11 Years old

As with most years there has been growing. Most notably this year as he is about to surpass me in height, while wearing a men's size 10. He follows his creative passions at the workbench working with wood. Skateboarding and biking thrill him, time on the ice or in the lake are some of his outdoor preferences. He takes such care of his animals and watches out for his younger siblings because he loves them so dearly. The ATV he has learnt to drive by himself, his own email account opens him to a new world of communication and cuddle time is still treasured.
To celebrate he planned a menu including salad, chicken wings, and potato skins. Time with friends in the morning and a movie out of town for the evening. My first babe, 11years old. Happiest of Birthdays.

Curling

This afternoon the kids tried curling at the local curling rink for the first time. A friend in the homeschooling group organized a four week introductory to curling program. The kids are given the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of the game as well as given a chance to learn the skills and work on them. It was hard for everyone to sit through the explanation part as they were just itching to get out on the ice.

Curling is one of those sports that looks very easy to the onlooker (like back flips, don't they look like a breeze :) but requires far more skill and practice than expected. To slide across the ice, balanced and stable, releasing a 40lb. rock across rink at a decent speed isn't as simple as it looks. After an hour of just practice most everyone got the hang of it.

Curling is definitely on our "to watch" list for the Olympics.

The Sign of a Good Visit

I enjoy taking photos, a lot. The camera and I aren't usually too far apart from each other. So when special friends come to visit and we have birthday celebrations, Christmas, indoor fun and outside snow adventures, late nights, kitchen helpers, air hockey and wii, and I come away from those two days with a few rabbit cuddling pictures I know this to be a sure sign of a good visit. We were all just in the moment enjoying our friends, and the time we had together. To caught up in enjoying the here and now to step back and grab a shot. We have snapshots of the time, just not digital.

Off the Original Path

I rave about the wonders of a family hike to most anyone who listens. When we first moved here, finding trails and natural places to explore were first on our list. The space it gives each of us, the intimate connection to the natural world, the learning about our environment we get without little to no effort. The little to no cost is great, the fresh air and exercise, a different passing of time that happens, I sing the praises of each part.

But sometimes. Occasionally. There is a hike that crumbles very quickly, that is more draining than fuelling. A family member emotionally melts down, snow in the boots or wet mitts in the first five minutes, the bad moods never lifting. Attempts to salvage, with snack, a sip of water, suggestions to climb a tree or play hide and seek, don't work on these days. It is then, that you hope you have the wisdom or courage to throw in the towel. To pack up and head home for hot chocolate and books, or tea and a movie.

These days don't happen often, the woods usually does cure what is ailing us. But when it does happen I am grateful to be able to let go of any of those original expectations and go with the new flow. The other day we had one of those days. The car ride, the boots full of snow, the original trail being closed, the refusal to walk or ride. All these telling us to throw in the towel. We tried to pull it together, but it was clear the hike was done!

In one last hurrah we headed to the tubing hill for some sliding. Thank goodness for that hill, it put a smile on every one's face and tired everyone out from walking back up the hill. Yay for unexpected paths that save the day!

A New Light on Chocolate

With Valentines day a few weeks away the increase of chocolate in the grocery store aisles is very noticeable. Valentine's day is an odd holiday. While I am all for more reasons to express your love, the whole commercial diamonds, chocolates, teddy bears thing is kind of weird. The commercial part of the holiday isn't something we participate in. That said we do still celebrate it, in the past we have attended valentine's day parties, been part of exchanges with friends, sent letters expressing our love, made gratitude trees, etc.

A few weeks ago I came across a fabulous curriculum on this site focusing on fair trade chocolate that was being marketed specifically for Valentine's day. The curriculum includes of both a book and activities. Students are invited to look at the process of chocolate making, the geographical location, question how the cost of chocolate is broken down and where the money goes, is it fair? The power of purchasing and consumer advocacy is addressed. It looks excellent.

While the concepts that are part of fair trade have been discussed in the grocery store and around the dinner table we haven't ever gone this in depth with one particular product. I think chocolate is a great one to start with.

fair trade chocolate
chocolate process
fair trade oxfam

raising global citizens (my friend karen has started a fabulous blog with lots of resources for
educating ourselves and our children on global issues and social justice)

The Sun Beckoned us

Lots of friends joined us on the ice today. There was a game of hockey against the high school gym class ( a very small class), a snow sweeper to watch, dog sled games enjoyed and coats tossed aside as a result of the strong sun. Glorious, beautiful sun!

