We'll be skiing in a couple of months... but for now we're still relishing in the beautiful weather, and all of the outdoor joys and activities that we love about this time of year. And as always, enjoying our friends.
Showing posts with label friends. Show all posts
Showing posts with label friends. Show all posts
Monday, October 11, 2010
Beaching in October
I love when God gives us unexpected gifts... like one last day of summer when we're already into October. So of course, what else do you do around here on a fabulous "summer" afternoon but call up some friends and head to the beach?! While the water was certainly chilly, the smiles and laughter, and warmth of the sun kept us all nice and toasty. The joy of kids. The simple joys of friendship.
We'll be skiing in a couple of months... but for now we're still relishing in the beautiful weather, and all of the outdoor joys and activities that we love about this time of year. And as always, enjoying our friends.
We'll be skiing in a couple of months... but for now we're still relishing in the beautiful weather, and all of the outdoor joys and activities that we love about this time of year. And as always, enjoying our friends.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Kids and Flight - and a lot of paper airplanes
Our co-op had a great time learning about the principles of flight at the Okanagan Science Center. The kids first learned about the different forces on an airplane in flight, as well as Bernoulli's principle - remember that one? Bernoulli's principle works on the idea that as a wing passes through the air the shape makes the air travel more over the top of the wing than beneath it. This creates a higher pressure beneath the wing than above it. The pressure difference causes the wing to push upwards and lift is created. Or something like that!
In small groups the kids worked to follow directions on four different paper airplanes; predicting which ones they thought had the better designs, and which would go the farthest. Then they tried them out, marking the spots of the different planes.
Waiting to throw and test out the planes!
Testing out the different principles that we learned. When you blow under the paper, the lower pressure "pulls" the paper down. When you blow over the top of the paper, the lower pressure over the top causes "lift".
Checking out his plane before flight with the basic forces and Bernoulli's effect on the board behind him.
All in all, a great day with the co-op at the Science Center. Lots of fun, learning, and friends. Good times.
In small groups the kids worked to follow directions on four different paper airplanes; predicting which ones they thought had the better designs, and which would go the farthest. Then they tried them out, marking the spots of the different planes.
Waiting to throw and test out the planes!
Testing out the different principles that we learned. When you blow under the paper, the lower pressure "pulls" the paper down. When you blow over the top of the paper, the lower pressure over the top causes "lift".
Checking out his plane before flight with the basic forces and Bernoulli's effect on the board behind him.
All in all, a great day with the co-op at the Science Center. Lots of fun, learning, and friends. Good times.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Handy Work
This is the rebuild of the fort that the boys worked so hard to build. (Including my "other son" - our neighbour "Big Liam". The first one was really great, and looked fantastic. But some kids destroyed that and wrote some "swears" on the inside. The swears being, "JERK" and "LOSER". Actually it said, "Alex you're such a loser." With the retort of, "You're a jerk" underneath that. The kids were so upset. So this time they decided that they would make it look like a junk pile so no one would know that there was in fact a fort underneath. Huh. Good thinking. So far it's worked. It's getting colder, but they are still out there many days; hammering, building, laughing and playing. Because after all, every boy needs a fort.
Ariana and Teigan on their way to visit the boys at the fort. I absolutely LOVE the friendship that these two share. I pray that this will be lifelong for them. I have an incredible friendship that began when we were less than a year older than these two. The thought that Teigan would have a friend like that makes my heart swell.
Teigan can not get enough crafts in lately. She is sewing, beading, weaving... you name it, she's doing it. She has learned how to make friendship bracelets, so that's what she is working on here.
Does every little boy love to build? Mine do. Give them a saw, hammer and nails and they are occupied for hours. Samuel built himself a little shelf for his room out of some of the scrap wood that he found around. I'm not sure if he was practicing, but there are an awful lot of dents no where near the nails! He enjoyed making his project and as of today - it's serving its intended purpose in his room.
Ariana and Teigan on their way to visit the boys at the fort. I absolutely LOVE the friendship that these two share. I pray that this will be lifelong for them. I have an incredible friendship that began when we were less than a year older than these two. The thought that Teigan would have a friend like that makes my heart swell.
Teigan can not get enough crafts in lately. She is sewing, beading, weaving... you name it, she's doing it. She has learned how to make friendship bracelets, so that's what she is working on here.
