Morgan's Maple Syrup

Morgan took quite an interest in making syrup this year.  His little mind was thinking and planning while we were talking and tasting.  He found himself a hammer and a nail.  He told "Uncle Paul" that he needed one of the pails sitting there being used.  Paul very kindly listened to Morgan as he explained his need of Paul's pail.  Morgan was going to tap a tree with his nail and hammer; he needed the pail to catch the sap.

With Paul's permission, Luke picked up a couple of spiles and metal buckets as we left the sugar bush. At home, a maple tree in the backyard was tapped.

Morgan - so proud!

Morgan's project became a family project.  We only had a few days when the sap ran, but it was enough to fill my freezer up with various sized blocks of sap.  It gave us time to wait for a beautiful day to boil the sap and for Luke to find something to boil the sap on.

Luke tending the fire

James and Morgan taking a turn

James on his tricycle

                  Time to play!

Morgan in the old, little sandbox

The big boys often help Evan over the rough spots

And take a little walk...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Even Nicholas had a dry place to sit

The syrup made was deliciously enjoyed with fresh baked biscuits and over pancakes.  Yummy!

After the whole experience, Morgan said he wants to drive a school bus when he grows up so he can make maple syrup too.  "Like Uncle Paul."

Maple Syrup

The Sugar Shack

We all love pure Ontario Maple Syrup made by our good friend Paul Mader.  We like pancakes, french toast, fresh biscuits and even oatmeal or cornmeal cereal covered in maple syrup.  The most requested meal in this house is pancakes - breakfast, lunch or supper.

In April we put on our boots and set out for our annual trek through the Mader's Sugar Bush.  (Yes, I realize it is June and I am only now posting this, but sometimes my intentions are better than my follow-through.)

 It's become an event we all look forward to and talk about for a weeks before the trees are even tapped.  This year we invited our friends, the Smith's, to join us.

The sap pan when we got there, not yet boiling.

 First we checked out the operation - we explain each year how the Maple trees are tapped to collect their sap which is then put in the big pan and boiled over a hot fire until it becomes Maple Syrup.

James and Morgan helping to add firewood.

Next we set our for our tromp through the woods. 

Marion, Morgan, Luke and James

Marion and Evan

Mommy and Nicholas - notice the turkey feather in my hand

Porcupines at work

When we returned to the Sugar Shack, Paul had begun straining the syrup.  We had a delicious taste of fresh maple syrup and some maple sugar too.  It was yummy and oh so sweet!

Hopping To It

James and Morgan participated in a Hop for Muscular Dystrophy at Nursery School today.

Don`t they make cute bunnies?

James....My Helper

It's been very busy for days now.  I can't remember when the busyness started, but it seems to be unending.  Mostly my own doing as I am purging and organizing....again.  On top of that all 4 boys have been suffering with this lingering cough that goes on all day and all night - even now I can hear one of them coughing.  No one in this house is sleeping well.

Today I was able to accomplish everything I HAD to do by the time I picked the twins up from Nursery School and I was struggling to keep myself together at lunch.  Nicholas was put down for his nap; Evan and Morgan put themselves to bed soon after.   Savoring the quiet moments, I sat on the couch with my tea and found my eyes starting to close.  I don't nap, never have.  Today I almost did. 

Even though it wasn't long before Nicholas was back up, I still couldn't seem to get off the couch.  In fact, I lied down with my eyes closed.  I was only slightly aware of James moving around when I felt a blanket placed on me.  Soon 2 special teddies were snuggled in.  I heard the tap running and a cup of water was brought to me...then another one...and another one - in case my cough got worse (I don't have a cough).  Even when the baby complained about his toys being out of reach, James moved them all closer.  Then back to the kitchen to make me a snack.

James is a helper.  He likes to mimic Luke and I doing our various tasks, especially those that he has to work at figuring out.  He's so proud of the things he accomplishes and talks about what he did to help us again and again.  But today he didn't mimic anyone.  He put his helpfulness to work and took care of his "nice little mommy".

I have to admit, it made me proud to watch him through my slitted eyes.  He knew what he wanted to do and figured out how to get it done. 

And most of all, I felt truly loved. 

Enjoying Winter Together

Luke and I took our 4 boys on a hike.  We bundled up in all our snow clothes and off we went...bundled up just a little too warm.  It was tough going at first as we walked along some deep tractor tire ruts but once we climbed a hill to another pathway, it was a lot easier and a lot more fun.

I was so proud of all 3 boys as they hiked with very few complaints.  They trudged through the deep ruts, crunched through the crust,  fell and got back up - what troopers!

Trudging along the tractor ruts.  Notice the angle Evan is on in the sled.  He got out of the sled soon after and didn't want to get pulled any further.

This was our first attempt at pulling Nicholas.  This sled was too tippy so I went back and got a different one that went much smoother.

Evan's legs are short and he really struggled walking along the tractor ruts.  He insisted on walking though and wouldn't ride in the sled we brought for him.  I only carried him for a short distance as we caught up with the rest.

A much easier path.

We stopped for a snack along the way.

Morgan taking a turn pulling Nicholas.

James making a snow angel.

We tried tobogganing but it wasn't the right kind of snow for it.

James and mommy.

Evan and mommy.

Morgan and mommy.

Nicholas was snug and warm and slept most of the time we hiked. 

They're home!

And so I have survived!  Two nights and two days is a loooong time not to see my precious boys.  There have been a lot of hugs, kisses and snuggles this evening as we caught up on those missed while we were apart. 

I have been surprised at some unexpected opportunities that have made the time very worthwhile even though I missed hearing their voices, listening to their stories, seeing them play and explore their world, and even helping them brush their teeth. Something more than just the obvious break from constant cook, cleaner and referee.

The most significant was how those few hours gave Luke and I some time to be us.  Not just mommy and daddy but actually just us with each other.  Thanks to my parents watching Evan and Nicholas for a few hours, we even went out for dinner.  Last year we managed 3 meals in a restaurant so I'm hopeful this year we can maybe make it out 4 times :)

As I wrote in an earlier blog, I spend many precious minutes sitting and holding my babies.  I had even more time to just sit and savour the moments making them even sweeter.

And the biggest realization was, I love being a mommy to 4 boys!

Packed and ready to go!

Tonight I set the table for 3.  Luke and I sat at dinner and talked about adult stuff.  After dinner we sat down and watched a movie...all the way through.  An adult movie!  The house is quiet.

Packed and ready to go!

James and Morgan packed their suitcases this afternoon while Grandma and Grandad were here and said they were going home with them for a sleepover.  After making sure they were willing to stay all week-end, we re-packed their 10 pairs of underwear each, a piggy bank, books, teddies and extra pajamas to more wearable amounts of clothing and off they went to Breslau for the week-end.

That's 2 full nights away!  Although they were happy to go and I have heard they are enjoying themselves, I'm not sure how mommy is going to do :(  I missed them before they pulled out the lane way.  They've never been away from me for that long before or slept so far away.

But, I smiled and waved good-bye when they left.  And when the next time comes I will do the same.  It will be a really great experience for them and they will enjoy every minute with their grandparents.

I don't have to like it, I just have to accept it.