Once home everyone decided they hadn't had enough and headed out for toboggan time!

At Night at the Movies

We like to 'do' birthdays here, really celebrate them. The kids are totally into it when they are doing the planning. It was easy to decide what to do for Dad's special day this year. They planned down to the smallest detail a night at the movies (the theatre located in the living room). It began with a special invitation and attached were tickets for the entry as well as a few tickets for the snack booth.
Signs were made, jobs assigned. On the menu for the concession stand was giant birthday cookies, ice cream floats and popcorn. Everyone had enough tickets to get one item. The main feature was the original Superman. During intermission everyone had the chance to spin the prize wheel for extra tickets to get another snack or drink. The wheel also had a special prize section for the birthday boy. All guests had glow sticks which were really the highlight for one guest in particular.

It was a great evening, the kids out did themselves and Dadda really appreciated it. Happy Birthday!

Outside Dare devils

The wooded (as in lots of trees) area in front of our house is slopped (as in a hill- perfect for speed) is apparently the 'perfect' tobogganing hill!!! It was a team effort to build up the sides of the run to help avoid those trees. As a bonus it seems to have helped build up speed and shoots the rider out close to our driveway; a considerable distance. They have a blast! but its better if I am not watching!

Inside Dare Devil

Over and over. Never tiring. Down the stairs as fast as he can, to run back up and do it all over again. He thinks its a hoot if you race him!

Winter walking

A light snowfall, a tiny bit of sunshine was enough reason to enjoy a winter wonderland walk through the woods. Last year we enjoyed the ice at one of our favorite places so much, we were excited to see what this year might hold. The beauty that each of the seasons hold is so clear in this natural place. I love how every time we visit we all line up to look at the raging falls; in silence. Just taking it in. We had the whole place to ourselves, no other prints on the snow except a deer and what we think was a coyote (and the hopes that it might have been a wolf).

Boom!

out of the way Indiana!!!

Boom!

Is everyone ok? that was a large explosion

dizzy....but I am going to make it!

high fives all around

Comic strips are all the rage right now around our house. I am not sure where the original inspiration for comic books came from, but the content has been greatly influenced by the recent viewing of Indiana Jones. They watched theses movies over Christmas and lets just say it's been an adventure. Lots of play involving bags of snakes, costumes, Egyptian get aways and intense close calls. But by far, its been the comics that have been created after hours of thoughtful attention to details, that have been the greatest to watch grow. Drawing and writing doesn't appeal to all of my kids, but this form has produced pages after pages without any requests.

comic book paper

A few of my favorite things

while not really a fan of parties, to have a few of his favorite things was the perfect way to spend his third birthday

:: his 'guys' and a few friends to play

:: play dough, a table full of cars, the kitchen set up

:: phone calls all to himself

:: ice cream (the cake not so much)

:: the discovery of an old family favorite costume paired with super fast shoes

:: having everyone agree he could turn ten instead of three (my fingers where crossed because three is hard enough to swallow)

happy birthday sweet boy!

The Cure for what Ails You

This past week I have been juggling a crazy schedule. A large amount of time has been spent on the computer organizing classes (prenatal and breastfeeding) I started teaching this week. The kids have been patient but a balance has been needed. I have been conscience to spend whatever time we can outside, off setting most feelings of being cooped up. Spending time playing in the fresh air isn't a cure all for everything but wow does it come

Tobogganing, snow shoeing, skating on the lake in town, hockey with friends. The new one we have added this year is ice fishing. In all honesty I haven't participated in that one yet, but hearing about it has been great! Winter is not so bad.

