Can't We Just Play In The Rain

We spent a ridiculous amount of time getting ready to go for a walk in the rain today. Finding all the rain gear, bundling up and getting in the car took so much work. Finally we made it to a trail where we were meeting our friend Heather and her dog Bella for a short walk in the rain. About 30 seconds into the walk, my kids were done. DONE! I wasn't. I really wanted to enjoy a walk in the rain. But, unhappy kids that are cold and wet, trump me all the time, so we left. I did manage to capture this beauty.

And this one

We Bought Property!

We bought this piece of property in Vancouver. It's just over an acre, with additional space added because of an easement and it sits next to a 5 acre parcel of wetlands. It has been untouched for several years so it is perfectly wild and overgrown with unknowns. One day we will live here. One day soon.

Routines and Rhythms With Homeschool Friends

We found our rhythm. The kids and I are getting together on a regular basis with a few friends to do crafting, reading, experimenting, singing, cooking, playing and whatever else strikes our interest. We all live close to each other and rotate who's house we meet at weekly. The kids have so much fun and us mamas have a close connection that we all needed for ourselves and our kids. I am excited for where these friendships and our homeschooling activities bring us. 

Pictures below show the kids making an apple crisp, finger knitting, frying and eating meal worms, painting and dissecting owl pellets. Just a small peak at some of the fun we have together.

Completing Knitting Projects

I'm tying up loose ends on some knitting projects. I had several that needed to get done and given to their new owners, especially now that winter is so near and they will be used and appreciated. It feels good to get projects done and rid of. Now I can start something new...like socks!!

First, here is Esperanza doing a little finger knitting

I made my friend Jenny a ruffled baby hat for her little girl that is due soon. Lucy modeled it.

I finally finished my moms scarf. I think it was supposed to be a mothers day gift a long time ago. The fan lacing was fun to knit and turned out beautiful. I used a soft, nice quality bamboo and alpaca yarn. 

I needed a new hat too. This is so cozy and is my absolute favorite! I don't remember the yarn, but it is super soft.

And then there's this: Annabelle's Cowl. The yarn is 2 different kinds, one 100% silk, the other part silk, part alpaca. It is silky, soft and the ultimate luxury. It is for my aunt, an early birthday gift.

My sweet Ezra. He wanted a hat, so I knit him a miniature version of the orange one I knit myself. He loves it, and hates it. The kid can't wear wool. Any amount of wool and he says it's pokey. His skin just must be sensitive and it scratches and itches him. He won't even hug me if I am wearing a wool sweater (which is often). I am lost with how to handle this. 

A Day With The Spirits

For Halloween the kids and I went over to our friends house to get dresses up before our evening adventures. Holly's daughter Olive is a huge fan of dressing up as day of the dead, so we made it a theme and we all painted our faces and dressed up, except for Ezra who I seemed to think we were all just silly.

Once dressed up, the 5 of us headed over to Heather and Treya's where we did a quick walk through her neighborhood trick-or-treating. 

Sticking with tradition, the kids chose to trade their candy with the Candy Fairy. She came in the middle of the night, took the candy and left the kids with some awesome stuff, the favorite being a cloth wall map of the world with felt stick on animals and continent/ocean names.