Such Things

Way to Go Canada!!

Just a quick note to say yay, Canada!!  We had such a great time watching the final game at an Olympic venue in Surrey, B.C.  They had lots of fun activities for the kids,

like skating,

tobogganing,

and lots of screens so we could watch the game, which really had us all on edge, especially right at the end and in overtime.  We went to some friends' to watch the closing ceremony which was fun as well.  There was tremendous celebrating, cars honking and Canadian flags being waved. 

People are happy and proud. 

We finished up some Olympics projects and celebrations at school this week.

It's been a fun journey having the Olympics come our way and thanks for joining me on this Olympic journey!

I Love the 2010 Olympics

I'm typing this post while watching the Olympic ice dancing.  AND THE CANADIANS JUST WON A GOLD YEAH- HOO!!  It's been so exciting being in the midst of it all.  We headed into Vancouver again this Saturday to check out LiveCity Vancouver with some friends.  It was a gorgeous day, as the weather here has been like nothing I've ever experienced in Feb.  It feels more like it's May! 

We started out at LiveCity Downtown where we saw the Stanley Cup in the Canada Pavilion.  We also stepped into the Manitoba Pavilion which was proud to highlight one of their own, gold medalist Jon Montgomery, winner of men's skeleton.

Outside the library,

Then heading down to Robson Street,

We ended near the art gallery again, in the center of the action.  The kids got a glimpse of the Olympic mascots ice skating in the Robson ice rink,

and there were people flying by overhead on the zip-line.

With the cherry trees already in blossom, it could not have been more beautiful and a perfect way to show the world our wonderful city. 

On Sunday, I was also proud to run a half marathon in the beautiful Old Fort Langley, with vistas of open field, mountains and heritage style homes.  

An all round amazing weekend, I must say. 

Go CANADA!!!!

Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games

This week has been Olympic mania.  We loved the opening ceremonies.  Did you watch them?  I thought the special effects were excellent.  I was wasn't surprised to see Wayne Gretzky lighting the torch.  At some points I thought some of the people from the crowd might leap right into the truck with him, they were running so close beside!  We couldn't help but notice that Bryan Adams and Nelly Fertado were lip syncing, but I was still so proud and excited to see a handful of Canadian legends performing. 

We headed into Vancouver today on the sky train.  I've of course been to Vancouver many times (we live about 45mins from downtown), but this time and it was like nothing I'd ever seen before.  It was  amazing. 

There were so many people on the street that it was difficult to even move at some points. 

The weather was crystal clear and bright. 

We saw the torch, which is behind a barrier.  I thank Mark for a lot of the photography in this post.  

I must comment on the fashion I saw as we walked around.  Everyone had on red and white Olympic wear and I was especially eyeing the red hoodies and knit sweaters.  We made it into the Olympic "superstore" at the Bay for clothing, but these items are near impossible to find.  The saleslady said they get shipments everyday, but the sweaters are gone by 10:00 am.

We spent a lot of our time around the Vancouver Art Gallery.  Speaking of fashion, there were some anti -fur protesters,

and my children were happily playing on the lions right behind them. 

It was thrilling to be a part of the celebration.  We even got a photo with Gordon Campbell, the Premier of B.C.

 

Ah, Vancouver.  We love you!  Go Canada go!!!  We got our first gold today.

Then back at home,

Loved making Valentines with my Cricut machine

and our very own Bobsled team!

Happy Olympics and Valentines day to you!!

Hearts for Haiti and Happy Tuesday!

Wow!  We have been having a lot of fun and fantastic weather.  I've been outside a lot and not at the computer very much.  There's been a lot of joking about the warm weather affecting the Olympics, but from what I've heard, everything is ready and about to be in full swing.  The mood here in Vancouver is amazing.  There was A LOT of negativity about the Olympics, grumbling and resentment about the way money was spent, which is understandable, but I have really noticed a change over the last week.  It seems that most people are getting into the spirit now.

Both at home and where I work, we've also been getting ready for Valentines Day.  Decorating, writing cards, making treat bags,

Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the days that I teach.  I love the classroom. 

Today, the class was working on a project for the school and for Haiti as well.  

The kids want to spread kindness around the community, so they are making secret Valentines with friendly messages and posting them around the school in all kinds of places.

The class is also continuing to collect money for Haiti.  They are sending a notice home to parents and have made announcements to the school.  I've noticed that the hype about Haiti has passed, we don't really hear about it on the radio anymore, but there are still many people in need.  I stumbled upon another Hearts for Haiti project on etsy.  I found it on Stephanie's blog Overjoyed.

I had an idea that we could spend a little less on ourselves for Valentines Day and send the love Haiti's way.  

We encourage you to do that too.  Spread a little love around, to friends, family and people in need.

Well, that's a glimpse of my Tuesday, and similarly my Wednesday.  The Olympic torch is coming right down the street from my house this Thursday, and we are so thrilled to see it.  These are very exciting days for us in Vancouver and I'd like to keep you up-dated as much as I can.

Spooky Fun Weekend

You know costumes are quite magical. 

