I'm not dirty!

Today Indy had a peanut butter sandwich for a snack. When he was done he announced "I'm not dirty!" rather matter if factually. He had (of course) peanut butter on his face and some (unknown) little dark spot in his nose. Why do boys dislike being cleaned?
He didn't want me to take a pic if his dirty little face to prove he was in fact dirty.


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A Day For Mom

I have today (or I should say tonight) off of work. So what to do with myself :)

To be a good Mom I did a few chores (floors and folding laundry).

Then it was time for myself so my good friend C and I went bra shopping. I needed something nice, something other then my old nursing ones (especially since I am now done nursing). We had a good time and since we were by my work we headed over. Fir some frozen yogurt and chatted away. After (back at her house) she should be her plans for the kids rooms. She has put a lot of thought into it and it will be great. Next we listened to some great music. We checked out some favorites such as Keith Secola and Black Lodge Singers. We also found some great hand drummers on you tube that (I am sure) will hit it big in powwow country someday soon.

I really enjoyed myself and find I am feeling ready to throw myself back into my Mom role until my next time out.

Meeting An Artist.

Today at the Native Centre artist / photographer Greg Staats from Six Nations came to do a presentation. He showed us his work and talked about it.





His muse is his community. The people he knows, the people he meets, his family. The landscape he grew up in and the items past down such as journals and recordings from the past. I really enjoyed it. This was school for the kids and I today. We will talk about it later.





After he pulled out his old polaroid and took pics of people in our community who were interested. We got to keep the polaroid and he keeps the negative (I didn't realize polaroids had negatives). After there was the usual community socializing. SW and Ko-Ko stayed with Grandma Clause for family night.






The pics here are the pics of the polaroids, the originals are better of course.





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Sandbanks Provincial Park Beach

Today is to be the hottest day of the year. With the humidex 44C (111F). This is big news and is all over the radio and tv. I have never felt temps so hot. Luckily it is very windy. the wind from the water is saving us because on the other side of the sand dune it feels like an oven.








Arriving at Sandbanks Provincial Park and stepping out onto the sand was amazing. The sand is so soft. The water beautiful and we got two picnic tables.









Indy started playing with his trucks in the sand. Then my dad got him down by the waters edge. The other kids are in the water where I am going now. Add more later.









The waves are great the sand is great. The water is a beautiful blue and green. Reminds me of the ocean (despite the differences), which I miss.








The kids and I jumped in the waves. Floated on the crests (well I did, they tried). Then we came in for some snacks. Indy is back to playing with his trucks in the sand. I am heading back to the water.









Came in for lunch. I feel a little queasy. SW is doing his own thing. We were enjoying the waves but sometimes you get a mouth of water. I am exhausted and going to take a short nap under my new sunshade (got it yesterday, it's by ozark trail).






Went back to the water (of course). Sat in the shallowest part with my Dad, sis, Indy an Sunny Not. Runner and Ko-Ko joined.





They have been playing here for a while. I told everyone time to put on some sunblock. The UV index today is 10. Even my kids are getting a bit pink.








Sunny Not, Ko-Ko, Runner and I headed back to the waves. We had a great time. When we came in for a snack it wad 4:30. So we got a bite and then packed up. Now we are in various cars on the way back. It had been a great day.









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Super Sunny Scugog Powwow

We spend the weekend at Scugog Powwow. We always enjoy this powwow. We see almost all our powwow friends at this one as it is huge for a traditional powwow.


It is also the hottest powwow of the year since it is in mid July and not a tree in sight.
The above pic of Sunny Not is all white cuz it was so bright all the pics turned out this way unless in shade


A pic from under the canopy where we sat with Rose's family
This year was the hottest yet. And the thing about Ontario is that we do hot a little different. 33c (91.4F) may not seem to bad to some of you but add 90% humidity to that.


This is an evening pic when the sun was less bright

Of course the rain bringing the humidity missed us....Scugog; the powwow where you wish it would rain.



talking in air conditioned feast hall after feast
Enough about the heat
Let's talk powwow.

The powwow was awesome. I enjoyed seeing people, dancing, talking an feasting.


And the Fireworks (which they do every 5 years). In fact I loved the 20 min show. My phone died after the first minute so i only have opening shots.


As did the kids. The kids played and danced. And SW was offered a job with a good vendor. My husband said no. I agree. It would be different when he is older. But spending the summer living with family we don't know isn't OK at 12. Hopefully they will reconsider in a few more years.
We hit McD's (how come they eat more every year?) and are heading home.