Does every little boy love to build? Mine do. Give them a saw, hammer and nails and they are occupied for hours. Samuel built himself a little shelf for his room out of some of the scrap wood that he found around. I'm not sure if he was practicing, but there are an awful lot of dents no where near the nails! He enjoyed making his project and as of today - it's serving its intended purpose in his room.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Kids of Steel Triathlon
Having just cheered a friend on in Ironman, Samuel and Teigan both decided that they wanted to do the Kids of Steel Triathlon. Liam said, "I could be wrong, but I don't really think it sounds like that much fun." Ha!
Teigan's little set up at the transition area. We are first time triathletes (not me - them) and boy we learned a lot for the next time. And yes, they both want to do it again.
Little bitty... it was only 13 degrees when the race started and they had to get into the lake. She was cold before she even got in the water. I was SO crazy proud of her; all 37 little pounds of her. At one point, I didn't know if she was going to get in there or not.
Ya, we also realized through this experience that both the kids - actually all three of them - need new bikes! They are way too small. And while Teigan didn't notice, she was the only little girl on a hand-me-down boys bike. I do love that she didn't give a lick. Especially since the next one coming is Liam's old one - however it is just way too big at this point.
Crossing the finish line!
What a great experience. Liam even says that he MIGHT do it next year.
Teigan's little set up at the transition area. We are first time triathletes (not me - them) and boy we learned a lot for the next time. And yes, they both want to do it again.
Little bitty... it was only 13 degrees when the race started and they had to get into the lake. She was cold before she even got in the water. I was SO crazy proud of her; all 37 little pounds of her. At one point, I didn't know if she was going to get in there or not.
Ya, we also realized through this experience that both the kids - actually all three of them - need new bikes! They are way too small. And while Teigan didn't notice, she was the only little girl on a hand-me-down boys bike. I do love that she didn't give a lick. Especially since the next one coming is Liam's old one - however it is just way too big at this point.
Crossing the finish line!
What a great experience. Liam even says that he MIGHT do it next year.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Another Wonderful Summer Wrapping Up...
As we are getting ready to dive head first into the swing of things around here - I am gratefully looking back over another crazy summer of life, learning, family and friends.
The kids all went to Sunnyside Bible Camp in Sylvan Lake, Alberta. I was a little hesitant sending Teigan at 6, but she was so excited to make new friends. What a great attitude. Of course she loved it!
Because of the 14+ hour drive ahead of us, I picked the kids up early from camp. While the kids were in chapel, I spent my time rummaging through their cabins in search of items I recognized, packing up camp clothes, stuffing sleeping bags, finding wet towels, muddy shoes and beloved stuffies, before heading to the chapel.
The theme of the week was heroes. Godly heroes. As I sat in the back of the final kids' chapel, before the rest of the parents arrived, I watched and listened to over a hundred little kids, voices raised in worship to a God who had become even more real to them that week. The speaker went over some of the stories and things they'd learned; how King David was anointed and set apart as a child. I sat, tears streaming down my face, as I watched my children go to the front to be anointed. Set apart.
While I don't expect my kids to be kings - I do know that God has an incredible plan for their lives. They are set apart.
I know... they look set apart don't they?! Oh, but to wonder what a mighty God will do with little ones who stand fast in Him.
We had LOTS of nature studies through the summer...
from dissecting owl pellets and organizing the different bones...
...to the pink lady butterflies that we raised from the larva. We have done this twice now and never cease to be amazed at the wonder of God's glory in such a tiny little creature. One thing that we learned this time is that scientists know that the caterpillar turns to goo inside the chrysalis, but have NO idea how it becomes a butterfly. "God uses the weak things of the world to confound the wise." (1 Cor. 1:27)
This beautiful mama robin decided that one of our planters would be a perfect place to set up home. We, of course, appreciated that greatly as it gave us a fabulous front row seat to all the going-ons from eggs to first flights.
How's this for an up close and personal look at elk?! We of course stayed on the far side of the road, close to the car. It is after all a dangerous wild animal. (When it decides to be - and we weren't going to find out when or if that might be!)
From the majestic mountain peaks to the ocean shores. The kids spent hours digging, exploring, and lost in the wonder of life in the tidal pools.
There were always lots of books around, so my little readers were never at a loss for what to do during down time...
Ah... let see - how about a little P.E.?!
Lots of beautiful hikes during our stay in Whistler.
Samuel spent 9 days at a ski and water ramp camp. From early morning until 8 at night some evenings! He's working on his 360s and 540s.
A little bit of crazy fun on a stunningly beautiful lake?!
Or maybe a game of beach football...
The dock is always a favourite.
Of course respecting the wildlife as we hike!
Some hair raising experiences...
and a little luge...
