We unpacked the paper blocks! They were last seen in Shelburne, Vermont. Initially disappointed with the number of paper blocks— the kids couldn’t actually build a full-size cabin— they did learn to increase the usable space created by a paper brick house by incorporating existing walls. As you can see, the kids have not yet learned how to stagger their brick walls. That’s the next lesson in Paper Block Home Building 101. Stay tuned!
Someone— either canine or fae— had moved the house a good distance and consumed the candy.
This year’s house for the Candy Faerie—
is hidden somewhere around here—
Dan came to visit! We don’t have any photos of him because I’m going through a camera-lazy phase, but I did manage to take some photos of artwork produced during his visit. Iris sat first for a portrait (the date on the portrait is incorrect), & then Akiva sat in the same location. Iris, being older, sat for quite some time. Akiva’s ability to sit is a bit wigglier and thus he sat for a much shorter duration of time, but nonetheless he managed to get two portraits painted of himself.
Iris on the couch, illustrated by Dan—
Akiva on the couch, illustrated by Dan—
Akiva on the couch, illustrated by Iris—
Tucker, trees, rabbit burrow, sky:
Closeup of Tucker:
This is my Iris. I love her with all my heart.
Iris loves me, too. She also loves trees.
Iris also loves her brother, tho you wouldn’t always know it.
Iris is cautious. Akiva is daring.
Iris has endurance. Akiva is impulsive.
Iris is devoted. And so is Akiva.
Being together enables them to do things that they might never do separately.
Iris writes Akiva’s name in pine needles.
Then she writes her own—
I
R
I
S
IRIS
We stay in the woods until the sun starts yawning and fluffing its pillow, ready to go to bed.
When we get back home— which is not too far away— Martin & his father are working on the siding.
This is the end of Martin’s 2nd week off work, so they can use all the help they can get.
Akiva works as hard as he usually works.
“Hi, Papa!”
…did I ever tell you the story of how we finally settled on this color of yellow?
Lately, every time we go to Johnville Bog, it rains. This time, we try to be prepared.
Upon arrival, the children check the weather. We might be prepared.
Some might think a bog an odd location for viewing autumn foliage, but that is likely because they are looking up.
I love the bog in all seasons. In autumn, I hear my friend Sunshine’s voice in my head:
“In Fairbanks, autumn happens on the ground.”
The Johnville Bog & Forest Park is a little slice of boreal forest in the Eastern Townships of Quebec.
I take some overcast portraits of my always adorable children—
#1
& #2
Then I head on, head down. Akiva is also head down.
Unlike his sister, he does not always enjoy walking.
But I take this opportunity of slowness to keep my eye between the cracks.
The light is low. My focus is off. I can’t get close enough. I wish I brought a tripod.
But I never bring a tripod: it is difficult to carry both a tripod and a 50 lb. child.
Cottongrass hovers in the spruce grove.
Pitcher plants nestle among mosses.
Mosses snuggle between the cracks of the decaying boardwalk.
In a boreal forest, autumn happens on the ground.
After the lighting of the fire, Iris leads us in song.
Then ceremoniously, we each add wood to the flames. Toss!
(Toss.)
Huzzah! Toss!
Put.
…and it burns.