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Off to the Scugog powwow.

So it is 6:08pm and we just hit the 401 (main highway here in Ontario). We had planned on leaving earlier ( at 2 or 4 ish) but DH had to fix the kitchen sink. He had done a few basic snakes before but we were clogged again quickly. It did need to be done (yesterday may have been better :S ). But we are on our way and the kids are excited.

Out new van has more packing room. The stow-&-go makes a great difference. We are however, still packed with out leg room. Buy the kids are not sitting on top of things :). C and her daughter Rose will be keeping as much space available for us in our usual space. The kids found an awning frame and so we packed that and will put a tarp over it for shade from the sun. I think it will be a great weekend.





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Waiting in line for midnight showing of...

....Harry Potter! (no spoilers here) So Excited!





We are in the shorter line (smaller theatre, not a 3D fan). 3 kids (Sunny Not, SW, and Rose) came at 5pm. Myself, Runner, Ko-Ko and C (Rose's Mom) came at 9:45. Ko-Ko joined the others in line. This isn't "allowed" but she looks cute and little. No one complained.





Runner is waiting with us grown-ups. The other 4 will save out seats. People are dressed up, others wearing HP shirts. Runner wishes he had some such thing to wear.





I am so excited.
Our line will have 150 people in the end. The other lineup photoed here us for #6, which holds 240. This line up


would be most crazy is #10. It holds 400 people. But they made a cool chalk drawing


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Twilight....caught up in books

So I am a pretty voracious reader. I have read most if the books in our house...we probably have at least 1,000. Some I have read several times. On Sunday I walked into Aunty Claus' bedroom for a chat and she was reading Breaking Dawn. So I asked if I could read Twilight. She warned me that she wouldn't be done Breaking Dawn till the end of the week. Sizing up the near 500 page book, and the next two I didn't think it would be a huge problem. She laughed knowing I read near 100 pages an hour. So I started reading. Turned out Monday was a quiet day if watching Runner and Indy play out side so I read some more. I didn't work Sunday night an had a short work night Monday. The point? I finished Eclipse last night before bed. Now I have to wait. This weekend we are at the powwow in Scugog so unless I plan on a killing my eyesight trying to read by lantern I have to wait for Monday.

The series really is much better then the movies. I think the movies really tried to please the readers but I think two of the actors missed the memo. I remember seeing Twilight with SW and Runner (them and Sunny Not are big fans) and finding it almost painful to watch Bella and Edward and their awkwardness. Also the book made me understand their relationship. In the movies I just could not understand why she would choose anyone other then Jacob. I will of course always think an Indian Man is always the best choice, but I understood her choice....up until the end of eclipse. At which point I decided it was the stupidity of youth. Oh well, poor wolf :) So now I anxiously await the end. Hoping I am satisfied with her choice. I guess choosing Jacob would not have made as good a story.

So why am I telling you all this? A confession I guess. I am completely shocked that I am so hooked :)


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"I Named Him Spencer"

I hate bugs. My heart races in fear around bugs. I know I am bigger but somehow they are not always so easy to kill. Plus anything with many legs or no legs creeps me out.

Ko-Ko brought a pet home from my parents. One that may not cross the threshold of my bedroom. He is a firefly. She told me of him proudly from my door (I am in bed reading). She continues and says: "I named him Spencer cuz it is a boy/girl name and I don't know what he is". She made me laugh.








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A Day With My Oldest and My Youngest

The middle 3 kids are at my parents kayaking. So Sunny Not, Indy and I went to fabricland. Sunny Not helped get some fabric to replace her bibs, leggings and the ruffle on her dress for powwow.


I need to get creative in the next few days. At home the two of them played together in the trampoline and then with Indy's trucks. Ge was happy to have so much of her attention today.



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The Car From Zoo Keeper

Zoo Keeper came out in theaters today and added a small excitement to our minimum wage jobs. Apparently a local bought the King Cobra car used in Zoo Keeper, the one Kevin James drives in the movie. Even had part of a script in the glove box.



The car was brought to the theatre and the couple who now own it were letting people have their pictures taken in it. A group of us went out. It wad sunny so we were squinting


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A Beautiful Day At The Park

Our homeschool group has regular park days while the weather is nice. My Friend G and I started doing park day as soon as the weather could be called spring. It was chilly and we were the only ones.






