Inspired Lives

Sick Days

2012-02-29T19:25:00.001-08:00

I hardly ever get sick. My mom says that when I do, it's subsequently a doozie. That certainly feels true, but I think it's more on account of being a sick weenie than anything else. I haven't had a cold or flu for several years. Colour me surprised then when I came down with a doozie of a cold that lasted two weeks. Now I'm all healed - getting ready for a fabulous date night on Friday, fresh on the heels of the largest pay raise we've seen at one time - when I suddenly and inexplicably come down sick again. Last time sinuses, this time throat. And it's a doozie.

The kids are the same - they rarely get sick. But then again, I don't know how true that is. In reality, they're like cats; it's virtually impossible to tell if they're fighting something off - unless it's a real doozie, in which case they might sniffle a little and have the sudden ability to remain still for several minutes at a time or even longer. If you ask them how they're feeling, it's always "fine" with a smile, as they skip off to play or decide to go to bed early. And they mean it. I'm truly in awe with their resiliency. They don't know to complain and whine, the last thing they want is sympathy or attention directed to their less than optimal health. They want me to ignore it, as they are! And subsequently, they heal remarkably fast.

I believe in the ideas of law of attraction. I believe that what you think about, you bring about. Or better yet, what you believe, becomes your reality. So when I whine and complain and feel sorry for myself, focusing on all the symptoms that drive me crazy, I know that I'm doing myself a disservice. So I look to my kids and try to pick up on their wisdom. I get chipper. I speak positively. I try to distract myself with something fun. It's easiest when alone. As soon as my husband is in the picture, suddenly all the 'woes are me' come out as I reach for sympathy. I become like a pathetic lost puppy dog stuck out in the rain, malnourished and beaten. And my husband is a wonderful comforter. The problem is just that I'm not doing either of us any favors in the stance of victim.

We all get sick. At least on occasion. There's no escaping that life always has its up and downs. It's what we make of it that counts. Can I find my joy - even as I simultaneously hack up a lung, vomit and pee my pants? Yes, frankness is me. I don't think I need to find joy in that moment actually. That would be a little strange. But can I find peace in it anyway? Can I find a way not to be miserable between the coughs and well, you know. My day can still be joyful. I know I've spent time today feeling grateful. I've got independent kids that were fine with me hanging around resting in bed all day. I got up just to make simple meals (although right now they're in the kitchen eagerly making themselves peanut butter and jelly sandwiches - which from the sounds of it might just be turning into slabs of mountainous jelly between slices of bread). I've also got a husband who brought me home natural sick helpers from a run at the grocery store. He would have taken center stage with the kids for the night if he hadn't had scored his first whole night of overtime since December. Timing eh? I'm also thankful that I even have this lifestyle that lets me take it easy when I need. It was nice to give myself permission to just read, rest, bathe and watch a movie on Netflix on my iPhone while curled up in bed.
I only just hope to be better by Friday. Better enough anyway, as long as I'm able to fake it and feel great in the distraction of a fabulous time.

So here is a recipe that has helped me today. I feel one of the greatest, quickest ways to heal involve: lots of rest, fasting, and distraction from wallowing. You gotta feel good to get good fast. As a preggo lady starting my third trimester tomorrow, an all out fast isn't the best idea. Not that I've had a choice mind you, as not a single piece of food was possible today. But I had broth for supper and have been partaking of raw honey (it's a natural antibacterial and antiviral agent that then also provided me with at least some minor calories while soothing the sore throat). And I've been drinking lemon and honey tea (lemon provides lots of vitamin C to strengthen the immune system).

Get Better Tea

Ginger root, freshly cut
Lemons, freshly cut
Honey, raw

Bring the ginger to boil in a pot of water (ginger helps to breakdown and expel mucus). Add lemon and honey to taste (I used the juice of one lemon per cup). Drink while hot.

The kids are exuberantly onto their third sandwiches now. I think they're having too much fun making them. Oh well. They gotta learn their limits somehow. I'm busy finding peace. And sleep.

I affirm.
I sleep easily and efficiently.
My body is strong and resilient. My immune system is a powerful force to be reckoned with.
I know each moment has the potential for joy, regardless of my experiences.
A belief is just a thought I keep thinking, and I can choose my thoughts whenever I like.
I am strong. I love the contrast this experience creates - healing is inevitable as is a return to normal days with greater appreciation of my health.
I will wake up feeling healthier and renewed.
Life is joy. It is the contrast that helps us to define it. No regrets. All is well in my world.

They both managed to eat the third sandwich. In case you were wondering.

Stretching Ourselves

2012-02-24T21:25:00.001-08:00

Swimming is a new thing for our family. Not being a terribly water friendly person myself, it has been easy to put it off over the years. Formal swim lessons began for me when I was in grade four. I had a couple of bad water experiences and since then, had a general aversion to really hanging out in the water. But I can swim. I think. What I know for sure though, is that it's important to me that my children learn and also have some semblance of comfort and enjoyment in the water. If they don't, that's fine - I just don't want to pass on my own wet prejudices.

Dad on the other hand, is a fish. I digress.

So we were at Servus Place yesterday, hanging out in the 'deep pool' (meaning the water comes up to Summer's chin and Aidan's shoulders). There were some colored diving rings around and I suggested the kids try to dive for them. Well, these are kids that have never even put their heads under water, so they were clueless as to how to dive for a ring. I realized that I had to start with the basics. We discussed how to go about putting your head under water and I quickly realized that I had to walk the walk. When was the last time I had put my whole head under water? Probably junior high school (nope, that's not totally accurate. I did go snorkeling in Costa Rica for our honeymoon). But even in the shower I stand so water doesn't actually get on my face. Here I was, face to face with the most fundamental unschooling truth: I had to willingly and bravely go outside my own comfortable boundaries if I expected my kids to be able to do the same. I had to stretch my limits. "Here, look," I said, "I'll show you." And I did. I felt quite proud of myself. I know it's only a head under water, but for me it was huge. And having my example to follow, the kids worked on the skill themselves. Aidan even opened his eyes under water.

They aren't in swimming lessons yet but it's fun to watch how they seem to be learning on their own, little bit by little bit, just by being in the water and developing a comfortable feel for it. They practice kicking and floating, pushing off from the sides and submersing their heads, and they feel quite proud of themselves when they've figured out something new. They're excited about it, learning at their individual paces and comfort levels.

It's interesting though to be confronted with limitations we've set on ourselves that we didn't even know we had. In moments like that we have a choice: maintain the status quo or stretch and grow and become something more. There's no wrong or right answer. But there's always a choice. It comes down to how we choose to live our lives.

Life is an adventure. I don't want to be afraid of it. I want to live it.

Shrug

2012-02-22T19:15:00.002-08:00

My latest project: the rainbow shrug.

Sweet Stuff

2012-02-20T19:32:00.000-08:00

Summer's Maple Syrup Cookies

(A recipe created from the mind of Summer this very evening)

1/2 cup flour

Pinch of salt

1 tbsp maple syrup

1 tbsp water (or as much needed to create cookie dough consistency)

Combine all ingredients, roll dough into small balls and press to form cookies. Cook at 350 degrees until done. To finish, cover with icing and sprinkles.

Our kids are so sweet with each other. Lately, the've been sleeping together on the futon in the basement every night. This morning Aidan woke up bright and early and didn't want to wake Summer (something I'm asking him always not to do, as she needs more sleep than he does). He wanted to go play a computer game but he also didn't want her waking up anxious without him there. To solve the problem, he wrote her a note with a picture of him sitting at the computer and left it for her to find. When she woke up, he rushed over to be there for her.

They never cease to amaze me with how considerate and kind they are with each other. They're always looking out for each other. Of course like any siblings they fight on occasion, but mostly they get along splendidly.

Silver Skate Festival

2012-02-20T19:13:00.000-08:00

This weekend we attended the Silver Skate Festival at Hawrelak Park. Since the temperature has been constantly close to zero degrees this year, I was surprised that the lake was frozen enough for skaters. But it was! And what a beautiful day it was for it too, with temperatures around 1 degree celcius (we've attended this festival with temperatures nearing - 20). Pictures were tricky to take, as the snow was falling very steadily - the first snow in well over a month!

On arrival, the kids had fun sliding around the ice in their boots. They rolled and made snow angels in the newly fallen snow.

We then went to make maple syrup candy in the ice (much like we had read them doing in the Little House book the night before): someone would come along and pour maple syrup on the ice in front of us. We were armed with popsicles sticks that we rolled and rolled in the syrup, which hardened due to the cold. Instant maple syrup lollipops! The best kind ever!

After looking at the snow sculptures, the kids went for a ride down the ice slide.

There was an area where the kids could try their hand at snow sculpting. Aidan and Summer were eager to find tools and start in on a block of snow.

Summer was quite proud of her sculpture. It was a house, with carved windows and a door, and the part to the right was the driveway. She figured however that the whole thing just looked like a car.

Aidan created an abstract peice.

From there, we ventured to the horse drawn wagons for a quick ride.

We ended the afternoon with my personal favourite part: bannock making over a fire. After we cooked our bannock, cinnamon and sugar were sprinkled into it's interior for a yummy warm snack.

The Silver Skate Festival is one of the numerous winter festivals we have in Edmonton. It's all free and loads of fun. There is also an area where people can try on snow shoes or cross country skies. They usually have free hot chocolate as well, but I didn't notice it this year. In the evenings, they often have programming and dancing too. Certainly a fun way to get the family outdoors in winter!

Reading Time

2012-02-16T22:03:00.001-08:00

Our family reading time tradition began with our first born in the womb. Of course, I've always read to my children frequently throughout the day. "Reading time" is different. Reading time is one of my most cherished family traditions.

It always takes place at night before bed. It used to be at 7 pm but is now more often 8 or 9. It's always dad that reads and he always reads the next chapter (or two) of whatever book we happen to be into. Over the course of the years, we've gone through Beverly Cleary's "The Mouse and the Motorcycle" series, "Charlotte's Web," "The Secret Garden," Enid Blyton's "The Magic Faraway Tree" series, Winnie-the-Pooh (repeatedly), "The Secret World of Og," J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, most Roald Dahl books, and much much more.

For me, it's been my most cherished family time. We're all together. With books. And it's also my main time for knitting. I love being engaged with my hands while listening to Sean read. It's a time of stillness. Of calm and coziness. Everything feels just right as we curl up in our respective places. When the kids were younger, they'd quietly play. Still, sometimes, they'll engage in other activities while they listen (like coloring, looking through pictures in a book, etc). But Reading Time is just as cherished by them as by me and I love that. If we miss a night, because of late night outs, they are never happy about it. It's our routine. It's our ritual.

Right now we're reading "Little House in the Woods." After a few chapters of reading, the kids have gotten right into it. It's fascinating for them, I think, to read about a time so different then our own. A time when kids are disciplined and punished for just speaking around a dinner table (kids were to be seen and not heard). Such a foreign idea to our kids - as we don't believe in disciplining at all (we believe more in mutual respect, consideration and treating each other with love). It's nice for them to have a chance to appreciate their freedoms and riches, recognizing that life wasn't always so. There was a time not too far back in history where the disciplining of wives by their husbands was as culturally acceptable as the disciplining of children still is today.

I love the Little House books. I love the vivid world she relates, and how they seem so happy and content despite the hard work of everyday survival. They just did what they did, much like us. But we have showers. Running water and electricity. Movies. iPads and iPhones. Computers and blogs. And Pinterest and Facebook. Yup. It's good to step back and appreciate all we have. We're just as happy - but a lot more comfortable. Life is good!

Our Reading Time reminds me of the evenings the Ingalls family spent. Perhaps that's what brought me to post about it, at this time. The family together, snug in one room, listening to stories and crafting (sometimes Aidan will work on sewing or finger crocheting while I knit).

It truly is the simplest things in life that are the happiest. And sometimes the stillest, calmest moments are the most joyous of all.

Valentines Day

2012-02-16T10:21:00.000-08:00

February 14, 1012

The kids were thrilled this morning morning to find a couple of Valentines gifts waiting for them on the table. There was a stuffy each and for Summer: a princess cupcake set with cookbook and 12 silicon pink cupcake liners, and for Aidan a book: "the National Geographic Kids Ultimate Weird But True 1,000 Wild and Wacky Facts and Photos".

Aidan was engrossed in the book for much of the day, as was Summer with her new cookbook (she has a thing with cookbooks. She'll pour over them for hours and hours, looking at all the pictures. Sometimes I wonder if she might become a chef or baker someday, her interest seems so great. She definitely enjoys baking.)

After a quick breakfast of almond butter toast, we went about baking cupcakes for our dessert after our Valentines day supper. It proved to be tricky, as the cookbook had all ingredients in weight, not volume. Luckily, I had a scale I could pull out of my soaping supplies, as I had no clue otherwise how much 125 g of flour was. Even the ingredients were strange - Muscovado sugar and wholemeal self-rising flour, for example. We just used regular sugar and I added baking powder to the flour to make it 'self-rising'. Most of the work was done by Summer; all the stirring and additions. She's learning some decent skills.

