A few on the list

Summer seemed to disappear before we were ready.  Autumn can be tricky weather wise, sometimes giving us weeks and months filled with sunshine and warmth, but it can also be cold and snowy.  I have been trying to take advantage of the days that are warm, by spending them outside at our favorite places.  'Our' lake fishing, the skate park, trails, playgroup.  

A Special Seed

Dainty milkweed babies, wrapped in cradles green,

Rocked by mother nature, fed by hands unseen.

Brown coats have the darlings, slips of milky white

and wings- that's a secret- they are folded out of sight.

The cradles grow so narrow- what will babies do?

They'll only grow the faster, and look up toward the blue

and now they've found the secret, they are flying through the air

They've left the cradles empty, do milkweed babies care?

author unknown

I love this Picture

Dressed for the horse show.  Looking so grown up.  His new best friend at his side.  Winnings spent on a treat.

The Stisted Fair

We love the fair.  We are completely and utterly exhausted.  We crafted, created, baked, canned, embroidered, painted, pressed, sewed, and prepared our little hearts out.  It was all worth it.  It is such fun to put your hard work and creativity into a project, have it put on display with other people who worked as equally hard.  The people who go into the display hall know all the hard work that people put in, and they go in to admire it.  That there is all we need to put our stuff in, but the chance of a ribbon is icing on the cake.

This year we didn't enter as much as we have in the past, which was ok because we made up for it in volunteering and being in the horse show. 

Shai put in a few crafts this year, a macaroni necklace he painted and dipped in glitter, his foot print was cut out, painted and covered in feathers.  He was very proud.  Aria entered lots, she loves crafting and needs no reason.  She brought home ribbons for handwriting, a treasure box made of woven ribbons, a pretty bracelet, the biggest sugar cookie(she was very clever to write 1st on it!) and pictures.  Ben was recognized for a t-shirt he painted, a beautiful farm picture, an unbaked snack, flowers pressed and mounted.  Elias choose only to enter a hen, she won first!  I entered some jam, my embroidery, some needle felting, and eggs!

The games are looked forward to each year.  This year there was a new costume contest which was fun. There was also a hay pile filled with money and lollipops to find.  Shai loved this.  There were three legged races, egg toss, sack races, wheel barrow races, running races, and more.  All with prices of $1, 50 and 25 cents.  The kids spent there winnings at the candy concession. 

This is only our second year at this fair, it is amazing to me that this is it.  We haven't lived here long enough to have attended more.  It is the kind of fair that you feel at home for.  The kids come and go as they please.  They know lots of people, their way around.  It has a way of making everyone feeling at home. 

Giddy Up

With the fair celebrating 125 years there have been lots of new additions; a few vendors, a baby pit stop, new games, a costume contest.  There were also lots of new additions for us as a family this year; I sat on the board, we volunteered in fundraising, the night before we assembled chicken cages, put up fence posts, worked in the concession stand, worked the craft hall.  The biggest and most exciting addition had to have was hands down entering the horse section.  Our friend Angee kindly accepted our request to both teach us how to ride in the fair and to show her animals. 

Lynn is a beautiful, large 1600lb tan coloured horse, whom Ben was going to ride and I was to lead.  Ben had no problems hoping up on her and sitting so high.  I on the other hand totally admit to being nervous leading Lynn.  When we practiced I always worried we were walking to close to each other and she would step on my feet.  She could be a little pushy at times, which meant I needed to be a little pushy back.  Lynn was much better at that than I was. 

Aria was thrilled to be riding on Percy, a beautiful brown big eared donkey.  It was Aria whose love of horses (and donkeys) that convinced everyone to give entering the horse section a try.  She would love to horseback ride as a hobby, so this was an amazing opportunity.  Elias agreed to lead Percy.  When he agreed to lead Percy he also had to accept the donkeys personality and limits.  Percy is a sensitive soul, needing lots of hugs, ear rubs and reassurance to convince him to MOVE.  Since Percy often decides he isn't moving, or is easily distracted by things like chip bags, there is lots of laughter from the audience. 

