:lol: I recently watch the video of "Ebony and Ivory." Paul doesn't look or sound too great (He kind of lost me after the Beatles). Stevie is amazing, as always. Even in the sappy songs he has genius.

I've noticed a few times when Stevie Wonder or any of his songs comes into a conversation, Brits' faces light up and they seem to really love his music. I also worked with a Danish lady who had a Doctorate in Music (from Denmark), and her thesis was about an aspect of Stevie Wonder's music. Is there something special about Stevie in your culture? In Canada, where I'm from, people may like his music or not, but they don't have the same "face light up" reaction.

Not just folk traditions, but pretty much any choir has a huge element of singing by ear and copying what your hear. It definitely takes practice and can be trained. Some people have more natural skill than others, for sure. I'm not totally sure if a musician would feel humbled or proud that their "cool chord" isn't written down for them to be able to play it. But if they aren't able to write it for their grandkids to play it when they're gone, it is sad that the music could be lost.

I wanted to comment specifically to being about to play in a band without having "notes" in front of you. When I stopped piano lessons and started organ lessons and guitar, I learned to play a song by using simply chords. It's really simple to learn to play a new song with just chording. You can add in partial chords, different chord positions, a little melody here and there, and then improvise with what sounds right. Though having years of playing chords, arpeggios and scales on the piano made it very smooth to play the right notes quickly and easily. The classical composer would have learned and played around with all the various chord combinations and harmonies, and Mozart could write it all down from simply hearing it in his mind. Unbelieveable, but he had been playing music and hearing music from a very young age. The combinations of harmonies are so much more complex in classical music than in any other form of music I've heard. There are just so many different instruments, sounds, and parts that all fit together. I think that the orchestra conductor is the only one who see all this, though. Us less experienced listeners just cannot hear everything that is going on.

I have my own "theories," but when I just read that Stevie Wonder studied classical piano to hone his craft it totally convinced me to keep my dc in music lessons. Stevie had about as much natural talent that seems possible, with tons of opportunities to learn and improvise with extremely talented musicians, and yet he still went out of his way to study traditional music. That speaks volumes to me. I play in a band with very talented musicians who used to be rock musicians as a profession. They write music, play multiple instruments, sing and improvise, but cannot write their music down. It limits them in sharing with others and submitting their songs for various audiences, etc. Music theory isn't very fun or exciting, but without it a musician has just closed a few doors on him/herself. With modern recording technology, it is less important and there are ways to get around it, but it does make things simpler when there is a common written musical language. Every person is different, musically, as well. Some are natural "play by ear" people, some need the notes written in front of them, some a bit of both. Not everyone is going to be able to create their own music without instruction, and some people may have their natural musical joy and creativity crushed with too much strict musical instruction. I have no idea what the actual balance is with myself or my own children. I just know that the more musical experiences I've had, the better and more confident I get.

Hope all goes well for you this summer. Enjoy that special reading time. I LOVE the closeness of reading one-on-one with my little ones.

Go for a bike ride through the trails - spring, summer or fall. In the winter, it's almost more stressful to have to go out in the cold. Getting out for a walk, run, ski or skate is wonderful. If I had chickens, I'd probably hang out in the coop like Berta!! That does sound theraputic - unless there's a noisy rooster.

What does "borderline" refer to? Whether she will be accepted into the school? First grade? Who is it that has stated that there will be any confusion between Turkish and English? Do they have research to back up this claim? From all the research I've read, from the experiences of thousands of Candian children studying in bilingual programs, any initial confusion that may happen will be sorted out by the child quickly. Your dd doesn't HAVE to be able to read in English before she learns to read in Turkish. And just what level of reading is this school expecting, anyway? Sounds like a big black hole that I wouldn't spend any time worrying about during special family vacation time. If I were you, I'd have my dd spend loads of time talking and listening to the grandparents who speak Turkish so that she is able to function in a Turkish school program. And that special bonding time with family may not be there in the future.

It sounds like your ds has a wonderful balance with an individual sport, where he can see how his effort and training can translate directly into faster and easier swims, and a team sport, where he can work together with others. I was just like your son and did both those sports growing up, preferring the swimming. Nine years old is still very young, in spite of the sport culture of your area, so keep the door open to trying out other sports. I took up tennis as a teen, and am really loving it now. It's a wonderful life-long sport, with both a team (doubles) and individual aspect. I'm not great, but I'm improving, and there are people of all ages getting out and learning or improving their skills. Tennis is just one example of how people can take up sports and activities at almost any time and really enjoy them.

Great job! You look very dedicated. Maybe try some granola and/or a banana in the yogurt. Our muscles need some quick carbs for energy.

It sounds like rabbits are part of the "charm" of the neighbourhood. Nature right at your backdoor! It's the reality of where you live. I wish I had known about the nature bit when we bought our house because it's was nature inside the door in the form of wee mice.

