What Else?

A flu-style cold with great tenacity
Seized our household
Jasmin first
Right after getting "protection"
In a flu shot
Then Aiden
Then Daddy (twice it seems)
Then Mommy
And Grace stands alone

Daddy bumps another car
Their car is fine
Ours is not
Adventures in living carless
For... longer than we thought

Added tasks for Christmas coming
Begun and not finished
Added to the trickling stress

Busy weekends
Choir singing
Choir practicing
Sunday School, Church
Jasmin's winter recital (She did fantastic though still not feeling great)
Daddy consulting at a men's retreat

Patience stretched
Niceness worn thin
Sharp words and snarls
Hurts and "humphs"
Relationships pulled taught
Courage energy spent in restoring peace
And real unity

A call for prayer
Family first
A measure of relief
Wider call issued
Growing victory
Hopefully we're done for now!

SnapShots from the last two weeks

Last week we doubled our numbers in this house by hosting a family for our church's missions celebration week.  Aiden especially enjoyed having live-in playmates who loved Lego!

Spontaneous creating happens often while listening to Mom read aloud, or audio books on the computer....

 Grace's homemade moon sand cake and roast chicken

Jasmin's galleon complete with anchor and oars

And a snippet of recess time activities...

A Few Things On My Mind Lately

Jasmin. Tuesday Jasmin had her reassessment from the vision therapy we've been doing for the last 10 weeks.  The results? "Her responses are 100% better in accuracy and consistency," resulting in possibly reducing the number of needed sessions from 40 weeks to 20! What a fantastic answer after weeks of doing all sorts of daily odd "homework" exercises!  And we also have noticed great improvement in Jasmin's schoolwork.  It is SO good to have something that is actually working and making a difference! Now, if we could find the same for her near constant nausea....

Choir Christmas Songs. With only 3 more weeks to our first presentation of songs, and 18 songs of varying difficulty (sort of easy to very difficult), there is a lot of work to do! So the songs are being played while I run, while I drive, while I cook.... I'm sure everyone around here will be thoroughly sick of the songs before I'm done with them!

Schedule planning. Already the demands on our time have increased in anticipation of Christmas season, so, often I am trying to figure out how to juggle where, when, and what for all of us. And remembering it all so everyone gets to the right places at the right time! (and in between trying to keep school going cohesively...)

Christmas. Trickling down in-between all the current happenings and related thinkings are thoughts of Christmas: what to do for Advent this year (and how to do it more or less seamlessly between here and in Halifax where we go for Christmas this year), present lists (who and what), our trip to Halifax and all it entails...

God's lessons in me. Learning just how far I have yet to go to vulnerably trust others, and the results of trying out different ways to get closer to God's ideals of true community.  Finally (!) coming to grips with the life in missions that God has asked of me that is so different that what I hoped and dreamed of. Stretching, growing, listening, responding...

Crawling Into November

Ending October
An unintentional loss
Something small
Yet of irreplaceable worth
Turning the heart inside out
Bringing smoothly running schedule
To a screeching halt

And then November
A family of colds
Woke up in our house
This morning
Calling for ginger tea
And Chicken soup

A week of grey days
Cold intermittent rain
No lasting sunshine
Raw cold
Dulling mind and emotions

Life in our house
Slowed to a crawl
Sleepy any hour
Lunch at 2
All tasks undone

Kinda nice when it's everyone
No one trying to pull us along
No one insisting on regular meals
And tasks to be be done

Too bad Aiden is well and active
Waiting patiently at times
But now moping
"I want somebody to play with me"

One Proud Moment Each

Aiden after sorting his letter cards

Jasmin after drawing some whimsical fantasy dogs

Grace when playing a wickedly good game of dodge ball

Sunday Night Special - Grace

2nd day of October

Listening, writing, solving

Crossword puzzles

While waiting

For swimming

Evening hooray

Small group kickoff

Twenty eight isn't 

So small

Showing Grace (C.)

the funky fireplace

At Mrs. Heather's

Waiting, bouncing, playing

Around

People arriving 

Mini trampoline game

Shortly after

Called for prayer

Upstairs

I ate

Chicken fingers

And juice

Talking, eating,

Lounging about

Everyone waiting

To get in the pool

Finally pool time

Everyone in

Jumping, splashing,

Grace C. leaped in

Revelling in the water

Looking for the rings

Playing, playing

Discovery of fins

By Jasmin

More jumping in

Jasmin and Grace (C.)

