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!

Lazy summer days

I'm going to pretend I haven't been away from here for so long.  It just makes it easier to pick up the thread of blogging again.  :)

We spent the month of June in Lebanon.  It was a great trip!  And you'll have to take my word for it because I forgot to bring the camera.  :(  That was a sad moment - knowing that years from now I won't have anything to look back on to remember.  We are planning another trip, hopefully for next year.  And I sincerely hope that I will have the presence of mind to remember a camera.  But that is a long way from now...

I've been on a reading spree this past month or two.  I guess I go through dry patches where I don't read at all.  Then, just like monsoon season, the reading comes in torrents!  I am currently reading Dare to Discipline by Dr. James Dobson.  It certainly goes counter cultural to the parenting philosophy of our times.  I haven't made up my mind what I think of it, given that I'm just about halfway through.  Some of it makes sense, almost emphatically at times, but I then I have this niggling doubt at the back of my mind at others.  I am trying to keep an open mind until I finish.  I think part of the problem is that I've been really enjoying Dr. Laura Markham's style of parenting, at least from what I've been able to implement.  The gentler, "connecting" aspect appeals to me very much.  I will wait to compare the methods once I have a better understanding of Dobson's.

Last week we got a new piano.  My friends, I have been waiting for this moment for years.  I didn't think it would happen, certainly not while we lived in a condo, but it has come!  And yes, I am a mature adult, but right now I feel like running around the living room whooping! The older two kids and I take turns fighting over whose turn it is to play.  Very mature, as you can imagine.  I think I monopolize most of practice time, but you'd be surprised how tenacious they can be.   

In other news, baby M has figured out how to open the fridge.  Of course.  This morning she ran into the room where I was working repeating "wauta, wauta, wauta".  She was obviously trying to tell me something.  I went with her to the kitchen with a sinking feeling in my stomach.  Sure enough, she has managed to upset the milk jug on the bottom shelf and it was all over the floor.  That was lovely.  So I yelled at my very sweet and overly curious toddler, with her eager helpfulness and delicious cheeks.  How I wish I could relive that moment.  What a lost opportunity.

After mopping up the mess, it occurred to me that she was actually trying to be helpful by coming and telling me that there was "water" all over the floor.  I think I'm going to have to reorganize the fridge.  And if I'm being truly honest, I think I could start doing some pouring and sponging exercises with her.  She'd love it.  

Our summer has been somewhat disorganized as far as summers go.  The kids have swimming and soccer, but not much else.  Also, I've been very tired or even lazy to sit and work with them academically.  It doesn't help that the older ones are a reluctant to work on certain subjects.  This means there has been lots of Lego building, bike riding, and practical life activities going on.  :)  All is not lost, mind you.  J has learned the alphabet in cursive and is starting to read french books in cursive now, which has done wonders for her confidence.  M is working on perimeter and starting word problems.  Despite his aptitude in math, I've sorely neglected word problems for him.  S has forgotten some of her letters, so we are going back to the sandpaper letters for review.  'Tis to be expected since we took more than a month's break from them.  It doesn't sound shabby, but I envisioned things differently.  For example, I had wanted to do more art this summer.  That kind of fell by the wayside since I wasn't organized enough to even set up a rough outline.  I think my psychological bucket needs filling up.  Too much emptying and not enough filling does that to me, and then I'm good for nothing for a while.  :(

Of course that is not to say we haven't enjoyed the summer.  It's just an odd feeling on the whole to be largely flying by the seat of one's pants.  Which is not to say I'm a control freak; just that I like some degree of order in my life.  Ah well.  These seasons seem to come and go for me periodically, so I shan't worry too much.

I hope the summer has been good to you too!  

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!

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!

Catch-up!

They say a picture is worth a thousand words.  Given how neglectful I've been of this space, I figure these photos will do a better job than my words.  

