Art Exhibit

With much anticipation the family; including Grammy and Grampy, headed to an art exhibit downtown. This wasn't going to be just any art exhibit but one that featured the work ELias has been doing in his class. We were all met with great disappointment when we heard his class' work was not present because it was still drying. Elias was quite excited about this day, it was one of the few times he was comfortable...even looking forward to being the centre of attention. The teacher was very apologetic, empathetic to how he must be feeling and recognized how disappointing it must feel. She has offered to open the studio for him to have is own exhibit, which was very kind. I am sure we will be working hard at home on new projects to add.
The studio had set up a hands-on clay table which all three of the kids enjoyed molding and creating with, bringing home beautiful creations. The art work on display was quite diverse. My favorite was the art created with layers of beautiful japanese handmade paper. Some of the pieces where abstract and others were more realistic.
The evening ended with Indian food for dinner courtesy of Grammy and Grampy- Yummy!

There is a large part of me that is a farm girl at heart. Two summers ago I looked into raising laying hens in our backyard, which I was very excited about. Some of the kids felt unsure about safety which lead to it being postponed. I saw this very cool product and my dream was restored (although the price caught me off guard!).

10 lbs of Clay

Way back in July or August at the Teddy Bear picnic pictures for a coloring contest at the Local art store were being handed out. As the time approached Aria and Elias decided to enter, Ben was still recoping from the fair. They received a phone call last week letting them know they had each won one of the honorary mentions! They were over the moon! They each received a $5 voucher to spend at the store, which was very difficult because there really is sooo much they would love to spend it on. After many rounds down the aisles and discussion they put their money together and bought 10 lbs of air drying clay, a fabulous purchase in my opinion.

You Got the Cutest Little Funny Face!

I am in hysterics everytime I turn the corner today. These are the faces I see everytime I turn around- they couldn't be cuter!

I Spy with my Little Eye....

Today we had Ben's Spy birthday party. The activities were themed based; writing with invisible ink, a spy training course complete with ropes and bells, a pinata filled with a spy disguise and decorating a secret box. The kids seemed to enjoy each part, Ben thought they were fabulous (which was most important)Ben had four friends, combined with my guys there were 7 kids at the party - which was perfect! Ben really does love everyone and would have liked to invite all his friends and their families but this year we capped it.
This party marked the one year anniversary to our 15 children cowboy birthday party complete with flood resulting in bathroom and basement renovation! I have to say the little bit of glitter on the couch and the cake on the floor with only seven children really was wonderful in comparison!

No where near ready for this!

I wish it was a joke. I really don't think snow and below zero temperatures in October is just. I am not ready for layering, digging out boots, snowsuits, the wet floor, warming up the car or scraping it off. Despite what I think we had today. The kids thought it was amazing, quickly getting out the shovels and making a snow head on the back deck! Notice we haven't even put the patio furniture away!

Happy Anniversary

The Canadian toonie recently celebrated it's 10th anniversary . As part of the celebrations there was a vote to name the polar bear. Check out the results here.

Happy 6th Birthday Beautiful Boy

I remember his birth so clearly, I was intent on being present for every detail of his entry. It is so hard to believe it was six years ago today. His first few months of life were such a whirlwind, with two children under 2 they were hectic exhausting months. When he was just under a year I remember feeling like I was coming out of a fog ande we were being introduced again to each other. Ben is such a kind, thoughtful boy who truly loves being generous, exploring nature and is thrilled at finding creatures of all sorts. He is deeply spiritual, I am in awe of the growth he has in exploring this part of himself, especially at his age. Not to mention his ability to climb! where did those limbs come from!!!

Celebrating him and his part in this world is joyful for us all. We enjoyed going out for breakfast together at one of our favorite places for chocolate chip pancakes (and cafe latte for mum!) Ben was thrilled with his birthday gift, which Dad worked really hard to create. Ben has a passion for all things spy lately. Dad filled a tool box with glasses, a watch, a headset, a laser that shows different pictures, a flashlight, a retractable rope, a tool set and walkie talkies. Ben has been hiding around corners, sending codes and mastering moves.

I was on the phone registering for a course the other day. While I was giving my address to the registrar Aria came over. She kept calling me, calling me, calling me, saying it was very important, I couldn't concentrate on the phone call and excused myself to talk to her. I asked her to please let me finish my phone call but she insisted on telling me something.
"Mama, you said you lived at crescent- its not crescent- its Present, because your home is such a great gift!"
You can't disagree with that!

So I decided (with prompting from a good friend) I should be recording some more of these moments. These are two such from the past few weeks.

Elias: She won't get dressed, I offered to help but she won't even put her underwear on.
Aria: (stomping down the stairs) I absolutely can not wear these underwear! They are too big, they are golden.
Me: come hear and let me see them (I am assuming she has a pair of my underwear!)
Aria: They are pharaoh underwear, golden pharaoh underwear!
Me: (no assuming even more that my underwear could be called pharaoh underwear) Show them to me Aria!
Aria: (underwear in hand- they are hers- not mine) Hepshetsup would not be happy if I wore her underwear!



