Family Day Weekend

It was a marathon weekend of snow-packed fun. We first set off for Torie's Farm where we snowshoed among the maples, slid down some slopes, and attended this year's ceremonial 'first tapping' of the maples. The next day we journeyed further to Torie's Cottage where we found ourselves, and our car, surrounded by deep and unexplored snow. It was a sanctuary for friends to enjoy time together as family ... and the Olympics on the big screen!

It was a snow party!

Keva and Tavish were invited to join...

The cast of characters:

Tavish and some tasty snow

Keva in her red sled

Jasper with the quinzhee

Tom on skates

Carol on snowshoes

Torie on skis

and Jode up close

MOMENTS: Snow Lovers

Warm fire with a snowy view

When winter gives you snow...

Build a snow home to play in!

Then smile...

...smile...

...SMILE!

Two toqued peas in a snow-pod

Alter-egos: Flash and Batman

There was playing... Tavish and Jasper played ... Torie, Carol, Jode, Tom and Kath played ... Keva played. There was snow, fun, a fireplace, and the Olympics. Another memorable weekend full of more moments than could be captured by my poor phone. Thanks for having us, Torie!



* Tavish became part-local celebrity when he confidently joined in to hang the ceremonial bucket from the first tapping at Torie's farm. Here's the article from the local paper:

Hope on Valentine's Day

Cupid's arrow struck a little early this year... February 12th, out of the blue, Tavish says "Mommy, know what I love? Hope". Hope is in Senior Kindergarten in Tavish's classroom...

MOMENT: Preferential Treatment

Valentine's day evening, Tavish tells me again that he loves Hope. I asked him what he loved about Hope ... he said he likes her because she's nice and smells good. Like lotion. Huh. My morning in his classroom seems to make so much more sense now that I know this... Tavish, as "Special Helper" got to pick who answered the questions I asked, and a safe 50% of the time, Tavish chose Hope. She seems like an excellent choice, she's in SK, tall and from what I witnessed, articulate. Then again, she did have preferential treatment for speaking ... Love is in the air at a very, very young age!

Special Helper

Before I returned to work, I took every opportunity to help out in Tavish's classroom. In early February, I was invited to be the "Mystery Reader". I showed up a bit early, so my identity was a bit of a non-mystery, but I had a great time reading 'Froggy Gets Dressed' and also led a craft inspired by the book - the students made 'snowball shooters' from a styrofoam cup, a cut balloon, some creativity and, of course some snowballs (cotton balls).

               

MOMENT: A Special Helper

My time in the class went off very well and continues to be recalled favourably by Tavish. He and his friends, I'm told, really enjoy when I come in... I think it was the snowball shooters more than me but I'll take the acceptance where it's given. Turns out, Tavish was chosen to be the "Special Helper" of his class that day. Below is a peak at how the morning started. For the duration of my time there, I had an extra special helper who chose who answered questions and wanted to call classmates over for their turn to make the craft...

A Sled, Snowshoe and a Ski

All that concern about missing winter after living in Ottawa were put to rest...our first winter back in Toronto was certifiably 'wintery'...

Little red sled

Jumping for snowshoe joy!

Keeping good company

Skiing along Lake Ontario at the Leslie Street Spit...

...and really making tracks!

MOMENT: Sledding, Snowshoeing & Skiing, Oh My!

There was a winter weekend where we did it all and didn't have to leave our part of the city... A trip to our nearby park for some sledding; trying out Tavish's new showshoes at the Brickworks; and a family ski on the Leslie Spit. Tavish was a snow-ficiado and Keva was keen to come along in the spirit of seasonal adventuring...

Creative Juices

These kids like to get their creativity on. Sometimes it's a solo venture, sometimes they team up to double the delight...

"Think left and think right and think low and think high.

Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try."

- Dr. Seuss

Two kids. Two masterpieces.

MOMENT: Capturing Creativity

"Every child is an artist, the problem is staying an artist when you grow up."

- Pablo Picasso

Tavish's artwork for Grandma and Grandpa

My phone doubles as a camera and video camera and the stuff I catch sometimes really reminds me that Tavish and Keva and real sources of energy, curiousity, and creativity...

Moustache Much?

Grandpa Mike came to town for a visit in January, but something was different...



MOMENT: Momentary Moustache

It's all the rage. Everyone is doing it. Well, everyone tries to do it and some moustaches last longer than others. Mercifully, none of them were permanent...

Charlotte's Web

Shortly after returning from our holiday adventure in Arizona, Tavish and I read Charlotte's Web together. It was the first full novel for him and aside from a few dated moments in the book (that reader-Mommy was able to adjust without notice), it went over very well. I enjoyed his excitement over using the bookmark; our practice of remembering what happened in the chapter we read the night before; discussing new words or concepts as they came up; and of course, the snuggling that is associated with going on a bedtime adventure with a four year old...

MOMENT: Title Practice

A few nights after finishing the book, we tucked Tavish in only to have him creep down the stairs a little later. Turns out, he'd been working on his writing that was inspired by his experience with Charlotte's Web - the title, author and illustrator all accounted for!

MOMENT: Title to Tiles to Tales

Over the years, Tavish has watched Grandma and Auntie Colleen play their "Bananagrams" game. It's evolved from enjoying turning the tiles over, to searching out the letters for them, to playing a modified game on his own. This is his first solo game where he turned the tiles and arranged the letters for his very own words! From title copying to word writing... 

He has even written notes for us. He and his buddy were playing in his room and he called his Daddy upstairs. The door was closed when Tom went up, so he read the notes out loud that were placed on the door. "Oh, I guess they're not here". The giggles from behind the door were priceless. The two on the right are the clearest: "Dad +" and "we're not here". Our little joker is a word wizard too it seems!