Autumn Manifesto

Autumn has officially begun! (although it's been here for the entire month of September)

Here's the Khouri-Parham Family Trio Autumn Manifesto: (sorry, but you'll have to bend your head to the right to read it, since I can't figure out how to rotate the picture)

Checked for September: all those things!
I know it might not seem like a lot, but it's realistic for us. And, if we do something extra (like two cultural activities!), then it's a bonus!


HIKE 1:
Pink Lake, Gatineau Park
Saturday Sept.6 2014
Note: We had a crazy rainstorm the previous day, which caused a lot of fallen trees on the path. Regardless, we made it around the lake and felt like jungle explorers when we encountered unrooted trees and fallen branches along our path.

HIKE 2:
Mud Lake, Ottawa
Sunday Sept.14 2014
Note: a cold morning! Showing the natural environs to our Toronto visitors (the little boy, Asher, is Margot's 2 year-old cousin)

CULTURE:
Museum of Nature
Saturday Sept.13th 2014
Note: What to do on rainy Saturday afternoon? Go to the museum!

CULTURE (bonus)
The Tempest for children by Rag and Bone Theatre Company at GCTC (studio)
Sunday Sept.21
Note: It was entertaining. I'm not a big puppet fan, but it worked and Margot chuckled at the comedic moments (especially the part she vividly remembers: the dogs).  I don't remember Trinculo and Stephano being chased by dogs… hum… I'm a bit concerned that the stuffed dogs may have warped Margot's first experience of The Tempest...

NEW EXPERIENCE:
Raspberry picking at Potager Eardley
Saturday Sept.7th.
Note: It was the second batch: the fall raspberries. A bit on the tart side.

I'm a list maker. I'm a memory recorder. I like checking things off. I like making plans. I think that it's so easy to fly though a month and not really experience anything "special". By having a Manifesto (and sticking to it), we "force ourselves" to go out and do things. It's sometimes too easy to fall into the hum drum of daily life. Sure, I think it's important to have a lazy weekend once in awhile, but I don't want to get too comfortable. It's not good for my vagabonding spirit...

Changes

It's time we hug farewell to summer:

Notice Margot's practical and hip fashion sense when we go on hikes!

Back to school:

Same school. Same classroom. Same teachers. A few of the same "amis". A year older.

Painting our walls white:

Original colour of our entrance area and hallway walls were a dull salmon-colour.  We have always hated that colour. Simon decided that enough was enough and we (he) spent a weekend painting.

Organizing (not really a change, but a funny moment)

(those are candies that Margot organized. She plays with them and Simon eats one once in awhile. Sshhh…)

A new haircut for me: shorter and curlier with versatile bangs.

Guest Post: Our visit to the South West of France

What an August!

Our lives have been so busy the last month - going to France; our 10-year anniversary; Margot going back to school, that Jen has barely had time to think, let alone blog. So, to help her get back in the swing of things again she's asked me (Simon) to write a guest post to give some of the highlights of our amazing trip to France at the end of July/start of August.

Where to begin...

Well you should first know that the only reason we chose to visit this part of the world was to visit our friends, Bex and Fanf, and their children. We've been planning this trip for three years now and the stars finally aligned and off we went. This is one of the few times we've had a mission when we've travelled and I really liked it. We ended up planning our trip around our friends and discovering all these cool sites that you never hear about in the guide books.

But to take a step back...

Our trip was really divided into three parts.

Part 1: Ste. Croix.

The first three nights of our trip we stayed in an eco-house in the country surrounded by sunflowers.  In the day we spent a few hours visiting the nearby hilltop towns and Albi, the home of Toulouse-Lautrec. That was nice, but my favourite time was the afternoon and evening where we just relaxed, played with Margot and drank wine. The perfect introduction to France.

Part 2: Beziers

The heart of our trip. We spent six nights in the Beziers area and saw lots of great local sites - from Roman Ruins to ruined castles in the mountains to the Canal du Midi. But I think what made the visit so special was seeing our friends. Margot got along instantly with Owen and Matilda and made sure little Nell didn't get into too much trouble ("Oh Nellllll..." - sorry inside joke). In the evenings, while they reenacted "Frozen" on the terrace of a local restaurant, Jen, Bex, Fanf and I enjoyed wine and just talked.... the last time we met (and the first time we met Fanf) was in 2008. So much life has happened in between! When time came to leave Jen had tears in her eyes of course (oh my Jen!) but maybe the next visit won't be as far apart as the last. There's no law against visiting France again...!

Part 3: The Pyrenees

The last couple of nights in France we spent in the foothills of the mountains separating France and Spain. This is another beautiful region and worthy of its own trip on its own. We saw prehistoric cave art, Cathar castles and got lost driving up a mountain (heart...pounding...can't...bre...athe..). That's ok. Our little Citroen got us home safe and sound.

So that's it. Not even a fraction of our adventure. But hopefully it gave you a taste of what we experienced.

Thank you to Bex and Fanf for everything! It was perfect.

Fun in the Summertime!

Strawberry Picking in June:

Swimming…
At Grandma & Grandad's pool:

In the river, at Fitzroy Park:

At Dovercourt (swimming lessons):

Going camping:

Biking:

Margot's First Ever Dance Recital

Margot's first on-stage role: a pearl

Two performances. I couldn't choose which one I wanted to post on my blog, so I picked both of them.  Enjoy and have a good laugh! She's not hard to miss: she's the one with the dark hair.

Afternoon performance:

Evening performance: (i apologize for the shaky camera; I was laughing too much!)

The bows:

Summer Project: Step 2 (and other news)

Step 2: Find a teacher

I tried two teachers. Being a teacher myself, my standards are quite high. It's great to be proficient cellist who plays in local orchestras, but if you can't teach (esp. beginners), then you're not much use to me.

Here's what I need:
someone who…. is organized;
                      ….understands how a beginner approaches the instrument;
                      …. structures the lesson in a variety of ways;
                      …. is encouraging;
                      …. communicates well;
                      … gives homework.

My teacher is Marion Arthur and she is fabulous! In addition to all the above qualities I listed, she is relaxed and has a beautiful speaking voice.

In other news: Simon ran a race. His time? Coincidentally captured on camera:

20.19 for a 5 km. Not bad… He came in 2nd (out of 150?)

Margot and Simon spending some quality time on Father's Day:

Summer Project: Step 1

My Summer Project: Learning the cello.

Step 1: Rent a cello.

Step 2: Find a teacher.

Step 3: Practice.

Here it is: the cello (a.k.a. le violoncelle)

Margot took a liking to it right away. She's a little too eager to play on it and I have to admit that I am afraid that she will harm it. Despite its size, the cello is a fragile instrument.

I keep it in its case to protect it [from Margot], as it is recommended.*

For your enjoyment:

Next time, you'll see me and the cello ;)

* Note: Margot is capable of unzipping the case, taking out the cello and the bow, and playing it with the cello on the floor.