Chess, Piano, Band, Wow!

Yesterday I dropped Meg off at piano lessons at 4:45 and then ran to Bethany Christian to pick up Cameron from chess.  He has been playing chess.com more and said that it is helping.  Basketball and soccer have eaten into his chess time, but that should change soon.  Cameron had his piano lesson after Meg.  They have both enjoyed playing Christmas music.

Once the lessons were over the three of us stopped in at Ben's Pretzels.  There wasn't a lot of time for dinner, so the pretzels made for a good snack.  I was sure that I could eat two of the pretzel breadsticks this time, but only made it through one.  

Our next activity of the evening was Cam's band concert.  He moved up to middle school band this year and they start a little later.  Cameron's group sounded nice.  My favorite song was "Do You Hear What I Hear?"  We also stayed for the orchestra.  That was a little long, but they also played well.  Brett, Doug, Mom and Dad were able to meet us at the concert too.  Glad that everyone could make it.  

Goodbye Apollo - You Will Be Missed

It was a sad day in the Heinisch home as Apollo died this morning.  We knew that he had stopped eating a week ago, but were hopeful that he would rebound.  Cam wanted to take him to the vet, but Doug said that Apollo was getting old and that a vet visit probably wouldn't change much.  I knew he was right as that was the way with Cosmo, but it was very hard watching him dying.

It really wasn't too many days ago that Apollo was still squeaking for carrots.  Once he stopped I had become worried.  Last night he had a raspy voice.  I was hoping that meant he had a cold, but I guess not.  I did give him some hay and he actually crawled over and ate it before he died.

Cam took the news pretty well.  I had covered him up in the morning with a towel.  He lifted it to check and make sure, but Apollo was already gone.  Meg said that she could have cried if she would have let herself.  I felt the same way.  We will bury him this weekend.  Sad to see him go.  It was a great five years.

Tennis Starts

Tennis starts this week at the racquet club for both Meg and Cameron.  We have decided because of this that we will step out of the lessons in Middlebury with Meg's tennis coach.  It was a longer drive and right after school which made it difficult for us to do.  She went tonight and has one more lesson.

Cameron joined the Monday tennis group this week in Warsaw.  Normally, he will go on Wednesdays, but this week he had basketball.  He said afterward that he really liked it.  I watched him for awhile after I got back from Walmart.  It looked like a good group for him to play against.  We got home before Meg and Doug left for soccer.  He had picked her up from tennis first.  Unfortunately, no one else showed up at soccer.  Therefore, Meg and Doug worked out for awhile before heading home.  Doug is cancelling the next two Monday nights and will try and resume after Christmas break.

Sunday! Sunday!

So glad that we went to Chicago yesterday.  The weather wasn't as great today.  It definitely would have been cold walking through the zoo today.  We did have a productive day.  Cam made it to religion after he, Doug and Brett went to mass.  I did laundry and started on the Christmas cards.  I also had school work to do.

Meg had an indoor soccer game in Elkhart.  It was the first one they have had in quite awhile as many of the girls have been cancelling.  After soccer she went to youth group.  There weren't a lot of students at that either, but she had fun with Aaron and Andrew.  She has really enjoyed having Father Andrew be involved with their group.  He has been a nice addition to our church.  

Chicago for the Holidays

Our first stop in Chicago this morning was the Field Museum.  I had wanted to take everyone to see the Terra-cotta Warriors ever since I heard they were exhibited there.  The display was even more impressive than the one Cam and I saw at the Children's Museum several years ago.  There were many more Warriors and a lot more information on the Qin dynasty.  We also toured the Underground Adventure, the dinosaur timeline, a 3-D movie on Egypt and the mummy's tomb while at the museum.

Afterward we headed to Superior Street for Chicago deep dish pizza.  Gino's had a line out the door, so we decided to try Giordano's.  They were busy as well with an hour wait, but their system allowed us to head to Michigan Street to do some shopping at the Hershey store and the Disney Store before they texted us to come back.  As we had already ordered our pizza, the wait time at the table was minimal.

We drove to Lincoln Park once lunch was over.  We had time to go to the Chicago History Museum before it closed.  Doug had wanted to visit there and we just haven't been able to find the time.  Everyone enjoyed the history of Chicago especially the exhibits on the Chicago fire and the stockyards.  Our last stop of the day was right next door - the Lincoln Park Zoo.  We hadn't planned on going when we headed out this morning, but at the museum I remembered they were opened at night to display their Christmas lights.  It was fantastic.  The entire zoo was lit up with traditional lights and ones featuring animals.  They even had chimpanzee lights swinging through the trees.  It was a little chilly walking, but there was a hot chocolate stand that we all appreciated very much.  What a wonderful way to celebrate the holidays!

Oboe Lessons

Cam was able to reconnect with his oboe instructor tonight.  Mr. French was impressed with how much he had improved since his last lesson three weeks ago.  Cam’s oboe had been out for repair and it helped quite a bit to have it fixed and returned.  He has also been practicing a lot.  They have a band concert next Tuesday and the songs have been challenging.  Cam feels good about where he is at now.  He also purchased a tuner which should make practicing a lot easier for him.  Music has been a great experience for him at Bethany and we are glad that he is taking advantage of all that is offered to the students.  

A Night at Home

Tonight was a rare night at home without commitments.  Doug had time to exercise and made chicken curry.  As a special twist he even made turkey curry.  I did not try it, but Brett said it was delicious.  Meg spent the evening studying and Cam unlocked Funky Kong on Mario Kart.  I enjoyed time at home and was able to get a good start on the laundry and Christmas cards.  I really like our card this year.  It was a very eventful 2016 and our card reflects that.  Hopefully, 2017 will be just as wonderful.