Thee mug

For Father's day the kids chose this mug from the good will. We searched through a shelf full of beer stein's; big tall ones, colourful ones, one's with lids, fancy handles and carvings. Many of them caught our eye and we debated over each one. When we picked this one up, saw the fox handle - we knew. It was perfect. We have shared with many of you how excited we were to give this gift (with a few other treats), we thought we would share it with you! I am sure you agree, it's a classic!

Swing Batter

A friend invited us to join a homeschool group in a nearby town for a leisurely afternoon of baseball. We headed over after a morning visit with Nana.
The kids were excited to try out some of the baseball equipment we got at a yard sale. The mask was a must for Aria to wear- apparently its all about the equipment!
The baseball was followed by some tad pole catching, tag at the park and a dip into the creek.

Mile High

For my birthday my sister, who taught home EC classes last year, got me a kitchen aid up right mixer - in red - from the school as they were getting rid of them. I was beyond excited. It is something I have always wanted...and in red! What a treat!

Until very recently we have never owned a mixer of any kind. This has meant hand beating, which has been fine except for working to make whipped cream and egg whites. It made sense that the two things we tried first were shortbread with strawberries and whipped cream and lemon meringue pie.

I had to share the lemon meringue- look at that topping! I am totally gloating! It not only looked impressive it tasted divine!

Mary, Mary, How does your Garden grow?

Last year we took a break from the vegetable garden, with Shai being so young I wanted as little on my to do list as possible. This year we have been very excited to be growing some food again. We expanded our herb garden adding lemon thyme, calendula, spearmint, and rosemary to our already present lemon balm, lavender, oregano, thyme, sorrel, and catnip. Our vegetable garden has three types of peppers, three types of lettuce, onions, rhubarb, broccoli, four types of tomatoes and some chard. I can't believe how amazing the lettuce is doing, we are enjoying it with every meal. This is our first time trying broccoli and the kids can't get over how cool it looks! The cherries we are picking tomorrow and we will take a vote on which sour cherry recipe will use...I will keep you posted. It is good to be gardening again.

Happy Canada Day

One of the great characteristics of Canada is the large immigrating population. The richness it adds to the country and my life is incredible.

Those individuals becoming Canadian citizens need to take a test (among other things).
A small sample test of this test is here, but do you pass if you already live here?

Do you know your Canadian facts and history?

Sprinkler fun

June has been crazy weather wise this year. Lots of thunderstorms, overcast and cool. While I am not complaining, the kids are relishing the phew sunny days and quickly out comes the hose. Good times!

Fly Away

For the last 5 years we have had painted lady caterpillars come to our home to teach us. We have gotten these caterpillars through different homeschoolers who have ordered them from a distribution 'store'. While with us we watch them crawl around and eat, form their chrysalis, emerge, their wings dry and then fly off. It is always amazing to watch this cycle of change up close. This was Shai's first year watching them, although his understanding is obviously limited to his age, he has been fascinated by them. (unfortunately that has also meant shaking them)

The three older kids have all enjoyed explaining to him what was happening at each step of the process, trying to get him to say words such as larva or chrysalis.

There were 6 of the 8 that flew off, one that never emerged and one whose wings were damaged. They were each released with a name and best wishes.

More than just Bees

We joined a group of homeschoolers for a trip to a local department of the university which focuses on bee farming. We have done this field trip two years ago and enjoyed it immensely, gaining a great respect and amazement for the bee world.

We are big fans of honey, and it is one of my (many) dreams to have bee hives. Making candles, soaps, creams, honey, etc. would be pretty great. We have been talking a lot lately at our house about what our other 'hobbies' similar to bee keeping we would have on that list.

Included (but not limited too) alpacas, chickens, an outdoor oven, growing grains for flower, a huge flower picking garden, an art garden, oh we keep adding...its fun to plan!

Skunks, hotdogs and rope

Last week was our annual homeschool group camping trip to a local conservation area. It seems to be tradition that the weather is unpredictable but fun is still had. We enjoyed some beach time, playing in the woods, sitting around the fire eating hot dogs and marshmallows. Shai found a skunk and thankfully the skunk had mercy on us and dodged the 15 or so kids trying to feed it marshmallows(phew!). The kids brought their rock climbing ropes. When we left the door I asked why they would be needing those, "you never know when you need a rope mum". Of course I thought, but low and behold they spent a good portion of the evening swinging on the ropes from the trees. They were right :)

We have since booked two camping trips since going and are looking forward to them, it kind of put the bug in our pants to get in gear.

On Cottage time

We are so thankful to have been invited up for the second year to our friend's cottage during their cottage time. Despite threats of thunderstorms all weekend long we enjoyed beautiful weather. In fact we all got in the water at some point over the weekend, to retrieve balls, go for a dip, enjoy a canoe ride, relax on a blow up toy, or brave the raft.

We stayed up late, got up early, played in the woods, explored, made plans, regrouped for meals and had fun. We brought up activities for us to do to celebrate solstice. To no surprise, we didn't do any of it, the open space and natural rhythm was all we needed. It was a party all on its own.

Thanks friends.

Special Friends

They love him tons. Space is hard to give when you are so irresistible. As he grows he isn't as compliant to hugs and kisses, being the youngest he has learned to stand his ground quite quickly. He has also learned that he is cherished, that his friends love to help him out, hold his hand, push him in the swing and get a drink. Life is sweet with special friends.

While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about.

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Summer Days Beach Days

They are here. Lots have been overcast, but we are still at the beach. Packed lunch, sunscreen, swimsuits, collecting bags, sand toys, floaters, and friends. Welcome back beach days.

Housing Co-op

This week the kids tackled modern housing structures in our housing coop. One of the mums lead the kids through putting together a wood frame, the electrical components, dry walling, discussing insulation and why these different components are part of current houses. The kids as always enjoy the hammering.

We gathered some bricks from a local building site, and the kids put them together with mortar. A messy but fun job.

The little ones enjoyed riding, running and chasing up and down the side walk in the gorgeous sunshine.

Buddies

Since she has been up on two wheels, the two of them are off biking together daily. This has sparked a love of skateboarding- and puff-two outdoor buddies.

A Midsummers Night Dream

A production of Shakespeare's Midsummer's Night Dream was performed in a local park by a youth theatre group. There were numerous performances done over a two week span, meeting great reviews. This is a play that the kids are familiar with, last year when celebrating Shakespeare's birthday we read and made puppets for this play.

The actors did a fabulous job, every one's favorite being the young lady who played Bottom. She was a boisterous and energetic performer, capturing her audience. The kids were enjoying the play so much that at intermission when we suggested leaving because of the 40 plus temperature and no shade, they were very opposed to the idea. We stayed, enjoying to the end, heading for ice cream afterwards!