Monday

Mondays are always a gamble. I think that's why I like them so much. There is so much possibility on this first fresh day of the week. It was one of those days that feels; without even trying, like a classic home school day. The kind that feel so right. Our time today was divided among animal chores, breakfast 1, indulging the desire to listen to all the Mercer Mayer books we have, play dough time, breakfast 2, a trip to see if the village skating rink was cleared (it wasn't), home for tobogganing, hot lunch with dad, math pages, reading the roman numeral book from the library, guessing games invented involving roman numerals, bird feeders made, hung and new and old ones filled up, more tobogganing and attempts to skate on our pond. They watched Bill Nye the science guy water cycle, an episode of zaboomafoom while I made three loaves of bread. Together we enjoyed the bread hot with jam while reading our new history book from the library. Lots of discussion over what to have for dinner, finally settling on sandwiches. It was followed with car races, guessing games about flags around the world, math manipulatives used for tower construction accompanied by a photo shoot of the tower, computer time, laundry accomplished, bed time stories, discussions for the week and bed time.

Monday. It is a good day to start the week.

A Good Day

Such a beautiful day! Walking, tobogganing, playing with friends. The sunshine was so amazing, the woodpeckers loud, the weather crisp. Did I mention the sun? it makes such a difference when it joins us.

It didn't hurt starting our day with these sundaes.

The Little Things

This first week back to non holiday mode continues to be really busy with lots of lists to work on. After lots of hard work our basement is renovations are pretty much done and now we do the leg work of renting it. I bit the bullet and put advertising up for prenatal and breastfeeding classes and I got four people register in the first day!!! Exciting things are happening, hard work is beginning to pay off.
While these 'big' things are in their final formations I have been noticing how much joy some of the 'little' things bring me. Shai, (can you believe he turns 3 soon!) loves the book Mr. Gumpy's Outing, he requests to read it a few times a day. In the story a list of animals and people all do the things Mr. Gumpy has asked them not to do while they are in the boat and as a result they fall in the water. While we read the long list of animals, Shai has a comment for each of them. The pig is "awww that is a cute pig", after the sheep "bleating, how does that sound mama", the chickens "we have chickens!!!!". He knows of course if I read one of the words out of place; which I like to do sometimes on purpose just to have him correct me!!

Chris and the kids have been enjoying playing blackjack. They get the poker chips out and bet as they play. The faces of excitement when their hand is good, the seriousness with which they take the role of dealer, the contemplation on how much to lose and the thrill and shrills if someone calls "all in" on a bet! Great!

We have been making our way through the storage room as part of the basement renovations. Despite being here only a year, having done a huge purge when we moved, we still have a full storage room. We have been sorting, giving away, selling, sharing lots of things. We have been shifting to other rooms in the house and WOW it feels so great! We believe in our heads and hearts less is more, but with six of us stuff adds up quickly. If we slack at being intentional about what enters the house it can feel like a mountain of stuff just appeared. It's freeing to be on top of it.

Experimenting with salad dressings. The possibilities are endless.
pomegranate
ranch- or with a twist
orange-cumin

Play Sets

This year I decided to make each of the kids a play set as one of their Christmas gifts from us. This was an easy decision for the two younger kids, numerous ideas came quickly to mind for what the play sets could be. The decision for my youngest and oldest became all the more easier when a friend happened to post two different tutorials , at two different times, with play sets I knew they would love.
For Shai, a dinosaur play mat. This included a set of small dinosaurs, a quilted mat with patches for rocks, water and meadow. I also included a cave, volcano and tree that is similar to the ones in the tutorial. It was perfect. Except, apparently dinosaurs don't like having their pictures taken. Who wants to argue with a dinosaur?

The idea of a play mat for an almost eleven year old might be pushing it for some, but Elias' imagination has always be alive and vivid. With it being a War of 1812 theme, my history buff would love it. I made six British and six American soldiers, with six pegs should he want to make his own Native representatives. There was also a book and a mat with a river, rocks and meadow. Also a hit.

Aria is still very much enjoying fairies, something that steals my own heart. I want to indulge and encourage it as long as it will last. I enjoyed not following a tutorial for this fairy house, embroidering here and there. To reside in the house was a fairy family, felt logs, embroidered sleeping bags and pillows. Very quickly are woodland felted friends came out of hiding to investigate the new additions.

Chris and I collaborated on Ben's set. We carried on the viking theme from his birthday. I made three viking bendy dolls and Chris made a viking ship, complete with oars and shields. The vikings and soldiers were soon trying to battle each other to take over dinosaur island Christmas morning!