Project Volcano

Yesterday, the older boys and I created a mountain out of, well, these things...

After drawing, colouring, rolling, taping, re-rolling, re-taping, positioning and more taping...

Baking soda and food colouring into the film canister. (It took some searching to find one of those ancient items.) Now it is time to add the vinegar, and then...

Did I forget to mention I didn't have any red food colouring...

So our lava was blue...

Happy faces...

"That was fun!"

A Work-At-Home-Mom Moment

But it could happen to any Mom really, who wants a moment on her computer during the day.

I was trying to get a bit of work done this afternoon on a video that I am editing. It just so happened that The Little One was feeling a bit needy, and he wanted to sit on my lap. No problem, but this set-up requires some sort of activity to keep little hands away from my keyboard and mouse. Today's distraction...Nacho Doritos. Don't judge me! I only gave him a few tiny ones left in the bottom of the bag. (You can guess who ate the rest of them, can't you?)

Anyway, it worked like a charm. I was getting stuff done on my computer without disruption. Then I looked down to notice, the chip bag was empty, the little fingers are covered in orange crud, and there are little orange crumbs all over his shirt and pants. I carried him to the kitchen sink to avoid a crumby mess on my office floor.

I wish I had a picture to show you, but I was here by myself and more concerned about the mess than photography. I can tell you The Little One loved the orange chips, and thought standing on the counter to be cleaned up was pretty fun, too. If you decide to try this trick at home, my advice is put a big towel on the floor next to your chair, and buy plain (non-orange) chips.

A Family Portrait

I am always looking for new ideas to expand Small Wonder. To that end, I recently had the pleasure of spending an afternoon with this family, documenting their family photo session with the talented Big Picture Photography. Not only did they end up with some great pictures, they have these wonderful memories to go with them.



I am hoping this Video Family Portrait idea takes off, because I would LOVE to spend more happy afternoons with families like this one.

Shawna Toth
Small Wonder: Cherished Moments on Video

The First Day of Autumn???

In the Northern Hemisphere fall officially began at 3:19 am MT on Tuesday, September 22, 2009. It is now 5:28 pm... and it's 29 degrees.

I am trying to be concerned about Global Warming, but it is sooooo hard.




There was one small sign of Fall in our back yard this afternoon.



Happy Autumnal Equinox, everyone!!!

Thoughts on the Season

Fall Arrives
It was fun while it lasted, but now is gone. Summer is over, and Fall has arrived. The cool green leaves have turned to warm yellow. The warm blue sky has turned to cool grey. In the backyard pool splashing all afternoon, and then an evening of smoky barbecue and cold beer, and neighborhood walks, has given way to crock pot creations, popcorn and movies, the warm fireplace and a glass of red. Fall, fall, falling. More on the ground than on the trees. The future? Snow, ice, sledding, skating. Angels and icicles and puffy jackets and presents. Change is good, even predictable, repetitive change. Summer ends every year, but each time it brings little surprises. Small changes to the routine that make it new. Fall feels like a new year, maybe from all those years of school. Starting over. Advancing. Learning new things. That is what Fall brings. Summer is full of energy and thrill, but Fall is breathtaking and energizing in its own right. Breathe in the crisp Fall air, and feel revived.
-skt

5 In 5

1. LOVE the weather we are having. Tonight we sat in the back yard watching the kids run around, play in the water, and invent interesting games to enjoy together.
2. LOVE the conversations I have with my husband about religion, politics, family and everything else. He is so, so intelligent.
3. LOVE yoga and the fact that I have found a Yoga DVD that will supposedly help me burn fat. (Don't love the sore muscles the next day.)
4. LOVE it when at least one child goes to sleep without any problems, so I have time to write this blog post.
5. LOVE Autumn for one reason...New Television Season!!!

They Don't Like To Be Called "Baby"

We met at a Baby and Me class at the Health Centre when they were all just a few months old. A group of seven Moms (eight babies) met once a week, first at parks like Edworthy and Bowness, then at someone's house through the winter. I looked forward to that once a week when I knew I would have the company of other new Moms, who would not judge me, and who would provide much needed support.

Come spring, everyone went back to work, and the weekly meetings became once or twice a year family gatherings. Moving houses, changing jobs, quitting jobs, having more babies and through it all, we kept in touch. We had group birthday parties until they were all 6 years old. Once all the oldest kids were in grade 1, it became more and more difficult to get the group together.

Its been 2 years since we've been together as a group. On Sunday, we reunited at Edwothy Park, and it was just like old times! What a great group of families...

The Dads and babies at their First Baby Group Birthday Party.

All the kids present at the reunion on Sunday.
(including younger siblings)

We have called it The Baby Group since the beginning. But there was a concensus among the 8 year olds on Sunday that the name must be changed. "We are not babies anymore!"

No, they sure are not babies anymore.

Painted Faces

We spent Saturday afternoon at Olympic Plaza, watching drummers, jugglers and Samba performers. There were fanciful characters on stilts, and gymnasts with colourful ribbons. And there was one, lonely, over-worked face painter. She was an artist, and the boys thought it was worth the hour long wait.

One shark, please.

And one dragon, if you don't mind.

Nice work!

Meanwhile, it took so long that we decided to stop at McD's for dinner on the way home. And there, the Little One discovered the joy of ketchup.

What's this stuff you all put on your fries?

It looks interesting...

Mmmmm, tastes good!

Overall, a great afternoon. And the boys got to make their own yo-yo, too!

Movie Monday

We camped out in the back yard on Friday night.

What is camping without campfire music?



They may have the musical gene after all!

5 in 5

1. I am always amazed when one seemingly small change can completely turn our world upside down. Just when you think you know and understand your child, you change one tiny thing, and they become a completely new child. You think, "Last week, this was what we were doing, and this week, we don't know what we're doing." I miss last week.
2. I went to Art Central for the first time last night, and I LOVED it! Watched a woman making tiny glass art. Talked to a sculptor about her inspiration for her work. Congratulated my sister-in-law on her pottery exhibit. I need to go again very soon, as I didn't see everything last night.
3. Gonna camp in the back yard tonight. Since we were unwilling to take The Little One camping this year, I promised the older boys one night in the tent in the back yard. It's been a busy summer, so we are just getting to it now. Barbecued hot dogs, a fire and s'mores, and star gazing with a small telescope. Then, giggling in the tent until.... (We shall see whether we make it the whole night.)
4. I did some work this week. Actual, paid work. Well, at least someone will get paid for it. I edited a web video of a grass sweeper for AdvanceHD. Trust me, the product is just as exciting as it sounds, but I enjoyed the editing. Made me remember why I liked working in production.
5. I am looking forward to this fun new project I am working on with Big Picture Photography. I can't wait to shoot it, and edit it, and see the finished product! Even if it doesn't end up getting me any more business, I will still enjoy the process. Maybe that is my problem???