Spring Chicks

It is finally that time of year when it is feasible for us to start raising chicks. This week when we went to the feed store for our current flock and noticed a pen full of Rhode Island Red chicks. It was a bit implusive since we weren't quite ready for them but we couldn't say no to our pleading daughter (especially after all the bird losses we suffered this year). The Rhode Island Red we currently have is a very friendly bird so they seemed like a good choice for my little 3 year old who desperately loves cuddling them.

As I said, we weren't quite prepared so we had to scramble to get their cage clean after a year of being left outside and we found we didn't have bedding so shredded newspaper will have to do until we can get them proper bedding. It was kind of cute to see those little fluffy bodies snoozing under brightly colored newspaper strips.

We aren't quite finished assembling our new flock. We are hoping to find another Americana and possible some Wheaten Marans and Jon has been asking me to let him bring some meat birds into the egg-laying flock. Meat birds will mean some more research before I completely commit but I figure he has every right to choose some of the birds so we will likely have meat birds this year.

There is nothing quite like listening to the gentle "peep peep peep" of tiny chicks while I eat my breakfast in the morning sunshine to remind me that spring is here and I am fully embracing the little joys and challenges this season brings.

Flowers and Baby Animals

Blue skies and sunshine could not be more welcome around here. The grey of winter was starting make us all a little crazy (and vitamin D deficient). And having Daddy around on these sunny days makes for even more fun. Last week we all piled in the car and made our way to Beacon Hill Park. It was the week after the children's petting zoo opened for the season. Nothing like snuggling up to a few baby goats to kick off spring.

We also took the time to smell the new blooms. It's still early but the fields around the park were dotted with crocuses and daffodils. All over the city the ornamental cherry trees are bursting with pink, puffy blossoms. Between the sweet rain and the fresh green grass, the air seems fresher. Overlooking the ocean, we stood at the peak of the park and breathed deeply. It felt so perfect. Standing amid daffodils, bathed in sunlight, breathing in all the positive energy spring affords for the first time as a family of four.

Waffle Blanket

I started this baby blanket about a month before we welcomed our baby boy. I'm certain had he arrived closer to his estimated due date I could have had this completed for his arrival. However, once I got used to having a baby in my arms and multi-tasking again, I did finish it.

I invested in some soft, beautiful (but expensive) yarn that will hopefully soften with age. I used some Malabrigo chunky for this little blanket in a lovely shimmery grey. The pattern is called Waffles and is easy to memorize and quick to finish. The chunky yarn makes for a rather heavy blanket so I was hoping to to back it with fabric so as to prevent stretching but I just could not find the right fabric. Since I spent more money than I usually do and devoted many-an-evening to it completion, it felt important that this blanket be as close to perfect as I could get.

My hope is that this sweet, simple blanket will be cherished and pasted on to my grandchildren. It's small so it's use will be limited to the newborn days but maybe that fact will help it last. A lot of time and love went into making this blanket for my baby and it feels so right to hold him in my arms, all wrapped up in something made by my own hand.

A Boy

There is a reason I haven't been on this space and his name is Finn. He came 2 weeks earlier than anticipated so we were caught a little off guard but he is so welcome in our family. I'm likely going to be away for a while longer while we enjoy these sweet baby moments (and help our first born recover from a nasty virus). There will be much more Finn updates coming soon.

She's Three

Last week my sweet girl turned three. In some ways, I'm still in shock. Three just seems so different. She had her first real friends and away from home birthday party. She was able to choose her cupcakes and balloon colors. At our family birthday dinner she even put the candles in her own cake. Looking back now it all seems like leaps and bounds ahead of her birthday last year.

It was a relatively simple birthday this year. She spent an afternoon playing with friends, getting facepaint on for the first time and sharing snacks and smiles with the people she loves. She also got another party with her family. We had dinner, cake and she got to open a few gifts from family. I was so pleased that I was able to complete a handmade gift for her just in time. I made her the Neighborly vest using one of her favorite colors. As I did in the days leading up to her birth, I try to always take the time to create something by hand and with love for her birthday.

I'm bursting with pride and admiration over the person she is becoming. She can make me laugh like no other and my heart now knows love like never before. Her birthday is such a special day for us both. The day we first laid eyes on each other. I'm so excited to continue this journey with her. Happy Birthday my darling!

Ocean Unit

As with the rock unit, this study unit began with a field trip. We were lucky to have a long weekend with Daddy so we took a trip to the Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre. It's one of our favorite places. As always, the favorite attraction was the touch pool. On this day the "candy cane" anemone was available for tickling. The pool has all kinds of creatures like urchins, sea cucumbers, anemones, starfish, little crustaceans, etc. I saw this trip as my chance to start talking about ocean life and studying it.

I went home and dug out all my ocean books, ocean stickers, ocean treasures and set up an ocean station. We did a match and identify activity for sharks and whales (yes we do have sharks in our coastal waters). We found a wonderful ocean puzzle from Cobble Hill Toys that is great for identification. Though, I'm so pleased at how much April has absorbed so far. She is able to find and identify the shells of muscles, oysters, and shore crabs.

We finished our unit with a few crafts. We used a dilapidated old egg carton and some pipe cleaners to make some anemones. As we were building them we talked about why anemones are bright colors, what they need their tentacles for and what they eat. We also did some ocean painting; octopus, harbour seal, whales. Watercolors were a wonderful way to illustrate the soft colors of the creatures in our sea. It was a fun and interesting unit for us all.

Maple Syrup

This weekend we attended the Big Leaf Maple Syrup Festival at the BC Forest Discovery Centre. It wasn't the best weather but it certainly was a interesting afternoon. I've always been interested in tapping maple trees and make your own syrup. However, since we reside on the west coast of Canada, it didn't seem like something within our scope of homesteading. Most maple syrup that you see in stores around here is from eastern Canada. I suppose that this festival was a learning experience for me, more than I expected.

We started our visit with a train ride through the park. We were lucky that they decided to use the open coach cars even though it was chilly. It was beautiful to see all the swans on the lake and deer in the fields. It certainly set the mood for the afternoon. Next we sampled some maple tea, watched the sap boiling process and enjoyed some maple flavored cookies.

For me, the best part was the walking tour through the woods. We looked about for a maple tree worthy of tapping and a volunteer showed us how to tap the tree. We got to look at all the different equipment for collecting the sap. The flow was not good on this particular day though. We haven't have the right weather for maple tapping. Our tour guide claims that we will have a late maple season this year. None-the-less we were able purchase a jar of Saltspring maple syrup.

We don't have maple trees on our property, nor do we have connections with some who does, so tapping maples will be a future endeavor. I feel a bit more confident that if did find a property in the future with maple trees that we could make our own syrup. I love days when I get the chance to absorb new information; especially when those days are spent with my little family.