Happy St. Patrick's Day

Saint Patrick, as in legends told,
The morning being very cold,
In order to assuage the weather,
Collected bits of ice together;
Then gently breathed upon the pyre,
When every fragment blazed on fire.

One of St. Patrick's Miracles

Fairy Circles and Ice Wine Glasses

It was such a beautiful sunny day today, I am so rejuvenated exploring with the kids. We went for a hike at "snake hill" today and stumbled upon a whole world of imaginary wonders. The kids found little frozen ponds off the beaten path and with sticks freed the spring out by breaking the ice. What fun they had helping the season along!




























Along the side of the river where the branches of trees dipped in iciles formed. They caught the sunlight in a magical way and reminded me of ice chimes. Elias thought they looked like wine glasses made of ice , perhaps the ducks secretly used them!!! We also found a circle of trees, where as you know fairies gather. Perhaps they enjoy the ice wine glasses.

Outdoor Gallery

What a day What a day!!!
We enjoyed bike riding, hop scotch(which was so much fun) and drawing with side walk chalk. We drew a pirate shop, which was named The Gully. It had fourteen pirates on it adorned with earrings, patches, bandannas, and peg legs, a cannon that shot cold noodles and one that shot lava and ice. There were mermaids, sharks, octopus, aligators and creatures swimming around.
Ben worked on the drawing for a very long time, he persisted when everyones attention had faded. Ben has always been intense and passionate, which has often been challenging. A friend who has a son with similar traits pointed out how as her child gets older his intensity is focused in on something he loves. Since this conversation I am able to see this more clearly. The attention he had for this beautiful creation was amazing, he wouldn't walk away until every jewel, flag and sword were in place.

Tomb Painting

1.















2. 3.

Our journey through Story of the World has really taken a mind of its own. The kids have loved exploring Epypt and have been initiated all kinds of games and activities. We read a chapter of the book...and they are off on their own creating, writing plays, dressing up. Today we put paper on the wall to paint our own tomb. Ben's (#1) has his escophagus, a picture showing he was a great leader, Osiris, peace in the land, a god who is a girl and her cat and Ahum Ra the sun god.
Aria (#2) painted the ancient colors, they are very old, they came from the first sky out in the backyard.
Elias' (#3) is about the sun god and his enemy the rain god whose name is Stripes. In Elias' time this god was the most important and everyone believed in it.

Calm, peace and enjoyment

Daddy came home with pizza last night, what a treat. After the kids painted the amulets they made, discussing with each other what they provided protection against. They agreed to loan out the ones they made, should their siblings need them. We now have protection against biting ants, the dark, long arms under the bed, clouds that block the sun and loud noises. While the kids painted Chris read from the book 11,000 Years Lost . It talks about a little girl who goes back in time 11,000 years and meets a family. It was such a calm enjoyable evening.

Coop

Aria often struggles with not being able to join the big kids at coop. When asked about coop she will respond that she is taking a class about toddlers and she isn't even one! She also enjoyed having everyone's attention to share her craft, a paper princess. In fact she wanted to go up numerous times!

We have enjoyed another coop session. Ben surprised us all by choosing cursive writing, as he often struggles with the idea of printing. Today during the show and share he stood in front of everyone with his completed book just beaming ! It was so amazing to see him so proud of his accomplishment. He put a lot of effort in making his best work- because it was important to HIM!

Magic Clay

We prepared a batch of magic clay (corn starch, baking soda and water) to make amulets. While the clay was a little frustrating to work with as it was quite crumbly we did enjoy talking about what our amulets may protect us from. Our explorations of Egypt have stemmed from reading Story of the World. However, we have definetly lead our own exploration vering off the beaten path. The kids have thought of some great ideas for hands on projects. The ancient worlds discovery kit was great. Elias, Ben and I enjoyed playing the games and creating the hieroglyphs.

There is nothing sweeter then coming home to a face full of loving running down the driveway to greet you. Who knew arms so tiny could embrace you so warmly...so completely.
How sweet it is to be loved by you!

