Herbivore, Carnivore and Omletes

The kids are participating in a program at a local nature centre that they are loving. They are so drawn to being outside interacting with nature that this weeks game of prey and predator was a huge success. After a brief introduction of the basic concepts of food chain and the workings of the game it was into the woods to begin. All three of the kids were at the top of the food chain wearing red for carnivore. They had a blast running around getting ( and lovingly giving) life sticks. Tonight at the dinner table they shared ever wonderful detail and how they want to organize their friends for a monthly game of herbivores, carnivores and omelets. (I am sure you could guess who that might be!).

Baby in the Classroom.

It's the greatest addition.

Late Night Remembering

My kids are truly blessed to be surrounded by a large family who love and care for them. They have cousins they can't get together enough with, second cousins who they delight in seeing, aunts and uncles who treasure them, grandparents whose hearts are bursting with love for them, greatgrandparents whose love knows no bounds. Grandma was someone they got to know on visits, family get togethers, on phone calls, and through stories. She loved them deeply, she cared for, worried about and thought of them often. In a late night sharing these were the things my guys loved about her;

Even if it was a surprise visit to her house, she always had a treat to share. Her candy jar was always full, that was very generous of her to share it.

I remember when she had a cane and she always let me play with it.

I liked how when you came really close to her to say hello she would hold your hand and rub it.
She thought I was the best twirler. She would sing while I danced.

Grandma could play the piano really good, I don't even think she could see the music book but she still played a song.

I don't think she ever forgot my birthday. We talked on the phone then too.

She was always there for our special Christmas dinner. I will miss that.

When I asked her a question she always answered it, like if I asked something about the war.

I really liked sitting by Mary at her apartment looking, talking outside, eating cookies. You and her drank coffee.

She always said she would have 'just a little taste'.

She loved me really good. I loved her too.

Easter

Everyone is feeling quiet, inward, tired and sad. It was a slow moving egg hunt. The kids amaze me. They made Easter cards for everyone. They want to give a gift of their love to their siblings. It isn't something we have ever suggested- it is something they genuinely enjoy. It was such as loving gesture.

Surrounded by Love

Grandma died today. Surrounded by her five children, loved by her 14 grandchildren and her 9 great grandchildren. She was an incredible loving woman who truly lived life. I am better for having been loved by her full heart. She told great stories, mothered with a caring heart, had an infectious laugh and viewed everyday with a fabulous sense of humour. How blessed I am to have had her actively in my life, to hear wonderful stories as a child, have visits filled with almond cake and tea, playing with knickknacks and one dollar bills, holidays together enjoying homemade trifle and Cadbury eggs, to share favorite books and letter writing, weddings and babies, stories and jokes. I got to know her through the eyes of a child and an adult. We had a wonderful relationship, not the kind you dust off for holidays, but a real deep connection. I am so thankful to have loved her and been loved by her. I have no doubt she is enjoying her new knees, incredible music, her sisters and husband, she will continue to love us.

Science Fair

It's been an incredibly busy week. It seems many of the monthly activities have fallen into this past week, combined with doctor and dentists visits and preparing for the science fair has made it more chaotic them normal. This was a first for our homeschool group and our family and it was a success for both.

Aria beamed ear to ear, happily showing her friends of all ages and our guests; Grammy, Grampy and Zoe her collection of information and art work. She worked really hard, it was so amazing to see her so proud of herself and confident in her accomplishments. My personal favorite was the page on which she colored a picture of a jockey she named 'Scotla'.

The boys loved the experiments, making crystals and we made four or five different kinds. They weren't thrilled with the putting together the display process but really enjoyed viewers taking an interest in their project. They were equally impressed with all the hard work their friends put into their own. There were comment cards at each child's exhibit for viewers to write positive feedback. I thought this was a wonderful addition.

Birthdays, Princesses and Pink Cookies

Elias and Ben were thrilled to be at a good friends birthday party this afternoon. They enjoyed an afternoon of playing, making pizza and a movie. While understanding why she couldn't go, she was sad not to have a special time. So, this afternoon one of her favorite playmates came over. Dressed as princesses they spent the afternoon having tea (in true fashion they asked to be served!), making pizza and pink cookies to the easy bake oven. It was truly delightful!

