A Sure Sign of Spring.

Today we went to a Maple Syruping class offered at a local nature center. We have been scoping out their special homeschooling programs for a while now, but A is only recently old enough to attend. He was very excited!


We had a nice time. G and I were able to tag along, so we did - as did many parents with little ones. We started inside - learning about the types of trees, sap, sugar content, farming, production, and history. From there we went outside and went on a long walk through the woods. The kids learned how to identify trees, tasted sap, looked at the different equipment and techniques in place from tree to tree, and then walked back to another area for more fun. A was able to drill a tree, gauge temperature, see a sap pan boiling over the coals, and carry a yoke with pails to realize some more of the work involved!


While it was cold (30s) and windy, the sun was shining and we were SO happy to be outside for a few hours. The slush was so deep and rutted on the trail we all got quite a workout walking today! The boys were exhausted afterwards - happy and tired.

Maple trees running sap - a sure sign of spring!

Motivation.

While we have had much going on I have been feeling a bit uninspired. I usually feel that way this time of year. Many projects, lots to do, spring is coming, but the energy just isn't quite there yet for me.

To help get my motivation rolling, I have been working on organizing, sorting, cleaning and focusing on making our home cozy and inviting. I'm always pretty anal about general clean, but it is the little details that make the difference. I am also a furniture mover. I have to move furniture around every few months so I can clean under stuff, and also so that things look interesting, different. We re-arranged several rooms over the last week which just makes everything seem fresh. Ahhh.


Today I organized some of our new supplies. We have some fun creative projects planned for the next few weeks building into spring. For each project I like to bag all of the materials together so I can just grab it and go when we are ready. Craft projects, holiday cards, nature table items, science fun...you name it, bagged and ready.

I think I'm feeling more motivated already!

Photos of the Day - Discoveries.

If my husband is driving, I often ride with the camera in my lap. I have so many interesting photos from those times...people, places, motion. This weekend we turned off on a side road for a kid clean-up moment, and then went a different direction to get back on track. We have passed this corner SO many times - but from a different angle. Our diversion meant I was able to see this mural.

I like seeing things from a different perspective, keeping my eyes open for something I haven't noticed before.

"We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are."
-- Anais Nin

Five Years.

Five years ago today I was in labor. For my first, labor was long. My little guy was askew - posterior - and big. Since it was my first birth, I didn't have any idea it was going to be like this. My Bradley classes had videos of peaceful women, giving birth quietly, quickly, easily. I was not quiet. Or quick. Or easy. So much bigger and more intense than anything I could have ever imagined. I pushed for hours and hours. I was so tired. I was afraid I couldn't go on. I remember when the midwife looked me in the eye and told me I HAD to do this - NOW. This is it. I had to finish this, and to give it everything.

When my sweet little boy finally arrived we welcomed him joyfully - skin to skin. I had no idea how he would change my life, my attitudes, my priorities, my emotions. I had no idea how perfectly he would fit into our life as though he had always been there. I had no idea how hard it would be those first weeks, months, years. I had no idea what an amazing journey motherhood would be.



He is such a boy to behold - a meteor of ideas, energy, and love.

Five years.

Photos of the Day - Marbles.