Cello in a Red Hat

And this was the last photo taken before the camera died. Doh!

Is there a Cello in the house?

Why, yes there is! It's the world's smallest cello! Well, there is probably one smaller. But, how cute is this? Amira has been taking lessons two weeks in a row. Valerie has transferred all her violin skills over to the cello and sounds like a natural. Amira is starting back at Twinkle. And it's so cool!

May Faire

Last month (yes ... LAST MONTH) we had the May Faire at the girls' school. The school puts on two seasonal festivals. There is the "Harvest Festival" in the Fall. And then there's the "May Faire" in the Spring.

One of the fun things about these festivals is that everything is real. There is real entertainment (students drumming, playing recorders and violins and singing). No recorded music. People dress up in the spirit of the occasion. Real flowers adorn the entire site, from the top of the May Pole to each table and the garlands on peoples' heads. No plastic or fake stuff.

Here I am by the May Pole.















Valerie's class (and other classes) did a traditional May Pole dance. It was so cool. I've only heard of these things and read about them and seen pictures. I'd never been to one before. So, this was just tons of fun. Here's Valerie by the May Pole in her blue dress.










Also, at this school there are activities for each child to do. They can blow bubbles, pot plants, build fairy wands, shave ice for snow cones and get their hair braided. There are no "tickets" or money exchanged. This is just for fun and the experience. Also, there's no foam, plastic, paper or candy and wrappers being dumped at each station. Love that.









Here you can see the garland that Valerie made during class to wear to the faire. Another mom and I went to a field to pick tons of flowers (with the permission of the farmer, of course!) so the kids could make their own garlands. Also, the woven grapevines came from her house to make the wreath. How cool is that?









Here Rex & Valerie attend the hair braiding station. I really thought they were going to get Rennaisance Faire braid action. No such luck. But those fourth graders had a blast doing up the hair however they felt.










I also took part in the festival. I got suckered into singing "Roses for Sale" with some other moms. It was really fun. I would love to do it again.








So, there's actually a little drama that plays out for the gathering. The "green man" (our friend, Erik) comes to battle Old Man Winter and drive him away.

Anyway, his costume was so good, I didn't know it was him!












So long, Winter! Take THAT!











And now that it is safe, here come the King and Queen of the May!



And now for the May Pole dance.








One of the best things about festivals at this school is that they really encourage "no waste". All the food is homemade by parents. People are encouraged to bring their own dishes and utensils. Dish washing stations are available. There are bins for recycling. And best of all ... bins for compost! And, in this case, a bin for Holly's pig. How cool was this little sign?

Catfish & Cake

So, last month (yes, I'm really late updating the darn blog. Hey, we've been busy!) Michael took the kids to the annual "Hooked on Fishing" event at Horseshoe Lake. All three kids caught fish. Valerie threw her first catch back because it was too small. But then she caught a fish named "Lunch". Middle name: Delicious



Nothing like a morning catching fish to give you a hankering for a bagel and cream cheese.










Also last month, Rex turned 10. Wow. 10. That went by fast. I know everyone says it. But I never believe them. So, he requested a triple layer cake and 3 friends over to decorate it. And here you have the candy parade.





Porter, Jordan and Wyatt helped him out and then took him to the Outlaws baseball game.



Eri Yoshida was pitching that night. She's an 18 year old female pitcher from Japan and a "hall of famer" from what I understand. It was fun to watch. Valerie even got a signed baseball for Rex. Here's a picture of Yoshida:

Failed!

So, last month I got a letter home from school saying that Amira "failed" her hearing test at school. Well, we had gotten her a hearing test along with her kindergarten physical and it was okay a year ago. Perhaps she's not just ignoring me when I ask her to pick up her room? Guess I'm not yelling loud enough.

Anyhow, I decided to make the appointment at the doctor to get her hearing checked again. Because I just love paying doctor bills. I finally brought Amira in today and she passed the hearing test with flying colors. I was told her hearing is remarkable and excellent in both ears. Well, that's good news. And I guess she really is ignoring me when I ask her to pick up toys! Darn it!

I was just getting ready to stroll out of the office - hoping the bill might be less since we were only there for five minutes. But then I was asked to come into an exam room so the doctor could look at her. Cynic that I am, "Does she really need to see the doctor? I mean, she just passed the test with flying colors. That's good enough for me." But then I was told the doctor ought to look in her ears to see if she has an ear infection or fluid or wax or something that might impact her hearing.

Well, okay.

