Preschool

We thought it was really important to put Kezia in preschool this year. She did not attend last year, and while it was nice to have all three kids home- it also caused a lot of stress at times. The girls just wanted to play together all day, therefore Eva often refused to do school work because she wanted to play with her sister. It was also quite clear, that Kezia was always following her older sister. So to benefit them both, we decided to put Kezia in preschool with her best friend B.
It has been the most wonderful experience for her and for us at home. Kezia goes for one full day, and one half day per week to the preschool that our church runs. She loves preschool and is always very excited to go. I think she feels special, that she has something to do, that her siblings do not. It has given her the opportunity to make new friends, play with new and different toys and crafts, learn to follow the lead of different teachers, and generally explore who she is as a person without the dominance of her older sister.
At home, it has offered me time to dig deeper on more complicated lessons without interruption from curious wee hands, and has helped to take away some distractions. It is beautiful to see them all come together again at the end of the day. They are genuinely so happy to be reunited. Here is a photo, of a day that we came a bit early and the kids were still out on the playground.

Scouts and Girl Guides

This fall Eva was invited to Brownies by a friend, and she LOVED it from day one. She learned the Brownie motto and promise, and comes home each week smiling from ear to ear while singing the song of the evening. We joined late (mid November) since it was a Brownie Halloween Party that she had been invited to by her friend; yet she was there in enough time to still be a part of the welcoming ceremony. I must admit, I got a little choked up watching her perform the very same ceremony that I participated in as a Brownie myself several years back! Then, to our surprise, as we were leaving the ceremony, the Wise Owl walked over to use with three crates of cookies to sell! Eva was very excited and got straight to work the next day.

There is a school across the tracks form us, and many people walk by after school. So Eva set up camp, with signs and blankets.

Theo joined in on the fun, by making a sign, and attaching it to his body. He then walked to the corner of our block, trying to persuade any passersby to come buy cookies! She went door to door in the freezing temperature. I had to laugh because one of the guide lines for selling cookies is to wear your uniform- yet usually the cookies are sold in September and late spring, when the weather is warmer. We posted a plea on Facebook, to see if there were any friends who were interested in buying cookies. To our surprise and delight some friends from London decided to buy 4 boxes, with the requirement that Eva make some lovely cards, and think of 4 people who could use a little extra love in the form of cookies. It was such a wonderful project for us all to participate in. Eva again got straight to work, making some lovely cards. Then she took the time to visit with each of the people who received a box of cookies all of whom were elderly. It was a beautiful sight to see, and something that she will remember forever. 

Theo was feeling left out of all the fun, and asked if he could join Scouts. We visited several different Scouts units in Richmond and were not able to find a good fit. Then I remembered one of my students from last year, who attended one in Ladner that was for Home Learners- put on during the day. We check it out, and were delighted to learn that Eva (and Kezia once she's 5) can attend as well. Here is Theo in his new Scouts shirt, reading up on all the badges that he plans to conquer!

Theo and Kezia painting the bird house that they made.

Eva coloured a cute page, for her Brownies binder.

At one of their first meetings of Scouts/Guides, Theo learned how to sew. Apparently, he's a natural! I'll have to give my mom credit for that gene!

Fall Family Fun

As busy as this fall has been, we have been blessed with such lovely dry weather that constantly enticed us outside. Here are a few highlights!

Leaf Jumping

Caramel Apple Tasting

Leaf Hunting

Tractor Driving

Leaf Catching

Sister Hugging

Bike Riding

Top of the World -Standing

Picture posing

More picture posing.

Pretend to sleep on brother's shoulders while walking.

Sweet Sweet Smiling.

Minecraft Madness

I apologize for how behind I am in the postings, it has been a busy fall! Last spring, Theo starting saving his money so that he could purchase a (computer game) App for the iPad called Minecraft. If you haven't heard of it, it is kind of like digital Lego. You can build things, collect resources, and even interact with others in the worlds that you have created.  He and all his friends are obsessed with it. So naturally for his ninth birthday, he requested a Minecraft Theme- and this is what we came up with.

                                                                   

The invitations.

I "pixilated" some canvases for the boys to paint a minecraft figure on.

Some followed the "plan"...

One did not- that's the birthday boy's cow! ;)

The Spread

 All the foods that we served, represented either true food items that you can "eat" in the minecraft world- or items that you can use in minecraft. This was the fun part. Theo's face was beaming while we were in the grocery store trying to decide what we could use to represent different minecraft stuff!

Then the had to go and mine for different resources (such as red diamonds, and wood) in order to be rewarded with their axes, and swords.

All geared up with his weaponand tool.

Off to the minecraft field- spectators included! ;)

Friends Cake, complete with TNT candle.

The Family Cake
(Built to resemble a cake in minecraft world.)

Sock warmer

When our children were babies, their loving Daddy would blow into their socks before putting them on so that they would be nice and warm for those little piggies. For some reason, Kezia has now started to blow into her own socks when Daddy is not around. Too cute.

Mariposa's

My oldest daughter loves butterflies. I knew that you could purchase butterfly larvae kits for the classroom, so I thought why not for home too! Friends of ours had done it before, so were able to borrow some of their supplies. It was a wonderful learning experience. I highly recommend it for some spring time wonder!

I love you berry much...

Every summer my sister comes to visit about 6 weeks. This year she came a little earlier in the summer, which meant that she was here in time for Strawberry season!!!

We had already run out of last years supply of Strawberry Jam, and so were highly motivated to round the troops to make jam!

We had just moved into the house, and finally had a kitchen big enough to host all the helpers! I was in my happy place the whole afternoon. It was so wonderful to have my sister and her girls here in our home, with my parents and not feel over crowded.

My Dad clearly thought there were too many cooks in the kitchen, so he opted for clearing out the weeds in our garden. This was a four hour job to get it looking that good. Those weeds were thick and HIGH!

 I'm not sure what happened to my mom, Ellie and Theo as they were there too. I think those photo's must be on my sisters. Camera???

  My cute sister at the "stirring" station.

 Kezia wanted to help so badly, and her little voice often didn't get heard over her cousins demands for jobs. At one point, Colin asked her to help by passing him the strawberries from the sink, one at a time, so that he could hull them! Sadly, I have no photo of that, but it was just the sweetest thing. She did her job with pride. It was so sweet that Colin was able to think of job for her to do- when all others were occupied!

Sweet Cait stirring away.

Eva smashing. Later, we started using the electric food processor- that was awesome!

Hulling.

Measuring.

Only the beginning of our total supply.

Fort Langley

One of the fields trips we did with our school this year was a trip out to Fort Langley. It was a beautiful warm sunny day which made it even more enjoyable. The kids learned lots as we went from station to station learning about all the different jobs that had to be done around the Fort in order to keep the community running!

Listening to the First Nations lady explain what was traded between the Europeans and the First Nations and why!

After identifying some of the origins of the furs, Theo was brave enough to touch them.

Pretending to make some laws!

Learning to Waltz.

Twas a lovely day. It was great to be surrounded by many of my student families, and of course the DiGi-Lakins!