A flurry of outdoor action

A flurry of shopping does not sound like fun to me, oh no.  School is coming up, and with three of them now going in, I have my work cut out for me.  Truth be told, it's mostly the shoes that take up so much time.  Clothes are a more leisurely purchase, but my kids seem to go through shoes with a whirl and a bang.  They wake up and suddenly their shoes no longer fit - NONE of them.  Thank God for summer and sandals, but no such reprieve exists for school where shoes must be worn both inside and out.  

Last week we went to the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM).  I've been to the ROM myself before I had kids, but I never realized the treasure trove it would present for young children.  They just loved the exhibits, especially the Egyptian and biodiversity sections.  All those animals, and dinosaurs, and hands on activities!  The blue whale exhibit was among each child's favourites.  I think I will add a membership to the ROM to our Christmas list.  Such a perfect gift!

Prior to the ROM we had been studying ancient Egypt a little.  I use the term "studying" quite loosely.  Our studies have been more self-propelled than anything else.  M especially has been knee deep in pyramids, pharaohs, and hieroglyphics.  After a couple visits to the library and quite a few books later, we built a step pyramid out of sugar cubes and then M calculated the perimeter and area of the base of his.  (We haven't gotten around to volume yet, but it would be perfect for that!)  Later on this week, we will study the effects of the elements (hair dryer and water) on our pyramids. All this to say, our visit to the ROM was well-timed!

With the solar eclipse, there was quite an interest in astronomy last week.  NASA had a nice site set up to watch the eclipse, since we were not in the path of totality.  M made a projector so we could still check things out - we couldn't find glasses last minute.  There are actually several suns in that photo because I think we poked more than one hole in the aluminum square.  Oh well.  We got to see the moon eclipsing the sun without leaving our living room!  M even decorated his projector to show how much further the sun is from the earth than the moon.  He also added some dramatic solar flares.  Loved learning astronomy with him!  Our poor family and friends had to put up with him explaining things over and over.  He was just so into it.

Yesterday we went hiking on the forest trails at Riverwood Conservation.  It's not far from us, though we had to drive there.  The kids loved exploring and digging around for rocks on the paths.  Even baby loved the walking, and she did all of it by herself.  My back can't handle carrying her anymore.  S had found an acorn on the path and when we saw a squirrel sitting on a tree stump, she promptly threw him the acorn.  We then watched as he cautiously retrieved it and ate it up in front of us.  That was pretty cool.  Needless to say S was tickled pink!  That definitely made her day.

Last night I did some work on a blanket I am crocheting.  Blankets are the worst.  It feels like it will never end, or even more, that I am not making any progress.  Sometimes I don't even manage to finish one row in a sitting.  I know I have until Christmas to finish, but most days that feels like too little time!  To be honest, that is not the only thing I am working on.  Of course.  I have started another icon.  Actually I started it a little while ago, but I am recommencing work on it after a break.  My deadline is spring for this project, so it should manage to sort itself out as long as I don't get too carried away adding more projects.

The funny thing is, I've been told that once the kids start school I will have more time for those things.  I will only have baby with me after all.  I anticipate the reverse in fact!  Baby M is such a darling, but totally into everything.  She climbs, she's curious, she likes to touch and taste EVERYTHING.  I cannot leave her for longer than 3 minutes alone.  And for me to bring out paints... I can't imagine what kind of disaster would occur.  No, I think I will have less time, at least for painting anyhow.  But with that sweet little face and chubby hands close by, I doubt I'll mind it too much.

Wishing you a wonderful long weekend!

Snow day

It is such fun to have a good snow at last!  We spent yesterday following church at grammie and grandpa's.  I must say getting to church was a feat in itself.  The morning the snow just poured down in thick, swirling flakes.  Pretty from a window seat, but not so much from a driver's seat.  Thankfully we made it there and back again without any incidents.  

The kids loved the snow.  Sledding, shovelling, jumping, and whatever else they could think of doing with that tons of white stuff all happened.  We haven't had a proper Canadian winter this year.  Too many gaps between snow falling and the inevitable melt two days later.  Soggy weather for winter.  They are hoping this snow sticks around.  

