Puzzles!

August 1, 2013 by theshards

Today began with breakfast of eggs and veggie bacon to eat while watching the third Harry Potter movie. Stephen just finished reading the book to the boys last night. They were super-excited for this morning to come.

I must say I was a little concerned with how they would react to the Dementors and part of me wanted to wait. Thus the reason for watching the movie in the morning. Much time to get possible scary images out of the head before bed.

The boys loved the movie and barely hid their eyes when the Dementors showed up. We told them that we could easily stop the movie but no, they did just fine and now can’t wait for the next book!

After the movie we began to work on an unfinished ‘project’. For about five days now we have been working off and on putting together a 750 piece puzzle. It’s only our second big puzzle we’ve done as the boys are just becoming more interested. It’s quite a lot of fun to do together and watch the boys find many pieces themselves, especially ones that just seemingly couldn’t be found.

So far our big puzzles have come from a borrowed toy cupboard or a second hand store. We’ve done two pyramid 3d puzzles as well. They have all had every piece in the box.

Until now. One missing piece. I have a suspicion it’s around here somewhere possibly blending in with our flooring!

This was a fun puzzle with its odd border shape and many fun words to find and make.

Now it’s time to mow the lawn after many days of rain. Perhaps I shall bring some freshly brewed passion iced tea outside with me…

Happy day!

Blue Beach, NS

July 31, 2013 by tam

This weekend we went to Blue Beach Fossil Museum and had a great time rock hounding! I decided I would take a bunch of images and merge them in Photoshop to show the landscape. The image turned out quite small in height to fit in this post and I had to laugh. That being said, I think it still gives feel for the stretch of land and the lovely red beach.

I am still in the process of editing the rest of the images and sizing them for the blog but hopefully I will be sharing more images (not as panos!) soon! Don’t worry, they will be ‘normal’ size!

Pano_Blue-Beach-blog

A phase (I hope) for Xman

July 25, 2013 by theshards

He has something against the texture of skins of fruits and veggies lately…

Earth Adventures!

July 19, 2013 by tam

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. 🙂

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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!
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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. Jul152013_Shubie-Adventure_17 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.

Jul152013_Shubie-Adventure_18 Berry season is soon upon us!
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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.
Jul152013_Shubie-Adventure_23 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.
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A leaf I have never seen here before. Any ideas?

Huge bullrushes!
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Can you spot the fish?

Blue bead lily. Yet another great healer.
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These damselflies (?) are amazing. In flight they look like butterflies with their big beautiful, deep blue wings. Magical.

The reason for the rubber boots!
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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

July 17, 2013 by theshards

There are some things that no child should grow up having not experienced. This is one of those things.

Medicine Wheel update

July 17, 2013 by tam

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.

Starting out slow today… a make and listen…

July 11, 2013 by tam

Yes, that’s right. It’s a bit of a slow one today. Last night was filled with some bed hopping on my part.

A few days ago we all went to see Despicable Me 2. We own the first movie (found it in mint condition at a used store!) as we just loved it. The boys were very excited to see the new one in the threatre and, I gotta tell ya, I even laughed out loud in a couple parts, louder than the kids. Good times. But, there were a few parts that really freaked the boys. I won’t give it away but I can see how it was a bit freaky for them. Let’s just say the minions go through a bit of a change… Those changes are sticking by them come bedtime and emerging into their dreams. Darn minions. Trouble-makers! 🙂

I slept in those narrow beds close to my favourite men. It was totally worth it for the closeness it made and the comfort it created but has made me a tired one today. It will be a slow day. That is okay, because with the lovely rain (yes, I do love love love it), it feels like a cuddle under a blanket kind of day. Perhaps we can read another chapter of this book that the boys are loving just as much as their Legos. It’s the last of the series which L found second hand and has encouraged him to read more of the series on his own. I too, am enjoying the books and it’s so much fun to be able to talk Lego with them and know who is who. Ya, that’s right, I’m cool. Teehee.

I have grabbed my knitting to work on – a free pattern from Craftsy. I am also in the midst of making a turtle neck style cape which I hope to complete for this winter. Fingers crossed. In the meantime it’s nice to have a smaller portable project on the go. Can’t wait to wear it!

