Saturday, September 22, 2007
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Mute Math was amazing!
If you have the chance to see Mute Math live in concert - DO IT! I went with a few guy friends from church last Friday to London (Ontario - not UK) to see them in a small club. Wow - unbelievable show! Worth every bit of the $22 the ticket cost me (compare that to most arena show prices!).
And speaking of concerts - I continue to get asked by the girls (for instance - tonight at dinner) when we'll see U2 in concert. I hope to take them to see the film "U23D" this fall when it is released!
And speaking of concerts - I continue to get asked by the girls (for instance - tonight at dinner) when we'll see U2 in concert. I hope to take them to see the film "U23D" this fall when it is released!
Monday, September 10, 2007
Back to reality
Just in case there's someone out there still reading this poor excuse for a blog... :)
I am still alive. My blog continues to collect dust, as I have just gone on enjoying a very pleasant summer.
But now the summer is over and it's back into real life! Well - I can't complain - it's been great... and it's good to get back into the swing.
August was really great. We started it off by spending a week at the cottage with Benj and Shel and their kids. Cottage life is so great! Lots of beach time, lots of paddling, and no agenda - just chill time. It was really nice seeing the kids enjoy themselves so much. It was also nice to put them to bed and sit outside with B & S - hangin' out as friends.
A couple fun pictures of the kids playing. We went to the beachfront park one evening (the Georgian Bay side of the Peninsula) so they could play. Of course, they ended up in the water in their clothes...and Georgian Bay water is COLD! You can see they didn't mind.
Another highlight was taking the kids to Canada's Wonderland for the first time ever! I know I talk about my kids alot... but that's because I get few greater joys than to see them having fun, learning, caring for others - they are just so great. My girls proved that they have no fear! They were all about the roller coasters! Ahh - just like their daddy! Kanah wanted to go on an "upside down" roller coaster. So we went! She was stoked. OK - it scared her once it started, but she was so brave for trying it and she didn't cry. She said she'd "do it again next year, and she would try to keep her eyes open"!
But now it's back to the grind.
Kanah started Grade 1 last week. She is LOVING it. Her teacher says very positive things about her, and she's obviously doing well. The full days have been a pretty smooth adjustment for her. It's neat to see her French developing quickly.
Taly had her JK "interview" with her teacher on Monday. They "test" each child individually to see how advanced they are. Apparently her teacher was very impressed. I know - my kids are so smart... and I know... I'm bragging! :)
Today was Taly's first day of JK. She was very excited, and seemed to have no separation anxiety.
This afternoon, Taly started dance class. Those that know her well know that she LOVES to dance, twirl, spin, dress up, and dance some more. She's very excited to be starting lessons (and soon getting her own dance outfit).
Kanah will be starting an art class very soon. She shows a very strong creative side and loves to draw, colour, and make crafts.
We have had a very good summer. It's time get back to reality!
I am still alive. My blog continues to collect dust, as I have just gone on enjoying a very pleasant summer.
But now the summer is over and it's back into real life! Well - I can't complain - it's been great... and it's good to get back into the swing.
August was really great. We started it off by spending a week at the cottage with Benj and Shel and their kids. Cottage life is so great! Lots of beach time, lots of paddling, and no agenda - just chill time. It was really nice seeing the kids enjoy themselves so much. It was also nice to put them to bed and sit outside with B & S - hangin' out as friends.
A couple fun pictures of the kids playing. We went to the beachfront park one evening (the Georgian Bay side of the Peninsula) so they could play. Of course, they ended up in the water in their clothes...and Georgian Bay water is COLD! You can see they didn't mind.
Another highlight was taking the kids to Canada's Wonderland for the first time ever! I know I talk about my kids alot... but that's because I get few greater joys than to see them having fun, learning, caring for others - they are just so great. My girls proved that they have no fear! They were all about the roller coasters! Ahh - just like their daddy! Kanah wanted to go on an "upside down" roller coaster. So we went! She was stoked. OK - it scared her once it started, but she was so brave for trying it and she didn't cry. She said she'd "do it again next year, and she would try to keep her eyes open"!