And as for me, I am just happy for another reason to get outside.  :)  With the fridge full from a weekend of cooking, I am looking forward to a bit of a break in the kitchen and perhaps a few projects alongside those necessary errands.

I just have to mention that M is really into Monopoly, as you can see.  The day isn't complete without a request for a "quick game".  We can't always say yes, but he is a happy camper when we do.

S is plugging away at a game above.  We lay a bunch of sandpaper letters out on the table or floor and then she has to find which letter that matches the sound I ask for.  It's just working on getting her to recognize or find the letters faster so she can start stringing them together in words.  I love how Montessori makes it so easy for them to read.  No complicated rules, just recognize and memorize the sound each letter makes, then off they go.  Beautiful!  I think she will start before she turns four in the summer, but that's entirely up to her.  She does love practical life activities, especially ones that involve snack.  Pouring milk (her favourite), cutting, peeling, whatever.  She is good about cleaning off the table too!  

Last night D and I watched the documentary Food Inc.  Scary stuff.  I sat with my crocheting the whole time just blown away.  I don't know if Canada is on the same level as the US in terms of how food is produced, but what a scary wake up call regardless.  If you've never seen it, you have to watch this film.  I was totally turned off meat.  And what good timing with Great Lent coming up soon...

Wishing you lots of snowy fun and good health this coming week!

Post-holiday happenings

Our holidays don't seem to be as restful as we'd like.  It's just with a big family and many friends - all great blessings in our lives - there is a lot of entertaining and being entertained.  It is nice to catch up with old friends though, so I'll take it.

After the holidays were through, we settled into a more relaxed rhythm.  Everyone helping around the home, doing a little academic work together (mostly math and writing), and some excursions to round things out.  The kids did a lot of baking with me, including those cheese pies.  Come to think of it, I don't think I did much besides the prep work.  They pretty much put them together and I stuck trays into the oven.  Done.  It's actually a wonderful feeling to have helpers in the kitchen.  It's taken a few years of "training", lots of messes, plenty of patience and encouragement, but they seem to be well on their way to self-sufficiency in this area.  

 J is working on math now.  She is a playful monkey, so it's tough to stay on track usually.  I have to keep reminding myself that the work she's doing doesn't matter nearly as much as our time together and how we connect.  Not easy.  She is chugging along however and has mastered the collective exercises for addition.  We are working on carry-overs now.  She and Michael partner up for this, and I am the happiest mom watching them work together.  I think J likes it because we make a big deal whenever someone says "ten" as they count beads.  :)  

I have to say that most of our work is done in 10-15 minute increments.  It's very manageable.  In fact, many times the kids move on to a second round of work, or else they do a little extra,  I like that aspect immensely about Montessori.  It doesn't take much.  The trick is to do it as often as possible - if not daily then at least 2-3 times a week.  This repetition helps to cement concepts in a profound way.  I find that even if a child does not grasp every single aspect or angle of whatever the lesson is, they still understand the concept.  

This little munchkin is growing like a weed!  She is past one and walking.  Climbing is more like it.  She climbs everything.  We've had to be creative with this one, she just can't help it.  She loves to by a part of whatever's going on, which usually means getting up onto the dining room table, or climbing all over the sofas and side tables.  She's so happy and so full of zest as she goes exploring, we can't help but kiss those cheeks!  

When evening arrives, the best way to calm down rowdy kiddies is to read with them.  I was so glad when D captured this moment.  I don't think we have any recent shots of us reading together.  Here we are reading "The Quiet Little Woman" by L.M. Montgomery.  The kids love it, especially the older two.  

There is always work to be done in the kitchen.  As per usual.  I don't think we've been terribly creative on that front, but I have had more spurts of energy, so we have had less sandwiches and more hearty fare.  I am trying to stay away from cold cuts, which is difficult because a) it's convenient for lunches, and b) the kids love it.  I've made them steak sandwiches, pulled beef and turkey (from leftover turkey) that I've stashed in the freezer.  I think that's going to be my new system.  Once we have something like a roast or turkey, I will freeze a certain amount to use for lunch meat.  Finally got this down!  