In and out

Some wrapped in towels

Others splashing about

Sponge star frenzy

Throw sponge fight

I gather stray ones

Give them to Aiden

Sponges whizzing

Throw them about

Back and forth

Again and again

Failed race request

Disappointed

Goggle success!

Still people throwing

(Sponges)

Up and down

In and out

Back and forth

Goggles on 

Swimming the pool

Mrs. Heather's children sitting

Not so small anymore

At the edge of the pool 

They catch and throw

I get the ones 

They can't reach

"Out of the pool"

Everyone get out

Confused about why

Lingering still

After risky changing

Epic foosball fun

Getting better

Wearied but happy

People leaving

A few at a time

Almost one by one

Now it's our time

Sleep in tomorrow

Behind the next day

Still worth it

Sunday night special

Mixed Reviews

Mixed reviews for this last week
Life as it is real

Stairwells full of draped sheets and leaning cushions
Squeals, thumps, happy voices, giggles, and odd sound effects

An hour or so at the river in, on, by, over the water
Dappled sunlight and cool air calling attention to Fall

A few unexpected moments with street friends
Unbelievable - a Sunday movie night together too

But then, a mopey face,  an upset tummy

Turning life inside out

The will for schoolwork far away

The need for heat-pack warmth and comforting ginger teas

Jasmin dealt a tough hand again this week

Meaning Mommy can't juggle school smoothly

Lists abandoned, work incomplete

Competing needs grasping, clamouring for attention

An attempt to see our sympathetic paediatrician

Thwarted by an enigmatic "he's not yet back in the office"

So an afternoon frittered away at a walk-in clinic

And a "drink more" prescription the only thing to show for it

Long, late-night talks 

Both fantastic and fatal

Glowing catch up chat ranging near and far

A quick question morphing ugly into twisted argument

Both making morning come far too soon

Mind clouded with sleep and tangled with leftover emotion

A busy week with daily trips out and many commitments
Yet not without afternoon quiet times to recharge or snatch a nap

Meals messed with long faces 

One with no appetite and fasting adults

Happy news of Imma's booked (finally!) visit
Preparations for long-awaited appointments

Unhappy neighbours with loud happy kids

At home all day unintentionally sharing their  play

Mixed reviews on this last week

Life as it is real.

Poetic People

Unintentionally, we're having a poetry unit this Fall...

Predator and Prey

That peaceful day upon the heath
Where a tree young gazelles lay beneath.
The cheetah stalked gazelles unheard,
Young loud cheetah cubs, though, play absurd.
Impalas stotted for all their worth
Ran from cheetahs' own home turf.

More joined the leaping, jumping fun,
The cheetah cubs chased all of them.
Gazelles finally leap away
Cheetahs' menu's different today.
Impalas, gazelles all live longer
Cheetah hunts, cubs made stronger.

...this from Grace after a morning of Land Animal learning, of course, and being quite taken with impalas that can leap 8 feet up and come down 30ft away (stotting)!

...Jasmin's love burst moment:

I Love You Poem

I love you, smell like roses
The sweet smell wonderful
smell the pink Roses the flowers
I love you go fly over the moon
The lilac dances the twinkling of the stars
Your eyes are like the sun
Your hair is like a silver river
I love you
You move like a swan
Come take my hand and dance like swans on a lake
I love you


...and from me too, this morning noticing the differences in seasons as I run. (Wouldn't have thought I had brain space to notice and compose on the run, but sometimes it writes itself):


Rising sun rays finger the skies
Lighting a new world for my eyes

Forest fingers tinged with gold
True colours not quite yet bold

Thick dew carpets grass with silvery gleam
River mist makes the world a dream

Passing geese heard more than birds of song
Telling with cheerful honk winter's not long

Trees bowed low under berries' weight
Rowan, apple, sumac speak of summer late

Lungs full of crispy air
Coolness flows through my hair

Wonder of spring, delight of Summer
Now Fall pleases this runner

Schools' Started

Christmas is Coming

Bells ringing

People singing

Carols rallied

Christmas is coming

Decorations, come out!

