In case you missed this post, the Jay family is on vacation.

We left our city home in the good hands of a friend and travelled west to the coast, half of the grandparents and salty air.

The 15-hour trip from door to door was absolutely wonderful. These little people of ours stunned us once again with their incredible travelling skills. Snacks, books, sketch pads and music kept everyone busy and we only answered the question, “Are we almost at the ferry?” about every 20 minutes.

It doesn’t hurt to have a few “vacation only” snacks packed to keep little fingers busy.

We even saw some wildlife…not including the flying fish.

Any guesses which child I had the best view of during our day?

After nearly twelve hours, thousands of snacks, one listen to The Best of ABBA *shudder*, three naps, one diaper blow-out and three potty stops we boarded a ferry to the Island.

The ferry trip is by far a kid-favourite – and thanks to the three naps the journey was raised immeasurably in Mommy and Daddy’s opinions.

We were on the ocean – floating as Sarah kept reminding us while she remembered this previous lesson.

As I savoured the view these clowns ran off some of that pent up energy.

I just adore these little people. And family vacations. And the ocean.

And I love how they all feel like home.

As I mentioned before, we’re trying to finish up our school year before we leave on holidays later this week (probably not going to happen….). I’m happy with where we’ve gotten in math and language arts but there were a couple of science units to finish up.

Science is a favourite of mine – especially at these early levels. I remember quite clearly doing many of the same experiments we’ve done this year during my elementary years. As much as I enjoy the lessons, though, I get a little nervous of all the many hands that will want to be involved and the different levels at which to teach. We end up doing a lot of exploring and I chat away to the older girls while we discover together.

We recently studied boats and buoyancy as a part of our grade two requirements. It was amazing to see how the four older children worked together testing different materials for buoyancy. Each having great satisfaction in developing hypotheses for the different materials. Each constructing many different boat shapes in search of a winner. Each doing it their own way – through the eyes of a 3, 5, 6 and 7 year old.

Any guesses on whether this one stayed afloat?

This boat was our winner.

Elizabeth worked so hard on her creation of toothpicks and foil. It was a success!

I never tire of witnessing just how much children love to learn – albeit not always on my schedule but what is a schedule to a child deep in the throws of discovery?

After a bright and sunny weekend, we’ve had a lazy rainy day. As much as I appreciate sunny days, a rainy day always puts me in mind of hot tea, cozy story times, knitting dreams and quiet afternoons. (A rainy day, that is…a rainy week is an entirely different image of insanity.)

Although the sun has brightened our late afternoon and the sun is calling us back outside there was lots of fun to be had indoors this morning.

Here’s a little peek at what we got up to on this rainy day…

It began with this…I don’t even know what to say about this other than they were clean and he was a willing participant.

Sorry for the grainy photo, it begged showing…and will probably beg showing again at his wedding.

The dress-up box was dumped and little sister was at the mercy of her older siblings.

They were proud of their work.

And then had a display of their own.

Siblings are the best.

Then we moved into strangeness.

I’d like to say they get this from this from their father.

They don’t.

Of course, little brother had to get in on the action.

And while rioting, madness and hilarity ensued downstairs I found the sweet princess enjoying a quiet book on her bed.

I love seeing all the different moods and personalities of these little people. All unique, all precious, all simply wonderful.

And now that the sun is breaking through we’re off for a little visit to our garden where all that rain is doing its best work.

Hope you’ve had a beautiful day!

I’m begging one more day of this long weekend. I promised a yummy post but I didn’t get that one finished up quite yet. There have been too many toes to nibble, bug bites to soothe, birds to “Quack” at, tears to comfort, and lions to brush out of teeth (I don’t even know how to explain that last one).

So here’s a little peek of our fun from this long weekend…along with some photos of yesterday’s baking frenzy as a tease. I’ll have that yummy post for you on Thursday!

Kid made snack picnics.

Green and purple smoothies.

A girl who likes her cucumbers whole.

Potty successes.

Lots of silliness.

Gazing out a rainy day…

…a rainy day which inspired all this baking.

Grandma’s biscuits.

Muffins that were deemed unhealthy because they weren’t brown – but were they ever yummy.

Pie pastry.

And a summery pie.

Now we are off to take a stab at some schoolwork…schoolwork which was sadly neglected during last week’s sunny days. At least cold and rainy days are good for some things.

Have you had anything baking in your kitchen lately?