I couldn't help myself today while at the dollar store. I saw the strawberry skipping toy and was rushed back to my many childhood hours spent in our court playing with these toys and skipping ropes. It was so worth the dollar!!! The kids have also enjoyed trying to master the coordination! (Chris cursed what a silly toy it was when he almost tripped himself with it- which was worth the dollar on its own!)

Animal Cuisine

In the winter my kids are running around with nothing but fairy wings or rubber boots on, while I am layered in wool. Today it was a hot summer day, they choose to wear polyester/fur full body costumes....and no we didn't have the air conditioning on. What does every wild creature want to do in warm weather? why bake cookies of course!!!

All said they were really good cookies...maybe the costumes helped!

My Wall

I have been inspired by a series of women who have blogged about wall schooling (or fridge, armoir, door, etc). A particular space is used to post tidbits of information for approximately a week at a time. Love the idea and I have tried to post information that will touch each ofmy three kids (ages 7, 5, 3). Here are the things on my first door:

Letter
O

Phonics
op words
hop
shop
mop
top

Artist
Monet

Root word
Aqua meaning water
aquatic, aquarium

Latin phrase
Ad Lucem Towards the Light

Quote
The sea is flowing ever
The land retaining never
by. J Wolfgang VonGoeth

Flag
Australia

Poem
The Owl and the Pussy Cat
by E. Lear

Spelling Rule
When you are adding a Y to the end of a word
ie. fun....funny you need to have two constonants

Math
tictac toe math game
1. draw a board with 9 squares (like in tictactoe)
2. in each square fill with numbers without repeating (start with 1-9, but can change to higher numbers with more dice)
3. take turns rolling two dice, adding up their total. list all the number possibilities that add up to the number rolled. ie. roll 4 & 3, totalling 7
all the possibilities are 4, 3 or 6,1, or 5,2,ot 7,0
4. choose the two numbers (or one if there is only one available) and cross them off your board
5. the first to get the board filled, or a line wins
note: bigger numbers are more challenging

Geography
map showing where the coral reefs are

Science

Does Blubber keep you warm?
-bucket of cold water and one of ice
-stick your hand into the bucket of cold water bare for 10 secs., note how it feels, then do the same in the ice
-put on a rubber glove, stick your hand into the cold water for 10 secs. , then into the ice and note how it feels
-put your hand into a doubled bag of lard, stick your hand into the water for 10 secs then into the ice, note how they feel

Faery Fest

Fairy Wings. Fairy Dust. Fairy Magic.













A fairy's house stands in a wood,
Midst fairy trees and flowers,
Where daisy's sing like little birds
Between sun and showers,
And grasses whisper tiny things
About the world of ours

Such flowers are there beside the way
Lilies and Hollyhocks:
Blow off their stalks to tell their time
Tall Dandelion Clocks"
While harebells ring an hourly chime
Like a wound music box.

Some day shall we two try to find
This strang enchanted place?
Go hand in hand through flower lit woods
Where living trees embrace-
and suddenly, as in a dream,
Behold a fairy's face!

A., E., & M. Keary

Festivals

Aria loves to dance at the band shelter. She is such a little performer at heart (something I can totally relate too ).
Elias did enjoy being dressed as a knight, it never grows old for him.














The 1st annual Faery Fest was held this weekend...which we had high hopes for. We are believers of fairy's, we create safe spots for them in our garden, we love fairy poetry and imagining their world. We were disappointed in the lack of imagination by those organizing the event (although I totally appreciate this is no small task). Not only did we pay a steep admission, none of the activities were free. Guelph has such an awesome selection of festivals that we greatly enjoy...perhaps with a little fairy dust this one will get there too.

Park Day

About 25 kids and their mums met for a park day today near our house (which is always a bonus!). A very energetic mum put up a badminton net, a soccer field, we used the baseball diamond and of course the play equipment. The kids moved from area to area and group to group, having a great time. There are plans for a few more of these days through out the summer.
Each of my kids has had a physical growth spurt over the last few weeks. With this growth I have also noticed a confidence boost emerge with their development. They enjoyed playing in an organized way even though they weren't sure of the rules. In different ways found the courage to step out of their box and try new things. My babies are growing.

Perfect Protection

Oranges are juicy. In order to avoid being sprayed in the eye with this juice, Aria was prepared. Glasses, they did the trick.

