Oh my goodness…this is good. I have watched this in multiple sittings as there are seven parts but it’s so worth it. Take the time.
Category Archives: the shards
general catch-all for uncategorized posts
Rocks, minerals and fossils, oh my!
Just this past weekend we made a trip up to Parrsboro for the Gem and Minerals show and to visit the Fundy Geological Museum.
The drive was lovely as the tides were in and we could see the beautiful Bay of Fundy just to our left as I drove along the coastal highway. The red earth was so amazingly eye-catching I couldn’t help but catch glimpses as we were driving. We spotted a mound of land sneaking out of the water and the boys saw a bit of an arch of a cave showing just above the surface.
We were all excited to see what rocks and gems were in store for us once we arrived at the show and we were not disappointed! The boys were so excited to buy pyrite and raw rubies as well as sapphire. I must say they are not anything like the cut kind and I think I kind of like the raw form a bit more. We all ‘ooh’ed and ‘ahh’ed at the huge pieces of minerals as the boys were on the search for a big buddha for me. 🙂 I came out with a nice round garnet and an orange half geode. I was tempted by a beautiful turquoise ring but probably a good thing it was not in my size!
From there we went over to the museum and found some great little archeological dig kits for the boys. The kits contain plastic dino bones (miniature of course!) in plaster with a wooden chisel and brush. The boys couldn’t wait to start chipping away! I myself grabbed a geological map of our province and a quartz crystal pendulum that had on its chain the seven chakras in little round gems. I think that’s my favourite find.
I have to say that our gifted museum pass came in quite handy that day and for that we are happily thankful. 😉
Inside the museum we watched a very cool animation of what the world looked like long before Pangea – did you know that Nova Scotia was once where Antarctica now is? – and during Pangea we were part of Africa. There is a beach in Nova Scotia that I’ve been told by a friend has petrified palm trees! We played the video backwards and forwards and watched over and over again how the world came to be as it is today.
Xman and I found a display of fossils and a nearby screen that identified each one. We played the guessing game and after our day at Blue Beach we got a few of them right. I haven’t posted about that trip yet, have I? Okay, that’s next on the list!
L made a beeline for the hands-on archeological dig. We hid plaster casts of rocks with fossils in the raw rice for the boys to find. It was great fun!
Can you imagine that dragonfly zooming by?
By this time the tide was the lowest it would be for the day and looking out the windows of the museum we could see the red earth exposing itself to the sun. It was a beautiful site and a great time to start heading home. And what a time it was! We began our drive with the tides in and now with the tides out we couldn’t help but stop and admire the view. It was amazing indeed!
Remember that mound jutting out of the water? Well, we found a side street that led down to the shore and had an amazing view of this which I believe is called Five Islands.
I like Stephen’s Instagram pic.
Another pano – those are me boys throwing rocks into the mud!
We took a short stop at Mastodon ridge on the way home to update out pic of the boys being chased by the mastodon and Stephen all chummy. So fun!
The boys a couple of years ago. Love this pic! Stephen used his iPhone so it has a totally different look – plus the lighting was completely different this time around. Still fun!
X: Mastadon whatever!
L: Ya, big deal!
L: He’ll never catch us!
X: Aaaahhhh!
Inside the gift shop we found some great sales including this book that I had borrowed from the library and brought with me for the trip. And this book which I fell in love with when we went to Pictou earlier this year. These gems (the book kind!) will be seeing a lot of love from us!
Stephen also found a couple of harmonicas which just happened to be on sale. He used to have one which I believe is somewhere in the vicinity of our home. Perhaps the house elves have taken it! So he bought the boys each their own. Xman is obsessed with it and plays it every day. Video to come.
The moon kept us company as we drove the rest of the way home. Although it wasn’t quite full it was extraordinary to me and Stephen used my wee camera to get a quick pic of it from the car. Ahh, so purty.
L wanted to take a picture of a car zooming by. It took a few tries but he did it! 😉
Once we arrived home the boys wanted to start digging just a bit before bed. Pretty cool finds!
What a wonderful day it was full of discoveries and beauty! Where will we go next?
