The Last Day of September

So much for being a blog neglector. I'm going to post twice in one day.

We went to the Cricket Place again today. I guess it's sort of become a Thursday thing for us.
After the kids are done their farm program dad and I meet them over that the nature area for lunch and some bug hunting.
I couldn't help but crack out my little Canon Elf again.


This picture basically sums up our entire September.







The leaves were all taking on their autumn hues. Something that completely changes the landscape.




I'm not sure what kind of insect this is. But it started my own bug hunting today.





I'm getting pretty good at spotting the creepy crawlies and using my impeccable stealth to capture them on my Elf unawares.





Oh to be little and completely unreserved again.





We've learned not to let mom wander too far off. She has a tendency of getting lost in the wilderness.





The Princess has always been more interested in the dainty, fluttery variety of insects.





This was probably my favourite bug photo of the day.

After the Cricket Place we let dad go home and the rest of us headed over to another farm. We come to this place every year, and have done so for at least years.
They have a huge corn maze out back, and some fun kid sized play things, as well as pumpkins and decorative gourds and corn for sale in the front.



What a pair!




A sure sign of fall.




This huge spider had made his web behind the barn.





I love the greenery that is starting to take over the side of this silo.






What beautiful coloured creatures!
They must know that they look absolutely fabulous on their chosen pearch.

 

My bug obsession might be getting a bit out of control.

 Today was a fabulous way to end September. The weather was incredible and the fun unending. I never really fully appreciate a day out with the kids until we're out in the middle of it.

guilty

I feel like such a blog neglector, and it hasn't even been THAT long since my last post.
But long enough that I'm starting to feel a bit guilty.

I haven't done anything crazy lately.
I went to my friend's campus to visit her yesterday.
Nothing too thrilling happened. But we did go to shopper's drugmart. That store has everything now. Well everything except for clothes and groceries, but I think I can live with that. I just can't picture a clothing isle in a drug store.

We got some foodies and headed back to campus.

It was such a lovely fall day. There was a sun kissed breeze that tickled our faces, and shafts of golden light drifted from between the branches over head.

I love days like that. Where everything seems to be giving off it's own rosy glow and lend their shining faces to the beauty of the day.

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It's crazy to sit back and look at how much things have changed over the past few years.

It wasn't that long ago when my friends and I were off building forts in my back yard.
And now we're all looking at the end of high school, contemplating universities and colleges.
And yesterday I was visiting my friend at her COLLEGE CAMPUS. She's already there. No longer in high school, and the rest of us are heading in that same direction.
Things are going way too fast and it's starting to make my head spin.

cartwheels and buggy adventures

Yesterday was a lovely first day of fall.
The sun was shining and there was a soft smiling breeze.
If was the perfect day to be out enjoying the last tender morsels of glorious summer weather.
Off the the Cricket Place it was.

The kids went with mom to there farm program in the morning with mom, while I was stuck at home in front of the computer screen.
When freedom finally arrived dad loaded me and a picnic lunch into our little green car to meet the rest of our family at our all time favourite place.

The Cricket Place(lovingly christened by my insect catching little superhero brother) is a natural area about 15 minutes from our house. It's this devine little hideaway from the real world, still with in the city.
I don't know how we didn't find out about it sooner. But this year my families been there more than any other local park or play area.

I don't always get to tag along - and some times there outing time is my quite time at home.
But when I do I always enjoy it.
Stepping into this lovely green space just seems to relax everyone on the spot.
You take one breath of the woodsy air and you can't help but smile.

There is always so much to look at. There are yellow fields splashed through with wide brush strokes of violet.

 We ate out picnic lunch, then headed off on a adventure each with our own agendas. The Princess looking for all things pretty, and my Superhero in search of anything that you wouldn't want to find in your house(but we sometimes do thanks to him).



The Little Bug Hunter!



I love the vivid combination of such cheerful colours.







I think my Superhero's bug enthusiasm has worn off on me... maybe just a bit. I find my camera aimed at creepy crawlies more than anything else!



This was the first bug my camera caught of the day, and I think it started a trend.



There's something that entices about the enchanting dress of the wasp and bee family.
The yellow and black is just so charming that I have to remind myself not to get too close.

