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Tuesday, December 31, 2013

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.


Monday, December 30, 2013

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!

Sunday, December 29, 2013

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.)