Aidan was eager to join in on the icing.

The finished cupcakes. I don't know how they were supposed to have turned out,
but they tasted okay. The kitty is Valentine, the stuffy Summer got.

After the cupcakes (which were all sunken in the middle for some reason) were done, I checked the mail and found a beautiful present from my mother-in-law, the talented quilter.

I'm excited to head out to a yoga class again with my new yoga tote. There's space enough for yoga mat, towel, a pocket in front that fits a waterbottle, and inside there's a ring to attach my car keys too. The class will probably wait until after the pregnancy (unless I find some prenatal yoga classes we can manage for me). Until then, I'll keep my mat in my beautiful bag, taking it out for my evening yoga sessions in the livingroom.

In the afternoon, the kids and I worked on Valentines Day lanterns, inspired from a Pinterest pin, with the intention that they'd be great ambiance to go with our dinner. Setting them to dry, I worked on a traditional turkey meal, from a bird we were given by my mom and Doug at Yule. It was a wild turkey and perfectly sized for us. The kids were completely grossed out when I took out the neck and the bag with the heart and liver inside ("What guys? It's a heart! It's Valentines day!"). I haven't actually cooked a turkey in probably ten years, so it was a bit of a new thing for them.

It was a fun Valentine's Day!

6 Months

2012-02-12T23:30:00.001-08:00

Merrily we march along and time flies by! The kids have started giving my belly hugs and kisses at night too, with words of love for their baby brother.

The pregnancy is still going great, with nary a complaint to make. I only feel pregnant when he moves (although 'move' is a bit of a misnomer. Sometimes I'm wondering if he's practicing Zumba in there). At the last appointment with the midwife, we had trouble finding his heart beat because of all his jumping and jiving around. We weren't terribly worried, as his continued life was quite evident in the visible wobbling of my belly.

My appetite is completely normal and I've had no specific cravings. I actually eat less at a time than before, because of competing belly balloons. I've got a uterus balloon, a stomach balloon, and a bladder balloon. And believe me, they really do compete in my short torso. I regret it if I eat too much, as then my skin gets more taut and stretchy in an uncomfortable way to ease the pressure of the balloons. It's funny. I notice people pay more attention to what you eat when you're pregnant. I'll be at a gathering and fill a saucer sized plate with half a muffin, two pieces of cheese, a couple strawberries and pineapple slices, and I'll get comments like "eating for two eh?" It feels so strange, since the quantity I eat at one time is less than before. It's all perception. If they paid more attention to what I was eating when I wasn't pregnant...well, maybe they're just too polite to say anything!

It's all good. It's fun being all rounded and beautiful in a mother goddess kind of a way. And I feel so vibrant and alive and full of life. Literally! I'm so happy we chose to have this adventure one last time. Motherhood is truly the greatest adventure in life! In my humble opinion.

An Inspired Day

2012-02-08T11:21:00.000-08:00

Today has been a busy day for us all. Normally, on tuesday's we'll go swimming. But the kids are both fighting off a rare cold (which got exasperated with the weekend's energetic and outdoor exertions), so we decided to stay home and recoup.

In the morning, I started the day by making Breakfast Cookies from a recipe I found on Pinterest.

Breakfast Cookies

1 1/2 cups oats
2 - 3 super ripe bananas
1 cup applesauce, unsweetened
Handful of Craisins, raisins, currants, dried blueberries, or preferred dried fruit
Cinnamon to taste

Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Spoon onto a cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 25 - 30 minutes.

They were pretty good and made a nice breakfast.

Most of the day, Summer has been immersed in word/spelling apps on my iPhone and spelling word after word on a handheld whiteboard. It's amazing how quickly her spelling is improving. It's so wonderful, the technology we have these days for learning! And lately, it's all Summer wants to do - write words. She does it everywhere.

Aidan pulled out the embroidery materials, eager to sew felted fish.

So the kids sewed fish. I sewed a catnip mouse for Spriggans (although it looks a little more like a banana, but he didn't seem to mind). I wouldn't make a toy for the cats with felt again. Poor Spriggans kept on eating chunks of fur that he worked off the felt surface.

Aidan's fish is a goldfish and he did it all on his own (although I would thread the floss on a needle for him and also sewed the black mouth, as he wasn't sure how to do that). Summer made a red dragon fish, which I did about half of for her.

I've been garnering much inspiration from Pinterest, the virtual pin board. This evening I made a vest out of a t-shirt - in 5 minutes with no sewing - from someone's pin.

The project comes from wobisobi.blogspot.com (the exact link: http://wobisobi.blogspot.com/2012/01/re-style54-five-minute-draped-vest-2.html. Check out her pics of it; looks cooler than these ones). I was so thrilled to try this, and almost couldn't find anything suitable to cut up. The instructions are at the website, including a YouTube video. But it's all super simple: take a large t-shirt, cut off each sleeve, cut open each side along the seam, and cut a semi-circle around the collar (so that when you open the shirt length-wise, a circle is created. That's all! Takes under 5 minutes to do and instantly, you've got a totally in style, cool vest. I was particularly excited to try this, as it seems like a cool thing to wear, that also doubles as a breastfeeding cover (easy to feed while having a bit of privacy when out in more dubious places, like the mall). So useful! It even can be worn as a scarf. Aidan helped me by taking a few pictures.

Weekend in the Country

2012-02-05T19:13:00.001-08:00

We went to visit my dad in the country this weekend. The kids had a lot of fun being pulled on a sled by the quad and jumping on a trampoline (not to mention dad's new 47" LED TV with 3D). The weather was beautiful, with the temperatures hovering above zero. With the sun out, there was no need for a coat.

Sew Fun at Games Day

2012-02-05T19:00:00.001-08:00

A mom brought felt and sewing supplies with a few books to Games Day today. The kids were right on board with choosing projects and diving in.

Summer's completed (with assistance) purse.

And here is Aidan with a jellyfish he made and finished this evening during reading time.

First Karate Grading

2012-02-05T18:54:00.001-08:00

This Monday Aidan had his first Karate grading.

He was quite excited about it, in his circumspect way, and did quite well (he's the boy closest the window. In this photo, they are performing their kata).

On Wednesday, we returned to class and Aidan received his black stripe.

Looking proud!

Harry Potter Birthday Party

2012-01-31T21:45:00.000-08:00

For his eighth birthday, Aidan wanted a Harry Potter birthday party. As we all are big Potter fans, I particularly relished the idea of putting this one together. I aimed to keep it simple and small, while still being fun and interesting.

The kids entered through the magic wall at Platform 9 3/4. The magic brought them straight into Hogwarts for a day of classes and fun. The kids both helped draw out the brick wall on an old sheet.

Sean created and printed out these class timetables before the party began. The idea came to him as Summer continuously was asking "which class is first/next?" etc.

The spread included Cauldron Cakes, Pumpkin Pasties (I was very proud of them, they were delicious) and meringues (remember meringues were mentioned with respect to the story of Neville falling out the window when his uncle was offered a meringue. That's how they found out he had some magic in him after all.). Hagrid brought by some of his treacle fudge - and I am happy to report it wasn't hard as rocks, but as soft and tasty as fudge should be (it was my very first attempt at real fudge and turned out great). I also improvised with the creation of chocolate-covered banana slugs.

For punch, I made Pumpkin Juice. It wasn't touched much, even though it was quite tasty. I think the name is a bit of a turn off for the kids. My absolute favourite was the Butterbeer however. I spent much of the morning making a couple batches and filling the bottles we labeled for the occasion. Anyone who tries it falls in love with it. Delicious!

I made goodies for our Honeyduke's table as well (Sean printed the sign from an online source). My idea was to give the kids loot "shopping" bags at the end of the party, already containing a Hogwart's spell book, Harry Potter bookmark, and magic card deck. They then could fill their loot bag with goodies from Honeyduke's. These included Sugar Mice, Cockroach Clusters, Chocolate Frogs, Chocolate Broomsticks and flies and owls, Bertie Botts (really) Every Flavour Beans, Unicorn Droppings (truffles with edible glitter dusted on top), and gummy Troll Eyes and Spiders.

My favourite part of the party though was going to be Potions Class. I spent the better part of a day filling various bottles with liquid and dry potion ingredients. The idea was for the kids to create their own potions to drink afterwards.

Liquid ingredients included: Phoenix Tears (cranberry ginger-ale), Acromantula Venom (water dyed green), Dragon's Blood (Ribena), Leech Juice (orange soda), Murtlap Essence (apple peach orange juice), Gumbumble Fluid (maple syrup), Armadillo Bile (banana berry juice), and Essence of Dittany (cream dyed blue).
Dry ingredients: Doxy Eggs (chia seeds), Bubertuber Pus (green and yellow mushed marshmallows), Dried Daisy Root (coconut), Black Beetle Eyes (currants), Sliced Caterpillars (gummy worms), Rat Tails (licorice laces), Shredded Boomslang Skin (nori), Dried Billywig Stings (chocolate sprinkles), Powdered Unicorn Horn (edible glitter dust), Ashwinder Eggs (bee pollen) and Ground Bezoar (sugar).
All the ingredients are found in the Harry Potter books.

I had a wand making station set up for when the students first arrived at Hogwarts. I stayed away from glue, paint and clay that needed to be baked. I used ribbons, feathers, pipe cleaners, wax sticks and stickers.

After everyone had arrived and created their wands, the sorting began! The hat is an actual puppet and came with a built in pocket just perfect for sliding a cell phone in. We called the home phone on my iPhone, stuck it in, and Sean was able to be a marvelous sorting hat from the basement. Summer thought the hat was electronic. Aidan just couldn't figure out how it was talking and knew what everyone wanted to be (I suggested that if they had a house preference, they should let the hat know. They spoke it aloud and Sean was able to hear it).

Sorting proved to be so much fun, that the adults decided to jump in.

The first class was Herbology. The kids all planted seeds for their desired candy plant. The dirt was Oreo cookie crumbs and the kids had the choice between a Hershey Kiss Plant, a Peppermint Patty Plant or a Gummy Bear Plant. They planted their seeds and said a magic spell over the pots, then we all headed to the dungeon for Potions.

The Potions were great fun. I had the kids think of what kind of potion they wanted to make before we began. Then I offered each ingredient in turn.

Summer put every ingredient into her glass. Once they were done, the kids - who dared - drank their concoctions.
I think Potions was Summer's favourite part (that and Honeyduke's). She spent the better part of the evening, after the party was long done, making additional potions with great enthusiasm.

When we came back up from the dungeons, the kids found their flower pots had grown into candy plants.

The next class was Divination. My sister gave a wonderful performance as the divination professor. She read palms and gave goofy, funny predictions, keeping the kids - and us - in stitches.

She was a high-tech divination professor with a cool iPad app.

Following Divination, we had Defense Against the Dark Arts, which was a lesson in dueling. Sean and I demonstrated. Here in this pic, we were supposed to turn our backs, walk three paces and face each other to duel. Sean was struck by a silly bug and followed me for my three paces, much to the amusement of everyone.

After the demonstration, the kids got to get up in pairs and practice their dueling spells.

That's it for the classes! I meant to keep it really simple. It was a huge amount of effort in the end, although totally worth it. Following the classes, we retired to the Great Hall to enjoy the feast and bring out the cake!

Once the kids were filled up, presents were opened and free play was had, the kids ventured to fill their loot bags at Honeyduke's.

It was a Lego filled birthday! The last present of the night came from mom and dad, grandma and grandpa: Harry Potter Lego Hogwarts Castle. It took him around 5 hours to complete the massive set.

The party was a success. Fun was had by all. We had 5 kids, including Aidan and Summer, so it was nice and manageable, and didn't get too loud and crazy for us adults. It took a solid week to put it together, especially with all the Butterbeer labels, Hogwarts Crest labels, flower pot painting and Bertie Bott box cutting and folding. Then there was the baking!

For an amusing touch, we also had a poster of Moaning Myrtle taped to the inside of the toilet lid.

Creative Endeavors

2012-01-24T21:39:00.001-08:00

To share some of this weeks creative endeavors:

Summer drew this for me on the white board. Her beautiful flowers brought such a huge smile to my face!

Aidan drew this at Games Day. I was amazed at his knowledge of world architecture; he knew the name of each landmark. Where from? Beats me!

Summer has been super immersed in writing. She's done a few of these now. All the writing and spelling are her own.

Baby legwarmers! I knit these up this week in preparation for ECing our little babe.

Summer's drawing of a robot in her new calendar.

And her cow.

5 Months

2012-01-20T22:05:00.001-08:00

Jan 12, 2012

20 weeks done, 20 weeks to go. This has been an awesome pregnancy, as anticipated. Other than a couple of rough weeks (okay, perhaps a rough month) in the first trimester (which I largely attempted to sleep through; going to bed around 7:30 each night), everything has been peachy keen. I hardly feel pregnant, except for the enchanting daily movement of our little boy.

