Class Field Trip

This past October, Evan's class went on a field trip to McNabb's Corn Maze.  It was a cccoooold day.  In fact, at this point I hadn't yet acclimated to the Canadian weather.  So despite my body telling me to go inside, I put a smile on as we boarded the wagon for our hayride to the maze.  We had a quick tour of the farm before we were let loose to find our way out of the maze.  Now let me tell you what I was in for.  I was in charge of 5 kids from grade 5.  That would have been fun!  But each of the kids from grade 5 also had a "little buddy" from kindergarten who they were in charge of.  If I've painted this picture well, you would know who was really in charge of keeping this group together in the endless rows of corn.  You guessed it... Me.  Needless to say there were kids running in all directions and if I felt the cold at the beginning of the tour, I was now running a hot sweat trying to salvage the remains of my nerves. Finally after accounting for every child we finished of the trip warming up around the fire.  I try not to be permanently scarred from raising my hand to volunteer.  But mostly I do love seeing my boy interacting with his friends and I know there will come a time when he won't want his Mom to come.  So for now... I'll enjoy this moment! 

The Sun is Still Shining...

An Indian Summer....

What does it really mean??

An Indian summer is a heat wave that occurs in the autumn. It refers to a period of considerably above-normal temperatures, accompanied by dry and hazy conditions, usually after there has been a killing frost.

Why Indian? Well, no one knows but, as is commonplace when no one knows, many people have guessed. Here are a few of the more commonly repeated guesses:

• When European settlers first came across the phenomenon in America it became known as the Indian's Summer.
• The haziness of the Indian Summer weather was caused by prairie fires deliberately set by Native American tribes.
• It was the period when First Nations/Native American peoples harvested their crops.

 

Regardless to differing opinions, I think we can all agree that we love it!  This particular October day we took advantage of the glorious day.  We headed to Skutz Falls on the the way to Lake Cowichan. With walking stick in hand we set out exploring while taking in the beautiful summer like rays.  The day was so warm that Rob and Evan actually ventured into the water.  Now I'm not allowed to post pictures of boys in their boxers, but let me assure you it would bring a smile to your face.  As warm as the air felt, I don't think the water was the same. 

Just for the Fun of It!

Now that we were back enjoying our life back in Canada we headed to one of our favorite spots for a hike.  Jack Point Park is near the Duke point ferry terminal.  It is about a 5km hike that winds along the ocean.  The views are amazing and at times you can see Sea Lions basking in the sun.  After winding through the trails in the forest you come to a place where the water has eroded away the rock.  The boys explored each carved out space.  When the boys were younger we use to do these hikes most weekends.  But as with their age, their interest has waned.  It was great to see they could still enjoy the great outdoors and that family time was still wasn't all that bad!