As (almost) always, I have CBC2 Tempo playing in the background (competing with a Sonic dvd in the other room). I sip my tea, my lovely earl grey tea. Oh, it just isn’t morning without it. It is the perfect knitting/reading/sewing companion. I think I may need to make another cup…getting kind of low in there…in my cup that reminds me of home. 🙂

Once tea is done and the knitting is put aside, I think we will finish creating our so-much-fun (!) tissue paper lanterns from a lovely book I just happened to find roaming the library. More on that when the lanterns are finished. Then we are off to the library for a book drop-off/pick-up and maybe a little moment enjoying the rain.

What have you been making and listening to today?

For more inspirational making and listening visit Dawn’s lovely blog.

~smile~

7 Lies About Homeschoolers

July 8, 2013 by tam

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

July 7, 2013 by tam

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!

Canada Day, walk in the rain and screen printing!

July 2, 2013 by tam

We had a lovely day yesterday despite the rain and despite the fact there has been a lot of it these days! My garden is super-green but my radishes aren’t too happy about that, nor my greens. They are craving the sun after so much moisture!

I think we all tend to get a bit of cabin fever with all this inside business. A few days ago we went to an indoor play area to let the boys run like crazy and it really helped. It made me feel better too to see them getting the ants out of their pants (that saying was a fun one to explain to the boys!).

Yesterday, I figured that rain or not it was time to venture out. I really wanted to collect some leaves to do some printing as I was excited to use the brayer that I just purchased from Michaels during their 40% off everything sale. Oh, I think we (that means mostly ‘I’) did a pretty good job of containing myself among all the crafty goodies and art supplies. I also purchased a Fiskars rotary cutter which has been on my list for a long time and used it shortly after on a skirt I was sizing. I instantly fell in love. Soo nice!

Although it was not raining at present, the forecast called for more so upon leaving the house we decided to take our umbrellas. We walked along the path near our house which overlooks the lovely waterfront harbour going out to the Atlantic Ocean. Despite the overcast sky it was a lovely day and the birds were singing and so many flowers were in full bloom including some St John’s Wort and Birdsfoot Treefoil which are both such a brilliant yellow you can’t help but say ‘hello’! It was a surprise to see all the blooms and plants in full greenery on our first trip to the trail this summer/spring. We’ve been kept away by the weather but reminded that despite a bit of rain, it’s still a great time to get outside. Hey, I used to do it all the time when I was a kid so why not now?

About half way along the trail the rain started but we were prepared and it was just a light drizzle. At first. Prior to our departure we had told the boys we would walk along the trail and go to the new Starbucks at the other end. It was a nice destination spot and a treat and as the rain came down the idea of getting inside with a nice hot cup of something proved sweet indeed!

After a nice treat and a bit of drying off we went on our way again. We only got hit by a smidgen of rain, so little that as soon as we raised the umbrellas it stopped! We had to laugh at the oddity of our weather!

The boys found some young snails on the path and so began our search of saving the little newbies from the doom of squishdom by moving them to the edge of the grass. A good deed and something for which we are always on the lookout: taking care of the little creatures. By the time we arrived home the sun was out and we had to laugh at that timing. Then again, with the sun came the humidity so were happy to now be indoors.

After lunch we started on printing leaves onto paper. We didn’t have much luck this time as we found that painting onto the leaves and then placing paper on top and rolling with the brayer just didn’t suffice. I think I need to buy a foam brayer and try rolling the paint onto the leaves and then placing under paper and pressing. Any input here would be appreciated! I know I saw this done somewhere and feel so silly that such a simple thing is beyond my abilities to figure out at the moment. Alas, I did not take leaf printing in art school! Haha!

We moved on to some printing with the screen and squeegee that we purchased at the same time at Michaels. Stephen cut out a Maple Leaf (very apropos for the day!) as a stencil. I borrowed this book from the library and it was a great help as we figured out what we needed to do. The boys were excited to finally have a go at printing as they would like to make t-shirts to sell with their own creations printed on them. We learned that running the paint over the area to be printed several times is the key. I’d say first time was pretty successful!

Not bad, right? Perfect timing for going out to see the fireworks later that night, too!

Onto dinner and a movie while we waited for 10pm to roll around. I cooked up some spinach and chickpea curry from this book and it was delicious. We all really enjoyed watching Nanny MacPhee while we ate and had a good laugh!

Time to cut the hair and have a bath! During this time I checked for an update on the fireworks as the day had been so overcast and had turned that way again as evening came on. The fireworks ended up being postponed, but hey, no loss as we’d had a great day and the boys got to stay up late!

I played around with the colouring on my little camera on this one.

Happy Day to all!

Okay, now time to get onto the latest issue of Alphabet Glue that Dawn helped put together!