Advice to Self

When you are 33 weeks pregnant (7left to go!), have three kids, a dog, a cat and Christmas is quickly approaching....don't decide to paint the entire main floor of your house!

Swimming Lessons

As we approach the end of the year, programs are coming to an end. Today was the last day of swimming lessons. All three of the kids made huge leaps in their lessons this session, because of the great efforts they made. Everyone was beyond happy for Elias who has struggled getting into the next level, Ben has been waiting for him to move up so they could go together. Now that is brotherly love. We had a little party afterwards to celebrate. I just am in awe of the pride they have in each other's accomplishments.

Collecting

Some of the mums from the homeschool group
organized a showing of one's collections. The kids brought everything from shiny things to hot wheel trucks, from shells to foreign currency. Each of my kids decided to show 'the best of' of their collections. Ben brought his button collection, something he really does cherish and shares as special gifts. Elias and Aria brought rocks, each focusing on different elements of the very large collection. Each person was given the opportunity to share any information about their collections, their favorites, special details. It was great to see what others are doing and be inspired.

Theatre....of the silly sort

We enjoyed seeing Duffle Bag Theatre present Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer today. This theatre company incorporates the audience, encourages interaction and participation, and as a result is flexible with improve. As a parent it is a treat to take the kids to a play that they are asked to boo or cheer louder, clap and standup. As a child I remember my parents taking us to the theatre to see pantomines. I can go back to sitting in the seat in my fancy outfit just bursting to cheer or laugh really loudly....and I could at this performance. The kids go to the theatre fairly regularily and their theatre manners are fabulous, but its a treat to take in the performance with all of your senses.

Here Comes Santa Claus...

We weren't able to go to our local Santa Claus parade this year, so we were pleased to have fabulous weather to watch the parade in Milton. This is both mine and Chris' home town so there is some sentiment and memories in going back to watch it. The parade has gotten quite huge, the Shriners had about a third of the entries in which really surpised us. It was nice not to have too many 'commercial' floats. My personal favorite is always the marching band, although the men on stilts and the unicycle club where very impressive. It's starting to put me in the mood! (for Christmas that is!)

Writing to Santa Claus

As part of the preparation for the Santa Claus parade Elias and Ben made cards to be mailed to the North Pole. They were beautiful. This was the first year they have asked for anything as a gift in their care, a friend recently told them this was the purpose of the letter. They do ask what type of snack Santa would like, if the Reindeer need something other than a carrot, what does Santa want for Christmas. Ben worked for over an hour adding details to the card....I almost didn't want him to send it. So here instead is my photo.

Measuring Success

Elias attended Camp Brebeuf for the second time. This time he knew what to expect and set goals for himself. Despite not requesting the high ropes his group was assigned this task as one of their challenges. To say the least he was concerned, he didn't want to not do it but the alternative of climbing up that high wasn't much better. After lots of talking we talked about goals, and that reaching the top doesn't have to be what you strive for. That perhaps sitting in the harness could be the goal and if it felt okay he could try being pulling into the air, and if that felt good...and so on. He was so much more relaxed when we changed the focus from all or nothing to giving it a try. In the end he made it too the top of the high ropes TWICE!, he got higher up on the rock wall and he loved building a shelter in outdoor survival. The weather couldn't have been more incredible, and his brother and sister were beyond thrilled to join in the last game of the day!

Dance Like No One is Watching

dance
Today was this semester's last dance class for Ben and Aria. The dance class is a perfect fit for them. Aria can wear her fancy pink outfit, imagine she she a twirling ballerina and Ben can move his body as fast and as high as he needs in his everyday clothes. There is no receital, instead the parents attend the last class and are treated to 50 minutes of pure joy. Watching Ben speed through the obstacle course and go through the ballet arms he practices so often, seeing Aria hopping (well kind of :) down the room and twirling with a scarf is something a pregnant women can sit through dry eyed! At more then one occassion I wanted to yell out how cute they were or pick them up and eat them! This was Chris' first time being able to coordinate work to come back to Guelph during the day, he loved watching ben's face light up as they did the chicken dance together and Aria fly across the room.
We wont be taking the class in the new year, with the arrival of baby I have reduced our outings drastically. I am sure this will be one we return to in the spring.

Those Crazy Kids!!!

After playing outside Aria comes running in " Mummy, Mummy my head and feet are frostbit! but don't worry the rest of me was only frost licked!"



Heard while driving in the car
Ben " Our friend S says that toes are really yummy"
Elias "Have you tried licking them"
Ben "No, I don't think they would taste very good...I don't think she knows what she is talking about"
Aria "Okay my sock is off, (sucks on toe) my baby one tastes like a veggieburger at Harvey's.

