Magnificent May

Rowan became interested in another sport this May, and that was soccer.  He started his first ever team sport an was really excited.  The team didn't have a Coach, Assistant Coach, or Manager but we were told some Under 20 players would volunteer on a rotating basis to help with coaching.  Rand offered to help with coaching as well when the team was in a jam.  It turned out that Rand coached every game and we didn't see any of the volunteers we were told about!  While it made for a busy week with Rowan and Rand having to be at soccer 2 nights per week plus Rowan being in Music one night a week, it was all worth it.  The kids all loved Rand and they were an amazing team.  Rowan was so enthusiastic about his team he was heard on the sidelines cheering throughout the game when he wasn't on the field.  He showed a bit of an aptitude toward soccer as well.  

We started out the Spring taking Nature Walks to various parks and natural areas in and around the city.  The photo below is of Rowan and Poppy along the banks of the Bow River at Carburn Park.

 We went on our first camping trip of the year with my brother and his family to Tall Timber, near Sundre, Alberta.  It was the coldest camping trip we have taken as a family with a bit of rain but mostly cool weather.  We used the furnace every night!  Poppy and Rowan have started helping around camp a lot as you can see by Poppy drying the dishes!

I think these cousins could spend endless hours together as they did while camping.  Our sites were very close together and there was a little path through the trees behind us where the kids would run around playing spies and hiding.  Memories they will have for a lifetime.

 Rowan comes from a long line of avid fishermen and his passion is a match for them all.  The significant difference is he has never caught a thing. You can see my brother getting his fly rod set up and Rowan patiently fishing with his spinning rod.  We were at a small lake called Beaver Lake which is known for producing trophy sized trout.  We could see the fish jumping everywhere.  Cody helped guide Rowan as best as he could but I think the lake was too busy in this particular day.

 Poppy was given her own rod and tackle box for her birthday from her Grandpa Brown and she wasted no time in wetting a line for the first time.

Rowan is really excited because he is finished the dishes!  We had so much fun camping on this trip and hope it will be a tradition for our family that we can carry on for many years to come.

 A few days after returning home from camping Rowan and I put together a space where he could have his audio books, sketching books, and other important items that he doesn't want Poppy to get in to.  Rowan is not comfortable playing upstairs in his room or downstairs where we have lots of toys and fun things, so we set up a little indoor tent in the living room.  Poppy needed her own tent as well so we put hers together.  Rowan made a sign on his own that said "OPN" and "CLOZD".  I think he got the idea from the tee pees at the Stampede.  Anyway the space was used a lot and enjoyed for a few weeks!

For one of our weekly Nature Walks we invited some close friends to Shannon Terrace in Fish Creek Park.  We took a long, lovely hike and had our lunch at this beautiful spot.  Poppy and her friend were about to take their clothes off to go in for a dip when a large school group  of children about the same ages as our children came walking up to us.  I think they were going to use the same spot for a project and looked thoroughly puzzled at what we were all doing playing in the middle of the say in this particular spot.  There was much staring and giggling.  My friend and I looked at each other with gratitude as we often do that we live this homeschooling life.

May brought us many wonderful adventures and a taste of the beginning of Spring and all of life waking up!