Jan 20, 2012

I simply feel fabulous. Tonight I was told by someone "I love being around you. You've got this amazing Mother Goddess energy about you. It feels great to be a part of it." And that's how I feel. I just love the whole world. I love being pregnant. I love the thought of our baby coming and how amazing our lives are going to be; how everything just grows and expands and it's all such a grand adventure. For the first time in my life, I can really see why people have large amounts of children. It's like each one expands your capacity for love. I can't imagine doing anything else and am so glad and feel so blessed to do this one last time.

About our baby: He's about the length and weight of a banana. He can hear, in fact all his senses are developed. He's got toenails, fingernails, eye lashes, eye brows, teeth buds, and he's practicing breathing. He performs acrobatics daily and seems to like to kick at my bladder when it's full. Is it in his way?? Regardless, he keeps me on my toes already!

Funnies Deliveries!

2012-01-19T13:58:00.001-08:00

Summer has, for awhile, had a desire to make comic books to deliver around to neighbors. Today turned out to be the day! She made six comic books and was ecstatic with the idea of randomly delivering them to strangers. So we ventured out (in the coldest week of the year I must add) to deliver door to door.

I took pictures of her work, before we unleashed it onto the world.

On the way home, we mused at how delighted six lucky people were going to be, when they opened up their mailboxes that day. Summer was very pleased at her days work.

Thoughts at Midnight

2012-01-14T23:17:00.001-08:00

The snow snows and it is so perfect and beautiful and peaceful. I'm struck by how perfect everything seems to be. Exactly as it should be. Nothing needs to change or be different in anyway. I feel so blessed by the wonder and joy that is my life.

Life. I feel it move inside me and it is so perfect. I think of my beautiful kids asleep down the hall, on the floor in boxes like cats, and I glow with joy. They are so perfect and amazing.

Life is so good. I love these moments of perfection where it just couldn't feel any better if it tried. Not ecstatic. Just perfect. Comfy. Cozy. Complete.

Goodnight dear sweet world. It is all just that - perfect - exactly as it is.

Ice On Whyte

2012-01-14T20:33:00.001-08:00

We ventured out to Ice on Whyte today, one of the many Edmonton winter festivals we're blessed with. It hosts many beautiful ice and snow sculptures, gathering artists - to my understanding - from all around the world.

This year's offering was not even half of the previous year's. However, considering our temperatures have been hovering around 0 degrees for much of the winter, it's not too much of a surprise. I heard sculptors worked at night, when temperatures would drop. Many of the snow sculptures looked ravaged by melting temperatures.

But we had a great time. The kids loved the slides, as always, and it wasn't very busy. I was surprised, as tomorrow promises the first drop in temperatures of the year.

In Process

2012-01-11T13:41:00.001-08:00

Jan 10, 2012
It is such a thrill to watch the journey of a child learning how to read - at their own pace.

Summer isn't reading quite yet, but is well on her way. Interestingly, she is coming at it from writing. She'll write notes and tidbits, spelling words out phonetically. One day she wrote "lave" (love) in a note to me. Sometimes she turns it into a game; spelling out words and seeing how I read it. One time it was "cerit" (carrot).

Of course she's always asking what certain things say and has a growing repertoire of words she recognizes.

Yesterday while we were in the car, she got such a thrill. "Mom," she asked, "does o-f-f spell off?" I affirmed her suspicions and was so tickled at her obvious pride and thrill at reading a new word.

Jan 13, 2012
Since I started this post, Summer's repertoire of words she can read has been exploding. She read "post card" the other night, "pull" in the car, and dozen's of others. She's getting excellent in sounding out words and is so confident. It's brilliant to watch Aidan with her; he's so proud and supportive of her, while being a great help to her process. He'll patiently suggest to, for example, try the "uh sound" when helping her read 'Canada'.

It sure helps that books are a huge part of all of our lives. Reading becomes inevitable. It'll be so nice when Summer joins the ranks of the literate! In any case, it's a fun process and I'm enjoying every moment.

An Exceptional Life

2012-01-10T23:30:00.001-08:00

An exceptional life. We can all have one; regardless of relationships, money flow or health. We can all have an exceptional life. All we need to do is choose to. It is absolutely, 100 percent our individual choice. Nice to know!

My kids are so wise in so many ways, but sometimes quite frankly they're not. I watch either one of them get stuck in a way of thinking and they turn a potentially wonderful moment into a horrible one, all with the power of their thoughts. And of course we all do this; it's just easier to see it in my kids, as it's often exaggerated due to the acuteness of their feelings and young age.

So I've made up my mind to have an exceptional life, to change around old worn out patterns of thought that don't serve me anymore. I've been learning just how powerful thoughts can be to shape our perception of reality - even our reality itself. Thoughts are everything.

And life is so beautiful and sweet. So I've been enjoying embarking on one of life's greatest adventures - creating little people from scratch - with a new outlook, with a sense of joy and wonder free from worry and fear. It's such a blessing to venture here one last time from a more expansive perspective.

I'm having the best pregnancy of my life. I don't really even feel pregnant most of the time, although I look adorable. I have no fears about our future. Everything keeps getting better and better. Life only improves, growing richer, more vibrant and blissful.

And I feel the life inside me. I feel our child move and stir; one of the most delicious sensations we get to experience in our lifetime. I am so glad I get to be a woman and to experience this, to grow and nurture a life inside. Even birthing: it is so powerful and transformative, I feel blessed to experience it. Especially as I now know that birth is not designed to be painful, in fact it has the full potential to be blissful.

So. Much joy is in store for us. Much growth. Much laughter.

Servus Swimming Begins!

2012-01-10T20:42:00.000-08:00

Today we went swimming at Servus Place in St. Albert and got a one month pass. The kids had a brilliant time, floating in the various pools, swimming along the river, playing in the hot tub and especially, riding the waterslides. That's right, on Summer's urging, we ventured over to the waterslides and it turned out to be a big hit. They went again and again and again and again and again and again. You get the idea.

After we finished with the pool, the kids spent some time in the indoor play area. The facilities also include a skating area and full gym (nice for me to sneak off some evenings for a bit of a work out).

They are keen and eager to go back. I have a feeling we are going to have a very wet month!

Adventures at the World of Science

2012-01-09T20:05:00.001-08:00

The World of Science has a new small person play area which is fantastic (it replaces the old Discovery Zone). It still has a construction area, a water play area, as well as a pretend play area and baby/toddler zone.

It opened up on Boxing Day and we had visited a couple times during the holidays but it was insanely busy. I chose to return today, the first day of school. I knew there would be no field trips yet and most of the population over 5 would be otherwise engaged.

The Cozy Routines of Winter

2012-01-09T13:48:00.001-08:00

I love the cozy routines of winter. Not that we're having much of a winter mind you. It's amazing: January and there's been no opportunity for sledding yet. There's more grass than snow and temperatures barely necessitate our winter coats. But the routines remain. My favorite winter routine is lighting of candles.

Every night I light several tea lights that go in various holders. When I'm done, our hallway is gently lit, as is our kitchen table, bedroom and bathrooms. Some of my holders are the orange salt stones that lend such a beautiful ambiance to our home. Complete the mood with soothing, soft music, and I am in delight. If the nights just right for it, after our family reading time - where I knit as Sean reads the next chapter in our book - and after my nightly yoga, I'll end it with an enchanting candle lit bubble bath before crawling into bed with a good book.

The kids are at a nice point now where if they stay up late, they'll put themselves to bed. They're sleeping together in Aidan's bed every night. Mostly it works out well.

I don't know if others appreciate our evening winter rituals as much as I do. But for me, it fulfills me.

Life is good. We are so blessed.

Dancing at the Symphony

2012-01-07T23:12:00.001-08:00

This weekends kid's symphony was super exciting with Irish dancers that could give Riverdance a run for their money, swing dancers, a great high school choral group, and Cirque de Soliel style acrobatics.

For the pre-show, the kids made paper plate shakers, drummed, and played with rhythmic gymnastic style ribbons.

After, we followed our tradition of going out for ice cream. Special measures for special days.

Knitted Ball-Stay-Putter

2012-01-07T22:51:00.001-08:00

I've been having a great pregnancy. In fact, I hardly feel pregnant at all. I definitely have no typical sore back that my pregnancy apps tell me should be 'old friends' by now. Some of the things I feel have helped is: doing yoga five times a week, never bending forward - always squatting instead, as well as sitting on a birth/sports ball at the kitchen table.

The ball helps me maintain great posture and just feels great to use. A disadvantage to it however, is that it's a pain in the butt in our small dining area. Being a ball and all, it does have a tendency to roll (and constantly be in everyone's way).

We looked into ball chairs to begin with; a support with casters. But it would put the ball too high up, making it not fit under the table anymore. I was also concerned that it'd make the ball too high up for my legs, and I enjoy rocking my hips while I sit on it (something I couldn't do in a ball chair).

It dawned on me one day, all we need is a plastic tube of sorts, perhaps made out of plumbing or construction material. Something just to hold it in place. I thought some more then realized I could knit the thing just as easily, stuffing it to provide the needed structure.

So I set to work using stash yarn. A little later I had a lovely knit donut that now works as a perfect ball-stay-putter. It works perfectly!

Elimination Communication

2012-01-04T23:41:00.001-08:00

One of the initial reservations Sean had about having a third baby was diapers. We have always gone cloth, so he wasn't keen with the idea of disposables, but he was also not keen on dipping his hands in ice freezing cold toilet water for the next couple of years to clean poopy diapers. I was in total agreement. To add to the concerns, our kids suffered from some horrible rashes and sometimes even sores on account of the cloth diapers (when we weren't vigilant enough on our changes). Diapers are problematic.

As it turns out, there is an alternative. As it turns out, diapers aren't really necessary at all. Half our world doesn't use diapers at all and have babies toilet trained by 12 months instead of our societies average of 3 years. But you don't need to live in a third world in order to avoid a dependency on diapers. Welcome to the concept of 'Elimination Communication' (EC).

I first heard of going diaper free from some homeschooling friends. I know a couple of families who have done it with great success. I had heard about it after Summer was out of diapers. So in light of our diapering reservations, it just makes sense to give it a try.

I'm reading a book on EC right now that's very enlightening. People do it in many different ways: it could be complete or full time, part time or even occasional. It can even be done with a heavy reliance on diapers (and some people do it only to catch poops, not worrying about catching pees until later). The main point of it is learning to recognize our baby's communications of his elimination needs. Like most animals, we are naturally hygienic and don't like to soil ourselves. This begins at birth. No baby likes to be in a soiled diaper. Right from the beginning, our babies give us cues of their elimination needs - just like they give cues to their feeding needs. All we need to do is learn to recognize the cues and act accordingly. And it's not so hard or time consuming as it might sound. Especially as it can be done to whatever extent works for you, in any given day, and in many different ways. It's all about communication.

Many infants that are EC'd from birth are actively letting their parents know when they have to go by 3 months old. Lots are toilet trained by 8 to 12 months. So what seems like a bit more work in the beginning (which is debatable anyway, as cleaning poopy diapers is a lot of work too, especially with cloth), pays off with a lot less work later on. And babies are much happier, not having to get used to soiling themselves.

It just makes a lot of sense to me. As I've always been into baby wearing, it makes it easier too, as I can easily pay attention to the signs of needing to go. And most infants settle into a pretty regular and predictable pattern of elimination, making it easier to anticipate needs.

Life's an adventure! And I'm looking forward to this one.

It's a Boy!!!

2012-01-03T18:32:00.001-08:00

We had our ultrasound today! Our little baby looks beautiful and lovely and absolutely perfect!! It was such a thrill!

And my long time suspicions of a boy turn out to be correct. Summer was a little disappointed, as she says she prefers girls. I know she'll get over it though; she's still very excited as well.

Oh happy day!

New Years Day

2012-01-03T08:54:00.001-08:00

I'm blessed to get each year off to a terrific start, as mom and Doug take me with them to the annual 5K Resolution Run. This year, on account of baby, I walked it along with mom. It was a beautiful, crisp morning walk, and we had a great time.

But my new year didn't actually start there. Summer had this idea the night before of making me breakfast in bed. She managed to get up in time and she and Aidan served me a cucumber sandwich, made just the way I like it with ground pepper and everything, two apples and a banana. It was a lovely breakfast and I just had time enough to eat it before heading on my way. The kids declared that they'll make me breakfast in bed for all time to come.

Today is January 3, and they're still making me breakfast in bed each day. Not a bad way to start off the year!

Today is the day we have our ultrasound. I hope to have a chance to find out whether I'm growing a baby boy or a baby girl! I've been very excited for this day.

Just finished my cucumber sandwich in bed. Better go start my day!

New Years 2012

2011-12-31T23:46:00.001-08:00

December 30, 2011

Well folks, 2012. It's going to be the best year of my life. How do I know that? Because each year has just gotten better and better, more and more glorious, more and more joyful - with greater ease and flow. Each year has been the best year of my life.

