6 years 5 months 20 days

Day 2364. What a day! I had set my alarm for 9:30 am; of course the kids were up much earlier. I got up and got ready, and just before 10 am we left the house together, i.e. Tammy, Emmy and I. We rode the subway downtown, doing reading practice, then walked to the music school. It was the first class of the new semester. The other boy in the class had quit but there was a new girl. She was really shy and not up to the level the other three kids were that have been in this class.

The teacher started the class with the greeting song, then she asked everyone whether they had gone skiing during the break. Then it was time to get serious. She did the finger warmup with them, taking her time. Emmy was bored and not participating very well. After the finger warmup, she did the one song the kids have been practising, and Tammy and Emmy got the opportunity to play it for everyone all by themselves. Then she did an older song they hadn't been practising any more. It's amazing how fast they had forgotten how to play it but it was coming back. Then she did the last of the songs the kids had been practising. After that, she called them to the front to teach them a new song. I recognized it right away. The kids had learned it last year for the performance they had done in public at a festival where they sang two songs.

After the song, the class was over. The kids got a sticker each into their sticker books. They're now on the last page of their sticker book they've had since they started at the music school over 3 years ago. One of the kids hugged the teacher before walking out of the room, and she said "see you tomorrow" and that she was looking forward to hearing them tomorrow as the piano competition is tomorrow morning. 

We put our shoes and coats back on and left the school to walk back to the subway. We took it for three stops, then walked to McDonald's where Randy and Sammy were already waiting for us. I had ordered on the way there so the food was ready for us. We had a good time eating. At 12:30 pm I left them as I had a 1 pm student. The kids wanted to go to the playground right there so Randy took them there before going home with them.

I was extremely tired and could barely keep my eyes open. Once home I turned my computer on and prepared for my lesson, then I taught from 1 to 2 pm. I was surprised at how early Randy and the kids returned home, and then there was some drama between Tammy and Emmy so they interrupted my lesson a few times.

After I was done teaching, we all got ready to leave the house, putting our costumes on. It was Sammy's first time putting his Pumuckl costume on, and he was very excited. Emmy had misbehaved during piano class and had had some anger fits again after a two-day break, and he was really acting up bad as we were getting ready to leave and then leaving. It was hard to get him to come at all. 

We took the subway for three stops, then got off and got on the bus there. Emmy finished his reading practice. After getting off the bus, we walked to the dance school where we arrived just on time for the 3 pm party. Randy and Sammy took the elevator up, while I walked up the stairs with the other two. We took our coats and shoes off there, then walked into the dance hall where there were already a few kids. The party was about to start. We took a picture, then sat down. A few minutes later it started. Tammy pointed out to me who her new ballet teacher was. She misses her old ballet teacher very much and doesn't much like this one as she says she's too strict. 

The event lasted for two hours, and they were two hours of (dancing) games. Surprisingly it was Emmy who had the most fun. He participated in all the games and did all the dances. It was Tammy who wasn't happy for part of the time though she also enjoyed herself sometimes. They enjoyed the "pulling carrots" game that they already know the most. And they enjoyed dancing with me. Sammy also had fun. I threw him around and chased him another time. And he got some attention from the disguised dance teachers that he enjoyed a lot. And each kid got a donut that we all ate together.

At 5 pm the party was over. We got dressed and left, walking back to the bus stop to go home. We rode the bus and then the subway and were back home by 5:40 pm. I was still extremely tired, barely able to keep my eyes open for me, but there was no rest for Mommy. I went to the kitchen to make their sandwiches and gave them to the kids. Then I sat down at the computer to get ready for my 6 pm student. As this student is always late, I then went to the kitchen and started cutting up their fruit, periodically glancing at my computer to see whether my student had come. I was able to finish the fruit and give it to the kids, then I sat down at the computer and started teaching over 15 minutes after our class had started. 

By 7 pm I was done teaching and started preparing for my 8 pm student right away. Once done, I went downstairs with Tammy to do piano practice. We don't usually do piano practice on Saturdays but because of the competition tomorrow morning they did their 8 pieces one last time. After Tammy, it was Emmy's turn, then it was bathtub time. After the bathtub, we had time for a quick Bible story while Emmy was acting up once again. Then I prayed for all three and sat down at the computer to teach, while Tammy and Emmy still brushed their teeth before going to bed. 

By 9 pm I was done teaching but I still had some wrapping up work to do. And so it was quite late before I got to eat and take a break, and it was probably longer than it should have been. I had so many pictures and videos of today that it was obvious that there was no getting done with them today. But I'm glad I was able to finish my report. Now it's 1:15, and I still have to clean up the kitchen. Tomorrow morning I have to get up even earlier than today.