Long time no bloggy

It was brought to our attention that we haven't updated our blog in a long time. I actually forgot about it and Sean has started up his political blog again, so we've neglected this one. This is my attempt at reviving this thing so that you, our loyal readers (are there any out there?), can read about the daily excitement of our lives.

Sean is in the final stretch of school. He should be finished around the beginning of January and enter the workforce. He has accepted a job with his advisor, working at the university again, and will be working on an industry partnership project. After 9 years of university, it will feel good to be working instead of doing school stuff.

It's now 3 months into the school year and I'm busy getting to know my new students and staff members. The Grade 7/8 Arts Ed and Keyboarding courses that I was so petrified about over the summer have turned out to be a lot of fun. I still find it odd that I don't have to guide them through absolutely everything like I did with my kindies last year. Whaddayamean, the 7/8s don't like Robert Munsch?? And they can occupy themselves for 10 minutes without my assistance?!

The weekday evenings are generally pretty busy. Sean and I have started taking music lessons on Monday nights. Sean is formally learning how to play the guitar and I've picked up piano lessons again. This teacher is different from my previous ones; she is very particular about my technique and analyzes a song in incredible detail in order to play it perfectly. I originally just wanted to get back into it for fun but I'm enjoying the challenge it brings. I've gone back to grade 6 songs in order to practice the technique, then I will tackle grade 8 and 9.

Tuesday nights involve a fiesty curling game with Chad and Nicole. We're curling at the Nutana in an open league, which seems to be more of a superleague some nights. This is Sean's first year curling and I'm somewhat peeved since his skills are going to surpass mine soon. I'm enjoying doing this "couple" activity.

I've also joined the NDP Wanuskewin executive with Sean. I figure I might as well join since we have the meetings at our house anyway. Sean does much more with the executive than I do.

The Saskatchewan Down Syndrome Society was looking for people to join their executive and education committee, so I decided to join them as well. I have two, soon to be three, students with Down Syndrome and I have a feeling I'm going to learn a lot about DS and how to teach these kids. We're organizing a conference for April that will focus on communication. Our keynote will present a reading program that works well for kids with DS, and we will also have a couple of SLPs talk about speech, language and oral-motor skill development within the regular classroom. I'd also like to find someone who could present on sign language.

The last thing I've joined recently is a book club with two other colleagues. We're reading the book "Trauma Through a Child's Eyes", by Peter Levine. It's an interesting read, though it makes me realize how easily a child can be traumatized and how much of a responsibility parenting is. The book applies to adults too, so people who don't work with kids may find it a good book too. I highly recommend it!

So all in all, life is busy and fulfilling. I promise that I will TRY to maintain this every once in a while, so stay tuned!