August 19, 2014

Homeschool is in session..?

This is the start of the littles farm unit for this fall.  We apparently just can't wait another week for school to begin so I have launched into activities.  Still can't convince Dotty that play time counts as school.  



August 11, 2014

Harvest

This is just a taste of the yield to come.


August 10, 2014

Rarest sighting of all ...

Jerbo had so much fun with his friend at camp that we hardly saw him.  Between fishing at sunrise and sneaking treats into their tent at night, the only place I saw him was around the campfire and when food was served.








Dotty owned the whole place.

Do you like my glasses Mom.  
Oh this girly has some attitude.

Bat dance accompanied by a detailed and scientifically correct song about bats.  




Mister loving camp life.

Someone holding up his shorts so they don't get wet. ;-)

Catching frogs.

This one he wants to kiss and marry.  
Such a ladies man.





Teeter totter for two... Or 3


Good old fashioned teeter totters aren't so easily found. Thankfully the camp playground hasn't been updated...ever...so we had a memorable opportunity I couldn't pass up.



It's a bit hard to make it work when MOM (emphasis on the large letters) sits at one end.  So I decided to attempt a a double tot with both at one end.  Not sure if the picture came out but here's the view from my seat.







Her first fish

Dotty has been beggin and pleadin to go fishin with her dad for several summers.  Thankfully we had the chance on this camping trip to try right off the shore and what a successful little fisher girl I have.  


This amazing shot of her with the nets she insisted on bringing sums up her new found confidence and a bit of her attitude.




August 8, 2014

Pet project


I realize as the proud owners of a reptile pet of our own it might be assumed that we are generally comfortable with the whole category.  Let me assure you and clarify now, this is not the case.  

I do have a fascination and an eager curiosity, but mostly as a learning tool and to encourage my kids.  
Trust me.  No kids, no lizards.

Our neighbours called us up excited to show us what they found ... wait for it ... in their BACKYARD.



A 12 inch long Bearded Dragon was resting on their back deck in the sun.


So they called up the local lizard lovers ...  AKA ... us.  

Thankfully the big guy was already scooped into a green non, cause I couldn't have touched him.  

After a bit of hydration and a few days he found a new home in a reptile shelter, bit it was an exciting little adventure for us.  

ZERO plans to get a big lizard in the future.

Russel is more than enough reptile for us.

Mini Moustache Man


Do I need to say more.


Yummy Lunch

Decided to visit our main man for lunch.  Fun and the food was amazing.


August 7, 2014

Best friends

These 2 have really become the best of friends this summer.  They sit happily in the pet hotel we made and they set up a little sleeping place to share.  I can't quite squeeze in but they have everything they need anyhow.




Car wash


My car could use a wash for sure.  And with Ian and Julia's recent discovery of fingerprint pictures on my car doors I decided a car wash activity was in order.  

We went with the toy cars for this run. I might let them take the hose to my real car soon.




June 30, 2014

Family walk

My DH had taken the initiative several years ago to start what he calls "family walk" most nights after supper.  What a great idea!  So for several years this has gone on, with varied success, and it has evolved in to a daddy walk while mommy showers or has a quiet minute. Sometimes mommy takes everyone out for a walk if daddy can't make it home.

I am sure we will have many pics of the kids on this walk, with various family and neighbourhood friends or guests joining in, as the tradition has also grown to include the multiple children who happen to be outside playing when we leave.

Here are a few fun shots from this week.

June 29, 2014

Star Wars mania...

It was a huge surprise and a highlight of the weekend that the Star Wars characters 
came to the Greenbelt church BBQ night.
Ian actually tackled this guy and tried to beat him up.








June 27, 2014

Easy evenings at the park

Relaxing out on the court is such a normal part of our daily routine that 
I sometimes forget how important the simple time being nearby, 
listening to kids play, and nodding or chatting with neighbours can be.

This swing set is filled with my amazing children everyday.  
Jerbo is mastering the launching kick dismount.
Dotty can completely get her own swing moving without a single push
and she is even able to stand and swing like a monkey without fear.
And Mister, well, still needing lots of pushes but I have ramped up the
educational factor as we count swings and learn songs.



We had a special treat visiting some neighbours tonight which
started and ended with some water hose fun.
Ian was star of this show for sure.


Alone...first time in way too long

Many thanks to some kind friends who just happen to love
my kids and enjoy their company in small doses.

I was given the chance to have almost 2 hours of solitude.
Not a moment wasted though, as I ran directly to the garden 
to spend some time weeding and tying up the tomato plants.

It's my first time trying to use dowels and ties instead of 
cages for my tomatoes.  Or along side of cages, 
since I do still have some being used.
I am hoping the effort and cost isn't wasted.
I am getting lots of nods of approval
from fellow gardeners who long ago abandoned the
weak cages my tomato plants usually have to manage in.

The zucchini are thriving and I am sure we will
have plenty of yummy breads to eat soon.  Not many other
zucchini recipes really delight me like a loaf of zucchini bread.

The onions are doing well, and I hope soon we will also be seeing
the red onions in nearby.  That might take another childless day to make happen.

This is one of 6 rows of beans.  Yes, 6.  But they are by far my
favourite seasonal veg for a quick snack at the garden.

Corn is on the rise.  Nothing glorious but by far the best I have ever attempted.

I am really enjoying the garden this year.
It's been a long time building up knowledge and 
my children's tolerance for the task.  But it seems I have 
made some right choices and have learned better how to manage
the weeds and work.  


The almost best part was being able to come home and 
have a shower before... BEFORE... I had to go get the kids.  
I may have had a sitter before, but showering in 
complete privacy during the day is unheard of.