The boy gets his 4 minutes of fame too. Apparently, he and another cohort in his class are the two clowns.

The girl during her Grade 2 class Xmas concert performance. Try to match her beat, hard to do unless you know her secret chant.

The boy in blue to her left is our neighbour. The shoulder in the foreground is Kate, the crazy lady down the street.



more cowbells

The girl started piano lessons this fall and her teacher held a recital for her students. Here's the girl's part of the program.

I am speed

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Originally uploaded by Lao Er

The boy's pretty excited about skating lessons. A 180 from a few weeks ago when he was adamant that he didn't want to take lessons; didn't want to play hockey; and, that he was going to be a rock star.

Now? He wants to tear around the basement with his skates on. He's in for a rude awakening when he gets on the ice!

Hyuk-Hyuk

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Originally uploaded by Lao Er

Stubborn tooth is getting slowly pushed out by her permanent one but refuses to let go. So in the meantime, the girl thinks it's hilarious to play with it.

Not sure if you can tell by this view - she's got a nice bruise on her left cheek from recess accident. Doesn't phase her at all. But tell her she's wrong about something? You better be ready for the maelstrom of emotions. That's right, a maelstrom.

aarrrrrrrrr-guh

I set like I have fins instead of hands and I have the court vision of wombat. Let's see what else the video shows.

Well ... watched first set and we were in it, actually looked like we could easily have won that one. Just some different mistakes here and there, but nothing that made it look like we were in trouble. I got the sets to both the middle and the right side ok for the most part. Not sure where it really started to go South. hmmm

... as in beer

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Originally uploaded by Lao Er

Free whiteboard markers (well, excluding postage for the coupon)! Who can't use more whiteboard markers!

http://acco.ca/pdf/Quartet-EnduraGlide-Free-Offer-MIR-English.pdf

Guess who

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Originally uploaded by Lao Er

The girl made up her mind pretty early about costumes this year. Don't know how she'll pull off the look with a 50 pound down jacket, though.

Turning to indoor activities

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Originally uploaded by Lao Er

All the leaves around here fell, pretty much overnight, so the city has moved indoors.

Reminded me to finish up with the hilights from early summer.

I challenge you ...

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Originally uploaded by Lao Er

About 3 weeks ago, my kids rocked. Now, thanks to "Band Rock" (as the boy says), they Rock Hard!

Just catching up on the "Places I've sulked" series: in our backyard; at the Royal Canadian Mint; at the Children's museum; at the Forks terminal; and, in Canmore.

Would you, could you sulk with an ox ...

As simple ... but no simpler.

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Originally uploaded by Lao Er

6 years old and the girl just stumped the band.

I showed her the battery acid from my car that was on my shirt, so of course now she wants to know what chemicals are. Hmmm, lessee ... nope ... none of my thermodynamics schooling hits the spot. High School chem? Nope - can't get past Mr. Lussier's perm.

I got as far as - the "H" and the "O" in H2O stands for Hydrogen and Oxygen ...

So, how would you answer "What are chemicals?" to a 6 year old?

Just in case there was any confusion.

Bravo.

Happy Birthday Mo.

R&R

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Originally uploaded by Lao Er

Thanks for a nice 2 weeks in the Rockies, ye-ye and nai-nai.

Mommy come home!

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Originally uploaded by Lao Er

I promise, I'll clean up when you ask without fussing. I'll stay dry over night. I'll even eat meat. But, when you're not home, daddy tries to cook. We've had whirly pas-ghetti ... with vegetables! Then we had eggs for supper!?!? Then yesterday, he made Pillsbury hot-dog wraps, but he didn't use hot-dogs!!!

Actually ....

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Originally uploaded by Lao Er

... it's because he insists on playing this game and he cannot win.

Toot-toot

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Originally uploaded by Lao Er

I'll see your "BTB" (http://formwork.blogspot.com/2008/07/ll-meets-bob.html) and raise you a day out with Thomas ... only more like 1/2 a day with Thomas and actually only about 20 minutes with Thomas which is equal parts 10 minutes going backwards in a straight line along a farmer's field, then 10 minutes forward.

Still, some good supporting attractions. Ye-ye - I think a return visit to see your neighbours trains may be in order - if your ban has been lifted that is.

Happy Canada Day

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Originally uploaded by Lao Er

Nothing says large celebration of our Nation's Day like clowns, inflatable structures and stuffed animals mimicking people. Free doesn't hurt either.

BTW - In case you missed it ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekCNkRB9VJ4