Leaves And Goats

"We're three birdies in a nest, Mummy"

The smallest chick

At the apple orchard on Sunday, hanging out with the goats

Thanks to everyone who expressed concern via phone or e-mail following yesterday's sad events.  Edward was under lockdown at work (his building is downtown), but much to everyone's surprise, he still got home on time.  The thing about life with kids, is that no matter what happens, you are propelled forward.... not always a bad thing, in my opinion.

Dance Class

I decided to enrol Evelyn in a City of Ottawa pre-ballet class every Saturday in the early afternoon.  It's been a bit hit or miss - today, she refused to do 90% of the class - but overall, I think it's a positive experience for her.  She finally warmed up just before the end of class, and managed to show Miss Candace first position with her feet to earn a sticker.  She's a little shy about expressing herself through movement, and told me that she "doesn't know how to learn dance".  I really hope this will gently help her get passed that feeling.  In my opinion, nothing is more liberating than allowing yourself to really dance.  Especially to your own drummer.

I was in dance class from the time I was 4 until I finally gave up at 18.  I went to a well reputed dance studio in town, and although I LOVED to dance (and still do!) I wasn't great at following a choreography or dancing in a group.  I spent a lot of time feeling discouraged and overlooked.  It took me a long time to find my groove, in every sense.  But for me, dancing is still an absolutely essential part of who I am.

All this to say that I wasn't overly keen on the "dance studio" model for Evelyn.  The City of Ottawa program is a perfect fit.  The instructor is fully qualified, but the atmosphere isn't competitive or pushy.  Of course, getting dressed up like a ballerina every week is definitely a big part of the draw:

Colin took one look at her as she got dressed in the kitchen and stated "Evelyn, you look beautiful".  That might have been her favourite moment of all.

Our Week

Someone likes the mint Girl Guide cookies....

Hallowe'en preview!

Evelyn's Thanksgiving handiwork

When I picked them up from school yesterday, Keith excitedly told me that he had "the BEST TURKEY EVER!!!" in his backpack.  His is the one on the bottom.  Colin told me his turkey's name is Larry (top right). 

Hanging out with me at the (free!) annual butterfly exhibit this morning at Carleton University

Keith and Colin size up the moth I'm holding.  This guy (and his orange) was passed to me by someone who was leaving, and I held onto him for a long time until I noticed that he wasn't looking too peppy.... then he started shaking, so I gently put him down in a plant.  The kids were fascinated by the "butterfly who died so the plants could grow" (the University lets them decompose in the plant pots as fertilizer)

Our token butterfly shot in foliage, courtesy of Myriam who accompanied us.  No idea what type it is, but there were at least 20 varieties of butterflies and moths on display.

The exhibit cuts up oranges and leaves them around so people can try to attract the insects.   The butterflies definitely prefer the available flower nectar, though.

The Exhibit was as cool as ever, although I really should have taken a picture of the entrance line.  It impressed me last year, because it was at least 30 people long... and then the greenhouse is pretty tight quarters with tons of little people running around.  So this year, we arrived early (on the O-Train no less, because parking last year was a nightmare) and were greeted by a line that snaked out of the building and, eventually, around the block.  Luckily, there is a lovely little park right beside the greenhouse, so we blew off some steam while Myriam held our place in line.  The fact that it was a PD day for our kids' board likely contributed to some of the exhibit's popularity.

The kids enjoyed the exhibit, although they're still a little physically small to see all of the butterflies on the foliage, and spent most of their time with their necks craned upwards.  Plus, despite patient orange holding and quiet voices, they were most disappointed that no butterflies landed on them.  We're also under the weather, which never helps.  But it's definitely on the calendar again for next year!