Vacation Notice

We are currently on vacation and won't be posting regularly but,

Please come back and visit us next week for some exciting posts about . . .

:: The Upper Canada Pioneer Village

:: The Medieval Festival

:: The Canadian Bushplane Museum

:: The Norgoma Historic Ship Museum

and other Simoninigan antics!

Take care friends and Happy July 1st (Canada Day eh!)

Summer Solstice

Summer Solstice means to me . . .

:: A trip home to the the Sault (not the Zoo, Carter) t0 visit my roots

:: Having my Madi home with me all to myself

:: Being in awe of Mother Nature, especially through the children's eyes

:: Trips to the Farmer's Market & many fresh summer salads

:: Many a Field Trip in our nation's capital as we explore our hometown as tourists

:: Working on the kids' fort in the backyard

:: Camping sleepovers in the tent (in the backyard)

:: Sipping homemade lemonade and iced tea

:: Pulling weeds from the garden 

Our Little Big Boy

Carter found a friend caterpillar yesterday and named him "Harry".  He giggled as he walked across his fingers and was so gentle with him. Eventually he did drop him in the grass and couldn't find him but continued to look and call his name. "Mama I can't find Harry and I've looked everywhere for him, I think he's lost". I hope he didn't step on him while looking!

I can also officially announce that Carter is fully potty trained now! We are so proud of him and he is also very proud of himself. We put him in underwear starting last Saturday morning and he tried and tried all day with no success. Now since Sunday he hasn't had any accidents and dry diapers in the mornings! It took one day. There really is something to be said about waiting until the child is ready and not the parent and not focussing on their age. Oh, and some gummy worms as bribes and cool underwear help too.

Pow Wow

(check out the belly on Gabe)

We took the kids to experience their first Pow Wow. It quickly became obvious just how underexposed they are to our native culture. There is nothing like seeing a pow wow through a child's eyes. They were so full of questions, loud comments and had no problem with pointing at people. This didn't bother me at all and no one else seemed to mind. I tried to answer all of their questions as best as I could.

Of course I have acquired some books on Ojibway heritage and ceremonies to learn more myself and hopefully pass some culture onto my children. The best book I found is The Mishomis Book The Voice of the Ojibway by Edward Benton-Banai.

It really was an amazing thing to experience with the kids, the drum drumming, the men singing, the people dancing, the circle of community surrounding them.

Its a start, the kids and I can learn together.

A Polka dot Dress

Polka dot dress + matching head band = Happy little girl

I sewed Madison's doll "Sasha" a polka dot dress and matching head band, made out of an old pair of my pajama pants and no pattern. The addition of the bias tape as a belt is Madison's doing, she does like to accessorize. She has now put in a request for an apron, bloomers and a knit sweater . . . no problem, Sasha is going to have a better wardrobe than me!

Our Little Ballerina

Pictures from Madison's ballet recital last weekend. 

What can I really say about this, the pictures say it all. 

She is absolutely beautiful. 

It still brings tears to my eyes to think about her up on that stage. 

She takes her ballet very seriously and practices all the time at home. 

Our little ballerina. 

I love you Madi.

In Gratitude

A new spring/summer linen table cloth made from a thrifted piece of linen for $2.99!

Today I am thankful for . . .

:: The lilacs my kids keep picking me from our neighbours' tree

:: A husband who doesn't quite get my craft obsession but is understanding none the less

:: Watching my daughter's ballet recital over the weekend

:: Setting a date for a weekend fabric shopping trip with a dear friend

:: Knitting & watching my children playing using their imaginations

:: Dinner already made this morning in the slow cooker 

:: A 5 year old who loves to hang the diapers on the clothes line

:: Looking forward to the Crafty Mamas coming over tonight