Justin has new teeth and is a violinist

Justin was in the middle of his first violin lesson, ironicly not including a violin...when Felix picked him up to get his teeth fixed. His teeth look great. Probably the best they will ever look in his life if he has teeth like mine! I guess Suzuki violin lessons include listening to a tape of music over and over again ..and after that...again and again. I just can't WAIT to get that tape in my car. He learned foot positioning today which apparently plays an important part in violin playing.

I want to personally thank Shelley for getting "Oh where is my hairbrush" stuck in my head all day.

Dinner and Breakfast by candlelight

We have no electricity. Apparently, the wind yesturday knocked out several towns around the state. I just don't appreciate how much I depend on electricity in my life, until it's not there. The kids and I got home and I couldn't open the garage door...that was my first clue. Well, actually, one of my first clues was the tree laying on the electric wire at the top of the hill. Apparently, that was not what took our power out though.
So, we did homework, and we played board games. It would have been better if it weren't so quiet and the kids voices didn't sound peircing in the room. There was no refridgerator humming or tv noise, or computer...just silence and darkness.
Luckily, we have a gas stove, so I made spaghetti for dinner once I had Felix there to light the burner for me!!
We all ended up going to bed early because it was so dark and quiet. I really couldn't sleep well because there was no white noise and when I did sleep I had really disturbing dreams that kept me awake anyway.
I got up this morning and had to wash my hair with cold, bottled water. It just isn't the same. I do not look good today. I am so glad I didn't live one hundred years ago!

Justin is getting his chipped tooth fixed today. I can't wait to see how it looks. I don't know if he will miss his violin lesson because of it. He may. He missed it last week too because the teacher didn't know he brought his violin. One day, maybe he will get a lesson.

Dried Apple Heads

I decided to make dried apple head dolls for my Smilie volunteer work on Tuesday. I carved a bunch of apples last night and put them in my food dehydrator. They look great. I hope they don't get too dry being there all day. I actually don't think they could get too dry. I am very excited about it, especially since Justin seems so excited to do it. I am getting used to the idea of working with twenty kids at a time instead of just two at a time. Like Shelley said, it will be good experience and I think it will be fun.

I talked my mother into helping with the Harvest Festival. I think we really need to start advertising for it. I really hope Kathy has it under control because I am still not so sure about it.

I hope to start adding pictures to this blog soon. I have not been posting from my house computer so I don't have access to pictures right now.

Mirabel's Ear Infection

Yesturday Mirabel woke up from the nap she isn't supposed to be getting at Playcare and complained that her ear hurt. She told the teacher that she had an ear infection. The teacher called us and told us that she said that "her body does not recogize this feeling." I told Melissa that she said she had an ear infection and Melissa asked me when Mirabel got her doctorate degree. After her most recent diagnosis, she is working by appointment only! I guess she IS going to be a doctor afterall...as I keep saying!!

I went to my second Smilie Community Club meeting last night. I still feel like our Harvest Festival is a bit discombobulated. I am not quite sure what I am supposed to be doing. I think if it all comes together as it should it will be a blast for all.

When we got to the meeting last night, we were missing our babysitter, Mr. Woods. Felix showed up just in time to be volunteered as designated babysitter for all the kids. He did a bang-up job. There was only one injury.....my future daughter-in-law! I hope this doesn't hurt Justin's chances with her.

I am also going to be a parent volunteer in Justin's classroom. This is more involved than I had expected as I am going to actually plan 45 minutes worth of material each week with very little guidance. This will be good practice for my ongoing teacher training. It is exciting and nerve wracking at the same time. I think after the first day I will be fine. I will try not to let a group of six year olds get the best of me!


We are getting geared up for hockey season. Depending on Justin's performance, I could end up being a full time taxi service. We will see. Marina is going to be playing hockey up in St. A. From what I hear, they grow them mean and aggressive up there...Good luck to the St. A. Coaches in transforming this little tree hugger into a killing machine!

Mirabel is doing awesome in gymnastics! She is having a great time. I think she is pretty good, but I am prejudice. Last week, she was joined by her somewhat somersault deficient cousin Derek. He was a bit reluctant to get out there in the beginning, but I took it upon myself to act like a fool out on the tumble track to get him interested. I am not sure if it was my Mary Lou Rettonish style or what, but he is an official t-shirt wearing member of Hruska gymnastics now!! Woo Hoo!

Max got his first professional haircut this weekend. This was very exciting! He looks like a little rat dog now. Originally we were going to have him get a puppy cut but he was matted in a few spots so they just shaved him. Boy, does he look skinny! But oddly, taller.

Max also has a new room. He is residing in the library room now. I am not sure about this arrangement though because his first day alone in his new room he made potty messes all over this relatively small area.