I painted this icon years ago, but the gold starting peeling off thanks to a bad metal size I used.  (Of course!)  Thankfully, we found an experience iconographer to fix it.  I will never use that size again.  Yeesh.  Thankfully, all's well that ends well.  

So, I bring this little update to a close.  It's sounds an awful lot like a point by point rehash of bits of our days, but right now, that's all I've got.  Didn't want to keep postponing it.  Wishing you a great weekend!

Dear September, welcome!

It is the end of our long weekend, and we are all together at home - just the way we love it!  I get the feeling that this won't last, this wanting to be together, this being happy at home, this quieter, calmer existence.  A part of me recognizes that is the way of things, and the other part pull one or two onto my lap to savour this moment.  Now.  In the present.

(Actually, to tell you the truth, I can't pull them onto my lap.  They are all blissfully snoring away in their beds, giving D. and I have a moment of quiet calm before bed.)

Lest you think we spend all our time at home, apple picking was on our agenda this past weekend.  :)  My favourite occupation in September, by far.  Then again, I am an apple gal.  I think they are my favourite fruit.  I mean, I love fruit in general.  Sweet, juicy, and sometimes downright exotic!  But whatever affair fruit takes me on, I always seem to come back to apples.  And there's nothing better than picking your own bushel of apples right from the tree.  Sunshine, birds and breezes included free of charge.  :)

I made a tray of walnut baklava for the first time last week.  Yumm-y!  Perfect dessert for fall by the way!  Thank God we didn't keep it in the house.  I would be two sizes bigger, guaranteed!  I probably still ate too many.  Baklava does that to me.  I want to try a pistachio version next time.  I am already planning the next tray.  And if I get lucky, I will invite myself over to a friend's house to learn how to make the cashew baklava.  Oh baklava.  It would have been better if we'd never met!

So.  Tomorrow is the first day of school for the coming year.  Surprisingly, I have two who are now excited.  To be completely transparent, J was less than enthused this morning, but for some strange reason, by the end of the day she performed a 180 degree turn and was jumping up and down on her bed with excitement not too long ago.  And while I love that they love to be home, I do not relish dramatic scenes of parting.  So here's to hoping that excitement lasts long enough for a new routine to form.  

I am very much hoping we can keep some of the routines we formed during the summer.  Especially our morning/breakfast one.  Fingers crossed on that one.  I hate being rushed, and school days are rushed.  Boo.  

Hope you had a great weekend surrounded by your loved ones too!

Reading, animals and other summer adventures

Last time I posted I referred to the long weekend we just had as "Family Day".  Family Day is in February.  Apparently.  (And that is why I'm not in charge of anything important.)  It wasn't Family Day, just a Civic Holiday.  Oh well.  We still had our own "family day" and enjoyed it together!

Our city libraries have been on strike this summer.  Until now that is.  At last the doors are open again and we shall make our way there tomorrow to collect some new books.  The kids especially are eager to stock up on some audio books.  We've missed them.  And perhaps find out if the summer reading club will continue this year?  All good things to look forward to when you're 3 and 5 and 7.   (Baby M likes books too, but she prefers to gum them instead of read them.  We're working on that.)

We spent an afternoon at Black Creek Pioneer Village.  No pictures from the Village here, but lots of memories.  I recall a lot of impromptu insect studies.  An especially large ant, an enormous fly, a hiding spider... little eyes notice little things.  Also, the animals were a big hit.  The kids just love animals.

Speaking of animals, we went to a farm this past weekend for the afternoon, and the kids just gravitated towards the livestock.  As you can see, they enjoyed a donkey ride.  Feeding a horse clumps of grass was also promptly executed by three willing volunteers.  They felt there wasn't enough food for the horse in her yard.  :P  How funny children are.  I am trying my best to sit back and let them "unfold" a bit instead of constantly restraining or checking them.  It's also part of me trying to understand them.  Each child is a huge puzzle to me.  Why does one adore horses while the other is ga-ga over tractors?  Each is so different, yet they share many similarities as well.  (I may never get the hang of this parenting thing!)