We're making more money then we ever have in our lives. I have children that bring endless delight to my days. I have a husband that I love more now than I ever knew was possible - 15 years of delicious aging like a well prized vintage wine. We have a family that loves and supports us and is always there when we need them. We have our health, good food to eat, a beautiful home that we truly love and a lifestyle of freedom and ease that we are so blessed to have.

Each day is such a joy to be alive!

And we even have a new life growing inside me. So many adventures ahead as our family expands!

So I am filled with joy. It is going to be magical. Our lives just improve with each passing moment. Life is good.

Welcome to the most exciting year of our lives.

New years resolutions? To be good to myself; kinder to myself. To take care of myself. Then all the rest follows. Because when I'm good to me: I'm keeping my home tidy and clean, I'm eating well and exercising, I'm kind and good to my kids, and I am joyful and full of love. When I take care of me, I have the most to give to others. It all begins from within.

Blessings of love and joy to all. Have a happy, joyfully, blissful new year!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Solar Creations

2011-12-26T11:31:00.001-08:00

Aidan received a solar kit for Yule from his aunt and uncle. The kit could make a solar car, a solar windmill, a solar boat, a solar airplane or solar puppy.

Aidan had great fun trying out the different configurations and is even able to put it together himself.

My personal favorite was the solar puppy. He trembles with excitement while wagging his tail. Way too cute!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Yule Has Come!

2011-12-22T19:40:00.001-08:00

"This is the best Yule!" Summer exclaimed early Yule morning after finishing with her stocking. Dad mumbled in bed "Well, our job is done." I smiled. As the day progressed I felt I had to agree; it was indeed about the best Yule ever.

After unwrapping our gifts, we enjoyed a quiet day of Yule music, playing games, baking, going through our presents and playing with toys. In the evening we headed to Serena's for our family dinner and gift exchange.

My latest knitting project has been a Ravenclaw house scarf for my sister. It kept me very busy this month; being quite wide, double sided and over five feet long, it was really a whole sweaters worth of knitting to it. I got it done just a couple days before it was due to hand over.

Microscopic Adventures

2011-12-14T21:12:00.001-08:00

We've recently been given a 50 year old Woodward's microscope. Wow, what a sturdy piece of equipment it is. I've got to say it: they just don't make them like they used to. Right away the kids were anxious to pull it out and start looking at little stuff.

We looked at the typical prepared slides: bee leg, moth antennae, things like that. Then we moved to having fun with household materials. We looked at sugar, compared it to salt, and Aidan looked at things like crumbs. It was tricky, as the old slipcovers were made out of thinner-than-paper glass. All you had to do was look at them and they'd practically break.

Dad and I tried to prick ourselves, to no avail, to get some blood to look at. We weren't thwarted for long however, as that was the night that Aidan lost his second incisor on Summer's head. Lo and behold, we had blood. There wasn't too much to see; no individual cells or anything. But we could see the cells moving around on the slide which was very cool.

Aidan's interest began by looking through the Usborne book on the microscope. It features spectacular images; I highly recommend the book.

Goofus MacToothless

2011-12-12T15:25:00.001-08:00

Aidan used to have a nickname. Goofus MacToofus. I don't have a clue where it came from: just one of those things that was said on an occasion and it stuck. Well now, instead of Goofus MacToofus, he is officially Goofus MacToothless.

He lost the first maxillary incisor Saturday morning over breakfast at grandma's house. It was his desire manifest; all week he was hoping it would hold on until the sleepover for grandma. It had a tenuous hold - able to spin 180 degrees and pull in to a virtual supine position. But it lasted! And that night the tooth fairy brought book 4 of the Magic Treehouse series.

The adjacent tooth was also quite loose but looked like it would hold for another week. A little rough housing with his sister and bang, it was gone the next day. Aidan lost his second tooth. But then mom managed to lose it a second time while cleaning dinner dishes. How? I have no clue and am utterly confounded to this day (the next day). Hours was spent in fruitless search. Luckily, Aidan wasn't upset at all and both dad and I were able to reassure him with accounts of the tooth fairy still coming, despite missing teeth. So we wound up writing a note to let her know (and she wrote one back letting Aidan know that he'd be surprised at just how many mother's lose their kids teeth before she gets to them, and that it was no matter, she gets lots and it's all about the celebration of his growing up anyway). She gave him the next book of the book series for his gift.

Aidan speaks all funny now, I love it! He's enjoying his new sounds as well. The adventures of youth!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Final Dance Class

2011-12-08T16:58:00.001-08:00

Wednesday was Summer's last dance class. Parents were invited to watch the kids perform moves they learned over the course of the last ten weeks.

Summer was wonderful and a natural performer. In the end, they all received a graduation certificate from their teacher.

(The drawing behind Summer is of her and I kissing and hugging. She drew it yesterday).

She's excited to take more classes in the future. She just loves to dance!

Holiday Party

2011-12-07T19:12:00.001-08:00

This weekend we had a blast at the Cash Store corporate holiday party. In previous years they've had a formal dinner for adults. Last year they also had a kids party. This year they attempted to combine the two into one party (it was essentially just like the previous kids party but with the inclusion of a free bar for those that don't mind drinking between the hours of 1 and 3).

It was held at the Seniors Centre in the inner city, which turned out to be a very nice place. The kids made crafts, got sparkle tattoos and decorated gingerbread men. We all took pictures together in the photo booth (see the photo above). Lunch was kid friendly fare and afterwards Santa came with awesome gifts. Teenagers were getting $50 gift cards! I was impressed. Aidan got a Lego Kingdoms 365 piece set - a very cool castle - and Summer got a fuzzy creature fun run in a box almost as big as her. They simply adored their gifts. Aidan's castle was up and running within an hour of getting home, so was the critter run.

The kids enjoyed getting pictures with Santa too before racing home with their booty.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Gingerbread House

2011-12-05T21:02:00.001-08:00

After the race, we went home to build our mega-super-crazy-big-what-was-I-thinking-gingerbread house kit. I bought it for $40, instead of our traditional $10 model. Somehow I wasn't really recalling how we never really finish eating the darn thing anyway. I think I had been enamoured with the idea of all the extra decorating surface (and all the extra icing).

In any case, I've made a mental note to remember for next year. In the meantime, we had a blast putting it together. It was a bit of a fiasco, as I made the first batch of icing too thin. It took hours for the roof to stop falling, and one wall just wouldn't stop caving in; it had a strong ambition to be supine. We lost that battle in the end.

And let the decorating begin!

And for the grand finale...drum roll please... I present, the Gingerbread Manor!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Santa Shuffle Fun Run

2011-12-05T20:43:00.001-08:00

This weekend we braved Hawrelak Park for the Santa Shuffle Fun Run and Elf Walk with grandma and grandpa. There really wasn't much braving going on however, as the temperature was a balmy -1. It was also snowing: big, beautiful, luscious flakes. It was spectacular. There were fun costumes, from Santas to gingerbread men. Our team was named Grandma's Reindeers and we sported antlers as we circled the park.

Summer is the running keener. She just loves to run! She's also very interested in the winners and how people win the races.
We all ran and walked alternately 2.5 K.

The kids are all revved up for their next run happening in the new year!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Workbooks

2011-11-28T15:06:00.001-08:00

Workbooks can be fun. All day today the kids have spent immersed in workbooks. Aidan discovered the joy of graphing and loved it. He played with sequencing, counting money and telling time as well. Summer enjoyed exploring phonics. She wants to know how to read and write - NOW!

Aidan couldn't break for lunch, he was having so much fun.

Aidan's graphing introduction.

Aidan enjoyed cutting out these early reading tools for Summer.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Kids Symphony!

2011-11-28T14:42:00.001-08:00

The kids symphony this week was an introduction to the orchestra. It was a very fun afternoon, with a harpist and cello soloist, a vocalist and even the chance to hear the Winspear's larger-than-a-house organ. They demonstrated each family of instruments and we heard some great music.

The craft for the event was Make Your Own Kazoo.

Summer tried the violin at the 'petting zoo.'

Waiting for the show to start!

More waiting...

Later at home, the kids try out dad's old trumpet.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Embroidery

2011-11-28T14:28:00.001-08:00

The kids spent a dedicated day embroidering for presents.

Aidan's embroidered card, completed all by himself.

This was the inside of the card.

Aidan made an embroidered flower pin out of felt and stuffing.

Summer created an embroidered heart with feather. She even embroidered the surrounding edge of the heart.

Summer's embroidered card.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

2nd Trimester

2011-11-21T20:56:00.001-08:00

I'm in the second trimester and feeling loads better. My first trimester wasn't as rough as my previous pregnancies but there was definitely a tough week or two when pregnancy hormones were at their peek. I've been wearing maternity clothes for a couple of weeks now, as my regular clothes are already too small.

Our baby is about the size of a kiwi this week (the fruit not the bird), just over two inches long. It looks like a real baby now - all the trimmings - just smaller. I've felt flutterings of movement for a week now; not constantly - its rare and a have to 'listen' closely to my body, but it's there. Apparently I'm not supposed to feel it yet, even though he's moving. But then I also knew I was pregnant within days of conceiving, I just could physically feel it, so I suppose there are no hard and fast rules.

I have no cravings and my appetite has been normal. My current joy is eating frozen orange juice like a slushy. Bliss!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Marine Life

2011-11-20T20:32:00.001-08:00

A couple of months ago, the kids went to West Edmonton Mall and had a tremendously fun time exploring the sea life there. They were amazed to pet the sting rays, and watch the sharks and penguins. Summer even got a kiss by a sea lion. I've been meaning to post these pics for awhile.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Yule Decorating!

2011-11-20T20:25:00.001-08:00

There's very little that beats the simple joys of putting up the Yule decorations. The kids talked us into doing it early; this weekend was the compromise. It seemed fitting anyway, with all the snow storms passing through.

Up goes the tree, on goes the tunes, singing, pickle finding, reminiscing as each decoration goes up, each with its own story. A fun, merry day indeed. Pictures just can't capture the warmth and joy! But here they are anyway.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Knit Hat with Cable

2011-11-20T20:13:00.001-08:00

Needed a hat. Nice, warm, beautiful hat. And what a great opportunity to try my hand at cables! I've wanted to for a long time; they make me think of Celtic knots and I just love them. I knew they'd be pretty easy and they were. So fun too!

Now my head is toasty warm. Its a beautiful, soft wool. I'm even finding it helps keep me warm around our poorly insulated home. Yay! Hat head here we come!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Farm Fair

2011-11-15T11:33:00.000-08:00

The last couple of weeks have been a blur of karate classes, dance classes and Games Day's. This weekend we ventured to Northlands for a Farm Fair which Sean had tickets to from his boss (they took him and a visiting employee from the UK to their first rodeo this week).

The Farm Fair wasn't much of a farm fair to be honest. It was largely just rows and rows of vendors selling pretty much everything from indoor heaters and vegetable choppers to hot tubs and jewellery. Eventually we wandered around enough to find a remote area that had a couple of ponies, three baby pigs, and a handful of chickens with some teen chicks. Score! There was also a woman giving a demonstration on natural horsemanship which was neat to catch a bit of: She showed us how horses could be taught to go where you wanted them too without mouthbits and reigns, just using body language.

The kids had a great time anyway. There was an area with carnival rides - things the kids have never gone on. They even went on their first roller coaster. It was a fun family outing, even if not what we were expecting.

Straped into their first ride.

Can you spot the blur that is Aidan and Summer?

Halloween!

2011-11-01T14:46:00.000-07:00

On the way out to trick-or-treat.

Because of our busy weekend (symphony, orgami fest on saturday and my nephew's birthday party on sunday), we didn't have a chance to carve our pumpkins until Halloween day itself. We hadn't even picked them up yet. It turns out that Halloween day is a pretty good day to pick up pumpkins. At Sobey's they were free - the kids were even given Halloween helium balloons to take home. So we picked up six pumpkins and had a busy afternoon of carving, carving, carving, and more carving. The kids each carved two, I carved one and Sean carved one when he came home. I cleaned six.

5 of our six pumpkins.

The sixth pumpkin. It sat up on the step.

Dad gets into the spirit of things to take the kids out.

The kids were so exhilarated when they came back two hours later, barely able to carry their huge bags of candy.

Roasted pumpkin seeds anyone?
We have just a few.

Of Symphony's and Paper

2011-11-01T14:05:00.000-07:00

The view from our season ticket seats for the kid's symphony.

We had the joy of listening to music from the Harry Potter movies live at the symphony this saturday, as the first installment of the kid's symphony series. It was Summer's first time joining us: we went as a whole family and had so much fun. The kids enjoyed dressing up in the Hogwart's student robes for the events and got to make wands at the pre-show craft table.

Pre-show craft: the kids make wands.

Paper turned out to be a bit of a weekend theme. Friday afternoon's Games Day saw us making paper mache bowls in the music room. We've been enjoying our Games Day friday's at Argyll this year: good turn out of families, fun free play in the gym, swap shop and crafts!

