playball

Thanks so much to Coach Steve for an amazing Playball Ball Hockey program.

We can't say enough nice things about him. The boys wouldn't miss a class if their lives depended on it-they had THAT much fun!

Lucas and Josh weren't even enrolled, but he included them during each class as he could see their interest and appreciated their help.

Not only is he a skilled coach, but genuinely and consistently a thoughtful and dynamic person.

We will miss his classes, but I grabbed his number as we found out he does birthday parties also! :) So, who knows, maybe in the fall! :)

pondering labeling (of unschooling)

labeling is right up there with standardized testing for me

i find labeling to be restricting

it does not give a full picture

it can lead to stereotyping, pigeon-holing, judgement and narrow mindedness

it doesn't allow for growth or embodiment of the whole

even to label ourselves as 'unschoolers' is potentially detrimental

to ourselves

and to the 'movement'

because the term does not send a complete message

sometimes, it can be perceived rather negatively, just by way of its terminology

its 'anti-establishment' - 'anti-school' vibe

and that's not to say that people who consider themselves 'unschoolers' are not anti-establishment

i'm just saying it doesn't fully describe what it is we do everyday either

i know that when we try to find other ways to explain it or define it

it's difficult

because what we do has no boundaries, does not follow a straight/mapped out line

how can you define something that lacks definition and is unique to each individual?

if we use labels, we tend to subscribe to them

which is limiting

we tend to reinforce generalizations

which can promote awareness of alternatives

but to what end?

what would happen if we didn't define what we do or who we are in one word at all?

can one word really illustrate the what, the why, the how, the who?

art gallery visit

the sleepover aftermath :)

On St. Patrick's Day, we found ourselves at The McMichael Canadian Art Collection in Kleinburg, Ontario with our good friends, the Platt family. McMichael is the only major public gallery that collects and displays only Canadian art. The gallery contains works by the Group of Seven, showcases other individual Canadian artists as well as featuring Inuit and First Nations works. The setting at McMichael is spectacular as it is on 100 acres of conservation land. Not surprisingly to those who know us well, we spent most of our time there outside following the trails, exploring and watching the kids climb trees. This is partly because it was one of the nicest days we have seen in months, but also because that's what they love to do. They also seemed to really enjoy the hands-on art activities of stained 'glass', celtic button-making, and water colour painting. We plan to go back and spend more time in the gallery and Kleinburg itself as it is such a lovely place.

freedom in poetry

There are many ways to be free.

One of them is to transcend reality by imagination,

as I try to do.

~ Anais Nin ~

i have this thought in my head

that says, 'i'm ready for poetry'

not just poetry expressed in words

but visual poetry

in a landscape

in a moment

in an image

in a drop of water

in art

it has become a way to love life even more

a way to feel free

and alive

it boosts my spirit and so i seek it out now

i crave it

it has meaning

especially when it doesn't make sense

it's just about a feeling

giving me inspiration

lightening my spirit

let children walk with nature...

let them see the beautiful blendings and communions

of death and life,

their joyous inseparable unity,

as taught in woods and meadows,

plains and mountains

and streams of our blessed star

and they will learn that death is stingless indeed,

and as beautiful as life.

~john muir

this quote provided a powerful message for me today-for myself and for our children.

as spring approaches...

the weather has been refreshingly mild. the sun has been out and the jackets have come off. when it rains, you don't mind so much because you can see buds emerging-a promise for new growth, change and warmer days to come.

we have been out and about here and there investigating a farm, playing and walking at the forest, visiting friends and family, discovering ice crystals and how they sound when they crash and splay on a frozen pond, getting wet and muddy, playing hockey, trading pokemon cards and pitching and organizing our things in between.

Maple Syrup Time!

It's maple syrup time in Ontario!

We enjoyed a lovely day visiting Bruce's Mill Conservation Area with our old friends Anna, Rick, Aidan and Julianna this past weekend.

The sun was shining, the snow was melting and the maple syrup was a flowin'! YUMM!

Highlights of our day included: seeing the sweet animals at the petting zoo, the owls from the Muskoka Wildlife Centre, mucking in the puddles, snowball fights, sliding on ice with sticks, the smell of the fire and time with our pals.

days with daniel

since we have returned to ontario

we have spent many a lovely day with daniel

he's full of beans, full of superhero action adventure and full of funny comments

daniel is the kind of boy you want to follow around with a pen and paper 'cuz you never know what he will come out with

the boyz look forward to days with daniel as do i

his youthful exuberance keeps us on our toes

these pics are from the other day when we were altogether

visiting

running

walking

throwing snowballs

chatting

playing cards

playing lego

playing computer

playing wii

on a sunshiney day!

living the life in ontario!!! :)

cuz your friends are my friends, and my friends are your friends

When living and learning through life, children's social interactions are not mainly saturated with same age/ same sex cliques or groupings- instead, they are more open and accepting of all people on their path~

It has been a delight to watch our boyz have friends of all ages and both genders over the years

A bonus is that they consider adults to be their friends as much as young people

On Valentine's, the boyz were just as likely to make a card for a 4 year old friend as they would a 40 something year old friend :)

Furthermore, as adults, we have developed friendships, admiration and love for the children in our groups as well

We really enjoy spending time with all people in community

and hanging out with our friends, young and old alike.