To the bottom of the Sea

I just love it when the kids ask questions about a topic and I happen to have a resource conviently close by. Ben has been curious about the ocean lately, I am not sure what has spurred it on but the questions keep coming. We just happen to have the ocean discovery kit from the homeschool group, which has a few interesting books to start our exploration. I found some neat sites I listed below and a second hand book on experiments I am sure you will hear about as we try them out.

oceans
coral reef
whale sounds
this and that
preschool games
all you want to know about squids
great barrier reef
coral reef endangered
marine life
marine mammals
ocean mythology

Rose Petal and Buttercap

This is rose petal; our painted lady butterfly that emerged first. To everyone's dismay it was full of energy, eager to fly and explore not giving everyone a chance to hold it.

This is Buttercap, whose chrysalis fell down unattached. When Buttercap emerged it's wings were crumpled and weak, not having been able to let them hang to dry. We had a similar experience last year with a butterfly and were sad to have it die. We were prepared as much as we could be for the same outcome this year once we saw the state of it's wings. Wow were we shocked when it flew off the plant we put it on. Elias commented that you can never tell what something will be able to do from looking at it. So true. We have seen the butterflies flying around the yard which is rewarding.

Hammers and Saw

Determination; it is a quality Ben has embraced fully. He has been talking about getting a cat for about a year, but this past month he has taken his interest to a new level. He has been collecting pennies from off the street and in the car, he has found books from the library to find out what a kitten needs when it comes to your hat, he has asked for help to find information on the internet. Ben has weighed the pros and cons of wet or dry cat food, the benefits and risks of having an indoor or outdoor cat, what declawing means, how often to visit the vets. He is truly educated on the topic. The level of passion he has for getting a kitten, the deep commitment he shows learning all he so that he can do the best he can, has awed and inspired the rest of the family. We are getting a kitten; how could we not. This has been one of those moments when you get to see your child's drive fuel their love for learning; I am so glad to be following his lead and share in his magic.
Oh, your probably wondering what these photos have to do with getting a cat! (lol) Ben and Elias often work with wood, nails, hammers and the saw. They have learned how to use these tools safely. Ben has been busy nailing pieces of wood together, Elias occasionally joining him, to build a bed frame for the new cat. (It will require a little modification to ensure it isn't impaled on one of the nails or get its leg trapped inbetween the wood!).

snazzy dressers

Grampy took the family out for breakfast today. After a very busy weekend everyone was looking forward not preparing food :) The kids were excited to dress up for the outing...who knew red silk and a hockey jersey went so well or that a fishing vest could accent leaf green perfectly, and when in doubt stuffed animals always pull things together! I love their style!

Camp Fire's Burning

Camp fire's burning
Camp fire's burning
Draw nearer,
Draw nearer,

In the glowing,
In the glowing,
Come sing and be merry
Come sing and be merry

Camping is one of my fond childhood memories. Growing up we had a group of family friends we called 'the coffee group'. This group of 8 or so families all lived in the same housing area when we were little, the mums gathered for coffee while the kids played. One of the favorite gatherings was a yearly group camping trip together involving soccer, scavenger hunts, shared meals, campfire sing-a-longs, games and lots of fun. Our evening at Kerry's house reminded me of these memories. It was great to see the kids, who have such comfort with these families, play and have fun outside. To sing the same songs as a group that I sang. I hope it becomes a tradition.

An adventure day

Today Elias participated in a fabulous day with a large group from the homeschool group at a local camp. The camp offers numerous different activities, each aimed at challenging the kids, helping them try new things. Archery, Canoeing, Rock Climbing and Group Games were the activities on Elias itinerary. The counsellors were excellent, encouraging and observant. It was a day he was nervous about attending, but he worked through to find courage and attempted everything wholeheartedly. He is very excited at attending again next year; as are both siblings (in the fall a program for ages 4 and up will be offered). There were a few challenging social situations that Elias needed to navigate through, ones I was hoping he wouldn't encounter but he worked through them at home afterwards showing us once again his emotional maturity. I am thankful for the opportunities that we have had through the homeschool group and equally thankful that I am so close to my kids.

How does your Garden Grow?

