1st place boy and dog!

Skyler and I took the dogs Sunday to a fun pet show at a nearby park. He and Nim competed in the Kids Obedience...and they won 1st place! I was so proud of them. Skyler had Nim sit, down, go to heel position, and pop up to his hand. Nim did everything perfectly and focused on Skyler the entire time. Very well done!

Playing the trombone

This year Skyler had two choices of what class would alternate with p.e. class. He could either take an instrument, or have a semester of art appreciation, and a semester of music appreciation. Citing studies showing benefits of learning an instrument, I convinced him that taking an instrument would be far more constructive than the other option. (Hopefully he won't hate me forever for that!). So after trying out a few brass instruments last spring, he decided that he liked the trombone the best. School started last week, and on the third school day he got to lug his trombone to school and have his first lesson. He said it went well, and he has practiced every day over the weekend. I'm happy to report that it has sounded better every day!

I bought his trombone online through ebay, and despite all the misgivings I had, and the horror stories I'd heard about, I had a positive experience (and saved a lot of money!). Here are tips to help others who want to save money by buying an instrument online.

1. Before buying, find a store in your area that is able and willing to look at the instrument after you buy it, and fix the instrument if necessary. The day after the trombone arrived, I took it to the local band service store and asked the woman there if it was worth what I paid. She told me yes, although it did need a minor and inexpensive ($10!) fix, which they did.

2. Before bidding on an instrument, make sure the seller offers a money-back return policy. Many did, but many were "as is."

3. Try to find out what brand preferences your child's music teacher has before buying the instrument. Skyler's teacher had a list of preferred brands, which we didn't get until a month after I'd bought the tbone. Based on positive reviews I'd read online, I was trying to buy a Getzen tbone. I had bid on one and had lost the bid. I then bid on a Bach that was closing later in the day, and we won it. I had read good things about Bach, but was disappointed not to get a Getzen. Turns out, I was very lucky. Bach is first on the teacher's preferred list, while Getzen isn't on the list at all.

4. Look at photos of the instrument before bidding. You want to have an idea of what you're getting.

5. Determine a price you're willing to pay (factor in the shipping charge too), and don't go over that price. If the bidding goes higher than your top price, look for another one to bid on. You don't want to spend more than you want to.

I hope this helps other parents who are trying to save money. I'm sure there are other tips, but this is what I can think of right now. Good luck!

He's growing up so fast

My 11-year-old son Skyler starts middle school next week. Several months ago his middle school had a pre-orientation night. At that time the school's principal kept saying that he knew we were worried and that this would be emotional. But I wasn't worried about him going to middle school, I was excited for him. I think he'll like having different teachers, and getting to know more kids.

I hadn't thought that his going to middle school would make me feel sad...until a couple of nights ago at the school's orientation. My husband took a photo of Skyler in front of his locker. As my husband and I went off to meet with the parents, and my son went off to meet up with the other kids, my husband showed me the photo he took. And it suddenly hit me -- he's going to middle school. This is just one step away from high school, which is only one step away from him going away to college, which is only one step away from...well, you get the picture.

The last time I felt like this he was starting kindergarten. That morning he climbed on the bus without looking back at me. I watched him find a seat and sit down. Then he looked out the window at me and I waved to him with a smile that I hoped he thought was real. As soon as the bus pulled away the tears came. I got into my van (I had to leave for work) and sobbed for a few minutes, fighting the urge to follow the school bus.

This year I expect there will be tears also as I watch him get on the school bus for sixth grade. But I know he'll be OK. He's the same brave guy that marched onto the bus that first day of kindergarten.

A visit to the zoo

Wednesday Skyler and Don were off to Oshkosh, Wis. for the annual EAA fly-in and convention, so I wanted to take Lindsay on a trip too.

Good weather was predicted so I decided we'd journey to the St. Louis Zoo. I'd hoped the shutdown of Highway 40 -- my usual way to get to the zoo -- wouldn't affect us too much. Unfortunately, it did. We left the house at about 8:10 a.m. I thought that would get us to the zoo by 9 a.m. We ran into slow traffic on Highway 170, then again at stoplights on Forest Park Parkway. We finally arrived at the north parking lot about an hour after we left. It normally takes us about 30-40 minutes to get to the zoo. Can't wait 'til the construction is finished.

We had a great time at the zoo. We went to the children's zoo first. We could have skipped it this year except that we love seeing the otters. They swim right toward the glass, then bounce off it and swim in the other direction. Lindsay was a little scared by that.

We went to River's Edge next, where the elephants and hippos live. Baby elephant Malia and her mama were out. We also saw Raja, the male born at the zoo some 18 or so years ago. He's gotten so big!

The hippos were fun to see. The cheetahs were a no-show again. I've only seen them out once in all the times I've gone.
Out of River's Edge, we headed to see the alligators, which are in outside enclosures. I thought we were going to see a Wild Kingdom moment at the Chinese alligator exhibit. A large turtle was next to the water then jumped or fell in. The alligator rushed to it and attacked. There was a scuffle underwater then the turtle emerged and skeedadled out of the water. I know killing things and eating them is what alligators do, but I was glad I didn't see it kill the turtle right in front of us.

We were getting hungry so we stopped to eat the sandwiches I'd brought. Then I bought ice cream for her.

We went to the penguin and puffin exhibit. Cool as always. After that Lindsay saw the carousel and had to ride twice (would have ridden more if I'd let her). We went through the aviary to the hoofed-animal area where we saw the giraffes. The giraffes are always good to see. There's almost always at least one giraffe standing at the front of the exhibit, so close you can practically touch them. This year the big male was right there. We sat on a park bench to rest and watched him.

Next we went to the zebras, which Lindsay said were her favorite. We were getting tired so we headed back to the entrance, but not before a stop at the gift shop. I bought a cute penguin coloring book for Lindsay. On the ride home, she looked through the book and it seemed to help her remember our good times there.