Plasticene Art

This morning we enjoyed exploring a gallery that is new to us, participating in one of their programs. We started off learning about HomerWatson; Canada's first landscape artist. This time was followed by some hands-on art led by the in-house artist. The kids were guided through the color wheel, blending colors with plasticene. They used there final pallet of colors to 'paint' a landscape scene. The kids really enjoyed this medium. We had discussions of using this method to create our own story book; a la Barbara Reid style.

Sweet Water

It was a very rainy day today. This however, didn't dampen any one's enthusiasm for today's field trip to a pioneer village. We participated in this program last year, which focuses on maple syrup and the kids were thrilled to have the chance to do it again. The very knowledgeable and entertaining guides take you around four different stations, each with a different focus.

First we went to the centre of town to listen how maple syrup was important to the town life and the role the community played in this season. The kids then divided into two groups to participate in a relay race. The used sticks to represent the syrup, bringing them to a person with pails and a yoke. This person would run to the person with buckets and a sled, who then ran to the last bucket and home. We ran it enough times to give everyone a chance to try the stations they wanted.

Next was the pioneer house. Here we talked about how maple syrup was used in the home and what the different types of sweeteners would have been. Outside there were large cauldrons full of sap boiling off the water. We got to sample some delicious maple sugar here.

After running through one of the down pours we gathered in a covered bridge to talk about how maple syrup was collected and used by the native communities- who were the first to discover it. The Natives didn't find the syrup of as much use as the sugar, so would boil it down much more. To boil it they used hollowed out logs, filled them with the sap and then put heated stones inside to boil it. The kids were very impressed.

The last stop was a sugaring house with modern day equipment. Here we looked at different grades and stages of syrup and had a taste.

They put on a fabulous program. Of course we ended the day with waffles and syrup for dinner!

Rise and Shine

What a wonderful to wake up!

Welcome Spring

What a glorious day! We went for an afternoon hike to a spot we haven't visited since the early fall. It felt as though we were in a magical forest, that everywhere we looked there was something very cool that caught our eyes. We used our animal tracks book to decipher raccoon, eastern cottontail and squirrel tracks. The kids swung on a tree that had fallen onto another tree which then grew around it. We found tons of fungus, one piece was so big and strong the kids took turns standing on it. High in one of the trees we spotted what we believe is an owl nest. There were so many rabbit tracks Ben joked that we must be missing a spring party somewhere! We followed a chipmunk to its hole in the ground. The number of dead trees made for great adventures, one that was hollow we drummed on, another we could stand inside of and many others to climb on. One of these trees was placed in a way that the kids bounced it up and down. This doesn't even exhaust my list. To top it off we bumped into friends on our way out and their way in, giving the kids a quick play and me a brief chat with a friend. If this is any indication, which I don't doubt it is, we are in for a great season.

Many people have commented how "lucky" we are to spot wonderful things in nature. While, we are certainly in awe of what we see, I don't think its luck. I think it is there all the time, we are just making time to be out seeing it. Its the lifestyle we choose, to make it an important part of our life, to walk in the woods being oberservant and thankful.

She's My Girl

Every rock n' roll princess has a crowd, right?

Sunshine and Wondering Hikers

The sun was gorgeous today. The wind had a little bite. We felt called to be outside enjoying it. It seemed like a great day to try out some trails we haven't explored before but have been curious about. Despite trying various different paths without tons of success we enjoyed being outdoors. We through some sticks in the very high and fast flowing river, climbed on the remains of an old stone building, wished we could get to the other side of the river to climb up the wall (that would be Elias and Ben) and helped poor Marly who injured her leg some how. Its a trail we will explore again when we can make out the paths a little more clearly.

A March Break Tradition

It has become a tradition for us to attend the local University's open house the last weekend of March Break. There were the old favorites of visiting the animals in New MacDonald's Farm, the teddy bear surgery centre (that Aria took very seriously, and has been rescuing animals since), face painting and milkshakes. There were some nice additions this year including a physics show and science experiments. There were some wonderful moments; Aria with her Vet's gear on holding her teddy's hand, Ben laughing has the piglets try to sit on his knee, Elias gathering information about toxic plants for cats and dogs in preparation for gardening, that weren't captured because the battery was dead. Ah.

Grampy's Our Guy

We celebrated Grampy's Birthday Tonight! We enjoyed a fabuolous dinner with even more fabulous Family. I couldn't resist a few shots to share, some of which the kids took. We love you Grampy!!!