After spending a couple hours in the hot sunshine at the bug class, we slowly headed back to the car. En route, I saw some interesting birds, like this spotted sandpiper: When we got back to the hotel, we went for a swim. This was our first time staying at this hotel in Edmonton (the [...]
On our weekend trip to Edmonton for Daegan’s birthday, we took in an Insect class for families at Devonian Gardens, about 15 minutes SW of the city. Daegan and Jim have done classes in this series before, but this was Gareth’s first time—and mine—and was he ever excited! We all had a good time, but [...]
My eldest son, Daegan, turned 8 today. We went away for the weekend to Edmonton, where we took in a bug class, swam (and swam, and swam!) in the hotel pool, ate delish veggie food, and generally enjoyed ourselves (more in another post). Upon our return this afternoon, Jim made Daegs a birthday cake—German chocolate [...]
This afternoon the men headed out to do some Mother’s Day shopping, and gave me the gifts as soon as they got home. A bit early, sure, but what’s not to like? And apparently there are even more things coming in the mail next week. Woot! The boys helped Jim pick out some flowers, which [...]
For Easter this year, the boys had a riddle egg hunt. The riddles led them from one egg to another around the house, and finally to the cache of Easter gifts. The riddles were prehistoric themed—the “Easter Bunny” (not me!) created them, which was so appreciated! Here’s the pics and riddles: Inside the egg was [...]
Last night we watched the opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympics in Vancouver with our boys. Overall, I thought it was very well done. It showed the diversity of people, language, culture and landscape that it is Canada—and the underlying respect, gratitude, tolerance and quiet pride many of us feel who live here. Not that [...]
Today is the 201st anniversary of Darwin’s birth, so to mark the occasion I read the boys a poem I found online. It’s from an out-of-print book called Hocus Pocus Diplodocus: The Entire History of the Universe in 21 Poems, by Tom Stanier (published 1980). It also goes well to the tune of Yankee Doddle [...]
My friend Cindy posted this video clip on her blog, and I found it really touching and thought-provoking—no doubt aided by the fact that I too am raising two sons, relatively close in age. Enjoy!
Monday January 18th was A.A. Milne’s birthday, so I did a few Winnie the Pooh activities with the boys. We watched the classic The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, read bits from various books, and learned a bit about Winnie’s history. Did you know that Winnie is named after the city of Winnipeg, Manitoba, [...]
The boys and I headed over first thing this morning to watch a segment of the Olympic Torch relay. How can you not go when they are coming a matter of blocks from your home!?! We walked up the street about 8:15am, getting there in plenty of time for the expected runner at 8:44. There [...]