The suitcases are packed, the van is loaded, snacks are at the ready and the milk is almost finished.

We’re leaving for the west coast bright and early. We’ll be staying with Dan’s parents on beautiful Vancouver Island for a couple of weeks. We are so looking forward to seeing Grandpa and Grandma Jay, relaxing at the beach and admiring the many wonders the coast has to offer.

The kids are amazingly patient through the 15-16 hour trip. Taking the trip in one long haul is easier on them than breaking it into two days. Dan and I do ache for a few days visit to Vancouver every time we drive through but we’ll save those visits for another time.

I’ve packed way too much wool and way too many books but I’m hopeful I’ll find plenty of opportunities for bringing them out amongst our other adventures. I’m looking forward to sharing some fresh vistas in this space over the next weeks.

And now I’m off to catch a few winks before we hit the road!

It appears I have a case of knitting insanity as I contemplate my current knitting plans and deadlines. A sweater for big sister (my Winnie Cooper) for the birthday at the end of this month – not likely going to happen. A sweater for littlest sister for her birthday near the end of July – slightly more realistic. Knits, knits and more knits for babe due in August – these may have a chance seeing as they are teeny, fun and a break from the sweaters. And, since that hardly seems enough to keep me going through an already busy summer, I decided to join this KAL (anyone spot the inspiration for my knitting bag?) to knit a cardigan for myself.

Happily, while I’d love to see these deadlines met, they are very loose deadlines. At this point is still seems like a fun idea but if it stops being fun I’ll be shelving some of my knitting aspirations until a later date.

I’m most nervous about knitting for myself. I love cardigans and am always pulling on the cheap acrylic versions I have. Knitting one for myself is quite a thrilling proposition. I’ve bought the pattern and enough Cascade Eco+ for a sweater and then some. The pattern is going to need some tweaking as the wool is quite a bit heavier than the yarn the pattern suggests. Not sure I have the skills for that much tweaking but it will be a learning experience if nothing else…and I may be asking lots of advice in this space next week!

Just have to mention that I took this picture at 9:50pm. I love the long days we get at this time of year – they almost make up for our short winter days.

With all the knitting to be done (and a little touch of sewing fever) I haven’t done much reading this week. I’m still enjoying The Distant Hours – a few pages at a time. I also have a stack of library books that I’ve been perusing – The Tassajara Cookbook, Good to the Grain and Little Things to Sew. I don’t feel as though I’ve had nearly enough time with any of these titles but they’ll need to be returned before we leave on vacation later this week. Back on to the hold list I’ll go and maybe have a chance to offer my thoughts on their merits after more than a cursory glance.

I’m looking forward to wandering around the other yarn along posts – and in the meantime I’d better get knitting!

Hope you all find a chance to indulge in something you love today – be it knitting, reading or something entirely different. Thanks for stopping by!

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?

Each day has been feeling a little more like summer here.

The smell of fresh cut grass, barbeques and blossoms. The sound of children playing, mosquitoes buzzing and birds singing. The sight of late, lingering sunsets, a garden ready to explode, dandelions aplenty.

There are special moments I enjoy at every time of the year but these long days before the heat of summer hits are some of my favourite. The days stretch out, our schooling mellows, the mornings are cool enough for baking, the afternoons warm and bright, summer showers surprise us with their sudden strength.

We’ve had a busy weekend – a sweet blend of visits with beautiful friends and preparations for our upcoming vacation.

The littles have had the door swinging all weekend as they hop in and out, through the sprinklers and in for snacks.

Muddy footprints mark their progress, sun hats have become every moment wear and we’re restocking fruit nearly every day.

I’ve nabbed some quiet moments with my knitting.

In the kitchen.

And over a few little sewing projects.

And I’ve been happy to share these moments with the most wonderful company.

These days have been feeling much lighter, much brighter and much more peaceful. The weight I felt I was carrying last week is less. I am so thankful for hope and love. I am so thankful for friendship and encouragement. Thank you all for the love and kindness so many of you have offered me – in this space and elsewhere. I am amazed and blessed.

I’m wishing you all days of blessing…with a little more each day.