Pokémon playing, math and writing fun
I have been visiting this website and reading this book as I prepare for the next school year. Lori is amazing and has wonderful ideas to help me along with creative and gentle ways of introducing project work. Dawn has also given me some great ideas for getting the ball rolling for which I am very grateful! Being new to project work it is something that I think will be a great learning and growing experience for us all. It will be part of not only our ‘curriculum’ but our every day living as well (I hope!). The boys have already begun one project involving automaton which they are excited to be creating – but more on this later… 😉
I have been having a bit of trouble getting the boys to do much more than Lego and Pokémon. Okay, not totally true, but mostly. I am a reader and so luckily for me both boys have become avid readers as well for which I am truly grateful. When they are not reading there are to be Legos found underfoot in almost every room we use throughout the day. The Pokémon cards and characters are part of their daily dialogue as well and when they got their first cards from Grandma they were thrilled and have been playing ever since.
I have read much in Lori’s book about play and learning. I know this to be a valuable part of a child’s every day (and I think it should be part of mine too!). After four years of home educating I am beginning to see just how much their learning has influenced their play and vice versa. For instance, math is a big part of Pokémon. Each character has a certain amount of HP or Health when they begin. They can also lose health when there is damage done to them through certain powers during a battle. (I have to say I like the fact that the Pokémon don’t die when they run out of Health but instead ‘faint’.) Not too long ago as I was listening to the boys play I heard Xman ask L, “What is 390 plus 70?”. I started to do the math in my head and before I finished L said, “460”. Kudos to that boy! I realized that not only were they doing well with their math they were faster at it than me (haha!) and I had never really connected how this game makes them use their brains to this extent. It’s not rocket science but it’s learning and fun and made me realize they go hand in hand.
Just a few days ago I found Xman writing on small pieces of paper. I asked him what he was doing and he said he was making cards for their Pokémon game. They each have a ton of Pokémon character cards but the cards X was making are extra powers and damage cards that each player picks to use when it is their turn. He has taken the game further and I am thrilled. I had to make a copy of his cards so that both boys could have their own set – oh, and two extra copies for when Stephen and I have our own Pokémon sets to play someday. 😉
I think X only asked me twice how to spell a word. The boys are not the best at spelling yet but I have seen that copy work can help spelling if it’s in the right context. I found yet again that the spelling workbooks we used weren’t really helping them learn to spell. They were simply copying words down without paying attention to how the words were spelled. It was just another lesson to get through. When they are writing down something that pertains to a game or other interest, for example, they look at game cards for reference in the case of spelling and manage to remember how to spell those words the next time. I also taught the boys to read through phonics with pronunciation rules so they have gotten pretty good at sounding out for spelling – this is still a process we are going through and the more they write for fun the more they remember.
Those handwriting workbooks became a thing of the past earlier this year as well. I’ve found that the boys write more often and enjoy the process much more when they write what they want (another post on that at a later date). Xman worked on these cards for quite some time, something I never would have been able to get him to do if it were in a workbook.
I am finally letting go of that traditional learning/teaching from when I was in school while in turn realizing learning can be done in so many ways and the best way is simply whichever way the child learns best! Whew, I love it!
Now back to the boy who is waiting at my side to help him with his automaton planning!
Earth Adventures!
Last year we picked up a wonderful book entitled Earth Adventures in the Halifax Region. There are plenty of parks and trails to visit and with the aid of the book we all learn more about the environment and the habitats of animals. There are exercises to do for each trail and a lot of fun learning to be had. At the end of each trail you have to find a small plaque and make a rubbing on the last page of the book for that trail. It is a lot of fun and each time we go we end up spending more time than the book suggests!
This time we went off to Shubie Park. We meant to leave early as the day was going to be super hot, but by 11am when we arrived we were already stopping in the shady spots and bringing out the water.
Along our trek, as we learned about racoons and their eating habits, where they like to hide and live, we found ourselves seeing these trails that we have walked along numerous times with new eyes.
Someone snacking on a mushroom?
Some of the largest plantain leaves I’ve seen! I love these plants and welcome them into our yard for their healing properties.
We came upon some huskies and I felt so bad for them in their heavy coats. One owner was combing and cooling down his big furry friend in the stream. I was tempted to get in their myself!
Can you spot the water striders? There are mosquitoes there too, believe me. 😉
We spotted a little made rock formation someone had made over this pipe. For some reason it reminded me of an inuksuk. I know, totally different. If you peek down the pipe you can see L’s hands giving the ‘I love you’ sign. I had to lean over the water and hope not to lose balance or lose the camera in the water in the process. 🙂
We have a favourite spot at the park where these three huge trees (huge for our part of Canada) stand. We found out that they are hemlocks and a favourite of raccoons as they can easily climb and make a home. Plus their trunks create holes perfect for hiding.