This was my absolute favourite picture to take that day!
This lovely guy was perched on his web, camouflaged into a burr bush. I had to avoid getting stuck all over with those tricky brown things to be able to get this close.
But in the process, I'm pretty sure I got a mosquito bite or two...

The little superhero finally zeroed in on his prize



Success!

It was a great trip out. Once we had search around for bugs long enough, we were finally able to make our way into the little pond. The Superhero has proven that he really dose have super powers. He can catch frogs in his bare hands without even blinking. I don't know how he does it, but it's pretty impressive.

We left happy. My little superhero's was wet up to the bellybutton, boots sloshing with every step.
The Princess and I were more than dizzy after cartwheeling across the field back to the car.

It was a great trip, and I only hope we can squeeze out a few more sun-filled outings before the cold sets in for good.

a constant state of confusion

One word.
Renovations.

Yup. That's what my family is living through right now.
And it's starting to get to me.

I'm sleeping in the living room, and the brilliant light streaming in through the unshaded windows wakes me up before I want too, and refuses to let me sleep again.
Oh well. We're mucking our way through things. I'm sure the final result will be more than worth it. But it's all this in between stuff that's the trial.
I mean, all six of us are surviving in this tight space, so why would we need to build further out the back?


Monday's are my crazy day.
I have voice lessons at 10:00am.
The Superkid has Gymnastics after lunch.
Then we rush me off to Piano and Flute lessons right after that.


But after 4pm things 'settle down', and I'm left with the relative peace that is my house.
The tight quarters are tough. But I'm not hating it.
We all are seeing more of each other now. That's for sure.
Especially since Dad hurt his knee, he's been off work ever since, so our house is even more crowded all day long.
At least it gives us plenty of time to bond.
And it forces us to keep the house clean. Is that a curse or a blessing? I haven't made my mind up about that yet.

This weekend was busy/stressful/totally crazy. My mom drove all over the city getting me to my various activities.
I had an audition on Friday for a local youth production of Romeo and Juliet.
Then Saturday morning I had a Glee Club rehearsal and right after that I had a call back for the show I auditioned for.
I actually had to leave early from my rehearsal to get there on time.
Some of my friends at the rehearsal had callbacks for the exact same role at the exact same time, so I offered my mothers services to them.
Yes. I was helping the competition. Oh well. I'm a nice person. What can I do about that?
After I the call back, which I actually really enjoyed(it was my first call back in the history of my life, and what a great learning experience. Cold reads aren't as utterly terrifying as I would have imagined), my mom drove me over to my Youth Advisory Council(YAC, I may mention it several times as it is, and has been, a pretty big part of my life for the past 4 years) meeting.
Stayed there until 4:30pm when my mom came to take me back to the studio where I had my callback, so I could go to the production meeting.
I'm volunteering as a young apprentice. I get to learn about costume and set design. I'm actually so excited about that!
The funny thing is one of the girls who left the YAC meeting early was there too! If only we had know we could have given her a ride there in the first place.
Oh well.
The meeting was interesting. And I'm excited to get to work on the production.
After the meeting I offered my mother's services(yet again) to my friend who was there, and we took her home.
It was a long day. But I really enjoyed it.

The wait for the casting e-mails was excruciating.  You play out every possible scenario in your mind.
Not getting in. Getting the lead. Getting the role you were called back for. Not getting the role you were called back for. Getting chorus.
Basically everything and anything that could happen gets played out in your mind over and over again.

I finally heard yesterday evening. I got the role I was called back for. Not necessarily the role I wanted. But really, what girl there didn't want Juliet?

I got Sampson. I get to bite my thumb and draw my naked weapon. I mean, that's way cooler than anything Juliet does. I mean, for real.

I'm actually pretty excited. The character only has lines in one scene. But I get to fight. I mean. Just give me a weapon and teach me some safe violence and I'll be happy as can be.

crying baby, class and cat's cradle

My siblings went off to the farm with mom today. They are going to a program at the same farm I used have a homeschooling program at when I was younger.

