This Week at the Remmers'

As always, things were hopping at the Remmers' this week.  It actually seemed like kind of a quiet one until I started writing things down for the blog!

On Sunday night after church, Margie attended a preparedness seminar hosted by one of the congregations that shares our building.  I guess the National Guard experience last week really brought home the need to be prepared in case of an emergency.  One valuable take away she learned was to put "ICE" in the contacts in your phone.  This is "In Case of Emergency," and it provides first responders with a quick an easy way to reach your loved ones if something ever happens to you.  If you don't have one, put it in right now!!!

On Tuesday, there was no school due to the Primary elections, which were expected to have a "historic and unprecedented" turn out.  There was no line when Margie voted, so I don't know if the school closure was really warranted after all.

John's Odyssey of the Mind team took advantage of the extra time, however, and held another practice.  I hear they made good use of it and are feeling good about the competition coming up next weekend.

On Wednesday and Thursday, John took the 8th Grade Writing SOL (Standards of Learning) test.  We will not get his results for awhile, but hopefully he did well.  Margie is especially nervous since 5th grade is supposed to be "the writing year," and that's the year he was homeschooled.  He did write a lot that year, but since he didn't take the SOL, we don't really have a baseline measurement.  Fingers crossed!  By the way, his essay topic was "the pros and cons of competition."  That seems like something worth writing about...

On Friday, Lyn attended her first costuming meeting for Once on the Island.  She says things are going well, and she is especially looking forward to costuming the gods.  Both she and Dan, who was at rehearsal the next day, say that the cast is really ahead of the game.  Dan is particularly impressed with the choreography.  We're looking forward to a great show!

That night, we hosted a Doctor Who Dinner Party.  Last Halloween, you will recall that John dressed as Doctor #11.  We attended a church function that night and found that there were two other Doctors there (#10, and another #11).  We figured they were cool people we wanted to get to know better, so we invited them and their wives (neither couple has children yet) over for dinner.  Of course we had to make all the food Doctor Who themed!

We had celery in honor of Doctor #5, Roasted Fez Peppers and Bow Tie Pasta in honor of Doctor #11, Adipose Tofu with Broccoli in honor of #10, and of course "Fish Sticks" and Custard for dessert.  This was in honor of #11, but instead of fish, Margie used Walkers Shortbread Sticks, which is a product of Scotland--where the actors that played both #10 and #12 are from.

To drink we had Rose Lemonade (in honor of the Doctor's companion, Rose Tyler) and Jones Soda (in honor of both the Doctor's companion, Martha Jones, and the British Prime Minister in many episodes, Harriet Jones).  Margie even decorated the glassware with Doctor Who characters.

We all had a great time eating and getting to know each other.  They are, indeed, pretty cool people!

John with Drew Bahr, the other #11, Halloween 2015.

John with Mike Hill, #10, Halloween 2015.

Yummy, Doctor Who-themed food.

...and beverages.

When people chose their drink, they got a character.

Only one person really dressed up, but Margie joined the fun with the marking of the Silents.

Saturday started with Dan heading over to the high school to begin work on the set for Once on the Island.  A student had designed it, and while it looked cool, it wasn't very practical to build, so Dan is going to have to do some adjusting.  Luckily, he knows what he's doing.  The other dad that typically helps build the sets there is not available for this show.

Dan also helped John's Odyssey of the Mind team build THEIR set.  He's not allowed to build it at all--just provide insight and advice--so John took charge.  It's a good thing John has so much experience from putting together all our new furniture!  He was a natural with the drill.  He even used the circular saw.  Yikes!  It's a good thing mom wasn't there to watch...

Tonight after church we are headed to a Pre-Festival Recital at the home of John's piano teacher.  This will give him an opportunity to play for his peers and their families before heading to the competition (Festival) next weekend.  Hopefully it will go well, but if it doesn't, that will be fine, too.  Last year, John entirely forgot his music at the recital, but then played perfectly at the competition.  We'll see!

Hope you all are doing well.  I don't know about you, but we are certainly looking forward to the lion to head out and the lamb to head in.