Mama's at the WellSpring Party (on our back deck)
Originally uploaded by annamaren.

We had a grand WellSpring party today, to celebrate getting back into our WellSpring groove!
It was a perfect early autumn afternoon, and after a grey week of rain, it was lovely to be outside, playing with friends.
After the first frost, and the mosquitoes are gone, then it will be perfection. ; P

birthday buddies
Originally uploaded by justynrebecca.

I can't help it, I have to blog this photo Justyn took!
Baz is my birthday buddy, and my oh my, he is getting so big and boyish lately!

Girls
Originally uploaded by justynrebecca.

Justyn took this one at the Violin conert, Monday. Ahh, those girly girls! So sweet!

L and Ava
Originally uploaded by justynrebecca.

What cuteness, no?! Justyn took this at the violin concert we went to on Monday.

Everyone crowds around
Originally uploaded by annamaren.

Our Monarch butterfly, Jello, left us for warmer climes. He emerged from his chrysalis, and in true homeschool community style we had friends and neighbours over who were all able to get a nice close look. We took turns letting Jello crawl all over us, but the truth of the matter was that Jello did not want to go.
I think he could sense evening approaching, and knew it was going to be chilly. After the sun started going down and Jello still was clinging to the crysanthamums where we had left him, we took him back inside and re-released him the next morning. He enjoyed warming his wings in a patch of sunshine, then took off for the maple tree that was in the morning sun. As we were looking up at Jello in the tree, L noticed that much higher in the sky was another Monarch butterfly. So we feel like Jello has a friend to travel with, and it made K feel a lot better about Jello leaving us.
We have learned a lot by fostering Monarchs this summer. K can talk about metamorphasis, insect body parts, distinguish boy Monarchs from girls, tell about migration and has also learned about loving something and letting it go.
My heart ached for her as she cried when Jello left.

Here is my fave cookies recipe.
This makes enough for some fire fighters and some for your family too.

Super Choc-Chip Cookies (makes some for now and some for later)

2 sticks of butter
2 sticks of margarine
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
2 tspn vanilla
3 cups of plain unbleached flour
1 cup whole wheat flour (sometimes a little more, depending on how moist you like the cookies)
½ cup of ground almonds (Trader Joes)
1 teaspoon of baking soda
¼ teaspoon of salt
1 package of chocolate chips

(optional add-ins include 1 cup of chopped nuts, 1 cup of raisins or other dried fruit- apple is good, 1 cup of oats, (with a touch of nutmeg or cinnamon), ½ cup of wheat germ, m&m’s etc…..)

Method:
Preheat oven to 350F
In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla.
In a separate bowl combine dry ingredients. Blend into creamed ingredients.
Stir in chocolate chips.
Drop heaping teaspoons onto greased cookies sheets. Bake for 10-13 minutes, until edges are brown but middles are still golden. Don’t overcook! Cool for a minute on the cookie sheet to set before transferring to rack to finish cooling.
Store leftover dough in a sealed container. Thaw 10-20 minutes and scoop out when needed.

K rides the fire truck
Originally uploaded by annamaren.

On Monday we made cookies for our community heroes. We delivered them to the fire house at dinner time, so the fire fighters could have them as dessert. : )
I decided a few years ago to fight the supposed war on terror by baking cookies with my kiddos and delivering them to our local heroes. I think it's important on a day like Monday to focus on what is positive, and to be able to express gratitude for courage.
Also, who doesn't like chocolate chip cookies?! The fire fighters liked them so much they let K and L take turns riding in the fire truck, LOL!

K, L and Daddy learn about Instrument Rating Maps
Originally uploaded by annamaren.

We went to Chicago on Saturday, taking the Daddy with us this time!
We were able to check out the Science and Industry Museum together, which was a lot of fun! The kiddos enjoyed the exhibit about flight and we also went to the exhibit about space flight. That was fun, because we are monitoring the NASA Atlantis mission that is currently going on. They launched while we were in Chicago!
The megabus was very late for the trip home, but having Rob with me this time, I wasn't as worried as I might have otherwise been.
Also knowing that Blythe's mum could have found space on the couch for us, well that was a huge relief!
It could have been worse, but the bus did eventually arrive, and we made it home safe and sound.
I heart megabus, even though they were late, since these tickets to Chicago were just $1 each! You really can't beat that!