Day 1867. This morning we left the house at 10 am and took the subway downtown, then walked to the kids' music school. Their piano class started at 10:30 am, and their teacher was back for their fourth and the teacher's third lesson. After last week's disaster and several parents talking to the director, today was a good class again, even though there was a lot they were taught in the nearly one hour.
There are 6 students in this class, including our two. The teacher started with the greeting song. Then he had them turn on their keyboards and open their books. They put the fingers of their right hand in position and played a simple song. Then he switched it up and told them to put the left hand in position. That was new for them as they had not used their left hand before. He then had them play the notes one after another.
Then they all went up front to the board where he taught them how to draw the bass clef. They then each got to draw one on the board. He also showed them where the five notes are on the bass clef, since it's different from what they've known so far. Then they sat down and got to color those notes in their books, each color representing a different note. He also had them do another page where they had to identify the notes. They were doing well. Tammy had a good day today, but I don't know what happened that turned things bad for Emmy. Suddenly he was upset and didn't want to participate. When he called the kids up front to have them sing, Emmy stayed in his seat and sang there. The teacher sang a line of a song and then had the kids repeat what he had sung. Then it was time for the story that ends the lesson.
Sammy had done well today and he can even somewhat sing that song as well. He was with Daddy, whenever the kids were at their seats and with me looking at pictures on my phone, when they were up front.
After the story, the kids got their stickers, and we also showed the teacher their assignment books, how much they had practiced, and they got a "fantastic" stamp on it. Then we left.
Emmy was still upset and giving us a hard time, even while walking on the street. As a result we missed the tram and therefore headed to the subway instead. We rode it for one stop, then got on another subway. In the end we got to the McDonald's near the swimming pool a good number of minutes later than usual.
We got a table easily, and I went to order, happy that the special deals weeks were still on. They were out of the kids' toys but actually gave away leftover toys from the past that especially Tammy really liked. We had a good time eating, then left to go to the pool.
We paid the fee, then walked around the building to the wheelchair access door that a young man opened for us. He was nice, not like the guy last week. We went to the changing room and put our swim suits on, then walked inside to the pool area. We sat down by the pool, where the previous class was still taking place. They went a little over time. Then we all went into the water.
It was really cold, which is why the kids have their wet suits, which make a big difference. The teacher started with the greeting song, then had them practice the leg movements again. Then they got to swim and catch some animals. Finally she went to the kids' pool with everyone, as it's so much warmer, and had them all swim on their backs trying to use the leg movements they've learned. Then she did the good-bye song, and the class was over.
We all stayed in the kids' pool and had fun there. There were rings and balls that they played with. Emmy and Sammy were playing ball for quite some time. I had Sammy and helped him catch the ball. Tammy had made a friend in the class and was playing with her the whole time. We stayed in the water quite long before we came out to return to the changing room.
After we were dressed and out of the room, there was a diving teacher getting her gear together for a diving class. The kids were very curious, especially Emmy, who asked the lady her name and age and asked questions about the gear. She happily answered his questions. Once we were all ready, we left the pool
The kids still wanted to go to the playground right there, but it was raining lightly and everything was wet, so we said no. They had two metal things to play with a little further on that they got onto for a few minutes, then we continued on our way to the subway.
We rode two subways and got home just around 3:45 pm. I was totally exhausted and couldn't keep my eyes open any more. I went straight to bed and set my timer to 25 minutes. Randy took the kids downstairs to play. I fell asleep and was woken up by my phone. I only had 10 minutes until starting the 4:30 pm lesson I had to teach. I got everything ready and started teaching. Not only did I have that one lesson, but I had another one at 5:30 pm. I was so done, when I finished at 6:20 pm. But it was time to get their food ready.
The kids were clearly tired as well, especially Tammy and Emmy, as they started crying or fussing over little things ever so often. I gave them their food, then they went into the bathtub for some time. After I had put Sammy to bed with a prayer, I still read a story to Tammy and Emmy, even though it was after 8 pm. It ended up being 8:30 pm before they made it to bed. I then went to the kitchen to make myself something to eat. After having eaten, I started working on today's pictures. Now it's after 1 am and I have yet to take care of the kitchen.
