Weather Fluctuations and Power Outage

Nature rarely ceases to amaze me.

First and foremost-at how long she can drag out cold and dreary days for months on end! :(

But, this post has more to do with highlighting a number of extremes within a 3 hour period surrounding sunrise yesterday morning.

The winds were really high, the clouds were moving along fast-then slow...clouds, then sun- rain, then not, calm, then not calm... it was rather mesmerizing to watch and document.

It was the kind of wind that you wonder if you should really go outside for fear a lawn chair might hit you...but I did anyways. In and out of the house. Cuz that's what crazy photographers do, don't ya know! :)

Needless to say, we lost our power by around 8 a.m.-thank goodness I make my coffee before then! Unfortunately, it wasn't just for a short time, but for the whole day. Through that reality, we were reminded of just how much we use our electricity, water and telephones for. Yup, all three were gone. It's funny how your mind works. I still put toast in the toaster and flipped the switch in the bathroom every time I went in there-d'uh... Realized I couldn't do dishes, laundry, internet, photo uploading, talk on the phone, bake, cook, shower...and really I was too restless to play a board game or read a book. So, the kids, walked the dogs, played their games till the batteries ran out, played with their friends, did some house work and then we decided to venture into town to go to lunch with them and go with the flow. We parted and then the boys and I ended up going back to the trail we were at the other day at Guelph Lake. The lake was raging, but it didn't take long for shoes to be kicked off, trees climbed, snails found, photographs taken, an unidentified wildlife sighting :) and an invigorated, refreshed family! On the way home, we found places we'd heard about, but had never been to and now we know where they are!

Our power took even more time to resume and when it did we did a happy dance. Me especially because it meant my food was saved and I could make a cup of tea to warm up. The boys of course were glad to play with Ali on their new Wii game and then out they went to make a hammock from the netting of an old trampoline cover! Ah the life!

Glad today that things are back to normal-yet always up for an adventure around here! Looking forward to volunteering and more outdoor dicovery today...Have a great Friday!

Crawford Lake Conservation Area: A Spring Visit

I will never tire of taking time at Crawford Lake or any other conservation area for that matter with the boys...going anytime, with anyone- is wonderful, but I do treasure our adventures together, just the four of us. It's a common interest between us-being in nature... I'm not into gaming like they are, but when we are out in nature, we are connected...inspired as we discover--as we: hike, climb, appreciate the beauty and spend equal amounts of time comfortable in silence and chatting with each other. Going to different places, different trails is exciting, but returning to the same place is also neat as we can see the changes from season to season, visit to visit...a nature study in and of itself.

We come away feeling a little tired, yet refreshed in spirit. I can't wait to go again...maybe with a picnic and on a sunny warm day!

Learn & Play ~ Play & Learn

As I'm posting these spring images of the boys, the pond, the gardening, new growth, social visits, kite flying, bike riding, fishing, turtles, dog walks and so on... it struck me that when someone asks where the boys are, what are they doing... I'm not necessarily going to say, they are out playing, but instead-O, they are out Learning...because, really- learning and play-play and learning, go hand in hand... they are interchangeable. the bonus with 'life learning' is that you can choose your own path, have fun-fill your soul and your mind at the same time without force or competition.

Great find boys!

Livin' it up at home!

First Warm Spring Weekend at Home 2011

Spring has certainly sprung around here. Last weekend was one of those wicked sunny, fun, productive, happy weekends filled with so many things you long to do during our long Canadian winters.

I would suggest that the pics say it all.

However, most memorable for me was watching the kids, Willow and Jeff fly kites, run around and just sit down in the field together. Also, our first bbq with Mom and Dad. It's so great that they live so close now-and impromptu get togethers are possible. Of course watching the kids play with abandon: skipping ropes, walks, riding bikes, archery, swinging, hanging at the pond, looking for critters...AND seeing Jeff's excitement as he walked into his clean tool shed after much organizing!

Be prepared for many more spring pics to come! Lots of gardening and pond time!

Perfect Spring Afternoon with Friends

Sometimes being somewhere familiar with familiar people is simply comforting and uplifting...a reminder of good memories and a sense of belonging...

We were excited to meet up with Cindy, Maeg and Will at Fairy Lake last week. Surprisingly, we met up with other homeschoolers from Barrie and Newmarket at the same time. What a crowd!

It was great to see Wendy, Lucas, Elsa and Dalton and to spend time with Dalton on our walk around the lake. He's changed so much since we first met him! Time flies! We hope they will be able to coming camping at Awenda this summer!

I loved observing the kids at Fairy Lake, doing so many of the things we have done there before over the years.... running off the path to investigate, playing at the park, mucking in the water, walking on the boardwalk, taking pictures, rolling down hills, watching the geese, giving piggy-back rides, finding critters and so on. I had to wonder, how many more times this scene will look like this to me. I'm not dwelling on it, just realizing how precious this time is...and the time to just be a kid, a free kid to do as you please...and benefit so much from good friends and being in nature.

We continued our visit at Covernotes and enjoyed yummy drinks and treats.

We all left each other smiling and look forward to our next visit!