Mr. Dad Byres

Now that we know Allan will be teaching at the kids highschool next year and that Lindsay is currently slated to take two courses with him...... the actual reality of that is settling in and some of the conversations have been totally hilarious.  

Lindsay has a wicked sense of humour and a dry wit and has created some fairly hilarious (and completely fictitious) scenarios for how things could play out next year when Mr. Dad Byres is her teacher....although there is one scenario I really like......

Scenario 1:
(Context - Mr.Byres is known for being a stickler for the rules - especially intolerant of late arrivals).
Goodmorning Miss Byres - why are you late for class this morning?
Umm my Mom forgot to wake me up.
Correct Miss Byres......in fact I woke you up at 6:35am....you are now in detention for being late and grounded for lying.

Scenario 2:
Ummm Mr. Byres I do believe I should be getting a better grade on this project.
Really Miss Byres....let me point out my marking rubric to you once again.
I am going to call my Mother about this.
Go Ahead.... but I am sleeping with your Mother so I win.

Scenario 3:
The dog ate my project.
We don't have a dog.
Riiiight - wrong class.....

Scenario 4:
Could I do this as a take home project please, my Dad has a workshop at home and tools.
Your Dad has a school workshop and tools too - so no - get to work Byres.

Scenario 5:
Great - Parent/Teacher night  is either my Dad talking to himself or it just turned into date night  for my parents- could my life be any more tragic. ( Bonus - Allan and I could actually have a scheduled 15 minute discussion  or we could kiss  the thought of which caused Lindsay to fake throw up....LOL)

Scenario 6:
I am not, under any circumstances - eating lunch with you...... unless you have better food....or a microwave.....or money....hey this could really work out!

Scenario 7:
Can I get a ride to school ?
Sure Honey - leaving at 7am.
ARE YOU KIDDING - who goes to school at 7am?
Maybe I will walk with you and your friends - get to know them? or Longboard with David?
Is it too late to transfer schools?

Ahhh....life is going to be fun next year with my 3 Wildcats..... most of the time :)

Joy on Stage

Lindsay had her Musical Theatre Showcase performance last night - a mini version of Thoroughly Modern Millie - and it was lovely.


What warmed my heart the most was to see her joy in performance is back.

We switched studios this year to a musical theatre only focus without competition and what a lot of fun it has been.  Lindsay was so over the competition drama and all the dance pre-requisites.....she was also smart enough to know that getting a gold medal when noone was competing against you is a hollow victory - she really wanted a more authentic experience of the theatre.  And so we gave up a beautiful studio space close to home and went to a really much less beautiful and polished space but in many ways a way more authentic theatre experience with a Broadway acclaimed instructor who has no ego, no pretension and demands hard work and flexibility and fun.

We had some concerns about the big age range in the class at first but it has turned into a huge plus as the little girls adore the big girls and the big girls got to be leaders and chaperones when needed.  There were also many weeks that they were separated into their age groups to work on pieces.

They were offered an intensive course in tap dancing which Lindsay loved - just as an extra in class - no extra time or money - just a desire to offer a well-rounded experience.

And so last night a group of varying ages of girls took to the stage with some new skills, a great short, well-prepared piece of musical theatre, a play, some great singing and dancing and SO MUCH JOY in their performance and in their friendships.

I wish there were more places children could just enjoy an art, or a sport where competition was not the focus - where the experience itself was valued for what is gives to the child intrinsically, where the pressure to perform, to have the perfect costume and make-up, or brandname equipment was not the focus.  Not all children derive pleasure from a medal or a ribbon....some just want to do these things for the joy it brings their heart and soul.

My thanks to Diana Kaarina at Broadway Edge Performing Arts Studio for her unpretentious studio, her rigorous but joyful instruction, her flexibility and skill and her obvious delight in her work and her students.

Wordless Wednesday - Party 15

Candy buffet for dessert and movie snacks

Watching movies

Opening gifts

How many sleeping teenagers can you spot?

Morning movies

15

It seems impossible that a day that happened 15 years ago can be so vividly recalled today. 

I clearly remember the first glimpse I got of the precious person we named Lindsay Erin Elizabeth Byres......

I am almost in as much awe today, as I was then, that this beautiful young woman turning 15 today is that same baby girl....I tried not to blink, I tried to drink it all in...and yet...it still feels too fast.

I feel overwhelmingly blessed that I was given this child, this girl, to mother. 

I am so proud of the young woman she is growing into. 

She has stretched me, taught me, loved me, laughed at me and with me, we have cried together, I have held her as she cried, we have ranted together and at one another, dreamed big dreams and small ones, celebrated big moments and small victories. we have had lots of adventures some planned, others not so much!  

She is so much our child, a composite of her Dad and I and yet SO much her own self....It is such a wonder to behold!

Missy Lindsay Lou - since that day 15 years ago when I counted all your fingers and all your toes I have loved ALL of you.  You are a light and a delight in my life and I am so proud of what you have made of your life this far. 

I am excited for what is ahead.

And no matter what - I will love you forever.

Happy Birthday Beautiful Girl.

Mama

xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

And then the phone rang.......

I have had a feeling for a while now, like months actually, that change was coming.

I ignored, deflected, diverted, redirected this feeling.

I don't like change. I am a creature of habit. I love being a regular at a restaurant or store, I like the comfort of living in a place where I see people I know whenever I am out and about.

I literally break into a cold sweat at the thought of moving.....

I hasten to add this does not make me boring.....I love a good adventure just as long as all my failsafes are in place....

It's not that I don't like to rock the odd boat......I do.....if I am doing the rocking.....

Like it or not......life changes.......sometimes as expected and in totally awesome ways.  

“All great changes are preceded by chaos.” -Deepak Chopra

That is the part I could do without. The chaos, the angst.........because

All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another. Anatole France

So true.....there has to be a Goodbye before there can be a Hello.......

Today Allan got the phone call and was offered a chance at Hello.  And with it ends a few weeks of angst and chaos and sleepless nights.  Of second-guessing and what-iffing. Of fear and faith.

The change is here.....13 mostly wonderful years at Cambie Secondary are over and Allan will start at a new school in September......a new job, a new school community, new colleagues.

It is the right change.  It is the right time.  And though the leaving will be melancholic the fresh start will be wonderful.  

Especially wonderful for me......as I will be the only member of my family who will not be a Wildcat!

Yup......Allan is off to teach at McMath.  He and David will start as new boys together on September 1st and Allan will teach Lindsay 2 of her 8 courses next year.

I think I will apply to chair the PAC........KIDDING!!!! I am happy they will be together and more importantly so are they.

This change, this change....is good.  or maybe, just maybe, I am getting better at embracing change? 

I am so proud of Allan for making this hard decision and excited for what the future holds for him.

 “One day your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it’s worth watching.” –Unknown

Wordless Wedneday - This is Swedish?

Laundry Room Makeover

The Shame

The Glory