I knew I forgot something

Snow, we got soooo much snow during a winter storm yesterday. Really, it is crazy the amount. I would take a picture but Chris is ice fishing and took the camera with him. So, the kids and I have been hanging out this weekend, in pj's watching movies, playing cards, baking, it's been great. The only thing I forgot to do was tell them it was day light savings time, and the clocks turn ahead....so they could sleep in. That we didn't have to get up at 4:30....so that it would really be like our normal 5:30 (which I just love too!). arrrh. Anyone want to trade for kids who sleep in, just for a weekend even?

homeschooling leads to poor trivial pursuit scores

Everyone has questions about homeschooling. No problem, it is a topic close to my heart. some of them are really interesting and create for very interesting discussion. Others are basic, the kind for gathering information. Some question the choice we make and sound judgemental. Others ....hmm, others well.... i will let you decide..



How are your kids going to be able to play trivial pursuit when they are adults if they aren't part of main stream society?



Where will your kids try drugs for the first time?



How will they know how to follow a bell, or form a line?



Do you have skipping or dodge ball for recess?



Do you recreate the kindergarten graduation that is being done in the schools?



Where will their first kiss happen?





*these were all real questions

The Theatre

This afternoon we went to see a theatre performance. Actually we went for them to see a theatre performance. Shai and I sat in the lobby exploring the chairs, windows, elevator buttons, chatted to volunteers and bus drivers, read books and had a snack. It was such a relaxing afternoon- and to boot he fell asleep in the car for nap number two today!!!
Oh yeah the play (lol), I signed us up last minute to see a play put on by Trent Arterberry
which incorporates mime, some puppetry and music. This was part of a program that exposes school age children to the theatre at no cost. ( which includes homeschooled), to attend for free. The quality of theatre really is exceptional, it's a resource I am really thankful for. (the down time today was just an added bonus!)

Mish Mash

Our life seems to be following no well defined path lately. It's not a scattered or uncomfortable place, we are just jumping all over the place in terms of interests and 'schooling' stuff. But I guess that is one of the great things about homeschooling- we can jump around.

One of the areas we seem to be pausing in for a long time is the world of fractions! I must admit it was one of the math areas I struggled as a kid. It took everything I had to 'get it'. I was intimidated just by the look of it, and I was told by my teacher it was hard. This was deterrent enough.

Not the case here. During lunch prep the other day the kids were giggling during a conversation which included;

this bagel is cut into quarters, who would like one fourth?

haha I would like 1/8th, anyone want to share 1/4th!

can you fill my cup 1/3 full of water?

1/2 of my stomach is filled with food! if we all were 1/2 filled with food we would equal two stomachs!

We have been playing fraction games out of some of our favorite math books, I hate Mathematics and Family Math I, II, also with our fraction manipulatives. We have also been doing different challenges (ie. hop ten times, run around the kitchen four times, etc) and trying to redo it in 1/3 (1/4, 1/2)of the time.

Apart from fractions, reading is being practiced on recipes. We have been enjoying hot bread (everyone baking a loaf!) and tea in the afternoon which has been such a wonderful treat.

The kids have been entering lots of contests, the most recent being one in the chickaDEE magazine. They created robots, which among many things could build tree houses, pull them up the toboggan hill, make milk shakes, turn into a hot air balloon and become a sprinkler on a hot day! They are hoping to win a remote control dragon fly!

On the last trip to the library the kids took out the most recent Guinness Book of World Records, to compare it to the 2006 and 2004 versions they own. They look through it so thoroughly that I am sure they have memorized portions. They have decided to enter in and beat the record of most snails on a person's face. The current record is seven snails, they have no doubt they could get up to 20snails on (as long as they aren't too fast!). There are practice plans for when the snow leaves and the ground thaws.

The Iditarod race began March 1st, we have been reading about and following our favorite musher. It has been a fabulous project to follow along with, I can see participating in the egroup program being a yearly thing.

