Early Morning Adventures

The sun is just over the horizon, almost everyone is nestled asleep in their warm beds..... except for Elias and Ben. For them this is the perfect time to bundle up and head outside to see what kind of adventure they can find. Today, the glimpses of a pileated woodpecker, a wondrously large bird. They got the camera and followed it around our woods as it jumped from tree to tree. Adventures are a great way to start the day.

Olympic Fever

The morning routine has altered recently to include previewing any new Olympic medals and to check the schedule for the days events. Eyes have been glued to many different events, including last nights hockey game (we are so thankful for those rabbit ears!). It has been wonderful to see the kids get so into the Olympics this year. They have been building moguls in the back yard, trying different snow boarding moves (complete with trick names), lugging and skeleton runs, all together for some bobsledding. Curling is a newly appreciate game, especially since they have been learning how to play.

Sunday Sunshine

The sunshine was glorious today. The heat on our faces, laundry on the line. There were games of hockey in the drive way and lots of tobogganing, all done while wearing snow pants and tshirts. The garage was cleaned out, winter fairy houses created, bird feeders filled. Deer were spotted and miles of tracks followed. Hot tea drank by some and slushies created with juice and snow for others. Windows opened, heat turned way down. We don't foolishly think spring is around the corner here, but wow did we enjoy that sun.

Winter Carnival

The winter carnival in a neighbouring small village was such a big hit last year we were all excited to attend again this year. It's a carnival with a small town feel, and so much to do. We made sure to get to all of last year's favorites at the beginning. Both Elias and Ben entered the snow shoe races, this year making into their own age category but racing against each other. They were thrilled to come in first and second after running many heats. There were fabulous prizes to boot, although the race was great on its own.

Then it was off for a ride in the hot air balloon, even Shai went up for a view of the lake. The mini snow mobile rides were eagerly lined up for. Thankfully no one was turned away for being too big, which was a concern. There were music shows, drumming circles, owl demonstrations, logging, maple syrup demos and it wouldn't be a small town carnival without a karaoke (right?).

A personal highlight was the 2 day old Llama and it's mama, nursing happily among the onlookers. I must say the little one's level of cuteness made me absolutely giddy!lol

Best Friends

With out a doubt my kids love each other, they know each other, and they genuinely love each others company. The worlds of imaginary play they meet in are excluded to me, but it is almost more wonderful being on the outside watching the dynamics and friendship works its magic as they play.

Egg Rolls With a Side of Cake

We made a very spontaneous decision to have a Chinese New Year/Valentine's day party at our house this past weekend. With just under twenty people, we had a incredible potluck of fabulous homemade Chinese food and decadent chocolate for dessert. What a combo-really the two holidays should fall on the same day every year!

We had everyone write fortunes and stuff felt fortune cookies we had made with them for everyone to pick from. There was an impromptu lantern making lead by Aria, the boys with a friend figured out what zodiac sign everyone was and what the characteristics were that accompanied each animal. There was guessing games and a friend brought a fabulous dragon head they made which everyone had fun trying on. It was a great evening. At the end, even among the dishes and scattered toys, we vow to add more of this type of gathering into our lives-it's one of those elements we always love more of.

At this Age

It doesn't get better than housework!

A Chicken Update

Lots of people have been inquiring about our chickens and wondering how they have been making out this winter. They have been doing great. When the sun is out they sometimes venture out of their coop for a little bit of exploring, although never very far. We haven't had many more eggs, but we keep checking :)

A New Look

For my one who likes to stand out the least in a crowd, a modified Mohawk is always an interesting choice. It's a nice change, seeing those beautiful eyes with his long lashes and full lips without swiping his hair back. I am thankful to have grown up in a house were shaving one side of my head, dying it purple or red never caused anyone to even skip a beat. It's hair, it grows! It is fun watching the kids as they get older take more ownership of their style. I am thankful that brand names, current fashion or keeping up with the Jone's has yet to have entered their lives. For now they follow their heart and their own comfort. Sometimes its a Mohawk hairdo, or a cape, a crown or three shirts, right now it is all good.

Badges

Part of the kid's brownies and cubs programs is working on badges. This has been a huge self directed hit for each of them. The badges range from reading to woodworking, Canadian heroes to collections, winter sports to birding. The variety of topics and the projects have captivated their attention as much as the desire to accumulate more. This past week all three of the kids worked towards 6 new badges, which was not only a lot of work but also required them to present their completed material in front of their troop. This isn't something they all feel comfortable doing, but they pushed through because the end result means enough to them. I think the silent reminder and recognition of what they have worked towards is right up their alley.

The kids like having something tangible to show for their accomplishments. For Chris's birthday Aria thought her Dadda might appreciate some recognition for all the renovations and wood working he has been doing. As part of his gift she sewed him his own badge to wear with pride for all that he has been working on.

