The Birthday Finale

As you have noticed and heard January is a busy birthday month! Today was the finale of a very busy birthday month. My side of the family groups birthdays celebrations into one, making it more likely that we will be able to gather. We celebrated my mum's, Elias and Chris' birthdays today. We ate lots, chatted, the kids played in the snow and enjoyed really yummy (and super easy) cheesecake. My mum's cousin (which makes her my ??)visited in the summer from England (and the kids loved all the fun games she played) and she brought a family gift for us to use at family birthdays. We have faithfully used the birthday cake hat and the cake cutter that sings happy birthday at every gathering since received. Even though the hat barely fits anyone, all three got there turn.

Celebrating Chinese New Year

This year we joined in the chinese community's new year festivities. In the morning we headed over to the international language school, for their presentation. The different classes shared songs, bird sounds, and different dances from different regions. It wasn't a long presentation, but it gave us a little taste of Chinese culture. (and a lengthy discussion on learning a second language through this program)
After lunch we headed over to a larger gathering put together by the Chinese Cultural Association. Here, the kids tried using chopsticks to move marbles, had their names written in calligraphy, talked to an origami artist, read about the different celebrations that happen during the first days of New Years. The highlight by far was the performances. To begin there was a very impressive lion dance, who came down into the crowd for the kids to interact with. There was some singing and a performance by a group of musicians playing traditional chinese instruments.
It was the first year the association has invited the larger community to participate in the celebration in the hopes of sharing their culture and creating understanding. It was fabulous to be a part of it, gaining a greater appreciation for their part in our community.

toes a tappin

There is something about dancing in the kitchen to some foot stompin banjo music that does the soul good in these long winter days!
He's our favorite! and he is coming to perform!

The Perfect Place

Our birthday plans involved skating at the outdoor rink. Alas, it was 7 degrees which meant our plans needed to be changed. Thanks to my flexible birthday boy we decided to head to our favorite hike; snake hill. The mild weather brought out lots of different birds including a cooper's hawk and some downy woodpeckers. This hike has become such a part of who we are. As we go along the trail the kids have places we always stop. There is the wishing well, a hollowed out tree stump which we take turns putting in our wish and mixing it up with a stick. There are many fairy homes; two in particular that we always check to see if they need repairing or gifting with nearby treasures. We love the rock highway, the ladder, the hand tree, the ramp and everyone needs to sit on the elephant trunk. Its like visiting an old familiar friend. We notice any small changes, trees that may have fallen, rocks moved out of the way, the water level and the growth of moss.

Today there was the unexpected find of a few oranges hanging in the trees from when we celebrated winter solstice here with some friends. This led to the reminiscing of favorite times along the trail. It was fitting that we would be here for my outdoor buffs birthday.

The wishing pot

A fairy house

A snowman we built in a tree

The elephant trunk

It's Your Day

He's 9 today. My first baby, it's his birthday today. My first. My very first baby. Had the person I am today, given the self I was then all the information I have now, I still wouldn't change a thing. The over packed diaper bag containing everything from four extra outfits to six different educational toys, the long (really long) nursing sessions, and the fretting. The lessons I have learned, the struggles we worked through, the growing we did- together. My first.

I remember my mum looking at me with this intensely emotion filled face telling me how special it was being the first. How she had discovered parenthood through me, how as the first I was the one she made mistakes with. She talked about how each of us (my sister and I) brought something different into her life as a mother. At the time I thought she was being mushy, I totally didn't understand what she was talking about. Now, I give Elias that same sentimental grin.

What an amazing first you are. Gentle, kind, observant, loving. Happy birthday Beautiful Boy.

While Elias has many things he is interested in, he genuinely loves a surprise for a gift. I originally planned on making him a felted vest, but upon realizing it would need to be a patchwork vest due to the shrinkage of the material I changed my mind (he's not big into patchwork). I did find a beautiful piece of leather which he loved, to make into a vest. I also finished a doll, we made the body together in the fall and it was never finished. He was thrilled. Chris and Elias spend a lot of time chatting about music, visiting guitar shops, playing around on the guitars. Last week he came home, the guitars restrung and tuned, an amplifier for the electric one, a bunch of cool pics and a poster with guitars and cords on it. It couldn't have been better timed with Elias getting his own room. Its amazing to see how connected Chris and Elias are, to have Chris jump right in there with a gift that they love to share together.

Super Party

Today was party day! Elias and 13 guests met at a local gym for a fabulous party (and to boot, I won it!!!). When the kids arrived they were welcomed into the play area which was filled with mats, springboards, uneven bars, balance beams, climbing equipment, etc. They were encouraged to have free play until all the guests arrived. They began the hour long program with 'slam the cheese'. This involved the kids running into and knocking over with their entire body a large triangular mat while yelling their name. It was a big hit. They followed by a very cool drumming song, too which they banged the set of drum sticks they held in all different positions. There was tag, dancing, and more free play. Another highlight of the activities was the 'bouncy highway'. This was a very large inflatable mat which the kids got to run, bounce, jump, dance down. The hour went very quickly, and I was impressed with the smooth flow with which they moved through the activities.

