Progress: Slow and Steady

So much progress has happened, it is slow and steady. The work is grueling and labour intensive. Things are taking shape, however and we should be sitting in a really good position for when spring comes and we need to start putting up buildings, putting in amenities or digging swails. I have managed to go out for a few hours and help justin, leaving Ruby and Sally with my mother-in-law. I was on branch stacking duty. It's uncomplicated and easy enough work, and it was awesome to get out and help in some small way. It was also nice to be able to get some physical activity in that wasn't just going for a walk. Things are looking awesome, the sunlight is coming through the trees now and our spot has revealed some truly beautiful views. It's amazing how a beautiful place can grow more beautiful with each passing day. 

(before this week)

(After this week... sorry for the finger in the shot)

The weather has been interesting. Periods of wind and blowing snow with -10 to -20 then it will heat up to 7 to 10 degrees and rain... then freeze up again. While it is beautiful, it makes going places difficult. 

(Justins photos)

The girls are flourishing. I can't believe how big they have gotten. Sally is reading books and has outgrown her car seat and is in a booster seat. Ruby, at 10 months old is walking (and trying to run, God help us) and growing out of 12 month clothes. 

Our homeschooling lessons have gone well, We figure that once she is done the workbooks we have she will be proficient enough to pass Kindergarten (here they call it Primary). We have taken a couple online and inperson classes through a website called "Outschool" which she likes. It gives her an idea of what classroom learning would be like. Her dance class is through this site as well as some ukelele lessons starting this week. Fingers crossed she likes that class. She is a natural and curious learner. We try and foster that and try not to take learning opportunities for granted. Walks through the wildness present so many of these opportunities as does her inclination to play with things that can be explained through science (think pouring water over snow to learn volume and melting v freezing)... learning is everywhere when your a kid!

We have spent many hours at the toboggan Hill, many hours at the skating pond, and many hours walking around with our new friends from the Czech Republic. We have a number of friends in the community and have been to birthdays, a holiday party, and many outings... its been nice finding friends who are either like minded, who homeschool, or who are new to the community as well. 

(Sally in Pink, myself in Teal, Ruby attached to me, and our friends from the Czech Republic).

That's a good update for all of you. Sending you all love from the East Coast. We hope that everything is good where you are and you are all happy and thriving.