conference time

On Friday night after school, 6 Montessori staff drove down to LaCrosse to attend the 2019 conference. We heard an amazing Neuropsychologist teach about working with children how are affected by ADHD and how we really need to help them develop their concentration. Also attended a nice presentation on using the decanomial material to teach binomial and trinomials. I plan hitting the area model with my third graders in our next math lesson.

So invigorating!

2007 Dodge Grand Caravan

We are back in the van business! Our truck looked like it needed a little work, so Brad the amazing vehicle shopper found a used van that looks almost identical to the van we bought from Mom and Dad--our 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan sport.

Mom and Dad's van was a lot more premium with direction indicator--temperature, power doors and trunk and a console to put treasures, but I think it will be a really nice way to get around and it will be a lot earlier to get around with three drivers and three vehicles.

the body has had some dings, so it doesn't look exactly like this model, but it looks pretty close.

a winter band concert

Last night, Osten, Brad and I attended a lovely concert.

our favorite euphonium player was there making beautiful music

he's on the end on row 4.

The three bands were in top form last night with some memorable pieces in each group. 

The 9th grade band played three songs including a fun song that featured 3 movements of Simple Gifts by Frank Tichell.

The Symphonic band--grades 10-12 non auditioned, played four songs, but my favorite was a cool song called Foundry by John Mackey. That featured instruments that were unconventional found percussion instruments. 

The Wind Symphony--grades 11-12 auditioned, played four great songs, but the last two were pretty superior. The first was Shine of the Fallen by Brian Balmages. I'm copying a description of the piece from FJH music:

Written in response to the tragic events in Kiev in 2014, this music draws on the old Ukrainian folk song Plyve Kacha, which became an anthem for many protesters as a symbol of national pride while also mourning the fallen. Described by the composer as Arabian Dances meets Moscow, 1941, the music is incredibly powerful yet introspective. Quotes of the Ukrainian National Anthem add to the intensity of the music, which features the instrumentalists singing in 4-part harmony at the very end of the piece. Absolutely stunning. (7:30).

Anders was one of the singers during the very end of the piece. It WAS stunning. 

Amparito Roca by J. Texidor arr. A. Winter was the final piece. It was a Spanish march and was really bass heavy in the beginning and featured our absolutely outstanding mallets in percussion during a major portion of the piece. The director mentioned he has always wanted to do this piece with a band and this band was the one he was finally able to do this with. It was magical. 

The Olsons were impressed for sure! 

wrestling

Last night, Osten started a new sport, wrestling. I've been trying to get him signed up for over a year and I finally figured it out! I think he enjoyed the rough housing and did a really great job following directions. After practice I was telling him we should go see a high school wrestling meet. I don't know if I have him sold, but we will see. 

boy on far left playing tug of war

his official wrestling athlete membership

On a different note, the Clemson Tigers are the National Champions of College football. Osten hasn't risen for the day yet, but I know he will be pretty excited to see the result. They dominated the Alabama Crimson Tide 44-16.

image found azcentral.com

glow

In these long winter nights/mornings, the glow of Brad's hard word cutting, splitting, stacking, curing, loading, hauling, stacking, hauling, stacking and loading the stove is very much appreciated. The dry, intense heat warms the soul and the soles.

another welcome sight is a lovely oil lamp that Grace and Clarence Swanson used to have on their farm...a great way to start the day.

new venture

Brad, Bruce, Julie and I are in in the process of purchasing a property to be an office for Portfolio Design Services. It is a beautiful property located just 1/4 mile from our home and will be a place for Bruce and Julie to live in their transition to the Midwest. Here are some photos taken by the realtor:

I'm pretty excited for this venture and prospect of owning a lovely well preserved real estate.

you win some, you lose some

Last night our family + Emma watched the River Falls Wildcats face the Hudson Raiders and the Superior Spartans in the pool at Hudson. Anders swam 4 races--the 100 IM, the 200 Medley relay, the 100 breast stroke and the last leg of the 400 freestyle relay. Overall, he added time to every event. I'm not sure if it is related to his recent surgery and missing some practices, or if his body is getting ready to peak at some point. It's challenging to see the frustration on his face... On to the next meet next Saturday in St. Paul.

so far so good

Yesterday, Anders got his wisdom teeth procedure/healing checked and it sounds like he is doing a good job. Tonight we will be heading to Hudson to watch him swim in his first meet of 2019. Swim Anders swim!

slow moving vehicle

The Olson clan in pretty slow moving today. I wasn't able to make it up for my workout this morning, Osten is snuggled into the couch, Katie just left for middle school and Anders will be leaving shortly for his day as a Junior at RFHS. Today after school he will be getting his mouth assessed to see if he is healing well.

I need to get ready for the day and then make my walk to RFPME.

Brad is the lone mover in the family as he's been up, made corn bread, started a fire and is working away in his little office downstairs. Way to go, Brad!

The high is projected to be 20 degrees and the low is projected to be 20. Not a lot of variance in the temperature for sure--even the temperature is slow moving!

back 2 school

The alarm sounded VERY early this morning. I'm currently eating my yogurt, blueberries and granola in front of a cozy fireplace and happy I got up to do my workout. Brad made some yummy muffins so the air smells great. Anders is at weight lifting. Katie and Osten are snuggled on the couch catching a few more zzzs before I awaken them to get going for the day.

good day sunshine

The first day of 2019 has been sunny and lovely. We arrived back home, I have some laundry going, I have uploaded photos to Shutterfly, ordered our 2018 blog book and will shortly head to Anytime to get my Tuesday workout. After that, I plan on heading into my classroom to do a little prep for our short week and then head home and make dinner/fold and put away laundry.

2019, looking good so far ;)