The program has changed a lot. It's more up tight(like most things now of days) and less fun. I guess there must have been incidences in the past, but they have more rules now, and they've gotten rid of some of the best things.
There used to be a swing in the hay loft, and a high ledge to jump off of, but the swing has disappeared and the ledge is off limits.
Where's the fun in that? So what if a few kids twisted and ankle or broke an arm? Why take these things away from everyone else?
I do understand safety is important. But kids can get hurt anywhere, anytime.
It is nice that the world wants to protect them.
But if you expect to always be protected, you don't know what to do when the time comes when something bad actually happens.

But I guess it's provention or law suites these days.


The Baby was sick last night, so mom left him with me this morning. When he woke up he was not a happy camper.
The poor guy had a fever and desperately needed a diaper change.
He didn't want his medicine, but once his was sufficiently distracted I was able to coax enough of the sticky pink stuff into him to help.

My math course's 'live meeting' started while my mom was still out, so I had to work out how to keep the baby happy and be able to hear my lesson over the sound of the smiling singers on the TV.
It sort of worked. But my mom came back not too long after so I was able to go listen to the rest of the meeting in (relative) peace.

It was one of the longest hours of my life. She was just answering questions that didn't apply to me at all. I guess people are still having problems with the software. But I'm not one of that population, so this meeting was of no use to me.

This evening I was able to have a rare moment of special time with the Princess.
We sat down together in the window seat that looks out on our yard, which was dulled by the rain of the day.
She had a piece of tied string wrapped around her fingers, and we twisted and pulled our way though her first introduction to Cat's Cradle.
On our trip to the cottage this summer, she became quite the string trick master. She practiced and practiced until she was able to manipulate the string into a variety of shapes and patterns.
But this was the first time we tried Cat's Cradle together, she really enjoyed it, so did I.

I don't get enough time with just her. But when I do, it can be so special. It's times like these that I never want to forget, of be forgotten by her.

sneaking up

The busyness of the new year is slowly sneaking up on me.

I had my first lesson with my new piano teacher, and I really liked it.
I'm excited to see where it goes from here.
We still have to get to know each other a bit more. But we're definitely off to a good start.

I also started flute lessons up again. It was my first one back since my exam at the beginning of August.
My goal is to get my Grade 8 RCM before the years up. But that means a lot of work on my part.
I have a bunch of new scales I have to learn, and I need work really hard on the ones I already know.
 Because, let me tell you, scales are not my forte.
The pieces will be getting harder, but I can handle it.

I can do it. But it'll take a lot of brain power on my part.

I started my first on-line course yesterday. It was a bit stressful because my Internet connection kept cutting out, so I had a hard time listening to the live chat meeting, and sending in my assignment. Hopefully we get the Internet thing sorted out soon.
It drives me crazy when something is out of my hands and there is nothing I can do in the moment to fix it.

There has to be a better way.

lost and found

Losing a small person in a crowd can be the scariest thing.

Today my Dad and took me, the Princess and the Mini-Superhero to the market today.
The plan was to bring my friend along, but some how plans changed...

So it was just some Dad and kid time.
Our mission was apples, we ended up with a lot more than that.

We got Pineapple Tomatillos, some peperettes, and the Princess bought earrings with her own money. We also got a bag of little fish called Smelt which the Princess INSISTED on carrying through out the market in the little clear bag we got them in. There were a battalion of funny looks piercing our way.
After a while we compromised and put the fishies in a bag that no one could see through.

They have balloons at the market that interested the kids a bit too much...
Both of them got one near the start of our trip.
But after we got something to eat, my little super-hero disappeared. It was terrible. He's so small that you can't find him in a crowd, and you never know what could happen.

We looked every where!

Then I saw two balloons bobbing past.
The little rascal had snuck off to the other side of the market to get more balloons!

Lets just say the market trip ended soon after that.

This afternoon we went fishing at a trout farm. I'm actually not a big fan of the activity. It's not really my thing.
I'm especially not sold on the idea of a farm where fish are bred just to be snagged on hooks, to die slowly and be eaten.

Also I just don't have the patients for it.

