Archive | March 2010

Complex Emotions

Happy but stressed seems to be a permanent affliction for myself lately. I wouldn’t say things are GREAT but they are much much better already and that certainly means A LOT to me. Yet with that “better” come busy… well busy for Ken. Which in turn creates havoc within our little family unit when promises are made and things HAVE TO be done and aren’t. We are adjusting, adjusting to Ken’s hectic schedule, my exhaustion, Trinity’s newly perfected ability to go up and down the basement stairs to terrorize her brothers in the carpeted playroom (ok I find that HIGHLY entertaining!), the weather that ALMOST went perfectly lovely…

Change change change… and to think that last month I was figuratively banging my head against the wall hoping for it. Now, here I am wishing the days would slow down… or gain an hour some how?? I just keep reminding myself – positive change, we are dealing with a majority of positive change. Now funny how that does not just make everything peachy keen!

Speaking of change!

So last night I kept myself busy with the never ending task of weeding through Trinity’s drawers. I really have left that WAY too long. I found clothing marked 3 months – granted LARGE for 3 months, but still. So now half or more of her clothes are on the towering pile of “go through and sort keep or donate”. It is a weird feeling going through her clothes – first off she is the only one to wear them and secondly there is no one to pass them to in the family. The twins’ stuff goes to Emanuel and Emanuel’s then have been worn by 3 people! Add to that the fact that there is no older sister to hand her items and it is all new to me!

So courtesy of a really fun Stampin’ Up stamp set of Karyn’s the twins were able to make their very own flowers. It is a great set – petals and centres for flowers. I stamped each boy out 5 petals and one centre which they coloured their own way and then cut them out and assembled with a pipe-cleaner stem. I figure I will do up some white card-stock with multiples of each and then let the boys go nuts. So far the first two are earmarked for their god-mommies but they have grand plans of giving flowers to a whole bunch of aunties for Easter.

Finished Flowers

Today we had the whole family out to Michaels for the free family activity using the new Crayola product – a modelling clay that does not crumble. To get the tool to make the “dots” they used in the craft you have to buy a little kit for around 20.00 so we are debating skipping on the tool and just purchasing a nice sized tub of two or so colours for 27.00 later next month. Each of the kids – Trinity included – ended up with a neat Easter themed decoration. Now I just need to figure out a way to display them. I really need to invest in some terracotta pots and some florist’s foam. Maybe a trip to Dollarama this week is in order? I love these little craft events – it is like a 30 min crafting class with no fees and a little socializing thrown in. There is another one next Saturday that we are determined to make. It is always an adventure when you have all four kids involved!

Proud Craftors! (Zander right)

I have to admit an almost full day of being Trinity’s personal jungle gym I am ready for a nice long sleep… of course Miss T seems to have some sort of inherent knowledge of that and a little devil on her shoulder prompting her to wake up CONSTANTLY while I am home alone at night. Even her nap was shorter today. She is so independent now movement wise but if I go too far or she is no sure where I am she is NOT happy. So today was a busy busy day, with tomorrow being the Palm Sunday service… life is just go go go around here! And here it is almost 10 pm and I am exhausted!!!

Non-stop Energy!


This entry was posted on 27/03/2010, in Uncategorized. 1 Comment

The Unreality of…

the first 3 to 4 months of pregnancy is always more apparent to me when I am firmly entrenched in the second trimester. Granted there are the signs of pregnancy – the nausea, the exhaustion (way more than past pregnancies), the expanding waistline, even (for me) the ultra sound with its pictures of a tiny little soul, that slight flutter of baby motion. That labour and delivery date, the actual event itself, feels a life time away. That little life so far from being formally introduced to our family.  It is not until the movement is so noticeable that Ken and the children can also enjoy the baby’s motion that I really feel the reality of pregnancy. The knowledge that come September we WILL be a family of SEVEN… the fulfilment of a dream really – our wish to have that large family. There is  the beginnings of purchases for our newest edition (the diapers of choice), the discussion of how we will fit the bassinet in our bedroom and plans A through D or E in regards to how we are going to ensure that there is an adult watching the 4 children we already have during that exciting event. The excitement builds at that point, which I hope the rest of our friends and family can be a part of.

Our schooling today was focused mainly on counting past 10. In fact we did one dot to dot that went from 1-30 (very simply) which we did together (myself and the twins) reading aloud the numbers as we went. 1-12 is quite clear but beyond that – work in progress. We had a few other fun worksheets, a number vs. letters colouring page, and a count and circle using pictures of candy. With our focus being so strongly planted in letters and letter sounds I thought it would be a fun change of pace (not so sure the boys agreed). At this point we are down to the odd A being backwards and the issue of letter spacing (as I mentioned in the previous entry) so now was as good a time as any to move our focus. After all I read somewhere that the suggested K level for counting is up to 30 (though I wonder at that – I think I would be happy if we master 20 by summer). Either way the boys enjoyed the actual accomplishment of the worksheet completions though there were moments of frustration.