Paper mache at Games Day.

Before heading to the symphony on saturday, we stopped off at the downtown library to check out the Orgami Festival. It was fascinating to see the paper constructions our local paper folders have made and fun to try our own hands at various orgami creations.

Paper folding coolness. Made out of business cards.

These orgami shoes were the size of a man's thumb nail.

DIY orgami!

Sean gets stumped. Sometimes it's tougher than it looks.

Halloween Walk

2011-10-25T12:23:00.000-07:00

The pumpkins the kids carved to take down to the walk.
Left is Aidan's, right is Summer's.

Every year HLSA, one of our local homeschooling groups, puts on a Halloween Walk. Each year something has come up to prevent us from making it. This year I was determined.

And how glad I was that we made it! We all had a blast. It takes place down at Hawrelak Park. There's a big bonfire, lots of potlucks snacks, hot apple cidar and lots of great friends. Each year there is a new storyline for the walk. The actors are parents and older children and lead the younger children through the walk, where we stop at scenes and the story progresses. Along the way, the kids are given treasures for their baskets and candy at the end of the line. The walkway is lined with lit pumpkins that give the whole thing a fabulous, spooky ambiance.

The weather was spectacular for late fall. We wore ample layers but didn't need too. The kids enjoyed running around in the dark, dueling with their new wands. As soon as we were through the Walk, the kids excitedly announced that they wanted to make sure to do it again next year. I think this will be the newest family Halloween tradition.

The kids dressed up in their Hogwarts robes (their Halloween costume this year).
In their hands are their new dueling wands.

The boys chill by the fire.

Nature Walk in the Valley

2011-10-25T12:06:00.000-07:00

Posting has been delayed as the BlogPress app no longer works with the iOS5 update. They're working on an update but it's been awhile in coming. Thus I am forced back on to my laptop.

A couple of weekends ago now, Aidan had an awesome idea of going on a Nature Walk down by the river valley. The kids scurried around to find notebooks and when we got there, they drew trees, bushes, made leaf imprints and kept notable sticks and leaves. While there, we had a bit of a picnic and found a cache.

Summer and her finds.

Taking notes.

On our way we found one of the coolest geocaching hides ever.

The sand was so soft and silky, cascading like waterfalls when touched.

Sean infront of the river.

Summer and I played in leaves.

So cozy!

Baby Bellies

2011-10-11T21:15:00.001-07:00

At 4 weeks along.

At just about 8 weeks. Pants aren't fitting.

Right now the baby is about the size of a blueberry and has a beating heart. I've been feeling a bit nauseous, but scores better than my previous pregnancies. Getting lots of sleep seems to be the most crucial element in how I'm feeling. I've gained 1 pound.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Long Weekend Activities

2011-10-11T12:06:00.001-07:00

Here are a series of photos from our weekend activities.

Saturday began with a wedding.

Kids pose in their finery.

We got back and put up Halloween decorations.

We like skulls.

Sunday we spent at a play park. This is from Monday, where we got a new geocache in at Lake Beaumaris.

Summer and I harvested carrots for our thanksgiving feast. We lit candles, had a black forest ham with garlic roasted potatoes, fresh carrots from the garden, pineapple, strawberry and raspberry fruit salad, garlic bread and a green salad. For dessert we had two home-made pumpkin pies (the best part of all).

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Just Dance!

2011-10-05T16:47:00.001-07:00

Summer had her first dance class ever today at Alberta Dance. She had been excited about it, but on the drive there - in which I was operating off two hours sleep, having returned from a birth around 7:30 AM - she announced that she refused to go. She did not want to go. She absolutely would not. Silent tears fell down her face. The classes were paid for.

Now, I know fear when I see it. I was surprised, as Summer has been taking Karate lessons with her brother without issue. But I guess the notion of being without her brother was enough to incite her trepidation.

I tried everything. Two hours sleep. I'm not turning back now. She had been excited even climbing into the car! I know she'll have a great time. She won't budge. 'Please mom!'

Eventually, she came in. She only entered the room on the proviso that we were only watching from the side. The class was full of little ones, all looking as terrified as Summer. When the kids were to sit on their 'landing pad', I went with her and sat right behind her. She grudgingly found that arrangement acceptable.

Two minutes into the class, she was clearly enjoying herself. Another minute or two, I backed away and Summer was on a roll.

She was like a shooting star dancing across the night sky. She positively shone! It was clear she was in her element.

And she had such a blast! She was so glad she persevered. Next week, classes continue with parents out of the room (and she's even fine with that).

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

May 31st

2011-10-02T20:58:00.001-07:00

Impromptu Learning

2011-09-30T21:19:00.001-07:00

The thing I love about owning lots of books is the capacity for impromptu learning. Tonight for instance, Summer pulled out a book on Anatomy and Physiology and we poured over it together for almost two hours. By the time we were done, she knew the internal organs and systems better then many adults. You can't plan learning like that. At least not learning so rich and effective, led by the impetus and interest of the child. To her, it wasn't learning. It was simply having fun!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Arts Celebration Day

2011-09-30T20:21:00.001-07:00

Today we went on a field trip to the Jubilee auditorium for Arts Celebration Day. It was a fascinating adventure. We progressed through stations at different places in the building. First, we heard from an artist. He discussed the sculpture he had made of music (see photo above); what different parts represented and what techniques he used to get the various effects out of the copper. It was fascinating.

At the next station there was a tenor and a soprano who sang opera for us. I think the kids were a little blown away.

At our next station, a musician demonstrated her violin, her double bass and bass guitar, while talking about her life as a musician.

We skipped the next station (as it was getting a little long for Summer by this time) and hopped in to the last one where we heard a ballerina talk. I hoped she'd dance for us, but it turned out to be more of a talk on dancers, point shoes and tutus. I was interested but the kids by this time had had enough. I was surprised to learn that point shoes cost $150, custom made for each ballerina, and that during a show the shoes only lasted one night! The kids however haven't seen ballet yet and didn't realize what point shoes even were. No matter; YouTube to the rescue!

It was a great morning, well worth actually making an effort to be up and about with the early birds. It finished on a delightfully sweet note, as the kids were given a bag of jujubes each on our way out. Jujubes at the Jube (someone had fun with that one)!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

No Where To Go

2011-09-27T08:36:00.001-07:00

We've been so busy lately that I was thrilled to look at my calendar and see there was absolutely no where we had to go today. Yay! A day at home just enjoying the fact that we exist.

I think we'll start on "Wonderstruck," Brian Selznick's new novel. Maybe watch "Migration" or a movie about life in the womb of cats and dogs. I know we'll play outside, bask in the sun and soak in this glorious day.

100 Caches

2011-09-25T21:11:00.001-07:00

It started a week ago when Sean, upon noticing we had 83 geocaches found, suggested we set a goal to reach a hundred before winter begins. It sounded like a good idea and reachable goal. We soon realized that, at the rate we started to pick up more caches, we actually were likely to reach a hundred before our one year anniversary of geocaching (as we began last year, October).

Today, we did it. With 98 caches found, we ventured to Emily Murphy Park for a Sunday of geocaching fun.

The kids had a blast. The trails were so beautiful with fall foliage everywhere and the temperature was again balmy; in fact, it was the hottest day of the year! We took a lot of hidden paths, took some treacherous climbs and all around had a grand old adventure, ending with a picnic in the park. We found 4 caches and completed 3 challenges.

A perfect fall day for a walk in the woods.

The kids loved throwing rocks into the river.

A rare sighting of the usual photographer.

Our 100th geocache: "Daddy-o's Oh Canada."

Our 100 in leaves. If you look closely you'll see the completion of one of our challenges: Clan O'Brien spelled from materials in nature, in this case twigs. It's subtle.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Geocaching Saturday

2011-09-24T23:18:00.001-07:00

It turned out to be a hot balmy September day as Sean and I headed out for an afternoon of geocaching. The kids were still with grandma, following a sleepover evening. We explored up by the Sturgeon River in St. Albert.

These pillars for an unfinished highway looked oddly out of place; like
Roman or Greek pillars from a day gone by. For some reason, it looked surreal.

View crossing the river.

Found it!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Geocaching Challenges

2011-09-24T11:56:00.001-07:00

A month ago a new feature on geocaching began: the geocaching challenge! We learnt about it today. Oh the potential for free family outdoor fun!

No caches involved. No GPS needed. We have accepted 9 so far and completed one. Here's our list of challenges we plan on completing:
1. Take a picture near the surface of the North Saskatchewan River.
2. Take a picture with the Wayne Gretzky statue outside of Rexall.
3. Take a picture of your geocaching name made out of materials from nature.
4. Take an interesting picture with the statue of the guy sitting at the park picnic table in Little Italy. (Sean thought of staging a chess game with him. I thought it'd be cool to stage a picnic with the dude).
5. Take a picture of yourself next to a sign of a city that has a namesake in another country. (Lucky for us there's an Edmonton, Kentucky)
6. Pick up ten pieces of litter at a park. If a thousand people complete this challenge, the caching community will have cleaned up ten thousand pieces of litter. (3,382 have completed so far, just over 6,000 have accepted it).
7. Take a picture of yourself in a pirate pose on a boat.
8. Take a picture of your finger on a recognizable landmark.
9. Take a picture of yourself on a beautiful hiking trail.

We completed our first challenge last night: go watch a sunset from an outdoor scenic location you've never been to. Last night we visited Canossa Lake to geocache and happened to watch a beautiful sunset amidst the golden autumn trees.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Dragonskin Wand Cases

2011-09-19T21:31:00.001-07:00

My newest knit: dragon skin wand cases for the kids. They came from the Harry Potter knitting book. Both have removeable i-cord straps. Aidan's also has a belt loop on the back for a different optional way to wear it. They're different sizes, as they're made from different yarn. Summer's is a light mercerized cotton. But when we went to locate the same yarn in blue, Sean couldn't find any. This bulkier yarn was his choice and Aidan was happy enough with it.

Wand cases in action!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Autumn Joy

2011-09-19T08:34:00.001-07:00

As the seasons turn, I am filled with such delight. I guess I make a great Canadian. I love the cold creeping into our days and nights and beds. I love the coziness of it. As the chill creeps in, I love the pull to the blankets, sweaters, warm foods, hot chocolate and tea, and the cuddles for body heat. So delicious. And while we get cozy, the harvest is at it's height. Food delicious and bountiful from our gardens. Sunflowers tall and regal, fluttering with happy birds and harvest. And of course there's the trees. Talk about delicious! Yellows and reds, intermingled with lingering greens - everywhere we look is nature's art display. And it's free to behold!

What can be as fine, as a beautiful autumn day?

A Crafty Welcome

2011-09-18T22:38:00.001-07:00

To do something special for grandma and grandpa Doug coming home, the kids opted to make a welcome sign. For three weeks we had been watching their home while they were away. Our main purpose was keeping their solitary kitty from getting too lonely. Towards that end, we visited daily and spent many evenings just hanging out with her, playing games, watching movies and doing reading time.

Aidan wrote the letters and together Summer and Aidan coloured them and decorated the pages with stickers and stamps. Okay, I coloured a letter or two also. It's fun crafting together, at least once in awhile.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Fall-oween Harvest Festival

2011-09-18T21:29:00.001-07:00

Today we journeyed to Bon Accord for Prairie Garden's "Fall-oween Harvest Festival." It's an annual fall tradition (although we usually go towards the end of October for the "Haunted Pumpkin Festival." My calendar however is rather booked up for the second half of October and it was also nice to visit while the weather is still warm).

We spent a long time getting lost in the maze!

We collected letters to solve the riddle of the maze. I must admit that it ended with a google search however.

The girls were the first out.

We had an awesome time. They have an amazing corn maze, petting farm, gem mining, interactive family theatre, play area, straw bale maze, kids corn mazes, wagon rides, Pirate Pull, and lots, lots more. The weather was indeed perfect.

We explored the Enchanted Forest.

The kids had fun gem mining. They each found a shark tooth, several small nuggets of gold and some pretty stones.

Summer got cat face painting, Aidan asked for a dog.

This structure stood in the middle of a smaller maze over by the peacock aviary. A Burning Man? I have no idea.

These bunnies were two weeks old. They looked exactly what I imagine Pygmy Puffs must look like (but perhaps less colourful).

Dad feeds Llamas with Summer.

Before heading home, we had a blast finishing the day off with geocaching. We found several. One was even a First To Find cache released just today!

Our second geocache of the day was a particularly fun find.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Gratitude

2011-09-13T23:09:00.001-07:00

The days are so beautiful it feels like the middle of summer; sunny skies, hot temperatures, sweet breezes. It is delicious. So today, I write of gratitude.

