Fibre Arts in The Park

We are part of a coop who has some fabulous activities planned for the coming year. Today was our first in a series of fibre arts days. We thoroughly enjoyed tie dying pieces of material for sewing projects the kids have planned. A few friends did underwear, which we put on our list for next time :) We used kool-aid to dye roving for future felting projects. The colors are brilliant. The possibilities are so exciting!

Pioneer Days

By far our favorite part of learning about pioneers ( I still need to post about those specifics) has

been visiting local pioneer villages. The kids enjoyed re-visiting with friends to look at the garden (coming home with a beet!), walking through some houses, the blacksmiths, the corner store, the post office and the tailors. They loved the stilts, but they found the greatest pleasure in recounting in detail how the kids won a game of tug of war against their friend who is a mum. (Shai looks as though he is either cheering you on K, or wondering what your doing!!!). It was a scorcher of a day, but lots of fun.

Tea Parties

She is about to be five. Tea parties, fairies, song and dance are essential parts of everyday. I love these parts. When she pours him some hot strawberry tea, served with a paper cookie. She finds me the perfect seat, reminds me not to spill in the living room, and introduces which show I will be viewing. She takes her performances very seriously. Not only is there an intriguing story involving Russian, or a great- great- great grandmother I have yet to meat, there are twirls like no other and costumes. The stories can go on for a long time. She lights up as she shares.

This is the part I am so thankful to have time for. To meet in her world, to be lost in the story. In wanting to have kids I never knew how rich it could be.

Time Travels.

We have been enjoying an audio book By the Great Horn Spoon by id Fleischman. Apparently its a tall tale during which the characters take part in mining for gold. When my kids love something it comes out in their play. They totally immerse themselves into the imaginary world. Their clothes, their voices, names, body language, activities, all of it changes. This morning I woke up to the following name changes; Jamocha Jack, Bull Whip and Big Sara. They requested steak and coffee for breakfast (don't worry mum that just means toast and chocolate milk). While on the phone they were busy in the backyard, enjoying the quiet I didn't question what they were doing (deep down you know that means trouble). I was later called out to "see how we been passin the time mam".
They were mining. They created a three foot wide, three foot deep whole. The rocks they found were piled on deck. They were discussing what object they were take from inside to hide for daddy.....we decided a rock would work fine (don't worry dear). I love that they so are so fluid in the worlds they travel too...and that a piece of me gets to go to.

Those Rascally Gold Diggers

He's eyeing all that gold...

Cousins Camp

For a couple of years my fabuloso (that you are) parents have taken all their grand kids (who are ready to go) for a cousins camp. The camps have focused around different topics, last year was art. This year they went to Black Creek Pioneer Village. This fit perfectly in with our summer study of pioneers. The kids went in a mix match of their pioneer costumes and had a fabulous time exploring together. Afterwards they went to the Rain Forest Cafe, which Aria in particular loved being in. They love this week, they would tell you it is one of their summer highlights. Hanging with their Grammy, Grampy and cousin, sleeping all together, eating gummy worms at 9 am, making memories. Its a tradition they cherish. (and whose kidding, its a pretty great deal for me...almost 3 days to myself! Its a camp for one!)

Sidetracked

Chris and I used to spend lots of time getting side tracked. Pre-children we often woke up hoped in the car and drove. We never knew what we might encounter or end up, it was always lots of fun, occasionally very magical and never failed to be memorable.

We aren't in a season in our life to enjoy this type of spontaneity, car rides not being every one's favorite mode of travel (lots of car sick kids). We do find that having a nursing baby brings a new element of adventure and a type of sidetracking all on its own. On our way to the peteroglyphs we needed to stop to nurse. We happened upon a fabulous park, there were different climbers tucked away amongst trees with lots of unique pieces, one of the favorites being a two storey tube slide. While exploring we happened upon a free zoo that had a cougar, lynx, wombats, primates, otters, to name a few. There was also a splash pad that was free. It was a great spot, which was so spread out we never felt crowded or overwhelmed. It was great being sidetracked.