In a line, they headed for the 'party room', for drinks and snacks. It was strange for me to have someone else light the cake, hand out snacks and move the kids from event to event. I am used to having the party at the house during which I do the work. Even though it was strange....it was nice to be a solely a participant as well :) The requested four layer white cake was yummy and survived the car ride in one piece.

The gift time was great. He has a wonderful group of friends who gifted him thoughtful gifts. He was touched by the handmade snowmen, the special shells from a friends collection, the card that thanked him for being a good friend, toys they new he loved to play with.

He had waited a long time to go and I think it was worth the wait.

Weaving of All kinds

Our family coop met this morning for our handicraft morning. Today's focus was weaving. Lots of the kids have different types of lap looms that they brought to work with and share for everyone to have a try. There were cardboard looms set up to be tried, which I think we might try for the next big car trip. Many of the kids were corking, bringing projects they had already started. Aria really enjoyed the rug hooking corner where a friend guided her through the process and showered her with attention. Ben really enjoyed helping put together the upright PVC piping loom. I was surprised how quickly it went together and how sturdy it was. I have looked at such looms in books like this and shied away from them because it looked intimidating, but am now rethinking that.

The Roses in my Carpets by Khan, Rukhsana

kids knitting by Sarah Swett

Weaving projects and lesson plans

Weaving with different textiles

Corking by Judy Ann Sadler

Instructions to make your own corker/french knitter

Paper Weaving pdfs

A Special Package

A very special packaged arrived this week and today was the opening! It was a package from a group of homeschooling families in Quebec that our french coop connected with. We sent letters sharing lots about ourselves, a recipe, photos, drawings, felted snowmen and a story. The other two families in the coop sent information on their families, handcrafted gifts and a nature box.

After our morning of handicrafts we met at our house to find out more about our new friends and what they sent. There was a letter describing who they were, and a match up for each of the children to be a pen-pal with. There were letters in french, photos, drawings and stories for each of the kids to learn more about a new friend from Quebec. They also sent back the nature box, holding in it shells, dinosaurs, and a beaded star.

Amidst story telling, drumming, piano playing and dancing we talked briefly about our next package. We are planning to take our budding photographers around town to their favorite places (library, museum, snake hill, park,etc) to share a part of their city. The nature box continues to be returned, so a trip to our favorite hiking trail to collect winter nature treasures is also planned.

Gifts Galore

The crafting has continued post holidays. The months of January and February are filled with celebrations and gift giving. We have the last of the three January Birthdays happening next week, with special requests for specific handmade gifts. I am happy to say one is almost complete and I think it is going to be a big hit. The second has yet to be started, requiring me to retreat to my crafting corner the next few evenings working late.

We are also thrilled to be part of a Valentine's day swap. There are four families involved, each sending to and receiving from different families. The packages are handcrafted, and we are busy working around the table each afternoon. We aren't going to even give hints ....but when they have been sent and received we will fill you in.

We have also signed up for another swap of handmade goods. It has been exciting getting to know someone totally new, and sharing a piece of our family with them. We are in the brainstorming stage and will keep you posted as to how it is going.

This weekend we have a friends birthday. The kids have been coming up with some amazing ideas; an adventure bag, stilts, a list of 9 great things about our friend, an invitation for tea, bendy people. There is no doubt the gift we would love to gift will surface.

Grammy's birthday is around the corner, as is chinese new year and valentine's day. So there isn't a break anytime soon, which is just the way we have been liking it lately!

I remembered my camera!

You put them in the pot
And you let it get hot
Sizzle Sizzle
Sizzle Sizzle
Sizzle Sizzle
POP!


































We visited our friends today. There was high hopes of another popcorn party, especially by Aria who was on a date with dadda during our last visit. It was as equally as much fun this time, trying hard to catch the flying kernels in the bowls.
It was the icing on the cake, after having spent lots of time playing with the gerbils by some and building by bionicles for others. Aria really did take to the gerbils. It's not that such doesn't normally like animals, but she generally doesn't show a lot of interest. She really enjoyed watching them tunnel, feeding them, picking them up and holding them. She moved on to feeding the bird, holding the snakes whom she also really liked. She even fed one of them! I sometimes feel caught off guard when they step out of their regular routine or what seems to be out of the blue change their feelings to something. Perhaps age, the quiet space, or timing, its great.
Needless to say, fun had by all. The date led to a phone call and a joint computer game!
They are smitten!

Our Own Calvin Klein

The kids each dyed Chris an pair of tie dye underwear for his birthday gift. They are beautiful....really! They were inspired by the pair a friend gifted Aria for her birthday and her love for them. It has left everyone wanting for their own pair....

He wouldn't model them for the blog (LOL) so here is sample of the vibrant colours. (don't worry Chris we are all friends here :)

Weekend Away

January is a busy month for birthdays in our house. This weekend we celebrated Chris', which is the second of three celebrations. We decided on a totally impromto weekend, (well night) away in a very nearby city. The past week there were a few cranky kids, the weather was extremely cold this weekend and I found a really (really!) good deal on a hotel and food for all six of us, so away we went.
We really just relaxed. Hung out in the hot tub. Swam. Went down the 165ft water slide, yes even me :) Watched a house renovation, the construction of man made coral for tsunami struck areas of the ocean and had chocolate milk and cookies in bed.

He is soooo wonderful celebrating, and we had fun doing it :)