Commander Mathieu

Today I had to talk to the school principal's about an issue that starting to annoy me. I went to see her 5 minutes before the end of the school day. It turned out to be a 25 minutes conversation. While I was sitting in her office, I fail to catch Mathieu as walked by to go greet me in the schoolyard.

He was pissed! When I came out he was sitting outside with Sabrina and he just let me have it. "Where were you? How come you didn't come to get us? Do you realize I had to get 4 big kids to go look for you, so now it was not only me and Sabrina, but and and and ." (I just don't remember their names)

To let me have it is one thing, but to commandeer some kids to go look for me, that's a Mathieu signature.

Dictée PGL -- Remise des diplomes

Today I had the privilege to see my kids receive their diplomas for the Dictée PGL. It's cool to see all that hard work (on Mathieu's part, it seemed like business as usual for Sabrina) rewarded. Of the friends we hang around with, 6/7 kids were top of class. It goes to show: qui s'assemble se ressemble.

(Thanks Daniel for the great professional pictures)

End of Ski School, Milestone of sorts

I still feel it's my birthday. You would too, if you woke up to this:

I know there are a few mistakes (which he corrected by himself later) but there's more and more writing and reading from Mathieu, and he's a real fast typist as well. It's all good.

We went to Bromont for the last day of ski lessons. I have to say the kids got so much better this year. While Sabrina is staying at her level, Mathieu's now going into the AV1 class level. I've just skied with him and he's really good.

Going to Sophie's place to celebrate my birthday, my car had one of its own, in a sense: 100k, just in time to celebrate its last payment.

We had a great time at Sophie's place. I really love my family and appreciate the beautiful chemistry we have together. I really enjoyed it. Thanks all.

Sabrina the organizer

Today was my birthday day totally organized by Sabrina and Mathieu. Sabrina had organized her bit for many weeks now, with tickets being purchased a few weeks ago. It began with Mathieu's event which was breakfast at a restaurant.

Next, Sabrina's part was to take us to the new planetarium to visit the exhibits and see a few shows. My girl really knows me, for I enjoy that science stuff. The first show was loud and without a shred of substance, but the second one was informative and I actually learned something new. It was so great.

Finally we had a nice dinner at home. I really had a great time and the kids organized the best birthday ever. I love them so much! (and their mom too :)

Dinner with Friends

We were invited by Megan's parents to have dinner with them. Megan is one of Sabrina's BFFs. It was really fun and the kids had a great time. It was fun to watch our kids play a dancing game on the wii. Thanks so much Annick and Thierry for the invite.

It's my birthday

And I celebrated it with my family at Scores. Had a great time.

After Ski Birthday Dinner

Kim and Pascal invited us and Donna's gang for a birthday supper after ski. I was very touched by the event and have to say that we had a great time. The kids all played really well together. The parents too. The supper was wonderful and it was just great all around. Thanks K&P.

Happy St-Valentines Day and House of Cards Season II

What a great little St-Valentine's day we had so far, with the kids processing their chocolates in front of Honey I Shrunk the Kids while Suzanne and I have a great Merlot while I cook a great spaghetti sauce and bake a carrot cake.

Tonight, when the kids are in bed, Suzanne and I will have some wine and and have a romantic evening...

...watching House of Cards Season II, which was made available today on Netflix. By far the absolute best TV has to offer at this present moment.

Here's the great Merlot we're having right now.

A wow. Definitely.

!!! FIRST PLACE !!!

Mathieu is following his sister's footsteps by being the first place winner in the Dictée PGL.  Needless to say he's very proud. So are we.

Hockey Game

When I woke up this morning, this is what I found in the bathroom:

She's devouring the books my mother gave her for Christmas. It's great.

Tonight Suzanne and I went on a date to see a hockey game at the Bell Centre. It doesn't happen often and it was just plain fun. A teenager from across the street took care of the kids.

The tickets were great, we were right on the ice, in front of the camera. At one point I looked up and saw myself in the big screen on top of the rink, holding a piece of pizza in my hand.

The Canadians were playing against the Vancouver Canucks, whom they creamed 5-2. I think it was the first time that I went to see a game when my home team actually won.

But what I really like happened during the National Anthem. For some reason we could not hear the person singing. No worries, the crowd started singing softly at first, quickly becoming loud and clear, and with conviction. I was proud to be Canadian at that moment.

Max's New Look

Dictée PGL -- The plot thickens...

Sabrina did her rewrite today and when I talked to her teacher, the amazing Marie-Josée, she told me that Sabrina was fighting for 2nd place against Miguel, meaning that the worst she can do is 3td place. I was also told by her teacher that she's "très compétitive."

Not surprised. 

Sabrina looks like a lamb, but she hates losing.

Dictée PGL Cliffhangers...

Sabrina is among four students who need to rewrite tomorrow. Based on the results one of them will get eliminated.

Mathieu also needs to rewrite at the end of the week. He's fighting for 1st place against another student. Whatever the outcome he's 2nd at worst.

Fot two very English kids competing against mostly French kids, it's not bad.

As they grow older the competition is going to get harder, that's for sure. It's a lot easier to become proficient in a language if you use it constantly and we barely speak French at home. I am nonetheless very proud in their achievements.

Very proud.

In the She Always Amazes Me department:
I always read to Mathieu for 30 minutes before going to sleep, while Sabrina reads her on book. Tonight, Mathieu read a book to me and Sabrina 1) read a Magic Treehouse book, 2) wrote a book report on it and 3) continue reading her Percy Jackson brick (600 pages).