I wasn't sure how the kids would handle the unpredictability, despite seeing first hand in practice.  Aria wasn't swayed at all, she sat in proper form the whole time, her smile never wavering.  Elias just worked Percy over with lots of love and when the smell of chips took Percy over to the fence he was patient.  He was great at working with him, confident and relaxed,

Elias entered the ring first. He had to lead Percy around the ring, present him in front of the judges, trot and then stand back in position in line.  There was no trot, and positioning was a little wonky, but he did it.  It was a great start.  Next he presented in his age group.  Again he did great.  He was never visibly frustrated with Percy, which I think Percy sensed. They won first place, a beautiful red ribbon.  Next Elias took Aria in and I took Ben.  I was thrilled to be leading her around the ring.  She was a dream.  Angee kept telling me that Lynn loved to show, but I kept thinking of her feet! But of course Angee was right and she knew just what to do for me.  Such a great experience.

The kids went on to play some games on horseback.  I needed to run back and forth from the animal judging so I was thankful for a new friend to lead Ben and Lynn for these.  The riders held a cup of water while riding around.  At the end the winner was the one with the most water left.  There were more ribbons handed out.

The kids loved all of it.  Grooming, dressing, riding, leading.  It was a great experience.  Thanks Angee for sharing your four legged family, your time, patience and skills- we really loved it! 

All Dressed Up

The games were a nice addition to the horse show.  The one the kids were really excited about was the costume contest.  With your horse or donkey, dress up together.  So yes, this year I can officially add to my resume or list of life's accomplishments sewing for a horse and donkey!!!

Ben knew right away what he wanted to dress up as.  He bought a beautiful embroidered two piece navy blue outfit when he was in Morocco and Dadda had a fez hat to top it off.  I made two humps to fit over the saddle and tassels for her halter.  And poof Lynn was a camel!

Aria had a harder time deciding what she wanted to be.  A knight, astronaut and rocket, princess, lots of choices.  She decided a mermaid on her....SEA HORSE! lol! I made her a tail skirt over leggings so she could still ride on Percy, shell accessories.  We glued shells on tulle and wrapped it around Percy and Aria sat on a dark blue covering. 

The other contestants included an officer on an OPP horse, a jockey on a winning horse, a girl dressed in traditional German clothes, Tonto.  The kids tied for first, which was perfect for them.  Their creativity was rewarded with pride long before the ribbons, but it was a great way to end the horse portion of the day.

A Horse for All Sizes

Karen, these are for you! Shai entered the stick horse riding competition.  With mum at his side he ran the ring and tied for 1st!

This is me at the end of a very long day in my costume.  Only for you :)!

Eight Years Old!

Happy Birthday Aria!

It is such a gift to celebrate Aria.  She brings such flare and life to our family.  Her stories have been a welcomed constant since birth. We are amazed at how appropriately we named her, for when she is not talking, she is singing.   I love how silly she can be, her love of snuggles, the intense need to create,  her unique outlook on life.  Aria is such a blessing!
For her birthday, her brothers went all out.  Knowing how much she loves crafting, they explored a few of the books she spends time dreaming in and picked a few for fabulous gifts.  Ben sewed a ribbon bag, covering the front in an array of beautiful colours.  Elias choose to  paint a shirt with stencils of starfish and a sea horse to commemorate our trip to the sea.  We surprised her with a ceiling covered in glow in the dark stars which were a big hit!

Party Time

Our outdoor campfire/movie night required a little tweaking due to lots of rain and a high of 10 degrees! (crazy since we are normally in swimsuits while celebrating!) We had games, friends, a barbque, movie on a BIG screen, ice cream sandwiches and FUN!  It was a great celebration!

Puppy Cuteness

She is lots of fun still, which is a good sign.  No one has lost any shoes, although there have been attempts.  We are all enjoying having a dog again.  Shai while walking with me shared that he liked Mica, in fact he loved her and as a real sign of love he said she could ride in his monster truck when he grows up.  Now that is a compliment from my little guy, not just anyone gets to ride in the monster truck!