Sap

This has been a weekend of bliss so far, a great ending to a doable week.  Rowan's tantrums have been fewer in number and less intense.  When he does have one, he is calming more quickly.  I don't know if I should chalk it up to the techniques we are using, or just a natural "up" in the cycles he seems to have.

Weekends usually are terrible.  Hell, if I might say.  The lack of structure seems to throw Rowan off kilter. We are all walking on eggshells, diffusing tantrums constantly.  This is especially bad if we don't get out of the house.

Yesterday we drove out to our neighbors' farm by Wright, MN to the sugarbush and helped collect sap and watched a maple syrup boil down.  We had a blast, which we do every year.  It sufficiently entertained everyone, we got to see some good friends and make some new ones, and the kids (and dog) slept GREAT  last night.

Hiking in, Rowan wouldn't ride in the sled.  His train, Percy, however, is getting a ride.

Rowan stirring sap.

Aidan and his buddy, Cedar.

Aidan is known as the sapsucker.  He likes it right from the source.  No need for a boil down for him.

Rowan helping Andrew collect sap.

Collecting sap.

Rowan's favorite mud puddle at camp.

Dan stirring sap.

Straining it off while  the kids look on.

The kids go for the big syrup vat.  Rowan, Ahna, Allison, Mia, Cedar, Aidan.

Rowan didn't quite understand that he was supposed to eat it.  He just thought it was something sticky to play with.  Here he is watching the master (Ahna) at work.  He quickly figured out what to do.

Sticky goodness.