It might be beautiful.....

but I am officially tired of the snow. I embraced it, I played in it, tobogganed on it, built with it, hiked through it, lay in it, dressed in my snow pants numurous times a week for months (what actually felt now- like years). I am now officially done. Last night we got more snow. It is starting to feel as though it is never going to end.
The kids however, are currently filling the garage freezer with beloved snow balls, sliding on the ice and loving it still. In protest I am refusing to clear the drive way (surprise Chris).
The snow postponed a play date, so when the kids aren't outside we dusted off some toys we haven't seen for awhile; lite bight, the marble run, magnetic gears, kitchen ware for a doll picnic.

On the agenda for this afternoon we are curling up with a new chapter book and following suite to make this scrumptios looking treat!

The background music for naptime, is totally mellowing us out.

Ice Time

Today we finished up skating 'lessons' with our home school group. Aria enjoyed the games played with her friends; chasing bubbles, throwing bean bags, tag and dancing. Elias and Ben worked with a couple of dads doing hockey skills, ending each day with a small game. Shai and I got to watch from the comfort of a heated room, chatting and playing with other friends. It is one of the winter activities the kids all look forward to each year.
We do have a few family skates lined up with the group at the end of March- which I plan to skate around too pushing the stroller!

Oh to FIne Dine With Good Friends Of Mine

After an afternoon with dad down the local toboggan hill we headed to our friends house for dinner. We joined them in their tradition of celebrating the Dr. Seuss with a cake decorated with green eggs and ham, rhyme reading from his work and of course lots of play time.

Saturday nights and Sunday mornings

- a family game of charades (tonight's theme book characters/events)
- dessert - chocolate chip banana bread
-snuggles in bed
-a (very funny) movie for mama and dadda

















-early to rise (bordering too early)
-quiet time
-reading board books together on the couch
-several cups of coffee with left over banana bread
-a beautiful sunrise

Goodbye February

Our Friday Co-op met for handicrafts, making pom poms and working on embroidery. With rugs and blankets spread out, kids intermingled with mums we quietly worked away. Two of my kids really enjoyed making pom poms while chatting with friends. Elias has been creating a beautiful nature scene the last few days with embroidery. The details and story that goes with each addition are make it a masterpiece.

With a birthday party happening tomorrow, the crafting continued once we got home. It was a nice way to usher out a very, very long February.

Today is precious, hug someone you love.

It's been two weeks. Time hasn't made sense of it. Sadness, lots of it. Confusion, concern, empathy and a bit of anger.
Jane was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago. She fought hard, only then to battle brain, lymph node, and liver cancer. Such a huge battle, met with incredible strength and inspirational optimism. She died on Valentines day, 33 years old, leaving behind a very loved husband, a 3 year old daughter and 6 year old son, lots of friends and family.
We have known each other for 20 years, since grade 9. Life has taken us around the world, welcomed moves, partners and children. A constant has been our friendship. Sometimes time brings distance or a disconnection. But Jane and I always enjoyed each others company, we could laugh over a glass of wine and the time that had past slipped away.
I think it was her spontaneity and her ability to be in the moment that I loved most. Whether it was a spur of the moment road trip, an impromptu party, making the kids costumes out of swimming towels or a surprise visit, she could be in the moment.This was a trait that often got us in a lot of trouble growing up....the skipping class, dying our hair in the mall bathrooms, organizing a grievance meeting with the principle....but it was a trait that served in well the last two years.
I know that Jane is riding on one of the elephants she so dearly loved, enjoying the splendor, peace and comfort of life after death. It is her family and our hearts that are left with incredible memories and sad hearts.
She appreciated each moment- all of them. She found the fun, the joy and the love in each. When she got sick, she began leaving a saying on everything;
Today is precious, hug someone you love.

unxpected and so cherished

When Aria was a baby everyone around me was using sign language with their babies. There was lots of literature about the benefits, communication skills, increase in verbal language, autonomy, etc. Both Chris and I were intrigued enough to give it a try. Aria responded extremely well, she used about 20-25 signs on a regular basis to communicate her needs. She began talking very, very early. Her words were clear, understandable and numerous by a year old. I remember her running around on her first birthday saying "birf day, birf day". This is astounding for a one year old. So while signing definitely had its benefits, it was discarded surprisingly quickly.

