Better day for the aquarium

We went back to the aquarium today and it was perfect (except the parking rates are still the high summer rates), but we were able to go down below to see the baby beluga from downstairs for the first time. (She is sure looking plump!) All summer, there have been 45 minute waitsto godown, and sure enough, today there was no line up, and when we were there, there was only one other visitor to see her. I love it so much better when it's not crowded, I am not compelled to hold their hands every single minute.

We also spent a fair bit of time today watching the sea horses, I don't know if we just haven't watched them enough before or if they were feeling frisky today, but there was quite a lot of hanging on to each others tails. some of the ones hanging on were less than half the size, but then some weren't, and the ones we thought we babies weren't only hanging on to one particular big one. I guess it's time for a trip to the library...

Grouse Mountain

There are lots of these wooden sculptures up on Grouse mountain, Mia wants me to say that it's very nice on the mountain.

homeschooling

Amelia and I (along with Burke) have started homeschooling. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings we do school. Basically we do some craft (wool felting, drawing, painting), then we pack a little snack and go outside to the park, play, eat then come back home for some other activity, then have a story then have lunch. In some ways, this is not too much different than what a regular day might look like except for the large fact of my undivided attention. She is quite enjoying it, and I think that is the underlying reason.

I had a very distracted and unorganized (even for me) summer, so I am quite glad that fall is here. Not only is it my favourite time of year in general, but I find it so much easier to have somewhat of a schedule. Now the house and the kitchen get tidied and cleaned more regularly. Before bedtime, we have a routine of cleaning up the living room and vacuuming, so now I know during the day that no matter how messy it looks right now, by the end of the night it will be something resembling clean.