I had an audition today, that I didn't think I would make because it was at 4pm, and we didn't end up leaving the trout farm until after 3pm.
But, even though I had a bit of a freak out (something that tends to happen all too often). I had plenty of time to get home, change out of my fishy clothes, practice my song, and get to my audition with plenty of time.

It always works out. I just have to remember that in the moment.

This evening dad decided to go over to Gramma's and watch tennis, so I went with him and got slaughter at cards by my sweet darling Grandmother.

All in all.
I pretty good day.

not back to school

This week has been pretty mellow for me as the rest of the world has rushed back to school. The other day I went to the park for a picnic with a group of homeschoolers. It's a tradition.
Every year we have a not back to school picnic. We basically get the whole park to ourselves, and it's just lovely.
The weather was perfect. Not to hot, and no rain. Couldn't have ask for more.

I'm the only homeschooler my age left in my group. There are a few other teens, but we don't really have the same interests, and I haven't had much luck connecting with them because we are so different.

All my friends have slowly disappeared off to the world of institutionalized learning. But I haven't made the plunge yet. And honestly, I don't really care to.
I enjoy where I am and what I'm able to do.

I just don't have time for school.

I've been told that I need to get my priorities straight. But to tell you the truth, I do. I'm doing what I need to, and learning what I want. I'll be able to graduate, no problem, and I don't need a school to help me along.
I'm where I'm supposed to be, and beyond where I should be - if I'm measuring against the school system.
I've experience so much more than most kids my age.

I've seen the workings of a farm, inside and out. I've been 200 ft under the ground. I've visited several well know museums. I've written a 50,000 word novel in a month. I'm able to be in what ever musical, or theatrical production I can get into. I study flute, piano and voice.
I've never felt as if I'm at a lack of social or educational experiences. I'm happy with where I am, and I'm excited about where I'm going.

I'm my opinion, being homeschooled, is amazing. It may not be the right fit for everyone, but it sure works for me.

the last days of a golden summer...

The weather is making these last few days of summer... less than ideal.
It's too cold to want to go the beach or hang outside and way too rainy and unpredictable to be able to.

We soaked up the sun while we could, but now it seems like the cold weather is here to stay, for a while anyway.

The last few days have been cold, but fun. I worked around the weather as best I could.
I went to my cousins back yard wedding, but because of the weather(I'm seeing a theme here...) they had to move it inside. It would have been lovely outside, but it was nice and dry in the hall.

It was a very casual wedding, I almost felt over dresses, which was strange.The ceremony was nothing exciting. There were several kids in the wedding party which was super cute.

The best part was the reception and dancing. We were only there for the first half of the night, but that's fine by me.
I brought a friends and we partied with the kids. My siblings loved the dancing, especially the Princess. That girl has some pretty good moves for a 6-year-old.
It was mostly just the kids and us on the dance floor. We did the Chicken Dance, the Macarena, even the Hoki Poki. But the songs became slow way too fast, and that was no fun. Who wants to party to something slow and emotional.
I get that its a wedding and certain sentiment should be allowed. But really. The kids just wanted to DANCE!


We are planning on renovations in the coming month, so our basement is in a state of confusion right now. I'm suppose to be emptying my room... but it's way harder than I thought.
I have to think of what I'm going to use over the next few weeks, and put away what I won't. Easier said than done.
My room is almost bare, but I still have some work to do.
I'm excited to get an up-dated basement, that's for sure. Fake wood paneling can't help but date its self. We're ripping out the old pink carpet and making me a real wall(as opposed to the velcroed curtain I currently have).

Tomorrow school starts. At least for those who have to go back that is. I'm still enjoying my homeschooled freedom as long as I can.

we were like that once

Today my house was invaded by a multitude of smallish people.

It was the first event of the new school year for the group of young homeschoolers my siblings are involved with.
They usually meet every Friday at the children's museum, but this week my mom decided to open our house up for whoever could make it, and we ended up with a fair sized group.
My mom almost cancelled today because it was pouring rain again, and our house isn't really big enough to accommodate a large group of rambunctious kids. But we stuck it out and as soon as the people started coming, so did the sun..