I LOVE this! I want to be a tooth troll, but I know that I'd be too soft. Dh would be a terrific tooth troll. This thread has been a hoot to read. It's neat how the Tooth Fairy journey evolves over time as the kids get older and life happens. My oldest son has lost the thrill of the tooth fairy and I just offer to buy his teeth, but I see now that I can inject some fun into things and have a tooth fairy assistant or tooth troll come and liven things up!

Thurs. evening - Tennis for 2 hours ScouterMominIL - Another tennis mom!! And you play with your kids, too! Someone after my heart. My kids are enjoying tennis as well, though I can still beat them. This will change in a few years, I'm sure! :001_rolleyes: Sadly, on the drive home from tennis, the dc and I hit a deer. We're fine, the deer isn't, and the front end of the van is in pieces along the road. :huh:

Good suggestions from others. Ibuprofin is good for relieving muscle pain. Good running form can help prevent a lot of injuries. Is there a place you can join a "Learn to Run" program to get some information on running form and setting up a training program that is gradual? I LOVE running, but when I started back doing it after a multi-year break I hurt my foot by doing too much too soon. I've also improved my running form and haven't had any injuries after doing two marathons and several half marathons. Hope you're feeling better soon. Keep on running and cross-training!

One other funny example came to mind regarding "rude" driving. My friend who grew up in Montreal, explained to me that what I thought was rude and even crazy driving in Montreal was seen by her and other Montrealers as skilled and fortunate. Instead of complaining about a driver cutting in front of you, the response should be "Wow! Did you see that guy fit into that space!! I didn't think it was possible. I have to try that!" :driving: It kind of blew my mind growing up on the prairies were we actually pull over to let people pass us. :lol:

I agree with many others who have said that what is perceived as rudeness can be cultural and situational. My dh and I were visiting the Louvre in Paris last year and had some really good laughs about differences in behaviour from different cultures all squished into a small area with a panic to get close to certain pieces of art. Being Canadian, and naturally pretty polite and non-physical in a crowd, my 6 foot, 250 pound dh was getting tired of getting pushed around by others, so he decided to go against his personal rules of rudeness and just plow through the crowd. Seconds later, an Australian dad said to his wife and kids, "Follow the big guy as he's doing great in this crowd!" :lol:

Great perspective. It only feels like bombs dropping in the room when the boys are "playing." :laugh: And the blood and injuries are just flesh wounds!!

My runny nose is caused primarily from environmental issues, like tree pollens in the spring and rag weed in the late summer. I live in a valley which seems to trap the allergens so that most people end up having allergic reactions eventually. I never had the rag weed thing until I moved here as a 30-year-old. I've had pretty good luck with flonase or nasonex, as long as I only take them in the morning so they don't interfere with my sleep. I've not had much luck with Claritin or Allegra, on their own. I never tried a combo with flonase. Reactin is working for me now. My dh uses flonase and/or nasonex for his dust and mold allergies, and both work great. Good luck getting some relief!

How about Robert McColskey books? I've done many as read-alouds, and love them! Make way for ducklings, Homer Price, etc.

Wed night - Taekwon-Do training Thurs - Run 5km with ds. It really blows my mind how easy my ds can run 5km! Why couldn't I do this at his age or 30 years later?! :laugh: I also find it amazing how many of you moms can get out there (or in the house) and get active with little ones! Awesome and inspiring!! High heels - Ropes courses are so much fun, and what an upper body work-out! No wonder you needed some rest days!

I really think you are on to something important in having some sort of schedule for physical activity. It's much more motivating to have specific goals and/or check-lists in order to keep up a regular routine. Working up to a running race, like a 5km, is an idea if your boys enjoy running. The fitness challenge and merit badge ideas are also great. Even joining a website that allows you to log in your daily exercise are fun. I use www.runningroom.com as it's Canadian. There are lots of other versions. All the best. And a shameless plug as an active mom, if you join in with their physical activity, there's a huge benefit for you all. :hurray:

That's really disappointing. It sure does seem strange that they couldn't have joined in once you got them to the arena.

Yay for a mat floor! I hope that the dr finds out what's bothering your ds.

Wednesday - 5km run Soror - you are so right about the ease and quickness of LOSING strength and endurance. My short run felt heavy this morning. It's the first time I've run in 3 weeks, since my marathon. Time to get back on the "horse" and recommence a running training plan! :o I'm doing a 5km run with my ds on July 1 - his very first! Then I have a half marathon in September.

First time checking in here. I really like the variety of exercise you're all doing! Great job. Sunday - Tennis: 1.5 hours, Cycling: 1 hour Tuesday - Strength work-out: 30 min. Soror, love your comments on building strength and feeling strong again. I've slowly let my upper body strength slide, and want to build it up again.