Slower Week

 The week my Dad came to visit was a slower week. Weekly scheduled sports and other activities that we had were finished except for gymnastics. Regardless he thought it was extremely busy and wondered how I stay sane. During our less busy times Zoe read to him (she can tell the story without reading because she knows it well enough). 

We went to a park day at a park we've never been to before. I got lost, but with the help of a local woman who searched it out and lent me a map, I was able to find it. 

There was one day of the week that we just stayed home and for fun the kids played in the sprinkler.

It was a good week with him here. I rather enjoyed his company.

Fort Edmonton

Dad got to tag along on a Homeschool field trip to Fort Edmonton. Above he is riding at the back of the street car with some of the kids.

He asked this nice lady if she'd like a drink at the saloon across the street but she made it clear to him that she is a respectable lady. LOL!! Then he asked if she'd like to walk down the street with him and she said yes. I got this picture of him escorting her down the street. 

This is the tour of a farm house. I think the man's name is Mr. Edison.

This is a school house. It was a huge difference from the school house we visited close to the same time period in Ontario. There were no books, the school was a small log house. There were not enough slates for everyone in the class. The teacher traveled for months, sleeping under the wagon for part of the trip to get there. She had no home so this was her home but the stove was just for heat and warm water so she was fed by the other families of the town. They helped her and she helped them during the time school was out. They only had school during the winter and it didn't start until everything was ready for winter (harvesting etc). As soon as they were able to plant seeds school was out so that the children could help in the fields and preparing for winter (making clothes etc.)

Look closely... do you recognize the teacher? She is the one who Dad offered a drink to! LOL!!! 

This is the hardware store. The kids are learning what things are here. They had many other stores and buildings in the town.

It looks like it's snowing here in Edmonton and the ground is covered in the seeds from the trees. It is too tempting for Zoe and her friend. They kept playing with it. 

We took a train ride. 

Dad enjoyed the ride.

This is a Matee woman knitting by the fire in the fort. The fort was here not for purposes of war or protection but for trading furs across Canada and sending them to England.

We visited the small native settlement outside of the fort and asked many questions. around 10 people would stay in one tee-pee. 

The highlight of our stay was the short time we spent with these two people. They were amazing actors. She is a news reporter, reporting on what life is like for this man who traveled months to get here from Toronto. He is living in a tent, like many other professionals until his house can be built. There is a shortage of labourers to build houses.

This is the tent he was living in. Austyn sat with them and chatted their ears off. They matched his conversation with interesting facts to match anything he had to say, comparing his time to theirs. They were wonderful!

Here is a dance called the Grizzly Bear that they showed us. It was popular at the time. 

We visited the carnival. This is one of the free rides. If you look closely you'll see a woman turning a large wheel. That is what powers the ride. Her arms must be strong to turn this all day.

Here the kids are playing a fishing game to win a prize.

Posing at the end of the day. We are tired and ready to go home.

It was fun to bring Grandpa along on our field trip.

WEM with Grandpa

 My Dad came to visit from Ontario. The only place he wanted to be sure to see while here was the West Edmonton Mall. After all that is what is famous about this city. So we made sure to take him there. 

 We split on getting a day pass for Austyn and Zoe. Zoe's pass was cheaper and one of us could go on the rides that required a chaperon for free. We took turns going with her.

 It was a long but nice day at the mall. The kids had never had a day pass there before and it seemed well worth it.

 Because it was a school day we could go on the fun rides over and over.

 If there were lines they were short. Some of the employees ran two rides so there was sometimes a bit of a delay. 

 It was nice to see them go on rides on their own with no adults.

 It was also nice to see them go on rides with Grandpa. What a treat to have him as a visitor.

The go carts were the last stop before some ice cream and a car ride home.

The Season has Ended

 Lacrosse has come to an end. The season went well. I think that the boys look so cute when they are sitting on the bench. Sometimes we can barely see them while they sit there watching and waiting.

 Austyn was so proud to get a picture with Mitch Anders from the Edmonton Rush!

 Of course they need a picture with the mascot!

 Zoe had some fun while the team members got their metals. 

 Another great pose with friends.

 Austyn wearing his metal.

The last picture with the team.

Gymnastics comes to an end

 I bought Zoe a gymnastics outfit. She wore it with pride for the last couple of classes. 

It's funny to watch her because she can do so much and she does it like she is showing off to an audience, but I can see that she feels confined by the teachers instructions. She will do what she is told when the teacher is looking but when the teacher turns around she does extra. This extra is usually flips or extra jumps. She is fun to watch.

Freedom

 Here we are on a beautiful morning in the park. No people around. It's early and I was summoned out of the house to get coffee (since we were all out).

 As I sit there watching my kids quietly, sipping a Tim's I can't help but wonder if they realize just how lucky they are. Right now most of the other children in this city are sitting in a class room. They have to be quiet and listen for instructions from their teachers. My kids are free to explore and talk and are not confined by walls or instructions. 

 Sure there are no children here at the moment, but why does there have to be? They seem content on their own at this time. Playing, running, digging, talking... why do they always have to have other children around? They have moments of real socialization and other moments of free solitude. 

 Why should they always have instructions and books and curriculum? They create their own. Freely exploring their world with wonder and enthusiasm, they learn so much. 

I think back to my childhood in a classroom and look at the happy faces of my own children and realize with great confidence that they are happy. This is what childhood is meant to be like... Free!

Book Sharing Monday - I Am

I Am. I Am a Dancer. This book by Eleanor Schick is an imaginative journey through dance poses.

A flower blooming...

The sun...  and many more... 

If you have a little dancer in your home, he/she will love this book. Read it in an area with lots of space. It may inspire some dance moves.