I am grateful for the air that fills my lungs and nourishes me. I am grateful for the ring of laughing voices in the neighborhood, the distant cries of coyotes and the tinkling sound of a kitty returning home. I am grateful for the health of my body, for the trillions of cells that operate so efficiently and fastidiously to keep me thriving and strong. I am grateful for the wisdom, innocence and joy of my children - the great gurus of my life. I am grateful for how they challenge me daily; nudging me to be more, love more, expand more, each and every day. I am grateful for my spouse; so easy going and quick witted. He tempers my fires (and craziness) and never fails to make me laugh, supports me unconditionally while never compromising himself. I am grateful for all my family: supportive and loving - I can't tell you how much I appreciate you. I am grateful for our home that fits us so perfectly, that we love so completely. I am grateful for the passions that fill me, for a world that never ceases to titillate and inspire me. I am grateful for my age; a time I had once thought was old and now know to be just the beginning. I am grateful for my capacity for joy and my capacity for peace. I'm grateful for my beautiful life, for having space and time to breathe, to raise our children and just *be*, to watch the garden grow, to revel in the exploration of the world with my natural learning kids. I am grateful for the riches of our life and all the choices open to us. I am grateful to know that it is all okay, that there are no problems that exist outside of our thoughts. I am grateful for the love that fills this world, for the wonder all around us and the expansion of the very universe itself.

In joy and love dear ones. Have a spectacular night/day/life!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Growing Crystals

2011-09-12T11:23:00.001-07:00

We grabbed a two dollar crystal growing kit last time we were at the museum. It took a couple of weeks for our crystals to grow (and most of them grew around the margins of the containers they were in and not on the rocks). Still for two dollars, not bad.

After a couple of weeks, we saw the start of the growth.

Finished crystals (died with food coloring)!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

First Class

2011-09-09T22:23:00.001-07:00

Aidan was thrilled to get a uniform for his first registered class. His sensei was impressed with his degree of focus. It was a fun start! Now he has a month of unlimited classes to enjoy.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Karate!

2011-09-07T19:57:00.001-07:00

The kids had a Karate class tonight! They both enjoyed it. Aidan wants to continue on with it, while Summer's a bit more ambivalent (so will hold off for a bit).

We went to the Desa School for Karate, in St. Albert. It was recommended to us from another homeschooling family. I was impressed with the sensei and instructors. The class was well organized and maintained, and despite having other dojo's even closer, we feel this one is right for us.

Aidan's next class will be on Friday, at which point he'll get his new uniform!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Art Work

2011-09-07T13:29:00.000-07:00

Here's my attempt to catch up on posting highlights of the kids art work. Aidan's going to take art classes with Margot Solstice at The Paint Spot again this term. As long as she gets enough kids to make the class a go!

Aidan's train and car. Gotta love the falling guy.

Summer's abstract, with mom.

Summer's pirate ship and pirates.

Aidan's cartoon face.

Summer's mom.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Wagner Caching

2011-09-04T19:50:00.001-07:00

Today we spent the afternoon exploring Wagner Natural Area while geocaching. It was a hot and humid day, so the kids didn't last too long. We found some good cache's though, and the kids enjoyed playing with wooly bear caterpillars. They've never seen them before!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

World of Science Adventures

2011-09-04T19:44:00.001-07:00

Did you know that scorpions live in Alberta? Cute little tiny ones. Every time we come to the World of Science we learn new things, despite going regularly for the past five or six years.

Summer performed surgery, putting organs back in a model. The kids demonstrated their knowledge of organs, from lungs to liver, in the process.

We watched The Secrets of the Cardboard Rocket, which takes us on a voyage throughout our solar system, in the star theatre.

We also watched a star theatre show we've never seen before called "The Molecularium.". It was a great introduction to atoms and molecules as building blocks to all matter. Very cool.

Summer floats on the space shuttle.

Kids explore the senses at The Body exhibit.

Shopping in The Body exhibit.

So much produce, so little time!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Not Back to School!

2011-09-01T17:52:00.001-07:00

I always love when the first day of school rolls around. It's so exciting to *not* go. It's exciting to taste the freedom of personal choice; the air rich with the promise of new adventures on the horizon - all of our own making and design. So much to do! So much to learn! And government funding money to help make it happen.

The kids started the day by opening their Time Capsules written at the start of last school year. I think it was enjoyable for Aidan in particular to open his note that said "I love mi hose" (house had been the intention). It was fun seeing the progress in his printing and spelling over the year.

The first day of school we traditionally go to HLSA's Not Back To School picnic celebration. It was a beautiful day with scores of children running about all wild and free, playing in the trees, the playground and field. There were many happy families, with kids from babies to teens. Summer and Aidan had a blast.

I also enjoyed seeing a bunch of old faces and meeting a few new fresh, eager ones.

My personal adventure for the day: Carrying honey purchased from a local homeschooling family of beekeepers, I managed to have a bee fly up my pant leg. After stinging me not once, not twice, but four times around the groin area, I finally coaxed the vixen out, leading to a bit of an uncomfortable remainder of my afternoon!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

It Came to Me in a Dream

2011-08-25T19:37:00.001-07:00

The dream:

I had been at a hotel or something with my mother-in-law. I felt vaguely out of sorts and she was taking care of preparing her own food, which I felt bad about because she was my guest, so I should be doing it. Some other stuff, gave the rickety double seater wheel chair to the girl. I know. Weird. It's a dream, what do you expect.
Went home. When i got there, I discovered I left my son at the airport. There had been a ruckus, like a highjacking or something, and I had lost my son in all the commotion. I lost my son. Horror stricken, I made some calls, to no help, then raced back to look. The airport halls were largely empty, but the corners and crevasses were filled with lost children. I kept asking people if they've seen my lost son but no one had. I approached a huddle of children and asked if any of them had seen my lost son. They asked what he looked like and I described Aidan. Then Aidan appeared, out from the huddle, and I embraced him and cried with the ferocity of a mother who had indeed just lost her son. And I woke up and indeed I had. And I knew right away. I knew what the dream meant, and I knew in the feeling that was missing inside me. Just how I had known when I conceived, I knew when I had lost.

But it's all good folks. That was my good-bye. And I know if I conceive again the same little spirit will return to me. Nothing is lost, only delayed. If it was meant to be.

I purposefully left my last post with the notion that I trust to life, whatever it brings. I truly meant it and added it as a just-in-this-case. It's all good. We dance our dances, we live our lives, and sometimes we don't know what it's all for in the moment. That's why we have to find our peace and joy anyway, as we add to the story of our life.

PS - Apparently 1 in 3 pregnancies end in miscarriage.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

New Skills

2011-08-25T10:17:00.001-07:00

Summer has been working on learning how to tie a bow. I find it interesting; I remember Aidan was about the same age when he wanted to learn. He worked at it and worked at it, until eventually he could do it easily and expertly. It feels like a learning landmark; like learning to walk, ride a bike or read.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Baking Fun

2011-08-23T14:55:00.001-07:00

Summer wanted to cook yesterday. She picked out her recipe, Cinnamon Date Scones and we proceeded to gather up the ingredients. She made it almost completely by herself. I only read the ingredients, passed her the appropriate measuring cup or spoon and showed her how to get a proper measure, as learned in my own Home Ec classes gone by. She was very proud with the outcome and the scones were very scrumptious!

Getting butter ready to 'cut' into dry ingredients.

Kneeding the dough.

Cinnamon sugar sprinkled on top.

Ready to bake!

The best part of all!!

Science Experiments

2011-08-23T14:50:00.001-07:00

It's just fascinating what humankind can make. While I was out the other day, dad helped Aidan with a few experiments. One was the creation of instant snow. It's made out of a fancy polymer - sodium polyacrylate (aka waterlock) - the same substance that keeps bums dry in disposable diapers. It instantly absorbs 2 to 300 times it's mass in water.

Sodium polyacrylate. Instant snow! Just add water.

The other experiment was playing with hydrophobic sand. It's absolutely fascinating because no matter what, you can not get the sand wet. You can drown it, stir it, anything. Put in water, it just sits at the top. Stirred, the dry sand will clump together. Try to pick up the clumps in the water and it's amazing that each last grain is as dry as dry can be!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Pregnant!

2011-08-23T14:30:00.001-07:00

1 month pregnant.

I took everyone by surprise this week with my news. I had always been more than satisfied with our two kids. I relished getting every last ounce of baby things out of the house, little bit by little bit. It equaled freedom! Don't get me wrong, I loved the baby and toddler stages. They were such a joy. They were also really tough and lots of work and I was more than happy to have it behind me. Especially as I was able to get into my own interests, start up my own businesses, pursue a few passions.

So what changed?

I think the seed was planted last December when I had a pregnancy 'scare'. I had finished the Christmas soap rush and was gearing up for my doula course. I wasn't thrilled about the idea, to say the least. But in those moments of uncertainty, the mind begins to think and ponder. I bought a test at the London Drugs in Kingsway and went straight to the washrooms off the food court to find out. When it came up negative, I was very relieved. I was also a little bit disappointed - which surprised me a great deal. And thus the seed of the idea was planted.

The thought came in and out of my mind over the next few months, after which I completely forgot about it. Several months later and out of the blue, I had a dream that replanted the seed.

Fact is, I always liked the idea of three. It just feels right to me. And a lot of my resistance to any more was rooted in fear; fear that I have long since let go of. At this point in my life, I am more confident, more in love with my life and life in general. I also believe in the power of my thoughts to shape my world. Perception is everything! I've always loved my life with children, but at one point it was a daily challenge. I think for a long time, life itself was a daily challenge. Now, it is a daily joy. I've been learning how to let go of my fears and anxieties and truly embrace life. Every day I feel so much joy and such a thrill to be alive. Of course I still have my moments, like everyone. But I know how to deal with them in a positive way. I'm more and more able to maintain my ease regardless of what's going on around me; even if the kids happen to be fighting. But I do also find, the greater my ease and joy, the more it rubs off on the kids and is reflected in the life around me.

So essentially, I wanted to experience it all one more time, one last time, from this more expansive place I feel like I'm at. My intention is to live it from the vantage point of embracing and loving every moment.

I am going to have a joyful pregnancy and I will feel fabulous the whole time. My labor will be a beautiful, empowering and joyful home birth. The early years will be a delight.

I know that everything will work out because it always has and always does. This new adventure is very exciting and thrilling. The kids are also overjoyed and excited (they've wanted another since last December). They are so independent now and such great helpers. They're also excellent at entertaining themselves for long stretches of time. It's going to be a fun adventure for the whole family (not to mention a great learning experience for the kids).

I knew I was pregnant right away; just days after conception. I felt different. It wasn't an intuition knowing; I physically felt about 3 months pregnant. I absolutely *knew* but needed to wait a good week before I could take a test to verify. It baffled me, the knowing. I had heard of women just knowing before but that had never been me.

So the journey begins. I'm one month pregnant, due around the end of April, beginning of May. A Taurus spring baby, to go with our Aquarius winter child and Leo summer child. Three out of four season, not bad!

I trust to life, whatever it brings.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Lake Beaumaris

2011-08-17T12:09:00.001-07:00

Yesterday we spent the day at Lake Beaumaris. All the boardwalk areas have torn away from the side and are all wavy as if caught in an earthquake. It was truly bazaar.

The kids had fun climbing trees, playing in the rock garden and just general running around.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Vacation Adventures

2011-08-16T09:57:00.000-07:00

Lunch in Lloyd.

We ventured out to Lac la Ronge, Saskatchewan, at 8 am last Saturday. The trip started out great - not a single ounce of stress - until we caught up with the storm that assaulted the city the early morning before. And what a storm it was! I've never driven through rain like that! We literally could see absolutely nothing; the rain was so torrential. Traveling on a highway with a speed limit of 110, this was not a good thing. We pulled over for a few minutes but weren't sure how long it would last. We could see slightly, so with some trepidation, continued on.

It just got worse. I didn't think it was possible. Everyone on the road slowed substantially. Indeed, the only thing we could see was the beacon flash of the vehicle in front of us. We all had our hazards on by this time and we were all going 60. All our thoughts were on one thing: survival. Sounds dramatic? Perhaps. That's how it felt though. Soon hail pellets beat down so hard I was idly curious if the windshield would hold. Lightening forked around us, above us, every few seconds. Sean said after he felt like he was in the movie "Twister." After what felt like an hour or two, but was probably only a half hour, we drove out of it and could see those beautiful lines on the road again.

The rest of our trip was spent keeping ahead of the storm. We stopped for a picnic lunch in Lloydminster and found a nearby geocache. Soon after our arrival though, our devices told us of a severe thunderstorm warning for the area. We didn't dawdle.

We stopped for dinner in Prince Albert, again with the threat of severe storm warnings on the horizon. By this time it felt like it was following us! Happily, it did not follow us up to the lake.

Yet getting there was more of an adventure. There's one road, with a bridge, that enters into Air Ronge and Lac la Ronge. The bridge goes over the Manitoba river. However, due to excessive rain fall, the river surged over the road. We literally drove through the Manitoba river to get into town. We could see sand bags desperately trying to keep the river out of electrical areas. It was amazing to see. Again, our car had to cross water heading into the camp ground by the docks. The lake was stretched out lazily all over the road.