Paper chains, without out a doubt,

Practicing for concerts

Christmas is almost here!

Advent calendar

Story each night

Stocking - candy calendar

Nativity scene

Baby Jesus

Three wise men

Jesus came to save us

Hear good news again

Grace's first English assignment: write a poem. Fall means Christmas is coming, right?

Quilt week

A long time ago I started another quilt project. I've worked at it on and off since then, just when it suited the waiting times, the park days, etc. Breaking off to crochet something else, stopping for extra busyness... so now, a year and a bit later, I'm only about half way done!  But this last week gave the project a big boost forward. I've had a "bad back week"... where many days all I could do was lie on the couch and sew. And a few more days where I could manage to walk painfully down to the park and sit and sew while the kids played. And a few more days where I could sit on the couch and sew, stewing about all the things I'd rather be doing but really ought not to yet. Now it looks more like this:

15 squares closer to a full quilt. Nine more to go. Then I can try to figure out the pattern of squares I so meticulously sorted out over a year ago! I'm hoping to up the pace so we can enjoy this quilt for at least some of this winter...

Park Day Muse

Structures swarming with kids
Little kids dashing in, out, through, under splashing water
Bright splashes of colour: hats, shirts, shoes, shorts
Shrieks, yells, laughs, cries, animated discussions loud on the wind
From my three loudest of all

Timid ones on the fringes
Loners happy in sand construction
Daredevils swinging loose from the top
Others drunk from endlessly soaring swings
Instant friends, crazy unrepeatable games

Parents on benches, at tables, on blankets
Shading under roofs, beside trees
Phone playing or talking in self-made isolation
Long suffering grandmas little ones pulling in to play
Babies sleeping in strollers, jounced on hips, drooling snacks

Dad doing Tai Chi much interrupted
Mom friends deep in conversation together
Couples doting on first child's play
Hawk-eyed guardians hovering
Mom-managed play limits: none at all or constant correction

Languages I understand
Languages I recognize
Languages I can't quite place
Eliciting curiosity, longing, planning
Stirring the world-traveller in me

Reminding of many places of play
Where our language was the other
Our childcare different
Living life an adventurous challenge
Feeding the longing to go again

Bubbling up gratitude and wonder
Such privilege and richness!
Playgrounds aplenty
Well-kept, sound, safe
Casual public play

Building awareness of world change
Mixed kids jumbled together without thought
Mixed couples no longer rare
4-5 languages weaving together casually
On Canada's playgrounds

Creativity from the last week

We've had a simple not-doing-anything-major week for once.  It's been nice to see what comes each day! Creative moments all over the place: 

Jasmin at work with whatever is at hand...

Post-it note cute critter

New fantasy dog species discovered

Egg carton volcano valleys

Grace's creativity included a new song or two like this one, a few chapters of the book she's writing, and reading at least 5 or 6 good books...

Aiden constantly made and remade lego versions of Octopods and gups, watched the construction team pave the top end of our road, came just a bit closer to riding his bike without training wheels, and began cleaning the bathrooms and floors with Daddy (after all, it's a boy job to him!)  Aiden has also enjoyed beginning school with mom - getting a jumpstart so when things get chaotic teaching three at once, there is more wiggle room.

And Mom and Dad's creativity:

We sold some shelves on Kijiji and, upon discovering they didn't fit in either the buyer's or our car, came up with a fusion culture solution.  It wasn't very far, but I did feel rather strange biking this through the streets in Barrhaven and not Asia somewhere!

Summer Review in Photos

Peas in a pod  

Enjoying cookout supper in Gatineau 

After a long day's play 

Washing cars 

At the Big Give

A little bit too rare   Summer afternoons Exploring the river       Wet, dry, sleepy     Muddy and content

Cousin play in Tennessee  

Delight of fireflies  

One to ten in 6 kids

 Museum and pool

Then on again to Florida

Powder white sand under hot sun 

Cousin play continued 

Dawn till well after dusk

Burying Uncle Michael

Even Aiden started calling Daddy that!

