Music - This afternoon I worked on trying to catch up to some of the new songs Claire has from her piano teacher. Below I've transferred some of my recent efforts of the past few weeks for web listening. As I've mentioned before, if you have a fast internet connection, the MP3 format sounds better. If you're on dialup internet, the MIDI format is useful for a quick listen.
Claire is playing Tarantella for her recital and I hope to do the Ice Dancing Duet with her. If I don't get up to speed in time, she can always perform it solo.
Sunday - Today was a pretty blah day. It was overcast and rainy through much of it. We can't complain, though, because New Hampshire has been fighting forest fires up north due to lack of seasonal rain. It would certainly help our lawn.
We took everyone to 7am Mass and the boys behaved well, especially the twins. Actually it was Abby who gave us a bit of difficulty before Mass. "Do I have to go to Mass again?!" After a while she snapped out of it and we all went for donuts afterwards. One of Claire's friends spent the day. About mid-afternoon I took the two of them and the twins to J Beaners so that Michelle could get some rest during Timothy's nap.
I had been a bit worried because one of the controls for the outside spigot was leaking when it was opened for the season. I was concerned that the valve would have to be replaced. Luckily, it seems that it was just that the valve needed some tightening.
Car - So it's been over a week with the new car. While I won't be taking on Mustangs at the stoplight, it's not a pokey car. It can get out of its own way. It drives a bit different. You could say it has no trouble getting to it's redline, but that redline is only 4500. (just for comparison, Michelle's minivan redlines at 6500 … *smirk*) But on the other hand it does not build torque progressively as most four and six cylinder engines. It's a fairly strong but flat torque vs RPM curve. It reaches its peak torque of 177 lbs-ft at a mere 1800 RPMs. Most four cylinder engines only reach their peak output up over 4000 RPMs. In that respect it reminds of the way V8's don't need high RPMs, though I wouldn't pretend to put it in the same league power-wise.
I filled up on Friday after getting home from the office. The car did well on it's virgin tank, yielding 47 mpg. Hopefully it can sustain that kind of efficiency in years ahead. It's made Michelle wish that they put that kind of technology in a minivan…
Scott, if there's some sort of trick to getting kids to enjoy and sit still for Mass, let me know! The promise of donuts at coffee hour afterwards works well for very short bursts with David. But both he and his little sister (both under 4 still) certainly make it challenging to... say ... listen to the homily... even when they are being as good as kids that age could possibly be! They just are still of an age where they a lot of parenting, which I suppose is a form of prayer unto itself. Our new parish offers childcare during the Mass... thinking of exploring this option.
Posted by: Ernesto at April 27, 2006 06:52 AMHi Ernesto,
At least you are still in a position of doing "man on man defense". :P
What worked well for getting some cooperation was several weeks of pulling the offender out of Mass and both of us sitting outside. If they were a little disobedient, we'd sit in the foyer where the speakers let me still hear the Mass. If they were still wailing, we'd sit outside on the church's steps. In January and February, the cold temps do a good deal to moderate such outbursts. (That, and missing mommy!) They've also been able to watch the "good" siblings eat donuts that they don't get.
Nowadays when Timothy starts his progressively louder chants (testing the limits) I whisper in his ear and ask if he'd like to go sit in back. He quickly says "No!" and controls himself.
It also helps that the older ones are modeling good behavior.
I'm not saying they'd be good for a long service. We take them to 7am Mass. It has no singing and tends to be lightly attended so Communion lines move quickly. I think the longest service has been about 45 minutes. Once they get things really under control, I'd be happy to go to the 8:30am service with more families and music. But for now, this'll suffice.
I do miss that our last parish had a cryroom. On the other hand, a cryroom doesn't do as much to encourage them to behave... It just insulates you more from embarassment.
Posted by: Scott at April 27, 2006 09:01 AMKeep an eye out for Abby's card! Also, let me know if there is something special I can purchase and bring down for the rest of the munchkins
Posted by: Suzy at April 27, 2006 12:27 PMHi Suzy,
Heck, if you just take Claire and Abby out to a 'dollar store' and maybe a bookstore with a kids section, they'll be fine. Alternatively, take them out for ice cream or to a movie. I don't know if any kids movies are coming out when you get here...
Perhaps when you're here, you, Michelle, and I can take all five kids to the YMCA's swimming pool. Do you want to bring a swimsuit?
Posted by: Scott at April 27, 2006 12:59 PMSounds great! i will look forward to taking them where ever! And I will bring my suit...
Posted by: Suzy at May 1, 2006 06:28 PM