August is almost here, so this week I have been sorting through our pre-school curriculum after taking a month off of any sort of “structured” rhythm. This is our second year working with a Waldorf Inspired Pre-school curriculum (although it would be more appropriate to call it a rhythm). We use Earthschooling as our foundation & inspiration.

With my oldest turning 4 soon, I wanted to get more into the activities provided in the lessons. Last year is what I would call a learning curve year for me. It can be really overwhelming to sift through the materials for the first time, and grasping the philosophy…particularly when the educational background you are used to is the traditional regurgitation/dictation/memorization. Even though pre-school age is all about songs and stories and handiwork and free play…it is harder than it looks to integrate these activities into day to day life. The whole concept of song & storytelling means getting out of my comfort zone as well. I am not much of a singer & have always relied on books to tell the stories!

Last year we dabbled here and there mostly concentrating on circle time and crafts/baking. I worked from a spiral notebook, and when I went back this year to review my notes it was really hard to follow. I decided I had to get a setup that was easy to follow and inspiring. I also figured it would double as a keepsake for the girls someday.



I have a few of these really nice hard cover writing books mostly given as gifts. They are so pretty and well made that I put them aside & never had the heart to mark in them. Now I finally have a good reason to use them. The main book would be a reference of our verses, songs & nursery rhymes that we sing/recite at circle time. This is done by memory, but I always find it’s good to have a reference. I printed them on some pretty paper & arranged them according to month/season in the book.



I had two hardcover spiral notebooks that worked perfectly for a recipe book and lesson outlines.







So far I am organized up to December. Already I see the material “click” now that I have it laid out in not only an organized, but appealing manner. The books are simply irresistible to touch and I know I’ll enjoy referring to them each day. Now, if I can transform myself into a storyteller I’m in good shape…I’ll even accept my terrible renditions of children’s songs. :)

I am amazed at how many hits I get to this blog due to a post I did last year about the hottest day here in Montreal. My intention of putting the original post was for my own personal reference and interest. Since it gets so much attention here on the internet, I decided to post when the hottest day happened this year…and it was today, July 21st…two weeks later than last year, and two degrees hotter:



It’s definitely been a hot, dry summer. We are not complaining after the winter & spring we had, though! I should add I am not sure if downtown got this hot or not, as we live west of the city…but there you have it…thus far the hottest day in greater Montreal 2011. :) If I see the temp. hit higher than that this year, I will update this post. :)

…didn’t fair as well as the strawberries last year.


With all the rain we got this spring, our strawberry plants came back with a vengeance, and took over one of our square foot garden boxes completely. Since the girls love strawberries the most of the edibles we grow, we decided to let them have their own box. Only it looks like they peaked in June while we were in Nova Scotia, and the birds and other critters got to most of them.



Nevertheless, the girls had a great time searching for the small berries in the box as well as the wild strawberries that live throughout our back yard.



To experience growing and harvesting food, to see where real food comes from is an important experience for young children. Particularly today with the convenience to get whatever you want packaged in the grocery store. We can only do it on a small scale out here in the ‘burbs, but he sheer joy and excitement that a 2 and 3 year old get from having their own mini crops is encouragement enough to keep going. We planted very little this year due to a rainy spring. Next year, we must ramp up the varieties once again!

Seems we got a – “bit” of rain while we were away for two weeks…some of our plant life in our backyard went into overdrive…



Our out-of-control blueberry bush…looked like it has almost doubled in size…also note the height of the grass!



The girls’ playhouse – lovingly caressed by vines of hops. :)