Day 10.332: A turkey maybe?

My records show that E5N1 made this on or just before Thanksgiving - so maybe it's a turkey?

I like it anyway!

Day 10.331: Winter Concert

We had a great time at Exile #4's final middle school winter concert today. She even managed to smile while she was singing (that was a first)!

We enjoyed the performances by the bands, orchestra and the chorus. This was Exile #4's favourite of the three pieces the chorus performed:

Day 10.330: Wordless Wednesday #12

Day 10.329: How parents see homework

We've never really been the "do it for them" kind of parents although of course there are times when we have become involved in homework. With our youngest in fifth grade, our involvement has recently been mostly limited to attempting to help with time management.

Tonight was the third night in a row that E5N1 was up late getting a piece of work finished having left doing it (or in some cases finishing it) to the last possible moment.

This was last night having finished this science presentation:

You can see the relief on his face. I assure you that I was feeling the same way.

Day 10.328: Parade of Lights - even bigger

It was the seventh year of the Saco Main Street Parade of Lights on Saturday. It was our fourth - the first year we were there with what felt like just a handful of other hardy souls on a rainy December evening to watch a very modest parade. The next year Exile #3 and E5N1 were in the parade and we walked with it - conscious that it seemed much bigger, but not able to get the real overview. Last year they marched again and the parade seemed huge as did the crowds of spectators.

Well, true to form, both parade and crowd was even bigger this year. You can see the dance company including Exile #3 and E5N1 in the second row of pictures. Can you also find a group of brightly lit Mandalorians, a skiing bear, an apparently rude Minion and a speeding snow mobile?

Day 10.327: Exile #2's Sunday Column #183

Exile #2 writes...

A little bit of seasonal decor has been appearing around the house - not a tree yet, but a wreath, a few lights and some decorations.

We’ve also been doing a few of those things you really have to remember to do at this time of year in Maine. The garden furniture has been hidden away and shortly, the lawnmower will lose its prime position to the snowblower.

In the process of doing this, we decided to make a run to the tip, to get rid of a few broken items, such as the microwave that self-destructed a few months ago. As Exile #1 and I stood over the microwave discussing its fate, to my dismay, I looked down and saw a beady eye watching me through a hole in the top cover. It seems our microwave had become a convenient apartment for something small and furry. At this point, I may have beat a swift retreat. Exile #1 heroically dragged the microwave out onto the grass and we left it for a while, during which time, we have to assume its occupant made a run for it, because nothing ventured forth later when Exile #1 gave it a good shake. I can’t say that we weren’t slightly uncomfortable at the thought that we might not be alone in the minivan on the way to the tip, and we were greatly relieved when we were able to bid our mouse home farewell.

Day 10.326: Maxïmo Park

It was about a two hour drive to Brighton Music Hall in Allston MA from home last night through the late rush-hour traffic. We arrived a few minutes after our Ticketmaster-paid-for parking became valid which couldn't have been much better either it terms of our timing or the parking location and service.

With nearly an hour to doors and a couple to music starting, we went in search of food and found Coreanos - an award winning Korean/Mexican fusion place called Coreanos. It is basically a hole-in-the-wall style take-away with a few tables for eat-in. We didn't try the fusion items on this occasion. Exile #2 had Bibimnap and I had Yang Yum chicken wings - all very good.

The venue is a large room with two bars and a stage with a smaller room with another bar, a couple of tables and restrooms behind the stage and a small room with a merchandise table near the entrance. The support act was Ava Luna who had a very varied and drama-filled half hour set that we enjoyed a lot.

We moved forward to near center-stage behind just one couple during the break between the sets and really couldn't believe our luck to be in such a good position. The venue filled up nicely and we loved Maxïmo Park's set - filled with many of our favorites. In total they played 20 tracks, seven from the new album, four from each of their first two and five total from the intervening three.

Before we left, E5N1 had challenged us to get some autographs. We didn't think there was any way that would happen, but then they said they would go to the merch table after the set to sign purchases, so we made our way back there, bought a tour poster and - yes - got it signed:

The drive back was closer to an hour and half - getting us in just before 1:30 am - tired but happy!