Goodbye February

Our Friday Co-op met for handicrafts, making pom poms and working on embroidery. With rugs and blankets spread out, kids intermingled with mums we quietly worked away. Two of my kids really enjoyed making pom poms while chatting with friends. Elias has been creating a beautiful nature scene the last few days with embroidery. The details and story that goes with each addition are make it a masterpiece.

With a birthday party happening tomorrow, the crafting continued once we got home. It was a nice way to usher out a very, very long February.

Today is precious, hug someone you love.

It's been two weeks. Time hasn't made sense of it. Sadness, lots of it. Confusion, concern, empathy and a bit of anger.
Jane was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago. She fought hard, only then to battle brain, lymph node, and liver cancer. Such a huge battle, met with incredible strength and inspirational optimism. She died on Valentines day, 33 years old, leaving behind a very loved husband, a 3 year old daughter and 6 year old son, lots of friends and family.
We have known each other for 20 years, since grade 9. Life has taken us around the world, welcomed moves, partners and children. A constant has been our friendship. Sometimes time brings distance or a disconnection. But Jane and I always enjoyed each others company, we could laugh over a glass of wine and the time that had past slipped away.
I think it was her spontaneity and her ability to be in the moment that I loved most. Whether it was a spur of the moment road trip, an impromptu party, making the kids costumes out of swimming towels or a surprise visit, she could be in the moment.This was a trait that often got us in a lot of trouble growing up....the skipping class, dying our hair in the mall bathrooms, organizing a grievance meeting with the principle....but it was a trait that served in well the last two years.
I know that Jane is riding on one of the elephants she so dearly loved, enjoying the splendor, peace and comfort of life after death. It is her family and our hearts that are left with incredible memories and sad hearts.
She appreciated each moment- all of them. She found the fun, the joy and the love in each. When she got sick, she began leaving a saying on everything;
Today is precious, hug someone you love.

unxpected and so cherished

When Aria was a baby everyone around me was using sign language with their babies. There was lots of literature about the benefits, communication skills, increase in verbal language, autonomy, etc. Both Chris and I were intrigued enough to give it a try. Aria responded extremely well, she used about 20-25 signs on a regular basis to communicate her needs. She began talking very, very early. Her words were clear, understandable and numerous by a year old. I remember her running around on her first birthday saying "birf day, birf day". This is astounding for a one year old. So while signing definitely had its benefits, it was discarded surprisingly quickly.

We are using signing with Shai. The number of signs he has is increasingly daily. Not only are Chris and I signing with him, but all the kids are too. The other day he stood at his highchair grunting, clearly wanting something. I asked what it was he was wanting verbally and he responded, a drink and banana with signs. How great is that!!! I didn't have to guess what he was wanting, or go through the list of possibilities. He didn't get frustrated from being misunderstood, or angry from the wait. His clear request was met...all with ease.

The benefits have been amazing. But recently one so unexpected and truly heartwarming happened. I was nursing Shai, as I do a zillion times a day. I wasn't multi tasking this particular time, I was sitting enjoying the quiet. Stroking his hair, watching his cheeks move as he swallowed, feeling his soft skin. It was a wonderful quiet moment, in an other wise hectic day. Shai heard one of the other kids, sat up, got down to toddle off and see what they were doing. He took a few steps, stopped turned around , looked at me and signed 'thank you' with a big smile. Thank you.

My heart swelled.

'Thank you' I signed back. and off he toddled. Wow. That was one of those mothering moments that is permenantly inked on my heart.

Dog sleds and wild moose

With the upcoming Alaskan Iditarod dog sled beginning this weekend we have been absorbing the Arctic world. Books, snow play, maps, movies, art work, carving soap stone, igloos, dog training, snowflakes, etc. It has been exciting. Part (a large part) of the learning for the kids is when they take the information and turn it into their play. After rearranging the contents of the van a few times, we brought home a few large boxes, destined to be dog sleds. Complete with runners, lines and lead dogs, they set off. Oh and of course every team needs the challenge of navigating around a moose (aka baby brother)!

An afternoon walk

After the floors were finished and everyone went home, we decided to have a little more outdoor time. It is one of the great benefits of so many trails close by, we could go for an hour without a big pack up. The sun shone over the water, with lots of geese and ducks out. This is another walk that we have spots we always check out. The hole in the tree is a spot we have seen baby raccoons, although it was empty today.

Few words. Big Feelings.

That smile.
The dimple on the right side.
Those dark eyes that squint so easily.
The love I feel.

Good times

Chris' family came down today to help finish the flooring upstairs we have been putting in. It was such a beautiful day (that sun and blue skies are being so enjoyed), we needed to get out and soak it up. Grandma joined the kids on the toboggan hill. Despite her calls of 'old lady down', they didn't let up on the next run. They had a great time visiting and playing together.

Cousins

My sister, niece and nephew came for a welcomed surprise visit this afternoon. We were crossing off some of the to do list around the house today and it was nice to be diverted. My nephew is 7 months older than Shai, and their interactions are fairly new. It is almost like they have just realized they are close in size and can hang out together. Lots of hugs and sharing toys. They were pretty cute.

A Winter Disco

Dancing, balloons, fancy lights (really fancy!) indoor and out, cake, a tent fort in the basement, an igloo, tree house, friends. The makings of a fun birthday party!

Tobogganing ; lots and lots

The weather has been filled with sunshine and blue skies. It has been wonderful for feel the warmth on our faces and have the vitamin d seeping in. There has been lots of tobogganing. It was particularily fun to have a dad to pile on top of this day :)

Snow Shoeing

Our nature centre program couldn't have been planned more perfectly. The weather was incredible. Crisp, sunny, blue sky and fresh. The kids and the mamas did a big loop around what has become a very familiar trail. It is great having a place in nature the kids have gotten to know through the seasons together in so many different interactions.

Snowshoes are on the Christmas list for next year. It was a big hit.

Happy Happy Hearts

How exciting! Our valentine's day package arrived from our valentine swap friends the Anderson family. The box was filled with lots of wonderful goodies. The kids were thrilled to see a beautiful bag with their name on it as soon as we opened the box. The bags contained candies, stickers, a box with a handmade beautiful heart and filled with chocolate. Had these treats been the only part, everyone would have been over the moon.

Then we dug into the second layer of the box to uncover a cd of banjo music. They thoughtfully noticed we have been dancing in the kitchen to banjo music to beat the winter blues, giving us another reason to kick up our heals! Another bag contained a mason jar filled with homemade brownie mix, a sketch book, oil pastels, wood and graphite charcoal. The kids immediately declared that this weekend we would have a dessert and art night. We would make the brownies, while waiting for them to cook we would have some drawing time, then eat our treat! Doesn't that sound amazing, gifts that gift for more fabulous evenings!!!

Shai received some of Kate's talented hand work. She appliqued a shirt in red with hearts (I can't believe it's your first attempt, it looks fabulous ) that is absolutely adorable!

We are so thankful for such beautiful gifts; thoughtful, creative and very appreciated gifts! It has been so fun to get to know a fabulous family through this swap. Thank you Kate, Jon, Caleb and Samuel for sharing with us a little bit of your family and your kindness :)

A Valentine's Day Party

Our larger Homeschool group oranized a Valentine's Day party. The kids decorated boxes or bags to gather their valentine's day cards in which each of the kids brought with them. They enjoyed playing heart bingo (the cinnimon heart markers were a huge hit) and some yummy dessert to follow. It was a nice afternoon.

Surprise

You never know what you might find when you have a one year old. There was a runner and a tap shoe in the dishwasher. It's those surprises that add joy to life....and it doesn't hurt he is so darn cute.