It's all about the cat

Everyone's focus is the cat. I uploaded the pictures the kids took and there all cat. I have never been part of a cat world so it is all new and intriguing to me.

Very Inspiring

Summer Solsitice seemed to creep up this year....mental note for myself to be creative next year, something like this maybe.

What Cat?

I wouldn't be surprised if Aria wakes in the morning and doesn't really get that we have a cat. On the way to St.Thomas Aria got ill, she threw up and slept the whole way out. She was in a gravol comotosed state while the boys looked at cats, no different for the ride home. She sat on my lap most of the night and has hopefully drifted off to a very peaceful, rejuvenating sleep. My little buttercup.

Introducing Mozart

Once the cat was chosen, the names began flying. Some of the contenders were Merlin(from Magic Tree House), Pjamas(because they are comfy), Sasha(from Peter and the Wolf) and Sweet Plum(?). Mozart is not a new name to our family, as two ginger colored stuffed cats which are dearly loved have been named Mozart....so it seemed fitting. He is one year old, or there about. He has rounded ears because of severe frost bite. Mozart is gentle and playful. In a day or two we will introduce him to Marly, after he has a chance to get comfortable with his new home and all the hugs he gets.

Chris and I don't consider ourselves cat people, so we are stepping out of our box. So far it feels great.

Angel Care

Today was the day. The research was done, the questions answered, the expectations laid on the table. The only part left to do was choose a cat. We drove to St. Thomas today (which was an adventure in itself- more info in later post) where Grandma was helping us out with getting a cat. Angel Care is a safe haven for cats, finding homes for cats who need one. The kittens immediately drew everyone's attention, with their tail chasing, kibble swatting, big eyed meows. From our research we knew we wanted a cat around one year of age. After numerous times around the cages (which I found overwhelming-although that could also have been the smell of 50 litterboxes!!!) and asking questions about each specific cat the choices were narrowed down to three. Elias was adamant about a ginger colored cat, Ben really liked a grey cat and they both were interested in a grey and white cat. After almost an hour and a half I didn't think we were going to come to a decision. I asked the boys to talk it out.
Elias : I love the orange cat Ben. I just love it, I don't know if I will be happy with the others. Those ones aren't as playful.

Ben:I don't know Elias, I really like the grey cat.

Elias: The grey cat's claws scratch when I try to pet it. I love the orange one. Maybe you could love the orange one.

quiet.

Ben: I think I would love any cat. I really want one. If you love the orange one, I can love it to.
BIG HUG!!!

I Knight Thee....

While Aria was at her program today I took out the paper doll knights, which haven't been out in a very long time. Elias, Ben and I had fun playing with them. We have been inspired to see if we can make them horses to ride.

I am Blessed.

My parents came over for dinner tonight, something I have been talking about doing for awhile and somehow keep forgetting to arrange it. It was wonderful. The kids hung out, filling my parents in on what they have been up to and the latest stories, we all ate well, there was no uncomfortableness, no topics we needed to avoid, it was relaxing and the company was fabuous. Both my parents are great, my family loves their company. It was nice having my Dad here for father's day and to let him know how easy it is to love him, that I appreciate his thoughtfulness towards my whole family, that he has not only been a great Dad but that he is an awesome Grampy. Thanks.

Happy Father's Day

I raise my glass in celebration of ; story time, snake catching, bike rides, snow forts, airbands in the kitchen, to the enjoyment of the world's best grilled cheese, pancake breakfast and the surprise trip to the ice cream parlor. To days that start with one of those good morning wrestles, to lego afternoons or movie nights all five cuddled together. We can't forget to toast sandcastles, Christmas morning, watching first steps, or those nights of singing lullabies till dawn. Thank you for sharing tears after births, support on hard days, kisses goodnight, and strong arms to hold. All those amazing things you do for your kids- because you love them. You are a great dad...wow did I pick right!!!

Mini Golf World

For Father's day the kids created a mini gold course in our backyard. It was complete with tunnels, slides, sprinklers, pool and lots of fun!

Living in the clouds

Many, many, many Christmas' ago Chris gave me painting canvas and supplies. A few years later I painted in a picture of a treehouse, for when I was pregnant with Elias (with little money) we would often spend time sitting in bookstores reading magazines about treehouses. The kids were asking about the painting and the dream got bigger. Ain't that grand!

how about a tree house in Hawaii or India
resources for tree houses around the world
great ones to build

What's your style???

