Snails are Slow but Steady

Hazel has been completely enchanted by our snail study unit and her new pet snails. Who knew snails would be so easy to care for and yet so endlessly fascinating and educational.

Their eyespots are so cute!

While cleaning out the snail house (previously a pickle jar) we discovered a couple of clumps of snail eggs. We soon had approx 100 teeny tiny baby snails. Hazel about lost her wits with rapture.

Hazel reassured me that I can be as loud as I want because snails can't hear.

Good to know.

This is a snail dipped in paint and making snail art.

The Glory of the Sun

“If you have ever had occasion to be out early in the morning before the dawn breaks, you will have noticed that the darkest time of night is immediately before dawn. The darkness deepens and becomes more anonymous. If you had never been to the world and never known what a day was, you couldn’t possibly imagine how the darkness breaks, how the mystery and color of a new day arrive. Light is incredibly generous, but also gentle. When you attend to the way the dawn comes, you learn how light can coax the dark.”

Irish poet, John O’Donohue

We've been so blessed with a roomy school room in this house. It's on the top floor and the best part is the view. If only pictures could capture the splendour.

The Glory of Trees and Books

The Curve of Time by Blanchet

“When we first lived there, the big firs and balsams grew very close to the house. So close that they could lean across and whisper to each other at night. Sometimes they would keep you awake and you would forget and say sharply, ‘Hush, trees, go to sleep!’ At first there would be an astonished silence…then a rush of low laughter…and they would whisper louder than ever, until you had to put your head under the blankets.”

I love this passage and it fits our home perfectly as we have huge fir and balsams right outside our windows. The fall is especially magnificent here. With such a variety of trees and colors. 

I managed to get a first day of school picture with the girls but not the boys.

 The first day of school is probably my favorite time of the year. I  LOVE planning it and how excited the kids are for new books and supplies and plans. We are refreshed from the summer fun and ready to fall back into a family rhythm again. The approaching fall weather makes it all even more glorious.

When our windows are open the sound of the leaves in the breeze makes it 

sound like we are near the ocean. 

Professional Jane

Jane worked hard all summer face painting for events around the city. It's been the perfect opportunity for her to earn money but also learn to manage her own business.

The Last Morsels of Summer

 Our second annual Michel visit. We love all 14 of these faces!

 Oh how we love the Cardston Temple.

 Cuties at the river

 Jacob has been teaching Hazel chess. She learns quickly and then she forgets quickly.

 We go on many tea latte dates.

 Rabbits in the fridge.

Hazel is becoming a cloud expert.

 Nature journalling.

 Jacob worked hard to gather the walnuts from our yard. 

 

A surprise visit from my Jillian friend and her new adorable baby!

 These flowers dried and kept their color so nicely. I wish I knew what they were called.

This is my happy corner of personal space. 

 Hazel is drying the Lamb's Ear from the garden.

We watched the lunar eclipse and explained to Hazel- her eyes lit up as she thought of the eclipse she had read about in Heidi.

Good Little Moments

 Scarlet sewed Hazel a bonnet. 

 Jessie is my little friend for life. 

 Scarlet gathered a beautiful bouquet from the yard.

 Hazel broke her arm this summer but it healed up nice.

 Geocaching in the neighborhood.

 These two helped me prepare for Music Camp this summer.

 What an amazing experience it was to enjoy music with friends at Music In The Jungle.

Jacob continues to enjoy Chess opportunities.

   

 Love spending time with the Voravong's.

 Pin It Maps is awesome! The kids are learning the countries of the world in a snap.

 She uses her weather station to track the clouds and temperature.

The fairyland continues to expand...