Peteroglyphs

The area near the trailer has lots of amazing places to visit, every time we're in the area we try to take advantage of their proximity. Off our list we choose to go to the Peteroglyph Provincial Park. It is a park located on a piece of First Nations land which has great spiritual significance. Between 600 and 1100 years ago a group of Algonquin speaking peoples carved pictures in a large piece of crystalline marble, which is very soft stone. Oral history shares that Elders and Shaman would use these teaching rocks to pass on history, lessons and values. Fifty years ago these peterogylphs were 'discovered' by the rest of the world, studied and shared. During this fifty years the depth of the pictures has changed from 3inches to 1/2 inch due to weathering. In the past the rocks were covered with moss when there weren't being viewed, this didn't happen while they were being studied. In an attempt to save the beautiful 'writings' a building as been built around the rock to protect it. It's a very large building that looks out of place, very urban and starkly contrasts with its otherwise very natural environment. We even watched a deer close by for awhile. However, once you are inside the power of the rocks takes over and the surrounding building has much less impact.
The drawings themselves, accompanied by explanations, are incredible. There are turtles, people, snakes, shaman, spirits. The largest and most deeply carved was a cormorant, most likely a clan symbol. There was a place for the kids to so a rubbing of a replicated carving. We walked around the rocks twice, first noting all the different pictures. The second time we talked about the offerings laid of sweet grass, cedar, sage and tobacco. We had an amazing talk afterwards about how different peoples share and teach.
There is a learning centre to walk through. It was beautifully set up with a movie about the carvings , displays talking about the lessons shared by the Algonquin speaking peoples. Twice a year you can buy tickets to be among the limited few to listen to an elder share teachings from the rock. What an opportunity! You will have to venture out to see it because they ask you take no pictures on the land. Out of respect we didn't even sneak one...although I really wanted to :)

Pioneers, Cottages, Fishing and Tales....Oh My!

Updates coming soon , we have been adventuring!

Away

We are so thankful for the generosity of friends and family to be staying at their summer 'homes'. This past weekend we stayed at my in-laws trailer. It comes with full amenities; fridge, stove, shower, satellite t.v., air conditioning. Despite lots of rain and a fire ban we had a great time. We spent time in the canoe, in the paddle boats, fishing, playing games, reading, knitting, napping and swimming. It was a nice time away.

Off to the Trailer

Cottage Time

We enjoyed a wonderful visit with friends at their cottage. Early mornings with coffee and sunlight, wavy boat rides, cold water, forts built with sticks and moss, watching in awe the reloading of a water bomber plane to spray a fire in the distance, paper dolls and coloring, campfire with guitar accompaniment, shared meals, glasses of wine, confusing card games, wet towel wrapped hugs, long car rides, back seat nursing, tearful goodbyes, good friends.

Excuses

I am so far behind on posts. I am going to play my trump card....

You couldn't claim a better reason :) I do have lots in my draft section from the past few weeks that I will put up....so back check Mum.

A New Park

Friends invited us to explore a new park with some pretty cool equipment. Its was nice to be out in the cooler evening weather.

Doing it KOA style

It has become a tradition that we go camping every summer with some really good friends of ours. We started before kids came and its become something we look forward to. However, its something that always seems to have roadblocks; always fun but always a few bumps. After some of those bumps we ended up at a KOA for some highway camping. We were surrounded by RVs , enjoyed the swimming pool which thankfully didn't get too crowded, were lulled to sleep to the hum of transport trucks and the passing trains and made smores on the propane bbq because of the fire ban!

We spent a night at our house where the kids enjoyed a movie and we enjoyed some margaritas. We have such great memories, with such great friends. Looking forward to next year....perhaps we could try hw. 407 next time?

I Know...

He just gets cuter!