In case you don't know, homemade raw butter is a real treat!  The kids love making butter from the spring and summer milk.  It's so vibrant (almost neon!) compared to the winter milk.  Sorry my photo is too dark to tell.  Anyhow, very cool.  And delicious!  

Since summer has begun, we have been adjusting to new routines.  I do prefer the times where we are all together, working, playing, discovering and just being alongside each other.  However, this year has been harder adjusting than I remember.  I seem to have a hard time putting my foot down and actively creating order and respect.  This is a bit of an adjustment for me, but we are making progress. 

Our summer routine is rooted in home life.  Thanks to some advice from a dear friend, I have recently changed the rhythm of our mornings.  We start our day with prayer, then breakfast.  Breakfast is a family affair where we all prepare breakfast, set the table and then sit down to eat.  I started reading the Prologue to the children during breakfast - it keeps them from squabbling and we learn about the lives of the saints for each day.  This is a great blessing.  They love hearing the lives of the saints - each has several favourites they regularly demand to hear!  I must say though that D does the best Bible stories.  What can I say?  He has a gift!  

After breakfast, we clean up.  Someone washes the dishes, another washes and wipes the table, another .  Then we start our work for the day.  Each day has its own work- usually it includes at least one chore for each person.  I anticipate at least another couple of weeks before the routine solidifies for us all.  (Fingers crossed!)

M has developed allergies - he was quite miserable this past May.  Thankfully, the past few weeks have been much better.  I hope I'm not speaking too soon though, because this morning he was complaining that his eyes were bothering him again.  :(

On the long weekend we picked peas at a local farm with some family and friends.  That's always a favourite activity with the kids.  Afterwards we went for a walk in old Unionville and then ice cream at the Old Firehall Confectionary.  It was S's birthday that weekend too, so now we have a 3 year old at home.  We got her a balance bike and I managed to finish her a messenger bag.  (She was long overdue...)  We were skeptical that she would get anything out of it, but I have to say that bike gets a ton of use.  Everywhere we go, the bike comes.  I have to say it was the best investment we've made this summer!  :)    

 Of course, can't forget about the Toronto FC game this kids got to attend!  This is about the only shot I got.  We got so into the game that I forgot about the camera.   It was great!  (Yes, Sophia the doll comes everywhere with us.)

That was a cake I made last month.  A cream cheese stuffed banana chocolate chip coffee cake.  It's as good as it sounds.  And filling enough that one slice was enough for me.  Here is the recipe.  (You're welcome!)

I wish you a sunny weekend!  

A few firsts

We had a delicious long weekend visiting our dear family.  It was full to the brim of goodness.  And lots of firsts.  First time milking a cow, first time riding a pony, first time mucking out stalls, first time travelling by night.  For the record, all our firsts turned out to be wonderful experiences.  (Whew!)

   

By the way, raw milk is everything it's cracked up to be and more!  It's so creamy and rich and delicious!  Tastes different than the store bought kind, even the 3%.  And when you're the one who's milked the cow, you know pretty much all you need to know about your milk.  :)  The kids drank lots of milk.  They even had homemade frozen yogurt.  Yum!  I think that was one of S's favourite parts.  

This my farmer boy.  And what a funny sight for me as I find that usually he won't go near the source of any bad odours.  Not so here.  Did I mention how much I want a farm?  A mama can dream.  Although the bug situation was absolutely incredible!  So many bugs!  Flies, mosquitoes, you name it!  All around.  All the time.  Poor M got eaten alive. 

My equestrian children.  They couldn't get enough rides.  I think they must have ridden for at least an hour.  Enough for me to put the baby to bed and take a nap myself.

With all the fresh air, space and love, the kids were really in heaven.  My heart was so full there.  We all seem to find a sort of inner rest in Panagia's garden.  

We drove back during the night and the kids conked out for at least the last 2 hours.  And I must admit I did too.  Thank goodness D was our trusty driver.  He never disappoints.  I feel blessed to have him around so much.  

Hope you had a lovely weekend too!