So, we sat there for a few minutes reading books when the doc came in. She peaked in Amira's left ear and said, "Well, I see something blue in this one." Blue? What?? Then she checked the other ear, "... and nothing blue in this one. Hmmm ..."

Amira says, "Oh. That's a bead. Lucas put it in my ear at school. That's why I don't like to hang out with him." After some questioning, turns out it's been there a while.

So, the doctor tried to "scoop it out" but it was waaaay down there. Naturally Amira flinched while she had her super long, light up scooper in the ear and it hurt. So, then Amira freaked out. The doctor recommended getting her ear rinsed with water to shoot it out. Well, Amira was having nothing to do with this.

Flash forward to 45 minutes later, bribes of lollipops and promises of double scoop ice cream cones and Amira grudgingly let me put some numbing drops her in ear. Then it took several flushes and another probe job to get that little bead outta there.

So much for a cheap visit. We were there from 3:30PM to 5:30PM. Well, it's no hospital bill ... but I know it's not going to be cheap.

Summer Is Nearly Upon Us

Well, it has been a while since I've visited the written portion of Tifftown. I've been too busy living it! In fact, I've really got to find the camera charger and also pull some pix off the camera card. Lazy, lazy, lazy. So, no pix for you!

Rex wrapped up his 4th grade year on May 27th. Immediately following the release from school he went to a baseball game, camping with his dad and a couple day vacation in Santa Cruz with Neni and Uncle Dave. And what a difference between being 9 and 10. I had never heard of the "nine year change" until this year. It's an interesting metamorphosis to live through. And now we have a more independent young man with a little more confidence in his stride.

Valerie and Amira finished up Brownies and Daisies with a June Jamboree camping trip. Valerie spent two cold nights up at the Butte Meadows Boy Scout Camp (no boy scouts allowed that weekend!) And Amira spent a day camping trip up there. Of course I came along for the day trip. I had a van full of mostly 6 year old girls singing songs and laughing and saying things like, "That was hillariouser!" I can't remember the other memorable quotes. For some reason that stuck out.



This is their last week of school. Valerie will be going in to the 4th grade next year and Amira will move on to first. Amira has also requested cello lessons since the piano teacher won't take her until she's 7. So, for the next couple of weeks, both girls will be taking cello. Fun! I personally like the sound of it better than the violin.

Here's a picture of Valerie from the school May Faire.



Rex had an interesting fourth grade year and will be moving on to fifth. There was some dissatisfaction with his fourth grade year. It could have been that "nine year change". It could have been the general state of our public schools. It could have been that the girls defected to a Waldorf Charter School and left him behind.

As summer progressed, he began to entertain the idea of going over to the Waldorf school for fifth grade. I really didn't want to pressure him. But there are aspects of that school I really think he would like. For instance, the hands-on experiential learning would really appeal to him. The feeling of the school is also very homey - not institution-like. There's a real social dynamic as well as not being bogged down with work sheets and more homework than anyone should have. The field trips are phenomenal. Also, he knows some of the kids at that school. I think he gets along really well with them. The types of games they have for P.E. are a lot more engaging than your average P.E. program. I'm not sure how he'll feel about the music and art permeating every aspect of the experience. I personally think it's fantastic. But he's never had a desire to play an instrument or be in a chorus.

Here's some chalk board art from the Waldorf School. Even math is artsy!






Of course, it he goes over to that school, it will be so much easier on us as family too. I won't have to deal with conflicting engagements across town from each other. Also, I can once again give 100% to one school instead of 50% to each. And this school goes all the way up to 8th grade. I could be looking forward to four years of three kids at the same school. Really ... I'm so crossing my fingers they have space for him and he doesn't change his mind.

Anyhow, he is on the wait list. That particular grade has only one teacher and has had a wait list for a long time. He'll get priority since his sisters go there. I'm crossing my fingers that he will get in and love it. So, for now, I have to be silent about it and not play it up. But inside I'm jumping up and down for joy. I think it will be a great move.

In other news, Happy is definitely a rooster. And he's a beautiful one at that. He's got amazing coloring and a fantastic green tail. He's also the most docile, easy going rooster I've ever met. Michael is going to be sad to see him go. Well, we all will. But Michael and Happy have really bonded. That bird perches on top of his computer monitors or his arm and hangs out with him. Darn those city codes! So, Happy will be going to a "rooster sanctuary" at Chris' Egg Farm in Orland. Chris has promised him a great home. Happy deserves the best. It's always sad to say good-bye.