Jasmin's birthday celebrated

Dolphin Day camp

Not quite the dream swim with dolphins

But mighty special all the same

Crowning the day  

Supper at Jasmin Thai restaurant

Where they sang her a surprise birthday song

July begun with VBS

Early mornings and lots of kids

Aiden grumpy to be in 

Mini camp only

July end camping trip

At the top of Niagara Falls

Friends from far away

Sweeten the recent bitter partings

A second week of VBS

This time at NiNi's church

giving Mommy time to plan

The soon coming school year

Aiden proud to be in a "real class"

Ready now for September?
Now we have some slow days strung together
Right when we'd like to fill them
With all the Summer things
Yet to do!

A Tumble Through July

A Canada Day celebration with friends rearranged
Around a spectacular thunderstorm
We barely beat home and then watched approach
Beautiful, memorable - just not very Canada Day-ish

Daddy meetings
On Skype and out and about
Mommy had a few too
Bible study training at church

A birthday invitation for Grace
Swims at a friend's house
Splash park homeschool mom and kid hangouts
Riverside wanderings

Busy, exhausting VBS week
Relentless early morning wakings
Fun-filled crowd fun
Everyone ready for quiet at the end

Music lessons restarted
No learning ground lost - way to go!
Regular library visits
After lunch computer hour

Celebrating AWANA group member's baptism
Long, lazy day of talk with a wonderer
Bittersweet final goodbyes to leaving dear ones
Intense happy weekend with a longtime friend from Halifax

And now, the month's finale
A two-day camp with overseas friends
Exploring Niagara Falls together
(And whatever else we can fit in while we're down there)

And there is August come already
Supposed to let's-get-ready-for-school time
But I'm still hoping for a long string
Of slow, lazy days of summer!

MET VBC

A Compilation of Words
By Grace, Jasmin, Aiden, and Mommy

Early morning rising
Waking kids fast asleep
Hurried sleepy breakfasts
Delicious early morning feel to the bike there

Sitting up quickly
Early morning rise
It seems to me 
I'm touching the skies

T-shirts, tags, and stickers make official
Campers, mini-camper, staff
Prayer for the day
Off to find a group

Volunteers a plenty
Seems like too many
This room's too full
Sitting outside on the bench

Milling about in the gym
Colours and numbers waving
Daily hunt for the right group
Organizing the 400+ campers

I don't want to go to "Sunday school"
The gym is more fun!
I want to color a sign too
Run on the lines with you

Filling up the church
With boisterous noise
Songs of praise, team chants,
Excited neighbour chatter

Coins clattering in buckets
Counted giving for Compassion kids
Red team's ahead, chanting victory
Green replies "not so!"

Game time energy
Running with the kids
Learned a new game or two
Rather enjoyed myself

Blob tag and octopus
Popular games with impossible names
Dodgeball galore
There's too many for more

Crowded, choked hallways
Children chains going head to head
Bottlenecked doorways
Where's the traffic police?

We're late for crafts
Why is it these rooms?
Such small hallways
Kid transit confusion spilling out

Craft room tiny tables
Six a piece only please
Follow the instructions
Lots to do, so little time

Design your own cross
Foam and pipe cleaner men
Chalkboard decorating
Evangacube assembly

Somewhat less confusion
Transition hallway syndrome
Slightly organized chaos
On we go

Come on, let's hurry
Get the good seats
Not on the front floor again
Theatre fills up fast

Bible time theatre
Red and green mashed together
All seats and floor taken
Restless sea of kids

Interesting teaching
Too bad we can't do our actions
Trigger words tempting often
Reading Bible verses

Relief - snack time!
Who's group is loudest?
Messiest?
Not us - quietest!