The kids enjoyed trying them on, and immediately, they became what they were dressed as.  We had a doggie crawling around and picking up toys with his mouth and a meowing cat.  My oldest daughter insisted on wearing her pink ballet shoes with her black butterfly costume, instead of wearing her black jazz shoes, because "butterflies dance like ballerinas" and that's what she did in her costume.

We went to a pumpkin-carving party which was very fun.

tricks and treats,

and then that glorious extra hour on Sunday. 

I vote for everyday to have thirteen hours.  Or at least every weekend day. 

Hope you had a fun Halloween and Happy November to you too!

Christians and Halloween

I have always loved Halloween.  The costumes, the crafts, carving, decorating, trick-or-treating, and all the fun.

It's something to celebrate as the days get shorter, darker and often colder and rainier. 

One day when I was substitute teaching, I thought I'd do an activity about the history of Halloween.  I got to reading about it and I was quite surprised to find that it really does have quite dark beginnings.  Not to mention the connection to Wicca.  Many Christians have chosen not to celebrate Halloween for these reasons and others.  I was chatting with the coordinator of our Sunday School at church and she said she found the holiday confusing. 

As a Christian, I try to steer clear of the more "evil" and scary parts of the celebration and put more focus on harvest,

pumpkins, creative costumes, trick-or-treating and the whole community feel.  

We do Halloween activities with friends and as a family, like carving, baking, crafts and this year we made a pumpkin person.  

 

 

A great activity for a rainy weekend afternoon.

 

Not to mention Halloween parties with games, costumes and treats.  Would God really want to keep kids from something that excites them so much?  As long as it's done in the right spirit.  I'd love to hear your thoughts and comments.

 

Happy getting ready for Halloween!!!

Pinecone Turkey Craft (and Happy Thanksgiving!!)

Thanksgiving is a holiday which encourages one to pause and give thanks for the abundance that we have been given: family, friends, nature, pets and nourishing food.  It is also a time when one can think quite a bit about turkeys, which are typically ugly, but not the ones in Thanksgiving stories and the very cute crafted ones.  On a sunny October afternoon, paper bag turkeys, plate turkeys and hand turkeys can be seen proudly paraded about the schoolyard.  

I thought I'd join in with these festivities by making pinecone turkeys with my class at school and with my children at home as well.

They need a lot of white glue, or a glue gun works well, too, with a smaller group.

The stands are made from sawed off "wood cookies", which my husband kindly provided.

The bodies are pine cones and the heads are made from acorns. Then add on the googly eyes, a felt beak, feathers and puffy orange pipe-cleaners for the feet and waddle, which Miranda differentiated from the "snood".

Sometimes a small part of the pine cone has to be removed for the acorn to sit right. 

And there's one cute Thanksgiving turkey.  Happy Thanksgiving to all my Canadian friends!!

Vases for Mom

I found the idea in a pioneer crafting book and right away I knew it would make a great gift for Mother's Day.

I found the glass paints and vases at Michael's craft store.

The students practised on paper first.  Ideally, I would have liked to have them study spring flowers and create still life drawings, but due to time, we practised some designs on paper with curved lines and various dot flowers.

Then the excitement of painting on real glass.

The students were happy with their work.

I coated each design with a clear glaze for extra protection.

A pleasing gift to take home for mom.  She can use it for candles, candy, stones, fresh-cut bouquets,

and best of all, it's a treaure to save, made with such care and love.

Happy Easter!

What is it that makes Easter, Easter?

Is it decorating the Easter tree?

Is it Easter eggs?

Is it colouring,

 

and dying the eggs?

Is it the Easter baskets filled with surprises?

Is it hot-crossed buns

for breakfast on Sunday morning?

Is it Easter dresses?

Chocolate eggs,

or other Easter treats?

Is it Easter Lilies, visits with family or Easter egg hunts?

To me, Easter is about new life.  I was looking for words to express just how important Easter is, but the best I could find are familiar and simply stated:

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." John 3:16-17

I hope you have a very Happy and blessed Easter!

Beloved Sock Bunnies

I truly believe in hands-on learning.  I believe that more is learned when a child is interested, engaged and creating.  One day after school, one of my students brought in a young grade one friend to show him some of her class projects.  He looked at me and said, "I think you do more crafts here than work!"  Well, that just might be true, and today the shape of the day was a favourite Easter craft: "sock bunnies."

Yes, socks.  They are what I dread most about laundry.  Lost, mismatched and perfect for a sock bunny project! 

I've since lost the original instructions for making the bunnies, but it is simple.  Stuff the sock up to and including the heel of the sock, then stitch across the sock just above the heel. 

 

From the toe of the sock, stitch a vertical line to create two "legs"

 

Then stitch a diagonal line on either side of the sock to create the "arms"

We finished them off with a ribbon around the "neck" of the bunny, wool whiskers, button nose, googly eyes and a pom-pom tail.  Cut the top part of the sock straight down the middle to create "ears".

There were sewing circles forming around the classroom.  The kids were really excited about their sock bunnies.  Each one had it's own personality. 

Hope you are looking forward to Easter!