Oh Canada..

Stratford Ontario is home to the Shakespearean lovin' community that is built around the business of the theater.  Nathan took me there on our first official date, we then honeymooned there and went back and celebrated our first wedding anniversary. Nathan had the idea of taking Jane to see The Sound of Music.  
We decided that just dad and daughter would go to the play, but the whole family would make the trip across the border. 

The Festival Theater is the largest venue in the city. 

It was rainy and cold on the day of the play.  But Elliot and I kept ourselves busy and spent some time at the local library. 

Inside the theater.  

Elliot fitting into Canadian life by wearing his Red Wings Hockey sweatshirt.  Tim Hortons in Canada French and English on menu. 

During our visit we went to a thrift store and Jane found an Anne of Green Gables doll still in the box for $3. We scored some Kinder chocolate eggs.  The kids miss those treats from our time in  in Hong Kong and they don't sell them in the US.
Elliot got some hockey cards for a $1. 

 Although a majority of the Canadians we come across in Ontario are similar to us Michiganders, parts of the city
do feel European in the way it looks and you can pretend you are across the ocean. 

Mom and son hanging out at the park. 

In total it takes about  5 1/2 hours to get to Stratford. We broke the trip up by staying over night at Port Huron.  Jane and monkey ready for the ride.
We have talked about returning with the kids  maybe in milder weather so we can explore more of the city and be there for more events.  We would like to get to Toronto to watch a baseball game maybe we will do one big Canada trip this year. 

Frakenmuth 2015

On our way to Canada we made a stop at "Little Bavaria" Frakenmuth, Michigan.  

Is it  possible to visit Frakenmuth and not go to Bronners? I'm not sure it is.  Bronners calls itself the largest Christmas Store in the world, and once inside you can believe it. The store in it's advertising writes Christmas like CHRISTmas, indicating they are honoring who Christmas is really about.  One thing I find fascinating is the pictures of all the famous people who have come to visit the store, celebrities, governors , President etc.
I noticed this time pictures of the "real" Maria Von Trapp, this was fitting since we were traveling to Canada for Nathan and Jane to see The Sound of Music performed live on stage in Stratford.

Pictures from the kids first visit to Frakenmuth in 2007

I was hoping to get a Nativity set, but I couldn't decide on what I wanted for the price. We for sure left with ornaments. Jane got a special  "Domino" ornament in honor of the baby turtle we kept this summer.  Elliot a popcorn ornament,  his favorite "food."
Two hours later we officially wore the kids out and headed to Port Huron. 

Herman Miller Halloween

Our actual Reformation Day  A.K.A Halloween was spent in Stratford, Ontario. The kids weren't sure how they felt about being out of the country at that time. We did learn on our trip that our Canadian neighbors celebrate it too.
 We aren't big supporters of Halloween with the emphasis on witchcraft and demons. However,  I understand the appeal to want to dress up and get candy. 
For a majority of their lives our kids have celebrated it at a church. I don't know when the Harvest Party alternative came about in the modern church, but it is here. Some churches use it as a time to share the gospel message.
 I have never been excited about the thought of taking my kids door to door around Halloween. The sometimes scary decorations were enough to keep me away and usually in Michigan it is freezing outside. The joke is you have to wear your snowsuit over your costume.
 It wasn't until after the kids were born that I learned that it is the same day the Martin Luther delivered his 95 theses. Reformation Day is recognized in our community, which is the headquarters for the Christian Reformed church.  The only way I ever suggested to the kids to really celebrate it was by them dressing up as Martin Luther, they haven't gone for it yet..  


     As we were having discussions on less candy this year, Nathan brought up that his company- Herman Miller has a Halloween celebration for families. Nathan is a safety and code engineer. 
The timing of the work celebration was perfect. Various departments decorate their work stations and provide candy and treats for the kids.   
When we walked in, the kids eyes got big with all the candy just in dad's department. One station had a 3D printer making a skull, some displayed pumpkins that must have been part of an office contest.
The kids and I sat on all the chairs and sofas.
 Herman Miller has some well designed furniture that is quite comfortable. 

The employees can rent a quiet room out.  Elliot ( Indiana Jones) is demonstrating how to relax after having a stressful meeting.  

If I saw the chairs in the store, I don't think I would be drawn to the way they look. But once I sat on the famous
Eames lounge, I decided it was more comfortable than  my bed and would like it. Retail around $5500

 Probably one of the biggest candy hauls they have ever had.

It was a fun way for the kids to see where dad goes everyday. 

Upper Peninsula 2015

The Upper Peninsula is a popular place visit year round for many reasons. One reason people travel in the Autumn is to view the beautiful colors of changing leaves.  Nathan wanted to get back to Fayette State Park this year before the winter. We planned a fall U.P trip with some hopes of seeing a color display. We soon realized the warm weather of October meant the leaves would change later in the season.  It wasn't the focus of our trip, so the disappointment was easily dismissed by us.
 The waitress at one of the restaurants said that people will book bus tours up to a year in advance specifically to see the colors,  they have to make a good guess at when they peak will be. Come to early like us and it is still green, come too late and the leaves will be gone.

