When I look back on this week and some of the last week, I think what stands out the most is the children developing a sense of this land. As huge advocates of place based education, Kate and I see immense value in children knowing a place well- exploring it, learning about it, respecting it…Continue reading →

The Cottage is constantly undergoing changes, both large and small. The team is working long and hard to get the building ready for our Nature School students. This past week we began discussing the move with our children, wanting to prepare them for this approaching event.  Children adapt quite easily to change, on the most part, but…Continue reading →

We are very fortunate to have been gifted a set of outdoor building blocks which are absolutely amazing! They can withstand nature’s elements so they are perfect for Nature School. They have some weight to them so as you look through these pictures of children carrying blocks, know that they worked their muscles and co-ordination to…Continue reading →

I think we are finding our rhythm. It takes time to settle into our new lives together and this week there was a new feeling; a trust, a softness, an understanding, a commitment. It felt amazing! The week was filled with so many lovely moments– children already achieved things they did not know they could…Continue reading →

The City crews have been out in full force, clearing lots of overgrowth and creating open space. The change is quite remarkable; suddenly there are viewpoints that did not exist before and although it is hard not to miss the magical feeling one used to get while descending the driveway, it is definitely more open…Continue reading →

We had some serious gardening work to do! The area that will soon be the home for our garlic needed to be weeded. The children were hard working and when Nikolas declared himself a “farmer”, soon we had many children proclaiming they too were farmers!  They worked together very well really, considering they are all just…Continue reading →

There will never be another first week of our first year. We had this thought the week before school began and once it was said,  this idea took on a life force of its own. It became our mantra for the week, weaving though every moment of every day.  We wanted to cherish these new beginnings….Continue reading →

Kate, Heidi and I had a lot of fun setting up for the picnic as we tested our skills hanging Kate’s homemade (and beautiful I might add!) flags over the ever so prickly blackberry bushes that brushed up against the tree we used as support. As usual, our antics sent us into several laughing fits, thereby…Continue reading →

The crew has been working hard, really hard. And, really carefully.  Kate and I have gone by almost daily to chat with the crew and see the progress ( and maybe bring them a cookie or two). In speaking with them, it became apparent that these skilled carpenters really care about their work. They are interested in…Continue reading →

A Cottage restoration update–the foundation is complete and the Cottage is back on solid ground! Kate and I popped by many times, checking on its progress and little by little, all the work to build the proper foundation was done with care and precision. I am always in awe of the expertise it takes to…Continue reading →

The idea behind our family planting day was simple– we envisioned a gathering of children and adults participating in a healthy activity in the beautiful outdoors! We also hoped to begin to create a sense of community; a slow process that takes time, commitment and trust. Kate, Ian and I planned out the day to include refreshing…Continue reading →

As part of the building restoration, the foundation needs to be re-done and although we had been anticipating this stage for the past while, the moment of viewing the Cottage on ‘stilts’ was nothing short of extraordinary.Many thoughts flashed through my mind at that moment and when Kate and I chatted about it, it was…Continue reading →

In recognition of Earth Day, the Thompson Community Centre team, in partnership with the City of Richmond, organized a tree planting day. The trees were planted along the newly constructed Railway Avenue Corridor. The Railway Greenway path has gained lots of popularity as children and parents can walk and bike along an otherwise busy street. I myself…Continue reading →

With much anticipation, the work has begun on the Edwardian Cottage. In order to prepare to lift the house so the foundation can be re-done, some shrubs were cleared and the land around the house was excavated.  These are the beginning stages of the renovation and although they are not extraordinary in any particular way, they…Continue reading →