I love these monkeys!  Gotta love a good tire swing.  This one reminded me of those old fashioned swings that swing out the barn door into the sky beyond!  It actually does swing out the door, and while I have been trying to let the kids "unfold", I wasn't ready for a broken arm.  So, we kept it tame.  Plenty of time for them to discover the joys of jumping from the hayloft on a tire swing on their own.  For now, they enjoyed the swinging without the jumping.  :)

I've been stumped as to what project to pick up next.  I've been teaching a bit of crocheting to one of the kids, so I have a dishcloth I'd like to finish off, but I have no idea what to do next.  A quilt feels like a wonderful project to start!  But I am simultaneously gravitating towards the paints.  Oh I feel the pull of those colours - silent, strong, relentless.  Or maybe they both need a turn together?  Ah, I am making myself dizzy.  Tomorrow is another day to decide.  In the meantime, I have a few printing and laminating jobs to finish.  And there's that pegboard that needs to go up...  (oh, housework, how I love thee...)

This post has been a little bit of this and a little bit of that.  Sort of what life is like for me I guess.  Lots of ups and downs.  Lately a few downs.  :(  I don't particularly enjoy them, though I see their merit once I've passed through the tunnel.  What seems to help most is staying busy.   I actually made some vegan burgers the other day.  I think they were good, but could benefit from a little tweaking.  You know that feeling?  When you know you're on to something good, but it's just not there yet?  Ya, that.

Oh, and when did this darling 3 year old get so big?  Just edible.  Except when she's whining.  Then she drives me nuts!  Just my luck that she's got this "whine-y" voice thing going.  We're working on that - for MY sanity more than anything else!

Wishing you a sunny, warm and relaxing weekend!

Goodness

Yesterday we were at the park - it was sometime in the evening.  M was blowing bubbles, J was swinging on the swings and I was sitting on the grass with baby M.  S came over and wanted to swing, but there were no more swings free.  The next time I looked over, J had gotten off her swing and was trying to lift S up to sit on it.  (I had to help with this step.)  Then, she happily pushed her for what seemed like a very long time.  They were laughing and playing as they went.  It was the most heartwarming and beautiful scene and I'm almost positive my heart swelled two sizes bigger.  Amidst all the evil in the news - all that suffering - this scene of a little girl happily sharing her swing with her younger sister was such a bright ray of hope.  Truly, God made man good and for goodness!  

"Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure and whether it be right." (Prov 20:11) 

We have had many lazy summer days together so far.  Lots of Saturdays spent in the park with the BBQ, great food and lots of sand and sun.  Getting to the park requires a bit of work, sometimes a little rush for last minute items.  Once we arrive though, everything melts away into a lazy summer day.  Complete with lounging kids and an afternoon siesta.  Well, maybe not an actual nap, but at least some time digesting.  (Kids have crazy amounts of energy that someone needs to find a way to bottle up for the rest of us!)  And here you can see baby M enjoying the delight that is ice cream.  She loved the corn on the cob too.  

The kids also enjoyed a church festival too earlier this month.  As if you couldn't tell from those faces...

I mentioned our new routine in my last post.  It has solidified somewhat over the past weeks and I believe we are actually enjoying it!  It's not a perfect system - still some tweaking to do I think.  I am actually trying to work more on NOT having to stay on them to finish something.  I hate nagging, and I'm sure they do too.  I saw this fantastic system and I am trying to find a way to make it myself.  The kids would love it, if not for ease of use than its simple beauty.  Hopefully in the next few weeks I can finish it so we have some time to use it before school starts.

As for other projects, I am currently working on some tea towel toppers.  I don't have much energy these days to really delve into projects.  D has been working overtime a lot and being on my own with the kids has really depleted my energy levels.  ;)  However, last night J asked me sweetly to make her something.  So there you have it.  Another project!  It's actually a joy to make stuff for these darlings.

Wishing you a wonderful Family Day weekend!  (And can I just say how much I love the sound of "Family Day"!?)