Not a lot of food
Jesus in you tickets
Bible verses recited
Clean up the fastest

Closing in concert
Team chants loud and long
Ears ringing with kid noise
Good-natured rivalry

Kneecap drum rolls
Who won a prize?
Giving totals announced
Pastor's hair will be dyed

Among waving signs
Matching parent and child
Goodbyes are said
We're done for the day

Now we're heading home
Quiet of the road a relief
Aiden asleep, Jasmin people-grumpy
Home still a bike ride away

Daddy made lunch
Afternoon naps
Solitary activities
Early bedtimes welcome

Tuesday biking
Popped a tire
Too bad Dad's phone won't answer
A hot walk home

Wednesday afternoon
Welcome invitation
Friend's house swim time
Refreshing in summer heat

Thursday night bravery
Two in a back yard tent
Friend for sleepover
Broken with late night thunder

Friday finale with a too tired threesome
"I'm grumpy!" says Aiden "I don't want to go!"
Snarls between friends
But sunny smiles in the end

Summer at Home

Summer at home looks like...

sleepovers with a friend

late night giggles and morning mischief

including little brother makeovers

Afternoon waterside wanderings

among slippery rocks

futile fishing and rock hopping

Reading aloud over the happy river noise

when the muddy boy naps in my lap

 "New" flower photo captures 

for our summer flower journal

Who knew there were so many

I didn't know?

 Rideau River play

fantastic for the easy-climb willows

over mysterious muddy shallows

Sun-warmed marsh smells

and blackbirds' happy calls

Late rising mornings

and lazy afternoons of

involved lego play

Tucked away readers

living adventures far away

Boy begging for some school

Girls needing some morning routine

Park play with other homeschoolers

Near daily water play of some kind

Unintentional late nights (some unfortunate)

Scrambled meals as routine yet elusive

Library visits and arm loads of books

Impromptu picnics and welcome computer time.

Summer Holiday in 3's

Long car days

Pool play relief

Long anticipated arrival

Unending blue skies

Happy bright sunshine

firm fresh breezes

Rental house exploration

Exclaimed discovery commentaries

Bed-claiming derby

Dazzling white sand

Soft, deep, clean

Buckets, spades, trucks

Turquoise, deep blue

Crashing over sands

Startlingly clear seas

Rustling palm fronds

Springy, spikey grass

Startled indignant snake

Lush unbroken green

Manicured flower beds

color-matched houses

Early morning runs

Expansive peaceful sunsets

Bindweed on dunes

Terns and gulls

Mocking birds, magpies

Lizards and frogs

Sticky sunscreen scents

On salty breezes

Mingling in heat

Sandy bare feet

Browning arms, legs

Sun-kissed grubby faces

Six contented cousins

Colouring on veranda

Piling on Uncle Michael

Lazy meals out

Long, loud preparations

Beautiful family time

Surprise Thursday fireworks

Spicy chocolate bacon

Dolphin daycamp birthday

Sea, sun, sand

Kids deep asleep

Evening adult conversations

Day of lasts

Packing, sorting, laughing

See you laters

Road trip home

One long drive

Tired, rumpled arrival

Welcome home relief

Deep toy reacquaintance

Happy horizontal napping

A Glimpse Inside

You showed me, O Lord,

Gently

Without warning

Clearly

Now was the time 

To plant self fully

I felt

Surprise - here isn't home to me?

Awe - permission? for that?!

Awakening - I never did give fully, did I?

Excitement - God at work in me for more

Fear - once given, heart cannot be retracted

Trembly, tentatively

I walked and explored in me

For what this might mean

Soberly, trustingly

Unfolded my roots

Began to dig in

A living lilac - 

A birthday "surprise" - 

Daily testimony of

This new inner resolve

Transplanted 

Outside my door

What's this?!

Transplant shock?

Isn't this supposed to be good?

Joy?

Freedom?

Growth?

Like the lilac

My budding blooms

Shrivel and fall before fullness

My leaves wilt

My roots hesitate

To take the room given for growth

The things I looked at in hope

Seeing the good of home

Fruitful possibilities

Snatched away

Broken off

Just as they were beginning to bloom

Fear creeps in:

"None can be trusted"

"The pain is too much - not worth it"

Panic blurts:

"I can't do this!"