The squirrels like them too. By squirrels I mean the actual animals, not my boys! Although, they too love to climb!
This is L’s favourite tree, whom he calls Puffy. Something had attacked it over the years and the tree seemed to build up layers of protection.
We found many things that raccoons love to eat, from pine cones to seeds and acorns as well as this little guy. I find new snails so interesting with their soft translucent shells. The boys love them too.
Berry season is soon upon us!
Anyone recall what this is, fir or spruce? I recall one has the flat leaves/needles with the white stripe on the underside.
I love mushrooms.
The boys, red-faced from the heat, taking a break to snack and rehydrate while watching a curious squirrel.
This is as close as he would let me get to take a picture. Plus they are so skittery (new word?) I just didn’t have much time to work with. Yes, the boys are wearing rubber boots in preparation for one of their favourite parts of this trail.
A leaf I have never seen here before. Any ideas?
Huge bullrushes!
Can you spot the fish?
Blue bead lily. Yet another great healer.
These damselflies (?) are amazing. In flight they look like butterflies with their big beautiful, deep blue wings. Magical.
The reason for the rubber boots!
At this point we were all tired and hot. We had a great time but were happy the trek was almost complete.
On the other side of the pipe L spotted a mink skittering over the rocks. It was too fast for me. I didn’t have time to reach for the camera so you will just have to take my word for it. 😉
I wonder what would happen if a mink met a raccoon?
Home for fruit popsicles!
A childhood must
There are some things that no child should grow up having not experienced. This is one of those things.
Medicine Wheel update
I have been going through my files trying to (yes, it’s never-ending!) keep up with cataloguing, backing up and blogging. If I keep taking pictures this will never end – Haha! I still have images to blog about from over a year ago – really those are just for our sake. We don’t print any longer and I really do love this way much better as it’s so nice to have a story to go along with the pictures.
When Mom visited in May she and I went searching for some shade loving plants to add to the medicine wheel. Mom had suggested these nettles (not of the stinging variety). They are beautiful with tiny little flowers and when the sun hits the leaves they have a silvery glow. Hmmm…maybe they are moon plants!
I am falling in love, no, I have fallen in love with the wheel. I am drawn to it. It feels like such a sacred place to me and every time I visit it the birds gather around. To walk bare foot on the moss that the boys lay down, which has grown wonderfully, has such a calming feeling. The soft coolness of it underfoot is soothing indeed.
The plants have started to spread since this picture was taken and the moss has become a bright green. Sadly, the nettle in the bottom corner has died. Super big sad smile inserted here. I don’t know what happened but I think I will try to transfer a bit from one of the other plants to this area as it is at an imbalance now. One of our neighbours gave me some of her Solomon Seal (in the back with the little white flowers) and some Lilly of the Valley which have taken well. All of the plants surrounding the wheel have grown wonderfully and seem to gather themselves around the parameter.
I am so happy that the boys took part in this special corner of the garden. It is truly lovely.
7 Lies About Homeschoolers
In tune with yesterday’s post, I just had to share this one that I found on one of the FB HS pages.
Brilliant.
Laugh-out-loud-able!
Socialization and home education
I can’t recall how often I had heard this concern about socialization and homeschooling from friends and strangers alike when we decided to homeschool. I still hear it from time to time but no longer from those who have spent time around us since our homeschooling adventures began. Many strangers still voice concern regarding such a thing or they have concern for me as in: Why would you want your kids around all day? Don’t you want time to yourself? My response: I love my kids and there is no one I’d rather spend my time with.
I just read this article (as in just before posting here which is why I am posting here). I love it and want to shout it on the mountaintops! Please read it – go to the link – read it read it read it! Now! 🙂 I couldn’t have said it better myself, so I won’t. Now go. Then come back here.
And now read this:
I love that my children tell us they love us in public.
I love that they open the door for us and other people.
I love that they talk to adults easily and openly.
I love that they have friends who are two years younger than them and as much as six years older.
I love that they all play together! There were twenty (20!) of them playing together for two hours just the other day.
I love that I can ask my children about white blood cells and they know their names (these books are amazing as is this series).
I love that they get to learn at their own pace about what interests them and in their own learning style.