(I don't know if that is a good thing or not! lol)

On the Ice

We went skating today- the second time this year. A few weeks ago at my neice's birthday party the kids went skating. I was amazed at how quickly the kids were able to find their comfort zone and start gliding away. We did very little skating last year, in fact Aria has really only been on the ice in a stroller! At the party parents weren't allowed on the ice without skates- which is different from our local rink's rules. Neither Chris nor I were prepared to skate- him with a broken toe and me 7 months pregnant. So with a little uncertainty we pushed each of them onto the ice, Aria with a support bar and the other two with a confident 'good luck'. They did incredibly well. Aria didn't travel too far, but got a friendly push from a cousin everyonce in a while.
Today we went to a rink during a tiny tots hour. They are very open to Homeschoolers being there with the little kids. I was amazed at how well they all did. I was on the ice walking up and down, following Aria as she went goal to goal. The boys have a determination to master the skill and have requested we try to go lots this year. So dependent on life after baby's arrival this may become a weekly event. (despite remembering 6 skates, 3 helmets, snacks, drinks, outerwear for everyone....I didnt remember the camera!)

More than just Hockey

Elias could spend most of his life outside. We have read the first in the trilogy and watched On the Other Side of the Mountain, whose main character ( a 10 year old boy) is influenced by Henry Thoreaux's works and heads to the mountains to live in nature. Elias loved it; being outside literally all the time, carving wood, observing nature, building and learning from his environment. It totally resonated with him.
Unfortunately his unquencable appetite for fresh air can't be met in the woods or on a mountain all the time. While we each spend some part of the day with him outside, walking, biking, drawing, at the park, he still wants someone to enjoy it with him. He has been so enjoying road hockey with his dad and siblings. Still his ability to be outside longer than anyone else means he is often on his own. There are very few children in our area that are close in age, they are either 2 or 14 and the one child a few years older he doesn't connect with.

After a small melt down after a long tiring day Elias was able to voice he wants to play road hockey more often with lots of people. I just think how awesome it is that he he both able to share so clearly how he is feeling and then take it to the next stage of brain storming how to meet his needs. (while building a pyramid out of sugar cubes is cool- this is why we homeschool- to help them have incredible life skills) So we sent out an email to 5 or 6 other families to see if anyone could join us for a road hockey afternoon. They all came!! and with cider, hot chocolate, treats, extra equipment and prepared to have fun. It was wonderful. The parents played the kids (5 on the one side and about 20 on the other!), little ones went from the park to the chalk to the snacks, mums chatted and we set aside a date for the next gathering.
It was a fabulous afternoon, not only because of the hockey with friends but because we were reminded how great it feels to have the courage to go after something and have it turn out.

Croquet Anyone?

It was a gorgeous day. After a walk with the dog we decided it was perfect to take advantage of Grammy and Grampy's croquet set at our house. We had planned a few times to have a game with friends as part of our geography coop but the weather didn't cooperate. So the weather was fine, the time was there, and we played. We played a traditional round the first time, following the rules and doing our best to talk with British accents. Then we tried doing a speed version, during which no one could stop moving. This was followed by a game of who could hit the ball the farthest and still get it through the target. It went down hill from there, mallets became crutches and balls became objects to hide. We followed the game with a high tea with watercress sandwiches and some British chocolate. We read Beatrix Potter books and snuggled. We will be starting Germany in the next week or so.

The People on the Bus...

Despite having a fully functioning 2 year old van we have recently been choosing to take the public transit. The other day a friend asked why we were making this choice. I have felt quite queasy this pregnancy and preview to avoid having to drive behind the wheel as much as possible. I would like our family to cut down on the cost and the emission of choosing to drive the van. I would like us to stay home more often and when faced with the bus we often question why we are going out. Reasons though have popped up that I didn't expect since riding the bus. Normally leaving our house to go somewhere; dance, art, co-of, etc. Is a struggle. If one of the kids or me is going to 'loose' it during our day it is from the time I say to get ready until we are driving out of the driveway. The stress of having your attention divided multiply times; getting everyone to the bathroom, packing the four types of weather outfits, snack, lunch, drinks, the dog, the cat, the napsack, the keys, etc. is often nerve racking especially if we are in anyway running late. To catch the bus on time we need to leave even earlier, the kids are happier to be walking down the street to catch grasshoppers while we wait for the bus then they are to be piling into the van. My stress has time to alleviate on the walk instead of intensifying in the van.
Our conversations on the bus are very connecting, probably in part because we are physically huddled together. We have had extremely interesting conversations about public behavior, personal space, reasons for riding on the bus, taking care of each other, our city. We have been forced to be more mindful of how we spend our time, move more slowly because the bus doesn't allow us to fit one more thing in.
While by no means has our bus days been without hurdles; times we missed the bus, intoxicated riders, the temperature change on and off the bus, our personal space changing, being tired and hungry while out of supplies, filling our evenings with errands we didn't get done. I can't imagine us riding the bus as much in the below zero temperatures, or when the baby arrives. It is something we do fondly enjoy overall and will sporadically continue.