But now it's back to the grind.
Kanah started Grade 1 last week. She is LOVING it. Her teacher says very positive things about her, and she's obviously doing well. The full days have been a pretty smooth adjustment for her. It's neat to see her French developing quickly.
Taly had her JK "interview" with her teacher on Monday. They "test" each child individually to see how advanced they are. Apparently her teacher was very impressed. I know - my kids are so smart... and I know... I'm bragging! :)
Today was Taly's first day of JK. She was very excited, and seemed to have no separation anxiety.
This afternoon, Taly started dance class. Those that know her well know that she LOVES to dance, twirl, spin, dress up, and dance some more. She's very excited to be starting lessons (and soon getting her own dance outfit).
Kanah will be starting an art class very soon. She shows a very strong creative side and loves to draw, colour, and make crafts.
We have had a very good summer. It's time get back to reality!
Friday, August 3, 2007
Farewell Rich
This Sunday is Rich Birch's last day on staff with The Meeting House. It's definitely bittersweet. Rich is making a move to another church up north (www.trinitycommunity.org), and he and his family are excited about it! It's a great opportunity for him. For that - I'm happy. But for us... I'm sad. We are losing an incredibly gifted man. Rich brings so many strengths that it's hard to imagine working without him.
I will miss working with you, Rich.
Thanks for believing in me 4 years ago when you hired me... and thanks for continuing to believe in me. You have been the best manager I've worked for.
I will not only miss your skills in leadership and creativity, but I'll also miss working with you.
Keep birchTV alive and kicking so that we know what's going on up in Orillia. (But perhaps you shouldn't do the dancing at the desk thing anymore!)
I consider it a privilege to have worked with you and to be your friend.
I will miss working with you, Rich.
Thanks for believing in me 4 years ago when you hired me... and thanks for continuing to believe in me. You have been the best manager I've worked for.
I will not only miss your skills in leadership and creativity, but I'll also miss working with you.
Keep birchTV alive and kicking so that we know what's going on up in Orillia. (But perhaps you shouldn't do the dancing at the desk thing anymore!)
I consider it a privilege to have worked with you and to be your friend.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
A few recent things....
It's been an interesting couple of weeks.
Last week we both took the entire week off work. The girls went to Mom and Dad Albrecht's on Tuesday morning... we painted for the rest of the week. If you've seen our house, you know that we have a second floor loft... which means the first floor has approx. 18 foot ceilings. Yikes. You also know that it was mustard yellow. Yikes again.
So after several days of prepping walls (MANY MANY holes to fill and sand and prime) over the few days beforehand, we started the huge paint job. I brought in scaffolding, extension ladders, poles, and lots of paint. And we painted, and painted, and painted. It ended up taking 3 days straight, 18 hours each day. That was actually faster than we anticipated. It looks great. I must say... Arja's good at picking colour, and she's good at painting. Yes - our marriage DID survive the experience (and we even had our 9th anniversary WHILE painting!).
So we finished painting and cleanup by midnight Thursday.
Friday we slept in, then had a really nice day together. Coffee at "the Bucks", then relaxed time shopping. Arja found a really cute new swimsuit, and I got some very needed shorts and shirts. It was nice to just hang out together.
Mom and Dad treated all three of us couples (Arja's brothers/wives) to a night without any kids Friday night. That meant dinner, and a hotel, and Saturday to hang out. Dinner was at The Keg - my new favourite restaurant!!
It was a very good way to wrap up such an intense couple days of painting. Thanks to my wonderful wife for such a great time together.
Sunday - back at church... then over to our great friends the MacDonalds (Dave and Julie - not Ronald the clown!) for a swim in the new pool and a BBQ. The coolest thing is to see the girls really developing a love for the water and getting more bold - especially little Miss Kanah! Jumping off the diving board and swimming to the side without help from me and without her life jacket. Pretty good for a 5 year old! Taly is getting much bolder, too. I only wish I'd had the camera.