There are lots of personality tests out there....how about your homeschooling style? Here is a test to try.

Strolling

We haven't been to this path along the river in a long time. The dam has been opened and the water was quite high. We were in a strolling mood today and didn't have enough time to go strawberry picking so we....strolled along the river!

Beautiful Wonders

With being outside in a natural place everyday this week, (sometimes two or three!) I was awed by some beautiful creations in nature.

Happy Birthday to ME!!!!

I have always loved birthdays, being the centre of attention is something I adore. I was the kid who loved standing ontop of the table while everyone sang to me- in all honesty I still do ! It's part of my Gemini dichotomy, as I really am an introvert. I find myself thinking about where I am in life, is it where I wanted to be, what am I proud of. I am 33 today. In those years I have lots to celebrate;
I have had three unique birth experiences, each empowering in different ways, welcoming three incredible children who have enriched my life.
I married the man who always makes my heart sing.
I have traveled to wonderful places around the world; the rocky mountains, the Swiss alps, Greek islands, the south of France, northern Holland, both the east and west coast of Canada, the Caribbean, Central America, to name only a few.
I have dined by myself comfortably, shared a meal with generous hearts on a dirt floor in a small hut, celebrated with a two hundred dollar meal.
I have been awed at sunsets over the Atlantic ocean while watching seals dine in a fishing weir, sat quietly with my kids amazed at the heron 2feet away, seen moose in northern Manitoba, lived in a house that had crazy squirrels, watched storks doing their mating dance in Spain.
I have done quirky things that have enriched me; gotten up at 3 am to go out for poutine, skinny dipped, bathed topless, taken belly dancing lessons, muddled through speaking Spanish in a small town, misunderstood cross cultural norms, driven a bobcat, pretended to have jobs I haven't.
I have know/n truly amazing people, mourned intensely, celebrated with every ounce of my being, danced the night away, felt people's pain, felt lost and found, stepped out of my box and created boundaries.
I have laughed till I cried and cried till I laughed, I have learned from my kids about how good it feels to play and to forgive and move on.
I finished a degree which gave me so much more than a formal education, I have found in myself a love of learning inspired by my kids.
I have big dreams, a long list of hopes and places to go. But today I am happy to be able to say I like me. I am thrilled at what I have accomplished, where I have been, where I am going. I love the family I have, sharing my life with them. My life is good. I am truly blessed.

We Shall Go A Wandering

I am thrilled by being outside; discovering bugs, spotting birds, being surprised by a beautiful unexpected flower or tree around a corner, hearing the brook close by. I love seeing my kids have that excitement, thrilled to find another toad (we held 6 this week!).

This is a Season

I was talking with my mum about how thankful I am for having had the opportunity to enjoy the newborn stages with each of my children, in particular Aria. When she was born we hibernated as a family. We followed a new rhythm at a pace that helped us all ease into our new roles and enjoy our newest member. I treasure that time. This came up as I was commenting that the life choices my family has chosen has lent its self to slowing down (somewhat) to enjoy each other, and the seasons of life. After a busy weekend we enjoyed family cuddle in bed on a Monday morning, not rushing off anywhere. When its a sunny day outside we stop and enjoy the rays, we splash in the puddles after the rain, we stop gardening to count the warms. It is the allowances for the pauses that make our day so incredible, the pauses are often more cherished than the main activity. I am aware that our choice to homeschool has given us the space and time for these allowances/gifts. My mum commented that she thought having children helped one flow with the season much more than an adult whose children have grown (thank goodness for grandchildren). Children naturally follow the seasonal rhythms, the ebbs and flows. I hope to hold on to what they are teaching me.

Kingdoms of Sand, magical worlds and a Robin's Egg

The weekend was really busy; visiting friends, a campfire, African Lion Safari, a sleep over with Grandma, breakfast out with Grampy, more visiting. All of it lots of fun, but the contrast of relaxing and moving at an intentionally slow pace has been nice. We did a stroll/bike ride around the block today ending at the park. Ben found a robin's egg which we drew in our nature notebooks. Aria created her own magical world on the playground. Elias built a kingdom in the sand (no ants allowed as they are not royal!). Ben made it back and forth across the monkey bars on his own. We snacked, sang songs and played. What better way to spend a Tuesday.