Hot days of....spring

It's hot. The constantly sweat kind. The kind where you need to eat lots of freezees.

Dance Dance Wherever You May Be

The city has an annual dance festival, which grows in size each year. One of the regular events of this festival is a showing of different dances in a local park. Among big tall maples and playground equipment there are different 'stations' at which performances are given. This year we were treated to some street dancing, and beat box music. The kids were awed with hand stands and fast foot action. Next- my favorite- was an 80's inspired dance to Total Eclipse of the Heart. Most of the audience was singing along and giggling as they danced out their heart ache. It was very well done, and fabulous use of props. The next dance took place in a dream, complete with mesmerizing music. The tree top performer using material to twirl herself around was very impressive (at least for me-the kids thought she should have gone much higher :). One of the dances started as a small group, then a group of children joined them and then the audience. It was wonderful to see so many people dropping their inhibitions among the trees and having fun.

It was great entertainment, a fabulous demonstration of how different the various types of dance can be.

Robin in the Hood

While Elias and Ben were at their biking clinic, Aria, Shai, Chris and I had the day at our door step. There was lots going on to choose from, but for Aria it was an easy choice; the Robin in the Hood medieval festival. This was our third year attending, and while not much has changed in the content, knowing the programs gave us the opportunity to leisurely stroll around, stopping at our favorites.

The tournaments of battling families was a favorite, cheering with the crowd for the 'good guys". The games area gave participants the chance to collect tickets which were traded in for medieval character trading cards-something Aria approached with great seriousness- and happily came home with two.

While sometimes challenging to coordinate every one's schedule and interests (which very often are not the same) it is wonderful and so worth the running around when it happens smoothly. Aria basked in the time and attention she got, Elias and Ben loved the bike camp, and Shai is happy to be with us.

Two wheeling!

Being part of the local off road biking organization was such a big hit last year for Elias, he talked it up to his brother and friends. They joined him this year which makes the club even better he says. Today was the youth clinic, at which the kids get their bikes checked, helmets inspected and taken through different skill learning workshops. Ben who got a much larger bike this year has become more confident as a result.
It was a very hot day. At the end we met the boys and our friends at dairy queen to spend their newly acquired ice cream coupons-a perfect way to end the day.

The group now meets 1-2 times a week for a ride through the woods. These rides are about 2 hours and they have been coming back muddy and tired. I can see biking being something that they enjoy for a long time.

Setting Sail

The sun was shinning, it was hot, a slight breeze in the air, friends everywhere you looked, grandma joining us for the day, standing on a tall ship, sailing in the harbour. I think we all agreed it was a great day. Our Friday family coop headed to the big city for a program and sail aboard the tall ship Kajama. It was a schooner brought over from Germany and is currently used as a teaching vessel and leisure.

During the hour and a half program we moved through different stations, each focusing on different parts of the boat or sailing. We began by raising the sails, and all hands were on deck pulling the ropes and starting us off. We learned about knot tying, measuring the depth of the water, the different types of maps, and steering the wheel. At the end of the journey we brought the sails down. While there was talk of going overboard, no one did and impressively (and thankfully for my crew) no one was sick.

Beautiful way to start the summer.

The beauty and simplicity of lines

spoon full of sugar

Who can resist such a great helper?

Just us

There is a wonderful window that we cherish as homeschoolers. The time of wonderful weather both in the spring and fall, before school is let out and holidaying begins. It is the times the trails and parks are all for us. Today we went to one of our favorite trails that is full of gardens to enjoy this special time. We sat drawing frogs, flowers, trees. Nibbled a picnic and explored. Enjoying it 'just us'.

Just can't get enough of our friends.

Frogs.

Glorious.

Frogs.