Now it is summer and others are joining in. Park days are even organized to rotate through various neighborhoods in our city making it more access able. (hmm.. Spell check made that two words, didn't know that).

Anyway....

Today was in our old neighborhood and we saw old neighbours along the way. I also picked up some back packs so the kids could carry their own stuff when we are out.






The park had the wadding pool filled. Bathrooms open and park clean. We sat in the sun, later moved to the shade and enjoyed a gentle breeze. The kids played wonderfully together. There was only three families this week (but it is hot and humid) but we enjoyed ourselves. G brought toys (she thinks ahead better then I do). We all enjoyed our time so much we stayed till nearly 5. Indy fell asleep on the bus home. I am so thankful to be part of an activity/social based homeschool group. It has benefited both my kids and I.


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Additions to our dino movie

The kids and I filmed some more of our Dino movie today. We could have wrapped up filming today but they wanted to add some scenes. This is good. I must have chosen this project well if they wish to expand it.



First was a decision to expand the filming of finding the bones. They added a 3rd paleontologist.
The third one does not find any bones. They (correctly) decided this was more realistic. Also they set up tents.


They wanted to show it taking several days. I suggested that may take us several days, so that was omitted. Instead we will infer that they spend more time digging.


Also we zoom in on one and then another. The second paleontologist uses a small explosive to get inside a rock. That took some creativity.



The other addition occurs when we next film. After the skull is airlifted out of the badlands they would like a third set where the fossils are taken to a museum.




So I suspect it will be next week before we get to editing. This is perhaps a project we will repeat for other subjects we learn. Not all however as it is clearly time consuming. So far we have shot over 700 photos for this movie. Some photos will be used more then once (when there is a repetitive action).

It has been good so far and as a homeschooling Mom it is always nice when a learning experience is so well enjoyed.

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Butter them up with cookies.

Community politics in Indian County


(still working on claymation movie, kids gone swimming today)





I have a bylaw committee meeting today. The committee has been working hard bringing the wishes of the community into the bylaws. Among them is giving the youth rep a voting position on the board and making sure the bylaws don't take away rights of community members. This is widely anticipated by the community, all except for one board member (a fan left over from the lawyers we got rid of). She has sent emails and is trying to undo much of what we have accomplished. Her threats seem real if you are new to this arena. The CC'ed emails appear to give credit unless you notice it is only the ones she has sent and never any replies.

She can't make the meeting :0)

She is relying on her emails and a friend.

I have truth...and cookies.

Manipulation cookie recipe
A.K.A. Cocoa Oatmeal Cookies.









Ingredients
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup packed brown sugar(or 1 cup white and 2 tbsp molasses)
1/2 cup white sugar
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 cups rolled oats
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg.

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Beat butter or margarine and sugars until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well. Add combined flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt; mix well. Stir in oats and raisins, mix well.
Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 10 to 12 minutes, until cookies are almost set. Do not over-bake. After-bake 1 minute on cookies sheets, then move to wire racks. Cool -













-My Tupperware deli meat storage thing holds 2 dozen cookies. As for deli meats, well Things that are hidden in a fridge are never good.

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Kayaking

Today was my sisters birthday. We had a good time. The kids went kayaking and did really well. It was great to watch them.


My sister's request fe her bday gift is for us all to go spend the day at the Picton Sandbanks. It is the best beach for hours and I haven't been since I was a teen. Time to change that :)





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Time Outside With Indy

It was a sit around do nothing day. Mostly cuz I got home from work at 4:55am. We had a staff screening of transformers )which is long but great). We can't start staff screenings till after last show is out and building fly closed.



So I parked some lawn-chairs in the yard and Indy and I talk, watched, laughed and cuddled. I enjoyed all our flowers. We really are so lucky.


Indy chased butterflies. We heard dives cooing. Watched a bird hopping and flying around. And we examined seeds.


Then he rode his tricycle up and down the driveway. It was a lovely afternoon. Now I need to think about getting ready for work again.


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Family Travels

Still filming our dino movie.


(in this scene a hiker had just stumbled across a bone and us about to call the authorities.

We got a new van! We are thrilled -but I forgot to get a picture :( it is a red 2010 dodge caravan. It does not have a DVD player and yes, I am happy about that.

Our kids have learned to play traveling games, listen to music (chosen by the adults) and take part in family conversations. As a whole and also amongst themselves while the adults talk. They have also learned to be quiet and enjoy their own thoughts.

I glad that none if this will be list with the addition of a DVD player in our van as we head out to the powwows this summer.

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