A sweet moment

This is one of those melt your heart, beam with pride moments!!! Elias is sitting reading to Aria and Ben. Although he has been reading for awhile, he has been very reluctant to do it without me. Despite my encouraging he hasn't wanted to take the step to read without someone encouraging him on beside him. Here he is though, picking up a book on his own and offering to read to his siblings. I questioned pushing him a little more...patience was all that was required.

A celebration through DANCE

While looking at herself in the mirror during a dance class Aria says outloud" you look great in your sparkly skirt, mum don't I look so wonderful, and I am such a great dancer". What an amazing gift she holds, such confidence and love of herself. Its these moments I am reminded how much they teach me. I pray she never looses that gift of self love.
Ben loves to dance, he does it so sell. Expressing himself physically comes so naturally and comfortably. His confidence is in his body and he teaches me to trust his trusting in himself. Again, I am always amazed.

That song entitled Dance Like No One is Watching was so appropriate for this class. Very few inhibitions, lots of smiles and fun.

Happy International Women's Day!

How times have changed. Past International Women's Day I have participated in and planned potlucks, services, concerts, coffee shops, marches and parties. This year I am going to bed early, while I may often feel invincible as a women, today I am very tired. I will also be enjoying the company of women friends, all of whom are women and all of whom are pretty tired too. I am looking forward to being surround by amazing, strong, loving, generous, mothering women, a glass of wine in hand- to women!

Hieroglyphs

Despite waking up to dog puke for the third day in a row, my kids being so full of energy they have exploded with noise at least 30 times already, the workers being late and having no water, I am still determined not to loose it!!! My mantra today.... I choose simplicity, ease and peace.

In a calm moment inbetween the loud explotions we wrote letters to our pen pal family firends zofia and steve in hieroglyphs. Aria created her own pictures and Elias and Ben traced them. I am forever thankful for the calm moments!!!

Dam; a bright sunny day!!!!

Its a bright, bright, bright sunshiny day!!!!
It was great to be together the five, actually six with Marly, of us (especially after the whole beaver incident). We went for a hike at Guelph Lake and decided to walk on the Dam. It was a wonderful time. Our walk led us to explore the frozen lake, which led us to watching the ice fishers fishing for perch, which led to a great chat to some ice fishers, which led to a pile on top of daddy after he fell down, which all in all lead to a great day!

The bubble popped :(

Elias and Ben were invited to attended a weekend sleepover this past weekend; Friday at 7pm until Sunday at 10am. The children are 4-7. Are they crazy? is our first reaction. Kids that young away from their families that long; late nights, early mornings, no cuddles, no kisses. Elias felt the same way we did- why would I want to do that? Ben thought it was the greatest thing ever. After lots of talk we came up with a plan for them to go for the day-a long day 9-8 with the option to call us at anytime to come home. We were worried that it was too much, that they may need us, but we were hoping it would be great fun and exciting. We went early to pick them up with the plan to stay a little while to transition. When we got there Elias ran into my arms and started to cry. He hated it. He didnt want to call us because he wanted Ben to stay because he said he liked it. He loves his brother so much. Ben was so angry, he didnt want to leave. It was difficult all around. Ben's anger didnt shake, and in talking it turned out there were lots of stuff he didnt like. He was teased, felt not included, ignored by the adults. I am sure the adults did the best they could with 15 sleep deprived kids. (but really big surprise there) But oh my heart broke, Ben wanted so badly for this to such a great day, friends and fun, exploring and adventure. It just wasnt.
I want to shelter my kids. I am totally comfortable feeling that and acting on it. In fact I think that is one of my roles as mother. It is one of the reasons I homeschool. Why is it that people think we need to expose our kids to experiences that will mold them, toughen them. I remember when Elias was a baby carrying him in a sling and some family saying I was going to spoil him. It was the same when I picked the kids from beavers, a mother said if I had just let them sleep over they would have had to get over missing me and deal with it, its better for them to learn that early on. The similar mentality for sending your children (crying and kicking) to preschool because they need to prepare for the separation at school. Hello...ooo..ooo is that the craziest thing you have heard or what!!!! I want my kids to know I support them either by their side or in the background. Sometimes things seem so mixed up. Deep breath, it is great knowing (at least time) that its not me who is mixed up!