Art in our Home

My kids were so patient and cooperative today. I was on the phone in a state of semi panic for a good portion. I coordinate the meetings for our homeschool group and over the past 24 hours four of the six guest panelists cancelled and the meeting is tonight! What are the chances! I have written about how I enjoy the last minute rush of preparing for something, but this was not one of those times (lol). I had done all the leg work weeks prior, taken care of all the details so as not to be in the position. I had two friends who stepped right up with a list of possibilities and helped pull the night off with great success- thank you!. In order for that to happen though I needed to spend most of the day phoning artists, studios, talking to answering machines and running around.
The topic for the panelists was Bringing Art into the Home, with both homeschooling parents and artists discussing the topic. While the last minute rush was a bit daunting and overwhelming I did have an incredible opportunity to talk with various local artists about this topic. The importance of experimenting, giving space for the child to connect with their creativity and let go of the finished product. While none of this was new, it is how I try to homeschool. It was affirming for me and encouraged me to pull out the clay for the kids to play with. Despite the clay getting everywhere (how does it get on the lamp?) it always amazes me how wonderful it is to see them create totally uninhibited.

Surprise

Our camera goes everywhere with us; the grocery store, the park, library, field trips, on the bus and in my bag. It is a family camera, everyone feeling comfortable and able to pick it up and use it to take a picture of whatever moves them. Therefore, when I down load the pictures it is often a surprise to see what is moving people to
be captured on film (so to speak). There is just a sample of some of the most recent download....I love the pumpkin shots, they look as though they belong in a collection entitled something like Pumpkin Pieces or The Pumpkin in the Corner.

Celebration of a New Kind

Having British parents I have heard lots about the celebrations that happened on Guy Fawkes day, but this was the first time I celebrated it. We joined two other families as part of our wrapping up a tour of Britain. It was a beautiful fall night with a gorgeous pink and orange sunset, we walked to the lake and the kids loved the open space this empty conservation area offered us. One of the mum's read the story of this 400 year old event to everyone. As in keeping with the tradition the kids each made an effigy which were burned on the bonfire. We enjoyed baked potatoes, biscuits, british candy, toffee apples and cider. The sparklers were a huge hit, lighting up the early darkness. Keeping everyone awake on the ride home was a challenge but they are sound asleep with the sweet smell of fire in their hair!

Please to remember the
Fifth of November,
Gunpowder treason and plot.
And I see no reason
Why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot.

Science on a Saturday

Last year at this time Chris, Ben and Aria went to a local University Open House which featured a some very cool events with a science theme. Elias and I were looking forward to going, for last year at this time Elias was going into the hospital. We talked a lot today about what that was like for each of us, the time and the knowledge that he is healthy made it much more comfortable for everyone to go back to that time. We are were all very thankful to be in a much different place this year.
The event was great. The kids mined chocolate chips out of cookies, created gem and mineral sheets, participated in experiments and watched others, made gloop and slime, looked at beautiful rocks and crystals, rode a vacuum powered hover craft and watch a very spectacular magic show. We came home with lots of new rocks for our collections, and we are very excited to show Grampy a rock that is magnetic....hello iron!

On a cold and frosty morning

I love these mornings. It is freezing outside, the windows are frosted, there is a white sprinkling on the ground. We can hear the school kids gather on our front lawn waiting for the school bus, hudling to keep warm. We are are sitting in our pj's at the kitchen table eating apple pancakes and hot tea, no plans of going out anytime soon. I love our life. (yes you do hear my sinister laugh in the background :)

Could life get any better?

Our baby is now 30 weeks old and moves lots. The movements are big enough for the kids to feel. In a quiet moment this afternoon I called them over to come feel the kicks and ripples. I look down at my big ripe belly to see three beautiful smiling faces talking to our baby, sharing how much they love him/her. There is something amazing about physically being with a baby inside of me, three on the outside - all loving each other. To see their gleeful faces talking and singing to their little sibling is soo precious- I am getting excited to birth!

Out of this World

This afternoon we enjoyed a presentation by the Brott Music Festival.
Canada's first astronaut ;Marc Garneau, the only to have been in space three times joined the orchestra for a very interesting performance. Garneau shared his experience of being in space during his three trips and the music he listened to while in space. The result was very interesting. Space travel; something we are currently reading about is usually presented in very scientific and philosophical terms, to accompany the topic with beautiful classical music shed new light and emotions onto the idea (for me at least). It was a treat to be in a new theater and have Grampy accompany us.
The kids enjoyed sharing all the details (especially how one goes to the bathroom on the shuttle!), leading to pulling out the photo collection of space, the kit to create an eclipse, books and puzzles! I would say it was enjoyed by all.