When we moved into our current house two years ago there were no plants, trees, bushes...nada! It has been a lot of fun planting, experimenting, and watching it grow. This year the plants and trees are getting to a significant size and the blooms of the flowers are even more sweet having labored over them. The kids remember planting each of them, caring for and rejoicing in their growth. In celebration we thought we would take pictures of some of it during the summer as they blossom and bare vegetables. The Rhubarb is our first (apart from our herbs) produce we will be enjoying. We think we might try a rhubarb custard and a family favorite,strawberry rhubarb crisp.

Boarding Ballerina

Aria: Look Mama and Dadda
Me: You are skateboarding
Aria: I am not skateboarding, I am a skateboarding ballerina, watch; I can
do a plie when I am riding
(demonstrates)
Chris: Wow that is impressive, I don't think anyone has thought to do ballet on a skateboard
Aria: No they didn't, it's my special trick

Suduko

I am totally addicted....have been for awhile.

Hear Ye Hear Ye, We be Gathering at Elmira for Robin in the Hood!

Despite the looming rain clouds we were able to spend the afternoon at the medieval festival in Elmira without getting wet! It was held in a beautiful park, with the different events scattered throughout. We enjoyed interactive story telling (great job Ryan), Knight school, bocci ball, mock battles and cross bows. The kids got to try their hands at many activities of the time period (battering rams was a popular one!). It was nice running into friends to share the day with. Everyone has come home content and tired. I am sure our play for the next will include mock battles and knighting ceremonies.

Finally at the Pond

Our pond coop came to a conclusion today with a visit to one of our favorite places (the Koright off leash dog area). There has never been a time when we haven't seen wonders of nature here and this day was no different. The kids caught huge leeches, a frog, watched a red winged black bird defend her nest, white tailed deer and a caterpillar. As always the kids interacted incredibly well, helping each other have a turn with nets and hold the frog. It was a nice way to finish off the unit.

Buzz

I have a thing for beekeeping. It is something I will one day do. This blog post is very inspiring, both as a person and an inspiring bee keeper.

GroundWater Festival

We joined three other families for the Ground Water Festival. There were numerous sessions for us to choose from covering a huge range of water topics. We listened to an explanation on the workings of city plumming, wells, sorted recycling in a relay, pumped water for animals, learned how water feeds a sprinkler and ran through it. On a personal note I was reminded with numbers the disparity of water access with the average Canadian using 20 - 100litre buckets of water a day, while the average person from Uganda using less than 1 bucket a day. I was encouraged hearing that 3 feet of newspapers recycled saves one tree. These are things I knew, but feel empowered to live intentionally in hearing them.

Chaos to one, creating to another

From this.....











to this...























(photos courtesy of Elias)

My aunt passed on her children's lego to our family, what a treat for the kids. There are pieces in the buckets the kids have never seen before; flowers, bats, unique shapes, and others they have hoped for like the roads. When they are heavily into lego they like to dump it on the floor (as I bite my tounge) to sort, imagine and create in their head. When we have the time and I have the patience for the lego mess, the intricate creations with stories woven in magically appear. Today an airport, with different kinds of airplanes, removable stairs on wheels for the passengers to get on and off the plane, a restaurant, a tower, parking spots for the airplane carriers to go to the mechanic, they are currently working on a hanger. If I look past the lego mess on the floor and into their eyes I see their dreamworld alive.

Cool Meals for the Heat

Wow, its been hot. I don't mind it hot, I can even bear the humidity. I can't however, stand cooking/preparing meals in the heat. So I have decided to write down my list of meals to beat the heat for when I am in a scorching daze I can look one up from here.

Chickpea and salsa tortillas
Quiche
Lentils and Brown rice
Blackbean, Peppers and Renee's tortillas
Lentil Burgers
Crispy Fried tofu
Baked potatoes with broccoli and bean salad
dips and stuff (hummus, baba ganoush, black bean, salsa, with pita and veggies)
veggie kebabs
bean burritos
cold pasta toss
omlettes
spinach frittata
spanish rice
mushroom risotto
karen's orrzo salad
falafel pitas
ground soy balls

Beating the Heat

Summer weather is here! After biking Aria to and from her program in 40 degree weather we enjoyed making milkshakes- they definetly helped cool down. It was nice to take it easy today.