Of course the REAL Olympic sliding track at Whistler was something to see. Maybe next year we'll get to have a ride in a bobsled!
Teigan all ready to go on the skeleton. "Mommy, I look like Jon Montgomery!"
And some cultural experiences at the First Nations center at Whistler.
The Peak to Peak experience is exactly that. An experience. With the longest unsupported span in the world (over three km), it is an engineering marvel. As we passed over a small river below, one of the others on the tram asked if anyone knew what the waterfall was down below. Without missing a beat, Samuel pipes in that it is a hydroelectric dam. While not a large one, it certainly was. We learned that it is actually large enough to power all of the Whistler area. How about that study on hydroelectricity last year! Yeah!
And of course LOTS of friends, cousins and family.
This summer was a monumental year for our family as my Dad and Mom celebrated 50 years of marriage. What a testimony and a blessing for our family to have parents/grandparents who love and stand by through all of life.
An amazing summer, filled with joy and laughter, family and friends, living and learning, and the blessings of God.
The kids all went to Sunnyside Bible Camp in Sylvan Lake, Alberta. I was a little hesitant sending Teigan at 6, but she was so excited to make new friends. What a great attitude. Of course she loved it!
Because of the 14+ hour drive ahead of us, I picked the kids up early from camp. While the kids were in chapel, I spent my time rummaging through their cabins in search of items I recognized, packing up camp clothes, stuffing sleeping bags, finding wet towels, muddy shoes and beloved stuffies, before heading to the chapel.
The theme of the week was heroes. Godly heroes. As I sat in the back of the final kids' chapel, before the rest of the parents arrived, I watched and listened to over a hundred little kids, voices raised in worship to a God who had become even more real to them that week. The speaker went over some of the stories and things they'd learned; how King David was anointed and set apart as a child. I sat, tears streaming down my face, as I watched my children go to the front to be anointed. Set apart.
While I don't expect my kids to be kings - I do know that God has an incredible plan for their lives. They are set apart.
I know... they look set apart don't they?! Oh, but to wonder what a mighty God will do with little ones who stand fast in Him.
We had LOTS of nature studies through the summer...
from dissecting owl pellets and organizing the different bones...
...to the pink lady butterflies that we raised from the larva. We have done this twice now and never cease to be amazed at the wonder of God's glory in such a tiny little creature. One thing that we learned this time is that scientists know that the caterpillar turns to goo inside the chrysalis, but have NO idea how it becomes a butterfly. "God uses the weak things of the world to confound the wise." (1 Cor. 1:27)
This beautiful mama robin decided that one of our planters would be a perfect place to set up home. We, of course, appreciated that greatly as it gave us a fabulous front row seat to all the going-ons from eggs to first flights.
How's this for an up close and personal look at elk?! We of course stayed on the far side of the road, close to the car. It is after all a dangerous wild animal. (When it decides to be - and we weren't going to find out when or if that might be!)
From the majestic mountain peaks to the ocean shores. The kids spent hours digging, exploring, and lost in the wonder of life in the tidal pools.
There were always lots of books around, so my little readers were never at a loss for what to do during down time...
Ah... let see - how about a little P.E.?!
Lots of beautiful hikes during our stay in Whistler.
Samuel spent 9 days at a ski and water ramp camp. From early morning until 8 at night some evenings! He's working on his 360s and 540s.
A little bit of crazy fun on a stunningly beautiful lake?!
Or maybe a game of beach football...
The dock is always a favourite.
Of course respecting the wildlife as we hike!
Some hair raising experiences...
and a little luge...
Of course the REAL Olympic sliding track at Whistler was something to see. Maybe next year we'll get to have a ride in a bobsled!
Teigan all ready to go on the skeleton. "Mommy, I look like Jon Montgomery!"
And some cultural experiences at the First Nations center at Whistler.
The Peak to Peak experience is exactly that. An experience. With the longest unsupported span in the world (over three km), it is an engineering marvel. As we passed over a small river below, one of the others on the tram asked if anyone knew what the waterfall was down below. Without missing a beat, Samuel pipes in that it is a hydroelectric dam. While not a large one, it certainly was. We learned that it is actually large enough to power all of the Whistler area. How about that study on hydroelectricity last year! Yeah!
And of course LOTS of friends, cousins and family.
This summer was a monumental year for our family as my Dad and Mom celebrated 50 years of marriage. What a testimony and a blessing for our family to have parents/grandparents who love and stand by through all of life.
An amazing summer, filled with joy and laughter, family and friends, living and learning, and the blessings of God.
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