Our one thought was: if it gets much worse over the week we're here, we might have issues getting home as planned!

When we got to the dock, we noticed that it no longer started on dry land. Indeed, the lake extended a good twenty feet beyond the docks end. That meant shoes were off, pants hiked up, as we trudged through the waters with ourselves and our luggage, to where the boat was docked.

The ride was a blast for the kids. Summer announced she'd take the seat at the back and I could sit opposite her, while Aidan proclaimed he wanted to sit on dad's lap at the front like last year. When we got to the island, we were amazed by the water level. The beach was completely gone - in fact, the waterline extended well into the grass.

The waterline this year (it actually rose almost to the solar lights).
Notice the absence of beach.

The waterline from last year, same direction. See the beach?

The other direction this year.

Same direction, the year before. You can see beach as well as rocks.

The days proceeded wonderfully. We had some rain on Sunday that we enjoyed curling up with books through. The rest of the weather was pretty good. Summer spent a lot of time playing in the lake.

Grandma gave Summer a new doll (the blonde) with a gorgeous
hand sewn dress. The red head now belongs to Aidan, so that
they each have one. Summer divided up her birthday doll clothes
so that their dolls had equal clothes.

Kids engaged in the new cottage.

Investigations on The Point.

Playing.

Summer was a true water bug this week.

Fun on the paddle boards!

Swimming practice with dad.

Summer out with grandma.

Grandma's kayak: Little Critter. It's my favourite. We took turns taking
the kids out.

Warming in the sun.

Monday we went to find a geocache on a nearby island that no one has ever found. It was marked by a prominent Inukshuk high on the west cliff face. We took the boat, Sean spotted it and then we searched for a safe place to get on the island. It was tricky, and a bit of an adventure, but we managed and were even able to get the kids safely into the rocks. It was fairly easy to find the Inukshuk and the cache was directly behind it. It was our first FTF (first to find)! Someone had even tried to find it two days earlier but failed. Our FTF prize was an old drill bit from prospectors in the area; a piece of local history.

Inukshuk geocaching!

Filling out the log book.

The view from the Inukshuk.

Tuesday we celebrated Sean's 40th birthday. I made cake, decorated and had a few novelty items for him. He was delighted with his main gift of a new iPad2.

Wednesday brought us back into town for groceries, followed with a wiener roast on the beach of a neighbors place. There wasn't much of a beach left though. Summer striped immediately to her birthday suit, to play in the water. The kids both enjoyed collecting rocks and treasures.

Thursday the kids, Sean and I took a canoeing adventure. The weather was perfectly calm. After 20 minutes or so Summer was getting bored and wanted to get bac. As we headed her back, Morgan, the big yellow lab, jumped in the water and started towards us. Visions of big dog overturning canoe flashed through our heads. Sean and I paddled to keep ahead of her, but she just didn't seem to give up. Then the other dog, a big black one named Gunner, jumped in too. It felt vaguely like being in a Jaws movie; I could just hear the cello in the background. Eventually they returned to shore as did we. Summer joined grandma and grandpa while Sean, Aidan and I continued on. It's really cool that Aidan is now to an age that he can really enjoy just bring in nature. We had a calm and relaxing ride.

Aidan and I went for a couple mini hikes on the island as well. The kids had fun making terrariums with grandma, and one day, I caught a frog!

Hunting for treasures for the terrariums.

A view inside one of the terrariums.

Frog!

Friday we went on an adventure with grandma and grandpa to the Dam on the far end if the island, up the river. It was an hour boat ride, much to the joy of the kids who loved to sit in the prow looking out. We couldn't walk to the dam because of the flooding, but we enjoyed walking over the portage rail and admiring the raging rapids of the river. Truly spectacular. The dogs and Sean got wasp stings from a nest below the boards and we picnicked at a cozy spot by the river. We picked wild raspberries and dainty wild blueberries. While we ate, Summer found entrances to Narnia in the various bushes and paths while Aidan practiced Harry Potter spells with a found wand.

Arrival at the dock by the dam.

Sean crosses the portage car.

Poses with grandma.

The raging river was sure wild!

Immersed in imaginative play.

The kids favorite place in the boat!

This years Lac la Ronge adventures were the best yet. The difference was the kids ages. They've always had fun on our yearly trip but this year they enjoyed spending much more time just frolicking about the woods, doing their own thing. I must admit a couple of iPads and iPhones helped a bit too. But I definitely see them get engaged more in nature as they get older.

For our trip back, the dock had been extended and the lake was gone from the road.

We traveled for four hours before needing much of a stop. We made great time, stopping in North Battleford for a picnic lunch and then in Vegreville to see the big Pasanka and play in the park (and geocache). We got home after ten hours (to two cats desperate to get outside. Really, they tried to jam themselves out the pet door at the same time).

A very cool tree in Vegrevile.

The kids in Vegreville. We found a geocache in the box car
you can see in the background.

Garfield Birthday Party

2011-08-01T16:47:00.001-07:00

Summer requested a Garfield themed birthday party this year. Of course Garfield decorations are a little hard to come by, so I had to get creative. It turned out to be a great party. The kids mostly played with balloons and bubbles.

Summer with her Garfield mask before the party. Love my balloons?

A poster for a feed-the-Garfield game (pin-the-tail style).

The spread. I also made a lasagna and French bread. Couldn't have a Garfield party without a lasagna.

Sean's attempt at Garfield and Odie balloon animals. Odie was the cutest!

After the party, we ventured to my sister's house for a formal tour of their new home in construction. The last time we were at the site was when we went to the demolition party, where we all had fun beating up walls with sledge hammers (after which we went to Rundle park and Aidan broke his arm).

The upper balcony with a beautiful view of the river valley.

Serena is looking forward to moving in, in just a couple of weeks!

The kids loved running around the empty interior.

After our tour, we headed to Rundle park for a picnic. The kids played for hours. No broken bones.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

5 Years Old Today!

2011-07-28T13:00:00.000-07:00

I love when the kids birthdays roll around. I'm always hit with this overwhelming awe of their newest age. How can Summer be five? Already??

To celebrate her birthday, we headed to Let's Play for a day or riotous fun. For the evening, grandma and Doug came over and brought gifts. Summer opened up a gift from dad and I (which she is holding in the picture on the left), and we also gave her grandma O'Briens present of a new wardrobe for her 18 inch doll. The one I gave her, is a nursing and birthing hand-made doll by Mamamor (found at Birth Source here in Edmonton). They are beautiful, educational dolls, helping children explore natural childbirth. As a bit of a birth junkie now, she was too much to pass up. Her little baby has a snap "inny" mouth which attaches to the snap "outy" nipple on mama's breast. The baby has a snap belly button that even attaches to an umbilical cord and placenta. Baby fits nice and snug in mama's belly, through an opening between her legs. Baby comes with a diaper wrap and a blanket, both mama and babe have a serene and peaceful look on the faces. Summer just loves her and has named the mother Sparkle and the baby Star. Within the first ten minutes of unwrapping her, Sparkle birthed Star at least fifteen times. Each time breech.

Sparkle and Star.

Summer opens presents from grandma and grandpa Doug.

They brought cake! Summer was pretty excited about that.

Wardrobe for 18 inch doll from grandma O'Brien. The really cool thing is,
the clothes also fit Sparkle, to Summer's delight.

Cold Showers, Thermocouples, and the Joy of DIY

2011-07-27T21:49:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I woke up to the thrill of an unexpected cold shower. I tried to restart it. I tried to wait it out. No matter what, that hot water just would not join the party. It became the speediest shower of my life.

We investigated further when Sean came home (yes, I'm I dealing-with-gas-involved-possibly-could-lead-to-horrific-explosions-unfamiliar-equipment-best-left-to-the-professionals wimp). We figured the pilot light just needed to be restarted (there was no sign/smell of renegade gas).

Try as Sean might, the pilot light would not stay lit when Sean released the lighting button (technical term).

Later that night I called Atco. The technician I talked to told me we needed a new thermocouple - a part to run us around $160 and the service call would be over $130 as well. My quick math was putting the venture near $300.

Well. Screw that! A little You Tube and Manual exploration later, we find out what a thermocouple is, how we can buy a new one for $8.50 at Home Depot, and how the replacement is a ridiculously easy process that can be accomplished in 5 minutes. Gotta love DIY and You Tube!

A thermocouple is simply a copper wire that when heated, creates a small electrical current that keeps the gas valve open. It's a safety measure, in case the pilot light goes out. If it does, the current ceases and the gas valve closes to prevent leakages. We couldn't keep our pilot light lit because our thermocouple no longer conducted that current, so the gas valve stayed closed.

A shower-less day later, Sean ventured out, spent the $8.50 at Home Depot, came home and masterfully repaired the hot water tank. He is officially my DIY God, having saved us a potential almost $300.

The bonus was the fun learning opportunity and that cool sense of accomplishment. Sean enjoyed a well-earned hot shower this afternoon!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Devonian Gardens

2011-07-24T19:57:00.001-07:00

We headed out to the Devonian Gardens today. Amazingly, we have never gone before. We were dazzled by the beautiful grounds and gardens. Our favorite was the butterfly pavilion. Along the way, we also managed to find three geocaches.

In the butterfly pavillion

Exploring the Japanese Gardens

Cooling off in the shade. It was a hot day!

Daddy grins.

Summer shows off the kitty she found in a geocache
under the boardwalk.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Prairie Gardens

2011-07-23T23:35:00.001-07:00

The sun graced us with it's presence today for just long enough to visit Prairie Gardens U-Pick farm. We headed out by 8 AM, in order to be there by 9 AM sharp, the designated pick time. In previous years we have gone out for 10 AM and already missed all the strawberries. I was determined to not miss them today.

We arrived in perfect time. The kids had a few minutes to play a giant game of chess while we waited to hit the fields.

We headed out with a bucket each. The strawberries were beautiful and plentiful. Once we filled our buckets, we headed to pay and visit the petting farm and play area.

The kids enjoyed the rest of the morning, frolicking on the farm, while I sat back and enjoyed the beautiful morning.

The cutest little goat imaginable!

Baby rabbits for $20. Oh the temptation!!

I just adored this little guy.

We headed out, bellies full of sweet berries, just after noon. As we began to pull away, the rain began pouring down behind us.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Doll Knits

2011-07-22T11:53:00.000-07:00

Summer was given an 18" doll from grandma a few months ago, who is now named Lucy. She hasn't shown a great interest in dolls to this point, but I figured it might help if Lucy had more accessories and clothes for Summer to enjoy. Thus my exploration began in doll knitting. With great relish I researched patterns and delved right in.

My first project was a rainbow messenger bag. No pattern for it, I put it together in the first couple of days while waiting to print out some online patterns for outfits I found. The blue dress is an amazing feat of sewing prowess by grandma.

A couple of nights ago I finished a party dress, knit out of sock yarn from Sock Yarn One-Skein Wonders: 101 Patterns That Go Way Beyond Socks!. Being such a small gauge yarn, it took a considerable amount of time to knit. But it was fun. It's got a red flower button on the top left strap and a red ribbon sash to go with it. With the black boots, Lucy is stylin'!

I've got several more patterns I wanted to explore, but right now the kids are urgent on me making wand sheaths from the book Charmed Knits: Projects for Fans of Harry Potter. I guess I know what my needles will dance along for next!

The Joy of Routines

2011-07-22T11:35:00.000-07:00

I love routines. Strange but true. Here I am, heading towards our beloved evening routines and it makes me feel so contented. I'm making supper (tonight it's a homemade pizza). Sean will come home and we'll sit all together with laughter and fun. Dinners are such a fun time to connect. After dinner, kids will rush off to play while Sean and I continue to talk. Then comes clean-up. Sean tends to clear and wipe the table and sweep, while I package leftovers and put dishes in the dishwasher (love that thing). After clean up, we'll go outside for a bike ride/inline skating. Following, we go to the livingroom for reading time. Sean reads from our current chapter book (still working through the Harry Potter series currently) while I get some beloved knitting time. After reading time, we all get to do whatever we want. Usually Sean ventures to his computer, I read, garden, catch up on work or start my yoga (I'm not going to my hot yoga classes right now; our Canadian summers are too short to spend these lovely evenings inside hot sweaty rooms. But I'm experienced enough and can get a great workout in my own livingroom or garden). The kids stay up, doing what they want, until we're all ready for bed.

It's not always the same of course, there's plenty enough variation to make it interesting. But the feeling is always the same. It's the sense of family. It's the fun of following our passions. It's the pleasure of comfortable routines.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Thoughts on a Summer Night

2011-07-07T22:29:00.001-07:00

Summer made me breakfast in bed this morning. She had her secret planned last night (alluding to it with an excited giggle as we cozied into bed). So I knew something was coming; I just didn't know exactly what. It turned out to be a bucket containing two organic mini-carrots, three apples and a banana (the banana was Aidan's idea I believe). I was delighted and so was she. She was very pleased with herself.

