A bickering beginning, an enjoyable end

We've been watching the first series and first volume of Canada: A People's History, almost daily. Today was a challenge because my kids have a hard time being close to each other without constantly complaining about the sounds each other makes when breathing, swallowing, eating, moving, etc.. I got fed up (had a fit) and told them to leave my room ( that's where we've been watching the dvd's) as we wouldn't be watching the show today. I hate the days when I can't be calm enough to help them work out their issues. I've been trying to work on effective communication skills for 5 years now. I'd have to say there's been some improvement, but not to the degree to which I would like.

After I calmed down, had a shower and went downstairs I found the kids busying themselves. Owen asked if we could make something for lunch out of the wonderful kid's cookbook we've been using called Jumbo Cookbook by Kids Can Press. We decided on Tuna Melts, these were enjoyed by all.

Earlier on in the day I had brought up the idea of biking to a local park which led them to think about bringing Speedminton as we could play it at the tennis courts of another park on the way home. This we did. We packed up our backpacks with some racquets and speeders. I also brought the postal "parcel pick up" card we received the day before and thought since we were going to be so close to the post office we'd pick up the parcel too. We were expecting it to be popcorn from my nephew whom sold us some cheezy popcorn for Boy Scouts or workbooks we had ordered. The outing turned out to be a pleasant welcome to the day.

In the park, lots of deer were grazing and some of the fawns were the smallest we've seen. Isn't it getting too cold for these wee babies? The leaves were beautiful; the ocean was full of excitement; the grounds of the park were spectacular; we saved a robin trapped under the netting that was over a pond. Owen figured out that the netting was there so the pond wouldn't get clogged with leaves. The trapped robin was very upsetting for my nature-loving kids. They managed to free the bird, but were very scared they'd get caught being over the fence. We really wanted to let the grounds keeper know that the netting was dangerous for the birds, but we never did.

After that, we biked on to the tennis courts for a twenty minute game of speedminton which was great fun. Then off to the post office to pick up....our workbooks. Popcorn would've been a yummy treat after all that playing. The kids wanted to to play on the merry-go-round, teeter-totters and swings before biking home. Wow, what a super day. We came home and made mini pizzas on English muffins, another idea from the Jumbo Cookbook!

We've decided to watch the dvd's in the family room now.