Lego World

All of the rain has meant lots of Lego time.  Tables were arranged, and the building began.  Its been days.  And they are expanding and growing.  There is a pub, a community centre, a garden, bridges, and more. My favorite; the stories that go with each part of the creation.

A Whole Watermelon

The kids took there money to the grocery store.  I was imagine them coming home with snack foods of the bagged kind.  Instead they each bought a whole watermelon.  They were cut in half and eaten with no hands to start, then when that became too hard it was spoon.  The juice was finally finished with a straw.  I am told it was money well spent!

Little one

Last summer he would often fall asleep late in the afternoon from exhaustion, keeping up with the big kids is hard work.  It is rare that he falls asleep before bedtime despite how active his day is, he has passed over that hump.  Tonight, was the exception.  Dadda's warm arms wrapped around him was enough for him to give into sleep.  Those glimpses of being little are fading, I will take them whenever I can. 

Lakeside

The weather is warm, the bugs aren't here yet and there is no where else we would rather be.

It's In the Ice Cream

It was an average week.  The kind I like, a mix of regular activities, a few special and a pace which allowed for enough time at home to bake, read and sew.  The week started off bracing the extreme temperatures outside at Muskoka Woods, a local camp which offers a homeschooling program.  Tubing and orienteering were dangerously chilly- but fun.  Shai decided to go into the nursery for the second month, loving soccer in the gym and what time is it Mr. Wolf!
The rest of the week was much warmer and the sunshine was beautiful.  We did some snowshoeing, cross country skiing and tobogganing.  There was swimming, a play date and evening programs.    A highlight was definitely the arrival of a much anticipated birthday gift for Shai from Grammy and Grampy....an ice cream maker!!!  Chocolate Gelato was the big hit....what week wouldn't be great with an ice cream maker hard at work!

Bits and Bites

It has been gray and rainy, quite the contrast to the bright white weekend we just had.  The shorter dark days of December are here, but I find them comforting as I work through my holiday preparations and gifting list.  Spending the evenings sewing or felting is just what I want to be doing, it just doesn't seem to make it to the top other times of the year.
I have been working on this super sweet costume which are at the top of some one's list this Christmas.  A quilt for a special person's bed is in the works, which I am a little (ok a lot) intimidated by.
The house is filled with the warming smell of apples, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg while making some favorite butter in the slow cooker.
 A new treat which will be part of gifts this year is this super easy date ball.  Since Shai is very sensitive to any cane sugar we try and cook with alternatives such as honey or maple syrup.  This is a sweet yummy treat that uses dates to sweeten it.  The recipe is from a friend and this is the instructions she passed on.  Put into your food processor a few handfuls of pitted honey dates, raw almonds, coconut and dried apple rings.  When its all blended into a rough paste roll into balls.  Put some in the freezer right away, because you will eat them all if you don't!s
Something big has been happening at night.  Shai has been climbing into bed with Ben, instead of us.  I loved and completely encouraged this with my other kids.  The three older ones slept together for along time, at different times they have slept in different combinations.  But he is my youngest, my baby.  Even though I have yearned and longed for my bed back for years I am not completely sure I am ready to move on.  sigh. growing up is hard.
To end this jumbled post, a quote from my daughter talking to friends who were discussing wedding outfits "Forget the fancy dress, a wedding isn't about the clothes it is all about the cake!"

Winter Days

The snow is here, let the games begin! hockey equipment is out, sledding has started and the mugs are in rotation with hot chocolate!

Making Time

The weather has been incredible, deceiving us into believing it can't be November.  Despite being mild and inviting we haven't slowed down in our schedule very much to be out enjoying it.  Thankfully I shook my head and put lots of things on pause.  The reward of walking, exploring and spending time together outside was well worth it. 

A Great Day

This was a great day.  No trip to somewhere special, no meeting up with friends, no fabulous activity planned by me, or any other extraordinary factor that usually equates a great day.  This day the sun was beautiful, the leaves glowed with colour, the leaves were piled high and we were wise enough to enjoy it.   

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.  

Snapshots of Summer

It's summer. Full. Birthday parties, lots of beach time, music, art, visitors, exploring. It's been busy since we have been home.

Thankful

A 12 foot high steel fence blocking us off from town. Restricted zones. Check points requiring special passes, limited to very few. Helicopters, fighter jets, army trucks, military presence, armed vehicles, becoming regular presences on the streets, in the air and even the grocery store. Bomb threats, rumours and bewilderment.

We have known the G8 was coming. We have watched as the preparations have been made. The security has gradually increased as the dates approach. Now just a few days away I am feeling so thankful that this is temporary. That I don't live in a place where my children grow up knowing this as their norm. I have a new appreciation for Mothers raising children in countries where freedom has a totally different meaning.

End of the Year

The activities the kids have been participating in this year have been finishing up this week. They have all really enjoyed the things they have been involved in, which is a great way to finish up. Aria had a special closing ceremony for Brownies, a time when remaining badges were haded out and a small party with games and snack was shared with the families.

Elias and Ben have also finished their year end, hiking in a local park and badge recognition. The swimming lessons also ended, all the kids ending as stronger swimmers than when they began.

Aria has lots of choir concerts coming up, leaving it to be the last activity to finish up. No one has fully decided what they would like to try for next year yet....which is great, because I am ready to do a little less running around right now!