Serious Stuff

This is serious. This is a robot that turns junk into peas. The friends at Roots and Shoots will love this. (Aria)

How great would that be!!!! Elias showed a machine he made a few weeks ago at Roots and Shoots which turned garbage into concrete roads. Aria was very impressed with his machine, and her brother- they learn so much from each other. Machines can do some pretty amazing things- but nothing as amazing as your big brother.

Badminton Bonanzaa!!!!

We have all enjoyed badminton- even though we aren't all playing it. Ben, Aria and I have been enjoying playing cards, reading, walking, the park and toboganning during the time Elias is playing Badminton. There haven't been a lot of physical games Elias has enjoyed, but this has definetly been one. The solitude of the sport but the group interaction has been a huge hit for him. What a joy it is watching him enjoy something. What a perk for me in homeschooling, getting to be there in the glow of his personal triumphs.

Light

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate;
our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves,
"Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?"
Actually, who are you not to be. You are a child of God.
Your playing small doesn't serve the world.
There is nothing enlightening about shrinking, so that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We are born to manifest the glory of God, that is within us. It is not just in some of us;it is in everyone.
And as we let our our light shine we unconsciously give others permissin to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

Taken from Nelson's Mandela's inauguration speech.

New York New York

At Roots and Shoots the kids were playing a game which involved answering questions about wolves; the topic for the day. Depending on the answers the kids had to move back or forth. The leader : do wolves come from coyotes?
kids: no
the leader: do they come from dogs?
kids: no (hesitently)
the leader: well where do the come from
Aria: (in a loud clear solo voice) from New York

Winter is here

What a fabulous snowman/king/creature!
The finished product is what Aria really enjoyed, we have named the in the past, but we were all getting cold and tired and forgot.














Ben worked really hard on this beautiful creation. These were one of the rotating toys, that I just recycled out. They so enjoy their toys if they haven't see them for awhile. I know its silly but I feel so happy and clever when I pull out an old toy they just havent seen for a month or toy. I do really struggle with the toys and simplifying.















Aria was getting tired, and waiting for us to come in was getting hard. She told me she was grumpy and couldn't wait until she was a teenager and do what she wanted!!! Where did she get that idea! Firstly I didnt even know she knew what a teenager was let alone coupling it with the idea she gets to do what she wants. As my third child the information she is exposed to and the ability to comprehend it amazes me.
So she is tired, so I ask if she's grumpy and she gives me her grumpy face. I say that its not that grumpy and thought she could do better... I think I have pretty good authority to say that. ANd i was right, below is her really good pouty grumpy face. THankfully they never last long, before long it turns to silly and smiles.

Fashionably Building

It wouldn't be regular day in the Platts-Boyle housedhold if Aria didn't change her outfit a few times. She has fallen in love with her ballet slippers, and they accessorize most outfits. While cleaning out her closet she came across this shirt which Zoe passed on to her. Its a chinese style shirt that is very shimmery- I can see it being a staple in her wardrobe for awile. I love to see how she creates her outfits, and the combination is never out of thin air. THey are sometimes reflective of a personna she is being or a time in history or a job she is carrying out. The stories are incredible. She called this outfit her little girl delightful dancing outfit. What a perfect name! Oh yeah the reason I actually took the photo was to show the big circle she made with straws and connects. She quietly worked making it, which no one realized until she showed us.
The divers have joined the delightful dancing girl to build a kennel/beaver dam. It is awesome to watch them build and create together. One of them starts working on something and the other something different. When they watch the other work on something they become inspired and join their creations into spectacular piece of work. They were really proud of themselves for making this. I am proud of them for working so well together.


Rub a dub dub three kids in a tub!!! THey really did enjoy this!