November on FB

 My thoughts and prayers go out today to all the teachers and staff of schools filled with children who are either having a Halloween Hangover from all the candy last night or who are bouncing off the walls from the candy they ate this morning.


Brace yourselves.... it's coming

Can anyone explain to me why dumba$s anti-vax protesters are allowed near schools?


Mom, Mom! Take a picture of my smolder!

WHY DID NOBODY TELL ME THAT THANKSGIVING IS ONLY A WEEK AWAY??????????


2021: No improvement from last year. Needs to spend some quality time thinking about what its done.

2020: Does NOT play well with others

Working on our Chuck Norris jokes

Isaac: Why does Chuck Norris never take his skin off?

Everyone else:.....

Dragged the boys down to the waterfront earlier this week to check out some of the new artwork on display.



It doesn't matter who you are, if you didn't have leftover Thanksgiving dessert for breakfast this morning, you are not living your best life.

Here's your friendly holiday shopping PSA:

Clean Jazz Festival

Who gets up every school morning early to attend a before-school Jazz Band class? 

That's not a trick question. We all know the answer: Michael

Michael decided he wanted to play piano in the jazz band and I have to say the band director looked very pleased to hear that news when he met Michael. And Michael was pleased to hear that that jazz band does not have to wear tuxes to perform like the concert band does.

Michael loves playing and it shows. It's been fun to listen to him perform for years and we're excited to get do so in person again.

Orchestras Concerts

A lovely person who happens to be a friend who happens to be Ben's cello tutor gifted us with two tickets to see the local symphony orchestra IN PERSON last Sunday. It was a lovely concert with the one exception of one piece that didn't have any string instruments. Or at least, that was Ben's opinion of the event.

I also enjoyed it, but am not prejudiced against brass and woodwinds.

The timing was convenient as yesterday was Ben's first orchestra concert of the year. The concert happened at the school with parents watching on zoom and other students whooping in the hallways. Being on Zoom is no reason not to wear really uncomfortable clothing all day for a 15 minute concert, so here is Ben in all his orchestral finery. 

Due to a fortuitous scheduling conflict, Ben is in 8th grade orchestra this year. Since Ben has had lessons for a couple of years, moving up a year in orchestra is a good match. Ben won't admit to do anything well, but his orchestra did a lovely job and I am looking forward to hearing them in person.

First FIRST Robotics Meet

Robotics is also up and running again after a a break. These very fascinating events follow rules that I struggle to follow/remember. Teams are paired up with other teams in each round and scores are combined...somehow. Each round has two parts and it seems there are multiple tasks that can be accomplished...maybe.

Regardless, this was a tough event for the two teams from Josh's high school. But the genius of robotics clubs is developing the skill of not getting discouraged by failing and learning to try again and again and again. And again. 

The Last Shots

Yesterday the littlest man got his first covid vaccine in a beautifully organized clinic for the littles. He was not excited for the shot, but loved the sticker with the crown on it.

He was also pretty thrilled with the bribe he received afterwards.

Birthday Adventures

For my, um, 17th, um, birthday, Jason and I went north to the Museum of Glass for the day. Without the children. Because spending time alone is nice and because spending time in a place with a lot of glass is less stressful without the children.

Note to self: Isaac is not allowed in the gift shop at the Museum of Glass.

We watched Blown Away on Netflix a little bit ago, so we were pretty excited to find out that you can watch glass blowers live in person at the museum.

The artist in residence was Brian Pike and he was assisted by the museum's glass blowing staff. The picture on the floor is what they were making while we were there.

Fire is cool. Fire and glass, very cool.

When the glass blowers left for lunch, we checked out the rest of the museum.

They have some very impressive Chihuly pieces. I'd be good with this piece in the house - I'd be willing to move stuff around to make it fit.

Not all of the art is inside.

The iconic Chihuly bridge outside did not disappoint either.

Sunday night, after a lovely gluten-free, vegetarian lasagna, we played a 10-second challenge game that resulted in the shinanagens seen below. 

Happy birthday to me!