I love that I get to be present as they learn, discover and create.
I do not love, however, the monetary sacrifice. No, I don’t love it. But, it’s totally worth it. And it helps breed the buddhist in us.
Keep in mind this is what works for us and we do what we can to make it possible. I feel fortunate to do what we do. I am not saying I am better than anyone and that’s where it gets sticky: just because we do this is not us saying we are better. I feel that is what some assume, I can see it in their eyes, hear it in their tone. I just want that to be clear.
We just move to a different groove. It’s an amazing adventure I wouldn’t change for the world. It may not be your cup of tea, and I totally respect that. It’s not everyones’ cup.
It’s tough. Yes, there are tough days. We all have them. And we all love our kids (well, we all should and most of us do thank goodness).
So…the next time someone holds the door open for you, look down and say, Thank You. My kids love it!
Belated Father’s Day and Happy 12/17 plus Summer Solstice!
This past Sunday was a great day for us. Not only was it Father’s Day, which we wholeheartedly thank the boys for (oh yeah!) but it was our Anniversary as well. We have been married 12 years and together for 17 as we got married on our 5 year anniversary. Thus, the Happy 12/17.
It’s been tough, a real challenge, you know? Sometimes we just don’t like each other.
Kidding!
There is no one else I would rather spend my life with than this amazing and handsome man. I’ve known him since he was 18 and I was 23. We were in our first year of art college at the foundation party when I asked him if he was drinking. He said his birthday was tomorrow and he promised his mother he wouldn’t drink until he was 19. He was serious and I was gobsmacked.
Who admits to that? He did.
I will never forget the respect I had for his morals of which I find these days/decades are down the tubes. Mine were slipping down a steep slope when we met. I was starting to feel I just wouldn’t find anyone who really cared about others, was truthful and stood by their beliefs. I knew then and there that he was someone I wanted to know, to be around. Forever.
Love ya, my man. You make me laugh. You make me humble as I take note of myself and my self-contradictions. You have made me a better person indeed. Thank you.
We may celebrate our 25th anniversary a year early to make it our 25th in 2025. Cool, right? 😉
We had just recently purchased a bike rack and were excited about having a beautiful day ahead of us after days of rain. We had talked many times of going on a family bike outing but we just needed to buy a bike rack first, of course. The boys helped Daddy assemble the rack. I love how keen they always are!
Once the bikes were mounted we had hopes that the rack would hold four bikes. It did a fair amount of bending and bouncing but we made it to the trail. Whew!
I had borrowed a Lensbaby Spark from work and brought it along as my only lens. Fun!
Taking time for Lupins.
We had an amazing time on our first family bike ride. It was a perfect day in every way!
The next day I made a belated paleo carrot cake. You can’t rush a good bike ride and carrot cake takes time! Especially when it’s a new recipe. Carrot Cake is Stephen’s all-time favourite of cakes. But paleo? Well, even the boys loved it. Completely loved it! Thanks, Dawn, for the recipe. Now L wants one for his birthday!
As for the bike rack? It made its way back to Costco. Shifty bouncy thing it was. Made us nervous. We found out after some searching around that our car is only meant to handle two adult bikes on a hitch rack. Bummer. Need a new plan…
Today is a big day with L’s drama class’ evening performance after many hours of rehearsal. We were going to wake up to welcome the sun and then sleep when the sun sleeps but it’s going to be a long day for him anyway. We will, however, make our Solstice Strawberry Jam before we go to rehearsal…maybe with some bananas added this time…and a lot of sunshine!
Happy Solstice Everyone!
Eesh, he did it again…
…yes, that darned bug got Xman again and the same eye as last time! Two years ago in June, the boys were playing outside and Xman got bit near his eye. It just looked like a mosquito bite but it bled a bit. By the evening it was swelling. That was about 4 hours later and seemed unusual to me. Well, by next morning I couldn’t believe how he looked! I think the popsicle helped. Such a sad, big bottom lipped, boy!
You should have seen the other kid. Kidding…kidding.
Poor guy, he did well despite his lack of depth perception. I think the apis may have helped his eye this time around from swelling as much as last time.
Alas, I did not have a popsicle to hand over but I still got the big bottom lip.
He got some carrot cake instead. Yum!
Hmmm…must post more images with my good camera (I used my point and shoot for the last two). The first ones look much better.
Alas, he’s still a cutie!