It reminded me of the good old days when I would have my big group homeschooled friends over to play.
Today the entire group just kind of traveled from down stairs, to outside, to the kids bed rooms, to the picnic table for a snack, back downstairs, and then where suited them next.
It was fabulous. Everyone got here around 12:30 and stayed until 4:00. The time went by so quickly.
There were 11 kids and 6 adults. Somehow things didn't seem too loud or crazy, and everyone was pretty agreeable.

At one point all the girls were in the play house out back, making meals of leaves and berries.
That was my childhood in a nutshell.
Playing out in the yard for hours on end, creating concoctions of whatever we found growing in the gardens.

We have a fabulous back yard that is perfect for all occasions. If it's not summer parties, it's water slides. If it's not that it's sledding and fort building. Its the perfect kid location. It's like having a park in just out side our back door.

Today our child visitors ranged from 1-7 years old. Yes. All 11 of those children mentioned earlier, were under the age of 7. I honestly don't know how we did it. But it worked out well, and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.
We got off with only a few minor tragedies, but nothing life altering.
One little boy got his toe stepped on.
And my brother kind of hit someone with a rather large stick(it was an accident, I assure you).

At the end of the day, right before everyone left, the kids decided they would put on a show of sorts in our basement for their parents to enjoy.
It was quite the procedure.
I'm not sure there was a storyline. But the produciton included several masks, dresses, a caterpillar costume, fairy wings, and plenty of assorted hats. They used our extra twin sized mattress that we have down stairs, as a stage.
This particular mattress serves the purpose of becoming whatever is most need at the current moment.
With in the past 24 hours alone it's become everything from a day bed, to a trampoline, to a tumbling mat, to a water raft, and most recently, a stage.

Seeing these new friends playing with my siblings just brought back so many wonderful memories.
I can't wait to see what sort of adventures are awaiting my family as we start this exciting endeavour of homeschooling, all over again.

ice cream and mayhem

Summer weather can be so unpredictable.

Today was everything from cloudy to sunny to storming and hailing.
It's incredible how quickly the sky can change. I guess that's true with most things, they can change so quickly that you can hardly figure out how or when it happened.

I was walking with my sister to get a treat and luckily we got inside before things got crazy. On the way over the sky was definitely acting up. I definitely saw some wild ribbons of lighting streaking down from the clouds.
As soon as we went to stand in line the entire sky seemed to explode. It was coming down by the bucket load, more like industrial tankfuls if you ask my personal opinion. There were even some pretty impressive sized hail stones.

Luckily by the time we had scraped the last melty drips of soft serve into our sticky mouths the rain seemed about through and we were able to make our way home under the safety of our trusty umbrellas.
The storm must have done something to mess with the traffic lights because there was some major mayhem on the roads. The light just wouldn't change.
Those on a rush home were less than impressed, I can tell you that. Horns were blaring, people shouting, bakes squealing, you name it. There were some pretty decent bent bumpers in the mix as well.
A fire truck tried to come to the rescue, but it got stuck in the awful confused congestion. There was absolutely no room for it to get though. Bumper to bumper. Not the most ideal condition. But we got home safe and that is something to be thankful for. 
The ice cream was good to, so the excursion was not a total waste.

a new season in upon us

September has always been my favourite time of year. I don't have the thrill of back to school shopping to look forward, but there is definitely some sort of excitement  in the air.
I love the idea of starting fresh, jumping head first into whatever new adventures I'm about to embark on.
September is also the time when I can have the world all to myself. Kids are all back in school. I can go where ever I want, and not have to wait in any lines.
Parks are peaceful once again, and beaches are even better.

This is what life should be. Enjoying the little things and not having to be told what you want to do and when you have to do it.

September has always been the most inspiring month for me. I always feel so motivated at this time of year. After a restful Summer I'm so ready to learn and accomplish things.

Is that weird?

We went to the beach today. I was able to bring a friend and she squeezed into our van along with the five of us already packed in. We were there for a good five hours.
It was craziness. All the beach goers doing there best to try and suck the last bits of golden freedom from Summer before they have to go back and submit to the routineness of their everyday lives.
I actually felt sorry for them.

This blog is one of my new endevours for this year. I'm not totally sure what exact 'theme' or style it will take. I guess I'll just go with the flow and see what becomes of it.