We are using signing with Shai. The number of signs he has is increasingly daily. Not only are Chris and I signing with him, but all the kids are too. The other day he stood at his highchair grunting, clearly wanting something. I asked what it was he was wanting verbally and he responded, a drink and banana with signs. How great is that!!! I didn't have to guess what he was wanting, or go through the list of possibilities. He didn't get frustrated from being misunderstood, or angry from the wait. His clear request was met...all with ease.

The benefits have been amazing. But recently one so unexpected and truly heartwarming happened. I was nursing Shai, as I do a zillion times a day. I wasn't multi tasking this particular time, I was sitting enjoying the quiet. Stroking his hair, watching his cheeks move as he swallowed, feeling his soft skin. It was a wonderful quiet moment, in an other wise hectic day. Shai heard one of the other kids, sat up, got down to toddle off and see what they were doing. He took a few steps, stopped turned around , looked at me and signed 'thank you' with a big smile. Thank you.

My heart swelled.

'Thank you' I signed back. and off he toddled. Wow. That was one of those mothering moments that is permenantly inked on my heart.

Dog sleds and wild moose

With the upcoming Alaskan Iditarod dog sled beginning this weekend we have been absorbing the Arctic world. Books, snow play, maps, movies, art work, carving soap stone, igloos, dog training, snowflakes, etc. It has been exciting. Part (a large part) of the learning for the kids is when they take the information and turn it into their play. After rearranging the contents of the van a few times, we brought home a few large boxes, destined to be dog sleds. Complete with runners, lines and lead dogs, they set off. Oh and of course every team needs the challenge of navigating around a moose (aka baby brother)!

An afternoon walk

After the floors were finished and everyone went home, we decided to have a little more outdoor time. It is one of the great benefits of so many trails close by, we could go for an hour without a big pack up. The sun shone over the water, with lots of geese and ducks out. This is another walk that we have spots we always check out. The hole in the tree is a spot we have seen baby raccoons, although it was empty today.

Few words. Big Feelings.

That smile.
The dimple on the right side.
Those dark eyes that squint so easily.
The love I feel.

Good times

Chris' family came down today to help finish the flooring upstairs we have been putting in. It was such a beautiful day (that sun and blue skies are being so enjoyed), we needed to get out and soak it up. Grandma joined the kids on the toboggan hill. Despite her calls of 'old lady down', they didn't let up on the next run. They had a great time visiting and playing together.

Cousins

My sister, niece and nephew came for a welcomed surprise visit this afternoon. We were crossing off some of the to do list around the house today and it was nice to be diverted. My nephew is 7 months older than Shai, and their interactions are fairly new. It is almost like they have just realized they are close in size and can hang out together. Lots of hugs and sharing toys. They were pretty cute.

A Winter Disco

Dancing, balloons, fancy lights (really fancy!) indoor and out, cake, a tent fort in the basement, an igloo, tree house, friends. The makings of a fun birthday party!

Tobogganing ; lots and lots

The weather has been filled with sunshine and blue skies. It has been wonderful for feel the warmth on our faces and have the vitamin d seeping in. There has been lots of tobogganing. It was particularily fun to have a dad to pile on top of this day :)

Snow Shoeing

Our nature centre program couldn't have been planned more perfectly. The weather was incredible. Crisp, sunny, blue sky and fresh. The kids and the mamas did a big loop around what has become a very familiar trail. It is great having a place in nature the kids have gotten to know through the seasons together in so many different interactions.

Snowshoes are on the Christmas list for next year. It was a big hit.