"What have I done?!"

Classic, I know

But how to bear the pain?

To what can I cling?

Where is my hope?

It is You who brings the pain

Where does that leave me?

Among the many who

Have found God more than enough

In all sorts of tough situations

With a loving God

Who has placed the boundary lines 

For me in pleasant places

Surely I have a delightful inheritance

I will trust in the Lord

And do good

I will dwell in the land

And enjoy safe pasture

(Psalm 16, 37)

Mommy birthday

story written by Jasmin
. 

''Moms birthday is coming soon," I said, "But what should I buy

 for a present?"

"Mom! what would you like for your birthday present?" I yell. 

Mommy said, "I would like a lilac bush, cheese cake, swimming, hiking, and wind chimes."

 "So how much is..a lilac bush?"

"I don't know. Let's search it up..."  =] "So it looks like a small bush is $20 dollars and a big one is $50."

" Thank you, Mommy!"                          

" A lilac bush is $50... Do I have that much? Let me check...I've got $68.78! I'll buy that! =]  

But how do I get a lilac bush  - I can't drive so.............hmm.... O, I got it! I'll set it up.

                                                    THE NEXT DAY 

''Grace how about you buy a cheese cake and I buy  a lilac bush"'' 
"ok "
"You go with mom and look for a cheese cake =]"
"ok"
 "On Wednesday dad is going to a meeting so lets ask dad if he can get the lilac bush. I'll pay. I'm going to ask........."
Jasmin dad wants you to be outside
" OK!" I said when he comes, we dig a hole. Then we plant the bush 
I call, ''Mommy, come here. I have a surpize." Mom comes out.  She is so happy, she loves it=] 

                                       So thats the story of Mommy birthday 

The end

                                                          

Morning Run

Tiptoe through slumbering house
Floor creaking, laces snicking, joints cracking
From cool dimness into bright morning sun
First steps launching from walk to run
Settling into stride

Neighbours' nods
Hand lifting in greeting
Silent dog tracking my progress wistfully
Dodging parked cars
Noting yards strewn with toys with knowing smile

Down the hill past the park
Wide open green space
Sun peaking over the roofs
Breathing deep
Relaxing

Heart's Desire wood path
Enveloped in green light
An almost holy hush among the trees
Flowers peaking, leaves unfurling
Birds a twitter with morning joy

River's roar over the dam
Constant, filling, steady power
Contented water music among the rocks
Scent of sun-warmed water
Flick of a fish, a startled frog

Old neighbourhood
Stately houses resting
In yards a riot of colour or finicky manicured splendour
A house pregnant with hope
A prayer for the family friends moving in this summer

Drowning in blossomed perfume
Lilac, apple, plum, dogwood
Momentary showers
Of white, delicate pink, blushing fuchsia
The hum of bees

Fox and kit, geese and goslings
Busy squirrels and bright-eyed robins
Sun-bright grass-gravel verge
Slipping by head-down
Heading east up hill into the sun

Final stretch more uphill going
Running concentration dimming view
Hearing reduced to breathing and footsteps
The occasional car passing on to work
Breaking through

Home again
Aglow with heat and satisfaction
Passing from bright sun to cool darkness
Tiptoe through a slumbering house
Cool shower relief

A Post of a Few Ends

The school year begins to end in May 

And continues to end in June

Along with the summer beginning in May

And continuing to begin in June

A confusing - and busy! -  time

If you're not careful

Elation of victory

Satisfaction of completion

Relief for the busy schedule

Reluctance to say goodbye

Regret to have to wait for Fall

To try again, to see again, to be again

So far for us:

The wearing of coats

(And shoes, if the kids have their way)

Having 3 kids under 10

Grace turned 10

in nicely drawn-out celebrations

Thursday, Wednesday, Saturday! 

History done for the year

Canada to Confederation

    

Is all that will fit on our wall

                                                      AWANA is over for the summer

And we are a well-satisfied family

For how far we've come this year

W2W has had it's last hurrah

Here a "handful" of the volunteers 

Necessary for this booming mid-week study

Along with that, the homeschoolers' program STRETCH

Partied to say goodbye for the summer

Hurrah for the brave who led this group

And ends coming soon?

