the week's end

Given the Thanksgiving break Monday, it was a fast, quiet week. Tuesday, Cody and I had a special day with Elliott; I think he was worn out from the weekend and requested to stay home. Thursday, we pulled Kate out of school for her own special day. They were both lovely. Kate was so quiet and agreeable. Elliott in contrast was sort of bossy and never stopped his chatter.

This week also marked 2015 Kindergarten registration. It's official Elliott and Kate will be making the move to our local elementary school September 2015.  In a month's time Elliott will go for his pre-K assessment. There's nothing like that first visit to the school that will be home to them for their formative years!

Today is cool and overcast. The kids have been outside for hours, busy as only small children can be.  As always, they have explored every inch of our yard, destroyed Cody's garage, squished this morning's crop of mushrooms and invented new devices and worlds. What a magical time in their lives.

 Kate's zipline for her teddy.

 A friend of ours built his kids a zip in their side yard - Kate was certainly inspired.

Ninja and his prey.

 The softer side of Ninja - the worm was spared.

Wishing all our friends and family a pleasant weekend raking and taking in the fresh air.
Love, CAKE

i would prefer cider

Apple orchard with the Best family - take two. It seems apple picking is the thing to do if you're a family in New Brunswick. It took me five years to discover this, but discover it I have.  A couple weeks ago we gave it a go only to face a three hour wait to even buy a bag to fill, then a second line to access a tractor to take you to the sanctioned area of the orchard that was ripe for picking. Being the patient people that we are, we quickly broke our childrens' hearts, hit the gift shop for maple sugar suckers and a few boozey apple cider. Today we gave it another go and wouldn't you know it, a couple short lines then an uneventful wagon ride and we were in the orchard picking Macintoshes to our hearts content. Well...  until the first child's tears, then the second and then the third. You can imagine. I found great solace in the incredible feeling of crushing fallen apples (or skulls if you will) under me boots. Cheap therapy, but effective.

It wasn't all bad. In fact it was pretty great. Take a peek.

 Our five kids running with abandon up and down a series of circular bales.

 Action shot two.

 Action shot three.

 Our tough guys hand in hand boarding the wagon.

 Alex updating his FB status. to be fair, we were now "in" the orchard.

 Papa and E.

 Up a ladder feeling the love.

 All the fallen children.

 My baby swingin with soulful abandon.

 JB (did you pay for that?)

A smug mug.

 A chipmunk storing her nuts.

Look at these five. What a shot. What love.

I may complain about those five a little or perhaps a lot but I do love them and bearing witness to the friendships they are forging. Happy apple day. Wish Julie and I luck as we try our hand at transforming these Macs into some pie.

CAKE or pie

who the heck?

For a good year we have admired and carefully watched how Kate has developed as an artist and consummate crafter. Elliott on the other hand, what can we say? Hmm - less interested, less talented, certainly less patient. And then like the changing of the leaves Elliott also changed. Evolved perhaps? Now, he sits literally for hours pouring over colouring books and bringing those pictures to life.  I spoke to his teacher yesterday and she says that she too noticed a huge change in the last two weeks. He's now diligent with his colouring and drawing and stays working until completion. Monday he came home from school painted four pictures and then spent the rest of the night colouring and drawing. What the heck? It's a thing of beauty. On top of it all, did I humbly mention? He's pretty awesome.

Check it out...

Autumn colours.

 Monday night hard at work.

Not to be outdone by her brother, Kate's busy perfecting her use of the hot glue gun while making a hairband for a friend.

Winter is a comin' and we're ready to hunker down and do some serious creating. The only issue - what to do with it all!

CAKE