Monday Co-op

Together with our homeschool friends we have organized a coop for Monday afternoons. We have access to a kitchen, a classroom and a gym. This was our second week, with between 13-18 kids meeting each week. Having access to a gym (and permission to utilize the equipment) in February has been fabulous. We have been playing all kinds of games at the beginning and the end of each session. The space and company ensures they leave tired out.

This week the kids made chocolate lollipops for valentines day in molds. Then with a wealth of craft supplies created fabulous tags and cards to go with gifts.

We originally decided to plan for four weeks to test how it would go, its been such a success I am sure we will be making great use of the space. Having the gym makes the winter much more enjoyable.

Growing

Skating at the pond has become a favorite winter activity for my older kids. Shai also comes along, but he joins us with very little excitement about the venture. He usually brings a shovel and big trucks to play in the snow with and a sled for rides on the ice. I always ask if he wants to put on a pair of skates and give them a try, but he has shown not even the slightest bit of interest. His reluctance has never bothered me. I am not attached to when he decides to try skating, perhaps next year or the year after that. I trust that when he feels ready he will let me know.

The last time at the pond, when everyone else was on the ice he said he was ready. He did great, skating in my arms around the pond. As I was untying his skates I got to thinking about how I have changed as parent over the years. How things that seemed so incredibly important and time sensitive no longer hold value in the same way. Like skating. Or swimming. Or programming in general. It was never overboard or forced, just a different approach. I often felt like time was passing by incredibly quickly and that there was a sense of urgency, needing to involve them in different miles stones. Time was passing quickly, I was a mama with three kids under four. It was busy, often worrying I would miss things. Like there chance at skating.

I am not busy in the same with Shai. I don't feel that urgency or need to put him in those lessons, that we might miss out otherwise. I have a lot more trust that the important things will be accomplished and that what isn't as important (a list that has changed) doesn't need my energy.

Another mother was recently commenting about Shai being toilet 'trained' and how did we accomplish that. If she had asked with my first two kids I could have referred her to the books I had read, the special basket we had set up in the bathroom, the sticker chart, the books, the special soap, the challenges. With Shai, I waited until he mentioned wanting to use the bathroom. Then we stopped putting him in diapers, offered the bathroom and if there was an accident we changed him. After a week or so he never looked back. No stress, no charts, no books.

I don't reflect on those days of charts or swimming lessons for my 6 month old and cringe or fill with regret. Not at all. Parenting is a part of your life that doesn't stop evolving. I look back and think about all the ways my children have taught me, to trust, to be open and to accept. I am appreciating this, where it has brought me.

Mush!

We have been enjoying our long winters, embracing different opportunities to play in the snow. This weekend we watched people who take that idea to a whole new level! A small community north of us hosts an annual dog sledding event. The sun was gorgeous, although the air quite crisp which our toes seemed to notice first.
We were introduced to the sport skijor, which is the crazy combination of skiing with dogs. The skier stands at the starting line with their dog (s) attached to their waist. At the signal the dogs set off pulling the skier, while the person uses their pole to help get a faster start. Very quickly the racer is going quite fast, no longer requiring their poles for speed, only balance now. It was very impressive to see the coordination executed as they speed through the trail.
We spent some time before watching the start of the 4 mile dog sled race walking around looking at the dogs, the different types of sleds and the set up used to have the dogs transported and harnessed too during the wait time. The sleds were either metal or wood, with the frame being almost identical (to our untrained eye) in style. The dogs were a real mixed bag in terms of types, we were surprised that only about 1/3 of the dogs were huskies. The others ranged in variety from border collie to whippet to mixed breeds. They all shared a common love of running and sledding.
The teams of dogs are so incredibly coordinated. Their listening skills were amazing, we watched one team hook up to their sled, the dogs patiently waiting as all the dogs were brought out one at a time. The owner telling them to wait, be quiet, move together, all without missing a beat or being told more than once.
We left wanting to give dog sledding a try....and you guessed it, we left wanting another dog even more.

2010 Iditarod
resource page
teacher's information

Down here....

.....buried under daily life. I have had a few rescue calls to see if I was under the snow or down with the flu. It has just been busy. Good busy. The kids have been enjoying pond skating, ice fishing, a batch of new audio books and trying some new recipes for baked goods in the kitchen. Together, we have been having fun exploring fair trade chocolate, Canadian history and lots of Yahtzee games. We started a weekly coop with a few other homeschooling families. This has been giving us access to a gym, which is a real gift in February.
I have been teaching. This weekend my doula partner and I had our first private class, covering prenatal, birth coaching and breastfeeding information and it went wonderfully. The next few classes are filling up quickly. Business cards are on order. This venture into the world of teaching has required some crafting. I have made a felt placenta and a material amniotic sac to accompany my partners fabulous knitted uterus and corked placenta. (I know you want pictures, once the uterus comes home with me!)

It is all good. Just busy.

Hat Models

There has been lots of entrepreneurial talk around our house the past few months. When the latest birthday hat made its much loved arrival there soon became talk of a new business for our friend. These four cuties piped up as volunteer hat models (spaghetti sauce faces included) ....just in case you were thinking about it!