On a trip to the grocery store Aria noticed the cashier was wearing an extraordinary amount of jewelry. She was covered in rings, sparkly earrings, necklaces and clanging bangles. Aria (who loves accessories) commented
"Wow you adorn yourself beautifully!"
The cashier gave her a confused look- I am not sure she knew what she meant or if she was shocked at her word choice.

If It were a Small World How would it look?

Something to think about over Thanksgiving Weekend

Some very cool large fungus we found on the forest floor. Fungus is something we don't know a lot about.












A praying mantis
























A pile of treasures.











Today, which is sandwiched inbetween two family gatherings, we decided to move slowly amongst the beautiful fall colors and sunshine. We headed to 'our' pond in hopes of finding some frogs before they head below the mud. We found a few frogs...but none were caught and admired up close. After we explored the pond we wondered through the tall grass and headed to the woods. A highlight for the kids was helping the milkweed disperse its seeds. They were delighted opening the pods, scattering the seeds.

Coming Full Circle

The Millpond is a spot I have childhood memories of; going canoeing, summer camp visits, fireworks, hikes with my parents, having ice cream on the banks. Chris also has childhood memories of the millpond; fishing, hiking, pulling out bikes and other treasure, crayfish gathering. We also share memories of a grade 6 pond study, hiking together, skating with friends, quiet moments. While it wasn't the first time with the kids hiking around the pond it was the first time we shared those memories. The kids thought that was so great that this was a place we each remember going at their age, and now they are there. It was a beautiful fall day, thanksgiving weekend, a happy memory...a little bit like a cheesey hallmark moment...in a good way.

A new hobby

Ben has been enjoying exploring the world through a new perspective...the camera. These are a few of his latest photos.

Where is the Black Cat?

What can be more fun than some buckets, mud, lots of grass, sticks, dead flower heads and water on a nice fall day? For these three witches - not much!

three...two ....one...BLAST OFF!!!!!!!

Last Christmas Ben got a Rocket kit that is fuelled by vinnegar and baking soda. After the holidays, Ben decided to wait for the perfect time to launch it and it was stored away. We have been talking about the solar system, taking a tour so to speak. During a discussion the other day about how scientists gathered information about the planets, differenet types of space machines and travel in outerspace, Ben mentioned his rocket. The perfect time for launching it came!
After reading the lengthy safety warnings and instructions we gathered our material and headed outside. We assembled the rocket following the directions exactly...but no launch. We tried again with more vinnegar and baking soda.....still no launch. This time when I took it apart to retry- it popped like a champagne bottle all over me- I was covered in white chunks of baking soda and vinnegar. Despite my temporary blindness we tried again. We filled up the rocket and set it down. After reading the trouble shooting we decided to try some patience and just wait a little while longer to see if we would suceed. It was cold out, I was tired, I admit I probably was short on patience for this rocket taking so long. I picked it up to shake it some more and ..........POP ...ZOOOM!!!!!!! The rocket flew (while I was holding the base) from the front yard, over the maple tree, the first fence, over the second and almost on the main road!!!! I squealled with excitment as the kids roared with laughter and amazement, it was a blast!!!!
When dad he asked why I smelled like fish and chips...which lead to a demonstration for him, which was almost as exciting!

In search of gems, crystals and hidden treasures

Friends introduced us to a new hiking trail just on the outskirts of town. It is an old quarry, with two huge pits filled with water, scattered rock and a pine forest which we didn't venture through. The kids loved climbing over the scattered rock field and hills. With hammers in hand they quickly started banging rocks in hopes of finding crystals inside the rock. I wasn't sure what would be discovered, after a slow start I was amazed at what they found. A large rock was split open to show a slate like pieces inside (we haven't worked to identify anything yet), iron, another with crystal and many interesting fossils. It was a beautful fall day, the long brown grass was filled with crickets, grasshoppers and Monarchs! No doubt we will be back to search for some more 'buried' treasure.

What you learn at Lego club

After summer break, Lego Club at the Library has started up again. It is one of the kid's favorite activities, with friends and buckets of Lego it is easy to understand why. Aria will play with Lego, enjoys creating, but by far enjoys the social interaction and stories that go with her creations even more. Today at Lego club one of the children (that neither of us knew) picked up a piece of Lego she was still playing with. In the past this would have been a very very frustrating experience for her, requiring me to intervene and console (which I would do happily). However, today she calmly explained herself, let the child and his mother know how she felt and offered a solution to the conflict. When she wasn't being understood she didn't 'loose her cool', she continued negotiating. I sat close by listening ready to step in if needed, the other mother was helping her son talk also. I was taken aback at how she was able to communicate her feelings and needs, and how she was able to have the patience to stick with the negotiating process. She is growing up, into such an incredible person.

Apple picking is something we look forward to each year. This year was no different. I think the biggest draw for everyone is eating a fresh apple right from the tree- its the first thing we do before even putting one in the bag-it's our rule! We have heard from many farmers this is a poor year for apples, although that wasn't obvious from the size and quantity of apples on the trees. It was a beautiful fall day, crisp and sunny. The farm we visited is famous for their homemade additive, preservative free carmel sauce. We indulged and have been enjoying it at tea time- it's worth being famous for.