First stop was in Mackinaw City.  A visit to Mcgulpin lighthouse, it had an informative video about shipwrecks on the great lakes and the many lives that have been lost to the treacherous winter storms. 

 In usage 1896-1906. The shore was a lot closer before and it eventually became obsolete.

 a bit windy that day. 

Cut River Bridge is one of only two cantilever bridges built in the USA. I didn't know what that meant before visiting. A cantilever is a structure that projects horizontally into space, supported on only one end.
It was special for us to visit because the Cut River Bridge was always the stopping point for Grandpa and Grandma Roman when they would visit the UP. Grandpa would run up and down the ravine, it was just something he did. In recent conversations he has mentioned he would like one more trip to the bridge but isn't sure he will get there.  

a troll that lives under the bridge. 

Where to stay? As the kids get bigger we have found the standard two double bed offerings at most hotels has become less comfortable.  The sleeping habits of children who never have to share bed, usually result in a knee to the back or stretching out to the grown up side. We have sometimes had the kids share a bed but that usually resulted in arguing and wasn't worth it to us. 

 We sometimes bring an air mattress or our thermarest pads.  It is always a luxury when a room offers  an extra pull out couch, or something else that will work as an extra bed. 
The Northshore Motor Inn was a nice motel and we found it up to date and comfortable.  It had a daybed set up in the corner, Jane immediately took to it and made it cozy. 

We eventually reached Fayette State Park

Fayette was once one of the Upper Peninsula's most productive iron-smelting operations. Fayette grew up around two blast furnaces, a large dock, and several charcoal kilns, following the post-Civil War need for iron. Nearly 500 residents—many immigrating from Canada, the British Isles, and northern Europe—lived in and near the town that existed to make pig iron. During 24 years of operation Fayette's blast furnaces produced a total of 229,288 tons of iron. It is now a living museum with reconstructed houses and buildings demonstrating life there in the early 19th century. 


Fayette had decorated for Halloween and we were missing a fall celebration by one day.  The kids did get some popcorn, a free showing of  Frakenweenie was happening in one of the buildings.  The funniest decoration was the out house that was automated and would open periodically. 

 

"It smells like something died in here. "

The weather was crisp but not too frigid and it was a relaxing time to visit and we did manage to get some nice photos. Three deer walked through the site shortly before dark a perfect way to end our visit. 





  

New Year Happenings

新年快樂

Xin Nian Kuai Le

Year of the Ram

Although I have been quiet in my blogging. the Sweeney family has been very active. The biggest change happened when we put the kids in school. 

This was during "Spirit Week" Jane is part of  the largest class in the school there are 29 6th graders. 

 Jane attended Tri-Unity for the four year old program in 2007. She is back row third from the right.
I was told her class has always been large, she has quite a few classmates from pre-school that still attend.

Elliot has 11 students in his 4th grade class.  Before he arrived there were only three boys.
Mandy, the one in the suspenders, has been my friend for 14 years.  The decision to enroll Elliot was helped by the fact he has known his teacher and her family his whole life.  Mandy said they had been praying for another boy to join the class. 

Reading month- Pajama day.. The kids read a picture book to their classmates. Elliot picked "Little Critter"

Our 2014 school year got off to a slow start and I felt we never really got into a good routine this year. Jane seemed bored and Elliot was frustrated. I was worried that their academics were suffering.
 I was impressed with the staff and the atmosphere of Tri-Unity and felt it was a door God was opening for us to enroll the kids.
Academically the kids are doing pretty well, which has brought me much relief. We can see where they need improvement but homeschooling hasn't been a complete flop in the academic department. 
 Elliot loves recess.
 Jane's teacher has nothing but praise for her.
Recently both kids got picked to recite special memorized speeches/verses in front of the school. 

Elliot and his recorder.  When he brought it home from music class he announced he was done with playing piano. I replied a recorder isn't a real instrument and piano lessons will continue.   I am glad he is being taught the recorder.  I do prefer to listen to him practice piano as it is much more forgiving on the ears when a wrong note is played. 

Elliot's binder for the first couple of months was this vintage trapper keeper. We found it a thrift store last year for .50c. 
 I guess it was too vintage, the plastic rings eventually broke. 

Other happenings.

Jane and dad spent a day on the slopes. 

Last year we had one of the snowiest winters ever recorded. This year we have had one of the coldest. The schools shut down one day because the temperature was -25. 
 I am hoping this doesn't mean next year we will have one of the coldest and snowiest winters ever. 

 Our American Heritage Girls troop, had a skate night at the Byron Fun Spot. 
  At the rink they have this fun photo opportunity.  
That is Nathan in that shot. I agree with that statement.