's up with this???

Some of our plant purchases. / Icing my tennis elbow.

8. ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• I earned my certificate in the Dale Carnegie Course, Skills for Success - hooray! much effort, but well worth it
• I created and delivered a presentation about the knowledge base (sasktel.com/support) to my department and it went well
• cleaned up the front and back yards, and planted the garden
• conquered the kitchen 100% - it needed some extra attention (to say the least!)
• finally moved the old couch and chair out of the house
• Sophia received two rewards at school: lunch out for being good (most checkmarks and no Xs over the past month), and a Slurpee for cleaning up (which is a tad surprising to those who live with her!)
• more housework than usual because I took a week off work
• I made 17 mason jar salads on the Sunday before Mosaic and they were a life saver that week! just under 3 hours to make them
• prepared 101 bracelet kits for the Children's Program at Mosaic (supplies from Oriental Trading Company) - Madeline and Georgia were a big help

9. DISAPPOINTMENTS

• we hate the fridge we bought last September - too small! (and yet it's the same cubic feet as our old one) - if I had money to spare, I would replace it immediately
• Dash ran out the door, past me, and bit a man (hopefully just his jeans) who was merely walking past our house - he cannot be trusted with strangers :(
• we picked up supper from DQ in a moment of desperation - after preparing a bunch of food for the following week and then having no time to make dinner before a 3-hour concert! (also ate at Subway between two events - another "no time"/unprepared situation - boo)
• SGI didn't hear from the tire shop after asking them to pay the deductible on our van insurance

Our old van's windshield after the hood incident. / Cleaning out the van in the SGI compound.

10. GOALS

• cleared the collection basket - twice!
• completed March photos
• completed April photos
• completed March roundup
• backed up the computer
• took our monthly family photo

11. SPORTS

• Madeline was thrilled to be chosen to compete in the 200m race at the first track meet
• Sophia participated in track throughout the month - she won first place in several events at the quad meets, and then at the city track meet: 5th in triple jump, 5th in relay, 7th in 100m, and 8th in high jump - she wasn't thrilled but truly did well for being in the younger half of the age group (and many kids go home with no ribbons!)
• our friends, Steve and Maren, picked up the girls for their 8:00 am track practices - nice!
• Neil continued training with the Regina Gaels football team - they ran around Wascana a couple times - he was also interviewed for a Leader-Post story about non-traditional sports in Regina
• the girls went to the first two youth practices of Gaelic football - more than 20 children were there and all but five are from Ireland - it's free (for now) and all ages (3-12) practice together - they enjoyed it and want to keep playing

One of the first youth practices of Gaelic football. Neil always goes to help.

12. NOTEWORTHY

• while I was driving on the Ring Road during rush hour, after having the van's tires changed and engine light checked, the van's hood flew up, smashing the windshield, denting the roof, and more - it was shocking, to say the least. I'm extremely grateful no one was hurt!
• my brother lent his Jeep Grand Cherokee to us while our van was out of commission - many thanks to him and to Mom for driving the Jeep to Regina for us - huge help!
• our 2001 Toyota Sienna van was deemed a total loss by SGI - surprise! suddenly had to shop for another vehicle which sucked up a bunch of spare time I didn't have (on top of dealing with SGI, cleaning out the old van, etc.)
• my Dale Carnegie trainer said I'd make a good coach - excellent opportunity for me! I agreed to coach in the fall
• the girls had school photos taken and they turned out well! - first time for spring portraits
• Georgia is very creative in making birthday cards for her friends - and she makes them entirely on her own :)
• getting Georgia to practice piano became extra challenging - but she still wants to take it next year; I registered her for Sunbeam 2 in MYC (Sophia and Madeline each had two years of lessons, and I'd like Georgia to have two years, as well)
• thanks to the slowest spring melt of all time, we didn't get water in our basement
• when the weather finally turned nice, the girls played outside at every opportunity - skipping, biking, trampolining... Sophia even chose the outdoors over Minecraft!
• I didn't have to wear ski pants to deliver papers and plants started growing outside! (not normally noteworthy, but after this winter...)

NOTEWORTHY (continued)

• Neil subbed at Prairie Sky School twice - on one occasion, he made vegan gingersnap cookies with the students :)
• the city replaced the sidewalk in front of our house
• I discovered the awesomeness of PicFrame for making photo collages on my computer (and iPad)
• we sold our bison cows and calves to Mom and Dad (we bought our original three calves in 1999)
• the girls started their 2013 obsession with water balloons - and their new favourite thing to do is to put the filled balloons on the trampoline and jump around them so they bounce and pop
• when my department director saw that our new van has only three hub caps, he made a bunch of calls trying to find one for me - he didn't find one, but it was nice of him to try!
• I took a week off work (the week of Victoria Day) - I've done this for a few years now and I love it! I planned out the whole week with my top 3 priorities for each day, and accomplished quite a bit
• I started Finding Your Photo Style at BPC - really enjoyed this class with six teachers (one per week) - this class renewed my interest in taking photos more deliberately :)
• Sophia earned 10/10 for a presentation on paleontology as a career - she has always said she wants to be a paleontologist and remains committed to it
• the girls attended their final dance and piano lessons until fall - hooray! by this time, we're all so ready for a break
• Sophia dip-dyed her hair in blue Kool-Aid - with guidance from Bronwyn over Facetime
• after asking for her cooperation, Sophia wrote, "I will co-operate after May 24th 2013," and signed it - how can I enforce this?!