Violin lessons for Jasmin

Spring recital full of magic music

Choir for Mom

Spring concert evening

Culmination of many hard work practices

SHEP for Grace

A co-op one-day-a-week school

Art, gym, history, science

And, mustn't forget, the lunch-time soccer

Science

Math

English

The race is on - 

Will school or May end first?

A 3 year old 

An 8 year old

A 37 year old

...and yet even a few more we celebrate in the weeks to come!

Lazy days of summer? 

Certainly not yet!

What We Like about Spring

Wind

Park play

Flowers

Color on the trees

Buds everywhere

Recess outside

Growing things

Green grass

Bare feet

Nearing the end of school

Birdsong
Making sand castles
Playing with friends
No coats
Finding new hiding places

sitting in the sunshine

talking to people

Warm sunshine

Planting the garden

Fresh air smell

How dirt smells

Woodland Treasures

A walk in the woods this afternoon
A "must-fit-in" thing
On such a warm May day
Before the mosquitoes plague
After sodden spring ground dried

After dreary days
of sick kids
sick parents
relentless life tasks
Before yet another busy weekend

The flowers were so very pretty

and I can't get over the tree

trunk that looks like 

a grotesque face

trying to get through a fence.

One of the flowers
A trillium found
Ontario's flower
but this one is red
 A rare find for us

Surprised by yellow
Hidden in the dead brown leaves
Lots if you look carefully
Lillies with trout-mottled leaves
Curling back their petals













Nodding flags of white
Lined up in rows
Fairy washing hung out to dry
Dutchman's Breeches

With their fine, full, feathery leaves

















The newness of Spring
Shown clearly up close
Wrinkled, just unfolding
Maple leaves stretching into the sun
Ruddy red giving way to summer green















A patch of spring beauties
What more can be said?
Delicate, joyous
finely drawn, exquisite
Spring beauty indeed!










We definitely came home the better for our jaunt!
And then - Friday's bliss! -
A street full of kids
Loud play until
Late reluctant supper calls
Beckon in happy, dirty kids

Grace on SHEP, Jasmin on Spring

SHEP - Science History Education Plus (homeschool co-op day)

An old, experienced teacher
Soccer every day
Listening to a comic on contemplation
Hand-eye coordination with a ball
And art with Chinese ink
Science of machines
History on the fur trade
And foosball waiting to go
The ball bouncing everywhere
A busy day at SHEP.

Spring
Nice, cool, sunny days
Green grass growing
Leaves budding on the trees
Longing for flowers blooming

Spring
Looking forward to
Playing outside long
Puddle jumping
Climbing trees with leaves
Barefoot outdoors

Spring
Gentle rains
Fresh new air
Bird chorus
Friends on the street
School break coming
Birds nesting in the vents

I'm glad it's Spring!

A few pictures from the last few weeks

A play dough afternoon:

 A new species of deer...

Actually, a whole bunch of new ones!

And then a more conventional creation - 

A bowl of fruit.

Back yard critter watching afternoon:

A rare chipmunk

Usually we have 2 squirrels

who have visited so often

they now have names...

 A visit to the river

An almost balmy Spring day

Obsession with rocks

Collect 'em

Chuck 'em

Chalk 'em

Name 'em

Carry them home?!?

Yep, they did. Three a piece, no less!

 Independent Aiden

thought it was time for a snack...

 An Imma treat

An afternoon at the Nature Museum

A visit with the dinosaurs

Pleased as punch with the deer displays

(well, caribou, but just as good)

Fully boy, Aiden most enjoyed

priming a volcano 

and blowing it up!

And the growling, burping bear

That you have to feed up for the coming winter

By scanning cardboard food items...

And after that,

Fully 3 years old,

He spent his time

Writhing on the floor

Asking "how long is this going to take?"

"Are you done yet?"

"Can we go home now?"

But since we went to McDonald's

On the way home

He was quite mollified.

And we all had a great time there

learning new things

seeing incredible displays

trying out

an odd assortment of

hand-on activities.

Thank you, Imma!