Another highlight was time spent in the kayak last night. Up to this point all summer, my time in the boat has been just paddling for fun - rather than intentionally developing skills. But I thought it about time that I actually learn how to re-enter the boat in the water if I ever am forced to wet exit.
I read about a technique that doesn't require a partner or a paddle float to help you... it's all based on using your centre of gravity and that of the boat. So I headed to Christie Lake to work on this, and my high-brace technique.
The water was incredibly warm (warmer than the air temp), which made it a pleasure to be in at 8:00 at night. Within a few minutes, I had the wet re-entry down, and had some good high braces (and some failures that required a wet exit). After an hour, I simply paddled the lake and watch the sunset. As the air cooled, I could feel the warmth radiating up from the lake. It was awesome.
Tomorrow evening I join up with the paddling group from the area for a late night paddle in the river... it's full moon this week - so it should be fun. I picked up a WAY COOL head lamp on the weekend to help with that.
I will certainly miss the summer when it's gone. And it's going QUICKLY. *sigh*
Last week we both took the entire week off work. The girls went to Mom and Dad Albrecht's on Tuesday morning... we painted for the rest of the week. If you've seen our house, you know that we have a second floor loft... which means the first floor has approx. 18 foot ceilings. Yikes. You also know that it was mustard yellow. Yikes again.
So after several days of prepping walls (MANY MANY holes to fill and sand and prime) over the few days beforehand, we started the huge paint job. I brought in scaffolding, extension ladders, poles, and lots of paint. And we painted, and painted, and painted. It ended up taking 3 days straight, 18 hours each day. That was actually faster than we anticipated. It looks great. I must say... Arja's good at picking colour, and she's good at painting. Yes - our marriage DID survive the experience (and we even had our 9th anniversary WHILE painting!).
So we finished painting and cleanup by midnight Thursday.
Friday we slept in, then had a really nice day together. Coffee at "the Bucks", then relaxed time shopping. Arja found a really cute new swimsuit, and I got some very needed shorts and shirts. It was nice to just hang out together.
Mom and Dad treated all three of us couples (Arja's brothers/wives) to a night without any kids Friday night. That meant dinner, and a hotel, and Saturday to hang out. Dinner was at The Keg - my new favourite restaurant!!
It was a very good way to wrap up such an intense couple days of painting. Thanks to my wonderful wife for such a great time together.
Sunday - back at church... then over to our great friends the MacDonalds (Dave and Julie - not Ronald the clown!) for a swim in the new pool and a BBQ. The coolest thing is to see the girls really developing a love for the water and getting more bold - especially little Miss Kanah! Jumping off the diving board and swimming to the side without help from me and without her life jacket. Pretty good for a 5 year old! Taly is getting much bolder, too. I only wish I'd had the camera.
Another highlight was time spent in the kayak last night. Up to this point all summer, my time in the boat has been just paddling for fun - rather than intentionally developing skills. But I thought it about time that I actually learn how to re-enter the boat in the water if I ever am forced to wet exit.
I read about a technique that doesn't require a partner or a paddle float to help you... it's all based on using your centre of gravity and that of the boat. So I headed to Christie Lake to work on this, and my high-brace technique.
The water was incredibly warm (warmer than the air temp), which made it a pleasure to be in at 8:00 at night. Within a few minutes, I had the wet re-entry down, and had some good high braces (and some failures that required a wet exit). After an hour, I simply paddled the lake and watch the sunset. As the air cooled, I could feel the warmth radiating up from the lake. It was awesome.
Tomorrow evening I join up with the paddling group from the area for a late night paddle in the river... it's full moon this week - so it should be fun. I picked up a WAY COOL head lamp on the weekend to help with that.
I will certainly miss the summer when it's gone. And it's going QUICKLY. *sigh*
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)