Gavin and his completed candy counting sheet

Gavin and his completed candy counting sheet

Our other big colouring adventure is actually thanks to Crayola. When I got my newest box of markers there was a code for the site that allows us to make photos into colouring pages! The boys have already had their go at colouring Harley as a gift for Grandma for Easter. I am actually debating using these personalize pages as added activities for my cousin’s May 1st wedding to keep the kids busy during the meal. I know I myself have a few printed out to play with. Each code lets you go for 6 months and by then I am SURE I will want more Crayola products!!

HARLEY

HARLEY

In fact one of our sources of entertainment for the weekend is also courtesy of Crayola – Michaels has a free activity for the kids trying out one of their new products. That will mark the midpoint of a very busy weekend after Ken’s thankfully very busy week! This has of course had the added effect on the family as to having the rest of our activities and plans slow to a halt but after the past 6 months or so it is almost welcome. Friday Ken has an appointment with BANK to check on their progress in correcting this van epic disaster, then he is off to Alan’s 3 day LAN party  (though he is not staying the whole time). Saturday morning  is the Michaels activity, then Ken is back to Alan’s until the evening in order to be home for Sunday morning – the twins are VERY excited about going to the Palm Sunday service where they are not only singing a song but involved in the procession. Then Monday is my very first appointment with the local OBGYN – the same dr who was in charge of my previous pregnancy, Tuesday it is off to Walmart for my cornea check so I can get my contacts! (so proud of myself for coming up for the money for those myself!!)… and THEN our week slows down, just in time for another Saturday Michaels activity and then our traditional Easter at Grandma’s. Oh don’t forget we have to decorate eggs both here AND at mom’s!

Actually, last night I did manage my crafty hour… 3 scrapbooking pages later and I am feeling quite accomplished. While no where as fancy as the ones I made with Karyn last time, I am sure Trinity will love them too! I still have enough pictures for a few more pages, but I need to sort out the papers for those in advance. What I wouldn’t give for a craft corner or room.

In my vintage outfit

In my vintage outfit

July 4th 2009

July 4th 2009

Canada Day 2009

Canada Day 2009

So life just keeps on going here. Ken is busy off his feet lately which I am very thankful for while at the same time mildly frustrated as it has slowed our sorting of basement down to a crawl. Trade offs of course. I had trouble with my blog today and had this entry ERASED so I had to rewrite… so if it seems disjointed that would be why… the joys of technology when it does NOT behave!!!

There is one heads up for those who are homeschoolers… Currclick has an Easter Egg hunt going on their site that gets you freebies so be sure to check it out and join the hunt!! I have found them to be a great resource – their usual freebies are VERY extensive!

For cross stitch enthusiasts… we are hoping to have new patterns for free and download up after SUNDAY! I will update if that changes or if they go up sooner but I am excited about that… we have quite a few to share with everyone. As usual I would LOVE to do commissions… we also will do designs on commission though they do cost a little more than the ones posted due to the time required for special orders. Be sure to let me know with a comment below this entry OR email – rosereinsch@gmail.com. As soon as my latest completed commission is received I will post a picture on my photo page. I am already working on two new designs for stockings that after I stitch I will post patterns up for sale.

But I really should get back to my Lucky Stars and stocking stitching! Back to work I go.

Mighty Puppy Slayer??

Mighty Puppy Slayer??

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A Day Remembered

I am coming to think our biggest writing conundrum to date is the concept of leaving spaces BETWEEN words. I can get them to copy the letters, even occasionally sound out the words… but there is a major misunderstanding about making a word stand alone visibly. Thankfully there are very few backwards letters though printing ON THE LINE is something we are also working on…

We finished our May baskets today, now to put them up somewhere to show them off… we stapled a piece of cardstock to the back to make it a basket and then glued the flowers all over to make it fancy and Spring like. The hands are traced and cut out to be made into lilies tomorrow!

Completed baskets

Completed baskets

So Ken spent MOST of this afternoon at BANK. Apparently the belief was that since we paid for everything and got the van back that all is good??? WHAT? So the internal investigation that they SAID would be started was not with the hope that Ken would just not be back. So 6 hrs. later he got home cranky and with a headache but rather sure he made it clear that he WOULD be back. So said BANK was told Ken could come back tomorrow or the next day (they will not know) with the intention that something HAS BETTER be going on! Credit rating and money for fees… reasonable yeah?

Anyway I have been making stars with a vengeance and finding my rhythm with that. I think once I have 10.00 extra again I will order another batch of papers and make a set for my god daughter and maybe myself even! Makes me wish I had more spare spending money RIGHT NOW. Funny how impatient one gets when you find a new craft to go with. I used to play around with origami… maybe there is an affordable way to get started once again?

Gotta keep the WHOLE family busy! (Zander blue)

Gotta keep the WHOLE family busy! (Zander blue)

Today is definitely not my day of deep thought… in fact I think I kinda auto-piloted my way through the majority of it. I think tomorrow night I will take a mental health.. hour… and do some scrapbooking. I have already picked out the paper and have some ideas. The problem is a space to do it and the time to use that space… but isn’t that always the way? Some day I want a crafting area… not even a room just some place all my own!

Taking advantage of the quiet moments

Taking advantage of the quiet moments


This entry was posted on 23/03/2010, in Uncategorized. 4 Comments