Kathy's Diary: Nov. 3 - 9

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This week went much better but it wasn't without its trials and tribulations. Why does life have to be this hard? On one hand I thrive on the challenges that life presents but on the other hand sometimes it just gets to be too much!

For example this week was to be a wonderful – collect myself week and get back into some kind of routine. But it was a little bit of that and a lot of stress as a result of implementing the new ESL report card at school. I mean I can understand about the new ESL Report Card – that it is different and more indepth and while many teachers looked forward to a more comprehensive document, some people just looked at the whole initiative with disdain. Some people really balk at change or new things rather than embrace change. I understand this of course so in my hyper sensitive way took responsibility for everything and tried to please everyone and ended up causing myself a lot of stress. But I was more than happy to do so because once people realized that they have an opportunity to directly impact the outcome of this document through piloting it. They became more constructive on their feedback. It is funny how things can work out in time but people just need time to get used to new things and work their way through it. It also helped them to know they had a voice!

On Wednesday I volunteered in the kids' classrooms. It was neat to see the kids in action. Spencer was presenting a computer picture he had done with labels and was proudly sitting in the “chair” showing his work! Several students read at a little table with me including Tate and Spencer who giggled a little about the prospect of reading with me! Haley's class was doing social studies and I taped together popsicles sticks for their apple dolls. It was great to see how comfortable Haley was at talking with her teacher and how happy she is. We went to gym and I sat there like one of the students while we learned about racquetball – then we got to play!

At home I went back to working on some of my contract work with AADAC. The kids came home and we hung out, did homework and played games since Tim was at work. On Thursday it was business as usual at school and I went to U of C and finished my presentation, which went well. Then I took off to pick up Haley at her friend Allie's birthday party. She had a waterslide party and the kids had a blast. I drove her friend Isabella home as her parents brought Haley to the party and then we headed home. The boys had a play date at their friend Blake's house that night as Tim and Blake's dad went to a hockey coach meeting. It was a crazy night but everyone had a good time! Friday was a day filled with more paperwork and report cards….I was really starting to enjoy them and worked with a few positive teachers so it went well. I stayed 'till 5 pm working with one teacher though to get started on her 13 ESL student reports.

Saturday was great -- we all went to hockey and the boys had a game. Tate and Spencer were both put in the position of “centre” but on two separate lines. Spencer is so assertive and won almost every face off that he was in. Then, since he is not really aware of positioning, went mostly on defense. But he is good at it and fearless. Tate won quite a few face offs too but he isn't as “competitive” as Spencer, so when others would be skating towards the puck he would let the other person get it as a courtesy! They were both skating well and really fast – I couldn't believe it. They still have a bit of a challenge stopping so they all of a sudden will drop on their knees to get the puck if they pass it. Of course they end up taking the other players down with them!

Kelly and I met for a workout after that – she is 28 weeks along in her pregnancy now and really looks great. We had a good workout and then we both went home to clean. She is in a nesting sort of mode and re-organizing everything and I was just doing the weekly 2-3 hour intensive clean. Tim brought Haley to another birthday party and took the boys on a shopping trip. I was alone with my cleaning supplies! Of course I talked on the phone and cleaned! Chris and Maria were babysitting that night for an overnight as Tim and I were heading out to Banff. I was one of seven teachers who were participating in the “Winterstart” 8 km run. Several of the hubbies ran too! Tim decided to join us as well. It was fairly cold but really dark along the route. We had fun running together. Leann and I ended up finishing the last half of the course together as Tim and her husband Martin decided to make the most of the downhill section and blast off. We had a nice chat and just enjoyed the last part of the run, especially since the wall of people had thinned out significantly! We all went to the Grizzly House for a fondue after. It was a three hour meal but it was wonderful. We had a great time – all 14 of us. Didi was there too and some of the other teachers had their older kids at the hotel so Didi had some babysitters for her daughter Winnie. We had lots of laughs. We went out to Wild Bill's Saloon at midnight for some dancing. We were all pretty tired but we did put in some effort and danced a bit. Tim and I walked (limping slightly from our earlier athletic triumph) back to the hotel. We crashed and delightfully slept in till 9 am. We met Leann, Martin, Didi and Winnie for breakfast. Julie, Tammy, Stephen, Andrea and Corbi arrived an hour later looking a little more rested than we! Tim and I went for coffee, grabbed some sweets from the wonderful chocolate shop on Banff Avenue (including a “thank you” box for Chris and Maria)!. We drove home and found Aunty Maria playing cards with the kids while Chris was down at COP for the Canadian Bobsleigh Championships. The kids looked happy and had enjoyed their weekend with their Aunt and Uncle. They went out for dinner and to a movie! After chatting with Maria for a bit, she headed off to get caught up on her weekend chores at home. I had a nap and Tim drove Chris home when he returned with our van after the race. The boys all left so Haley kept me company and of course my nap was over! We had a nice time cuddling and talking in bed. Cori and Jim and Cami came over for supper and we had our family pictures taken by Cori for our Christmas card. Then after books and bed we all fell asleep!