I love my daughter's expressions of love - like this mornings' breakfast in bed. Everywhere we go, if there's a wildflower about, she's sure to pick it for me. And it's not just flowers: it's foxtails, leaves and rocks. It's bark or pine cones; anything that jumps out at her. They become tangible extensions/expressions of her love and it touches me deeply.

(Summer made a fort yesterday with Straws and Connectors. Today she read part of a beginner book for the first time!)

Pre hair cut pic

Both the kids are so thoughtful and kind, so helpful and joyous. It is such an honor to get to be their mama.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

She Loves to Dance

2011-07-04T22:18:00.000-07:00

One day last week Summer wanted to put on a show for us. I thought it was a good time to pull out the camera.

Trend Setter

2011-07-04T20:25:00.001-07:00

It appears I'm a trend setter! The boys have inline skates now too and are in the process of figuring out how to use them.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Canada Day

2011-07-04T20:19:00.001-07:00

The last couple of years we've spent Canada Day between the zoo and Millwoods. This year we thought we'd try something a little closer to home. St. Albert!

Canada Cake goodness

The celebrations were loads of fun, and not terribly busy either. Some of the highlights for us included the free cake, construction and emergency vehicles to explore, horse drawn wagons, bouncy slides, carnival games, dancing in the streets and geocaching! It was a very full day. For fireworks, we opted to return to Edmonton and headed for the downtown show. The whole day was a wonderful adventure.

Posing in a 5 foot tall construction shovel

Mom found a nano at the park!

This was the first cache found of the day: a nano that was a few meters from where we had set up for a picnic. After that, we went off to find three more caches. The next one Summer found. She was so thrilled to find her very first geocache. It was loaded with great swag too which added to their excitement.

The bouncy slide was hands down Summer's absolute favorite part of the evening. Aidan really enjoyed the carnival games which were all free (in fact, the kids received entries for great prizes for each game they won).

Garfield and a Wolf. Best of friends. Naturally.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Summer Solstice

2011-06-21T23:30:00.001-07:00

After what has felt like two weeks of rain, we've had a day of reprieve on this the longest days of the year. Clear, sunny skies prevailed, as I got to some yard work. The kids and I walked up to the Marble Slab Creamy for the special occasion. In the evening, after enjoying skating around the neighborhood while the kids biked, we started our first fire of the year, roasted marshmallows and stayed up until the sun finally relinquished it's hold on the day.

It was a perfect, beautiful day.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

The Exhilaration of Learning

2011-06-21T08:01:00.001-07:00

Tonight I mastered the spin stop on my inline skates. After only having them for three days, I was pretty proud of myself that I finally figured out how to stop. It was exhilarating to gain that control; especially with the encouragement and excitement of Sean and the kids.

It has all put me in mind of the essence of our unschooling life. This is in fact it, unschooling at it's finest; pick something desired to learn and go learn it. Utilize resources (in this case YouTube. Thanks in particular to Donna Lee Weber) and then - if it's a skill - practice, practice, practice. Tonight I spent a good hour in repetition of the motions involved in the stop. Progress was slow, but visible.

Learning never stops. I love that my kids can see that. As I pick up new skills and interests, they learn from my example - how to research and the importance of perseverance. Kids after all learn from us best by watching how we run our own lives. Through observing the adults around them, they learn how to be in life.

Learning is organic. It's spontaneous. And real learning is always propelled through interest alone. If someone tried to shove a golf club into my hands and ordered me to master the game, I'd probably be more than apathetic. Probably a tad bit resentful and rebellious. It's no different for kids that are coerced to 'learn' material that is irrelevant to their lives and disinterests them. It just doesn't work.

I have complete faith that my children will learn what they need to know in life, when they need to know it. And only *they* can know exactly what that is, as I can not foresee their futures. The basics come through simply living.

Aidan, for instance, had become a voracious reader. He devours four books a week and has started into more heavy duty chapter books. He nearly swooned today at the library when a book he had put on hold was waiting for him on the shelf.
Even four year old Summer has begun reading a bit, unawares to her. Yesterday while negotiating time with her, she pointed out that we had agreed upon 5 minutes and as 2 had passed, that meant there were only 3 left. I was baffled; I have never taught her math! Yet learning happens. With children, it's as natural as breathing. I marvel everyday at the beauty of natural learning and count myself so blessed to trust my children, to trust to life and embrace it in all it's joy.

Every night the kids go bike riding around the neighborhood while I walk quickly to try and keep up.

Perhaps tomorrow, I'll join them on my inline skates!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

World of Science Exhibit

2011-06-20T23:54:00.001-07:00

There's a new exhibit at the Telus World of Science: The Body, featuring Elmo and the Sesame Street gang. It was horrendously busy when we visited today, but well worth the bustle. All the exhibits are highly interactive and deal with a wide range of bodily functions. Learn about the organs, about hygiene, about the circulatory system, the senses and more. It includes a lovely grocery store and diner play area, as well as a jumpy obstacle course zone. Lots to entertain the smallest of small folk!

Definitely an exhibit well worth checking out before it departs in September. I have a feeling we might be spending many summer days here this year!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Coco Colada Smoothie

2011-06-20T10:05:00.001-07:00

My newest smoothie love.

Coco Colada Smoothie

1 cup cold water
2 bananas
1 pineapple, skin removed, chopped
Several large spoonfuls of coconut milk, to taste

Combine ingredients in a blender and blend! For the coconut milk, I just opened a can. If you don't have a fresh pineapple, canned will work too.

It's refreshing and deliciously tropical. Enjoy!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Rummage Sale Adventures

2011-06-20T09:54:00.001-07:00

The other day we were at Argyll for a Rummage Sale hosted by the kids. Each child that wanted to participate brought old toys, games, and books to sell for great prices. Some more innovative thinkers opted to bring treats to sell too.

As we had just cleaned out piles of toys to pass on (primarily from Summer's room. Aidan has issues with letting just about anything go), and as it was all forming grotesque piles in our basement, it seemed like a perfect opportunity.

We wound up getting everything out of the house, my goal, but not making too much money. In fact, I think we probably made about ten dollars but spent about twenty. We got some great new games and books for our money though, so it was totally worth it. Many people were donating items that didn't sell, straight into the swap shop, so we wound up getting lots of great books for free too. I got some beautiful new dessert bowls and a new pair of inline skates!

Thus my newest foray into learning something new has begun. I find it easy to move on the skates (years of figure skating coming into use) but I still can't figure out how to stop. YouTube has been instrumental to me, as I research various stopping techniques. I feel like a fish out of water; it's as scary and exciting as learning how to drive was. But I think I may be uncovering a new passion, as it does take me back to my figure skating youth.

The cool thing is, Sean says he's long been interested in learning how to roller blade. That, and somewhere we have a pair to fit one of the kids. I see the potential for a new family hobby!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Anniversary

2011-06-17T11:39:00.001-07:00

Our wedding anniversary (a couple weeks ago now) was a wonderful day. I thought we couldn't top last years ten year wedding anniversary, but we managed too!

First off, we dropped the kids off at grandma's house in the afternoon. We could leave them from noon to noon. The finest gift of all! We then headed to the Old Spaghetti Factory for lunch. It has significance for us, as I used to work there when we were first dating back in 95. We continued to go there every year for our anniversary all the way up to about five years ago. Sean gave me Bernard Callebaut chocolates, some Munchkin expansions and a Lululemon gift card.

Full and content, we continued to Rainbow Valley in Whitemud Creek for an afternoon of intensive geocaching; the kind we can't do with the kids. That location had significance too, as it's where Sean proposed to me, so many years ago. We had a blast, despite the Mosquitos (it was breezy enough and we had long sleeves), and came away with a few hilarious stories. We also saw lots of wildlife, the most notable being a baby chickadee that alighted right in front of us and a Barred owl that conversed with us from up in a tree.

We ended our geocaching adventures at around 5:30 and left for home. I knew I wanted to spend a good portion of our time at home because quiet, peaceful home time without kids is a beautiful gift every once and awhile. We picked up treats and supper on the way home, and settled in for some gaming fun (Munchkin) before ending the night with a movie.

Passing over a few details, we had a lovely morning the next day. We slept in to resounding quiet and lazily played with our iPhones in bed before getting up to retrieve the kids.

I wanted the day to be special and it was. Special in our own way. It was a perfectly lovely 24 hours.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Day at the Museum

2011-06-13T14:06:00.001-07:00

The kids and I visited the museum on Friday. We were excited to see some new insects and a few changes in the displays. While we looked at the various dioramas, we paid attention to which habitat each species came from, learning how to read the color-coded maps.

It was a fun day. On our way out, we discovered that they had just a moment before opened up the new exhibit Creatures of the Abyss! We couldn't resist taking a good look through. We largely had the exhibit to ourselves (as it was so late in the day) and they were all intact and impressive (Sean took the kids back to the museum yesterday to discover that several of the exhibits were already malfunctioning).

We enjoyed watching cool videos about deep underwater creatures, more fantastic than our wildest imaginings. We saw and felt the effects of deep water. We learned about the extraordinary intelligence of squid.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Medieval Day

2011-06-07T22:13:00.001-07:00

Every year HLSA puts on a spring Medieval day at Emily Murphy Park. In previous years we've seen sword play performances by members from the Society for Creative Anachronism as well as body juggling and similar activities. This year, there were baby goats, along with the usual array of marketplace wares for sale.

I love the Medieval Day marketplace; everything sells for a penny (or a few pennies). Highlights of this years marketplace were a teen magazine (one penny, two pennies for an autographed version, three pennies for one with a silk hankie inside), apple pastries, mead (non-alcoholic version), amulets, magic potions, and gummy candies.

The kids had fun in the park, spending copious amounts of pennies and climbing trees. I had fun employing several kids in picking up certain sized sticks for the making of my raft soap holders.

A fun day was had by all!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Marketplace in the Park

2011-05-31T11:49:00.001-07:00

HLSA hosted a Business Fair for the kids at Emily Murphy Park yesterday. Any child with an interest was welcome to book a table to sell their wares, to share their business ideas or promote their existing business.

Our kids decided to book some space: Aidan wanted to perform magic tricks and Summer wanted to sell some baking. They both decided to donate 25% of their profits to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Society.

It was a great success. Summer had rice crispies squares, meringues and cheese bread for sale. Everything wound up selling (except for one last square which we decided to bring home for dad). Aidan did a great job with his magic tricks and made a decent amount of donations as well. They were both so excited about earning money!

The day was made complete with fun climbing trees and playing with friends in the park.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

How Does Your Garden Grow?

2011-05-27T13:56:00.001-07:00

We finally got our garden in! We missed the May long weekend planting and then it's been rainy and cold since. So today we worked hard to weed, then plant the whole thing. I hadn't bought new seeds this year; I just worked from old packages and just put in extras, hoping to still get a decent yield.

We planted carrots (both the regular and colorful varieties), romaine lettuce, buttercrunch lettuce, annenue lettuce, Swiss chard (bright lights), collards, kale, spinach, peas (around the teepee), zucchini squash and a couple started watermelon plants. I wanted to plant spaghetti squash but didn't have any leftover seeds. I skipped out on the pumpkins this year. They really overran our garden last year and although we got eight gorgeous, large pumpkins, none of them lasted until Halloween and were mostly wasted. It's just a matter of space. I love growing them otherwise; they're just so satisfying.

I might still add some spaghetti squash and perhaps some seed potatoes - also a very satisfying crop. At least in the meantime I've got the majority of it in! Let's just hope it grows!

Summer wanted to plant some flower seeds, so we also planted Calendula, Amaranthus, a butterfly flower plant, and snap dragons - all by the side of the house.

The kids had SO much fun. Summer exclaimed that "I think I was born to plant gardens!" They both were adamant about how much they love to garden.

Our raspberry bushes are growing merrily and I was happy to see the Honeyberry bushes I planted last year return. Our blueberry bush is also fairing well. I wound up nesting the three bushes in landscape fabric last weekend, covered with cedar mulch and put a rubber edging around the lot of it. It was my first efforts of anything akin to landscaping and I'm quite proud of my efforts.

Ignore the state of the fence and well, the dandelions. It was a humble start but I still felt good about it. I was tired of losing the war against weeds. Not that I put much effort on the fight; hence the preemptive measures.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Birth Stool

2011-05-26T13:59:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the hard work of Clay Davis, I have my birth stool in hand and it is gorgeous. Locally hand-crafted from sustainably harvested maple from BC and finished with all-natural products, this chair is stunning.

The birth stool can be used throughout labour, providing the similar kind of relief women experience when they labour on the commode. It's height allows the body to be in a slight squat while sitting comfortably, helping to open the pelvis. It's also great for the pushing stage. The side handles allow the woman to pull up while she bears down. The upright position means gravity is working with her, not against her. It provides the same benefits as found in a squatting position, yet is a lot less physically taxing as a full squat (at a time in her labour when many women are already exhausted). The shape of the birth stool means that the baby can be safely and easily delivered without needing to transfer to a different place or location.

It's finished in perfect timing, as I'm on call for my first client!