Well midweek is here and so is the snow. The kids are excited though they did not make it out today, not quite enough snow (though tonight there seems to be more in the works). Winter is here in Alberta at last!

So I finished it – the stocking – now all that is left is assembly, but keep in mind that the alphabet used at the top and the numbers for his year of birth will NOT be included in the pattern we sell, but Ken is going to make up a whole alphabet for the blocks so you can use whatever letters you want. I hope to start the one for my nephew in the morning. After all the sooner I get THOSE done and set aside for assembly the sooner I can move onto the next project.

Stocking all done!

The kids spent more time on their workbooks but the amazing creation of the day falls in with Gavin – his Lego rocket done in the same style as the wall hangings we saw at the Telus Science Centre Lego exhibit. Gavin has become a definite artist of many mediums.

Legos

Trinity and Echo spent some quality time together tonight while Ken was out getting Ted and the boys were sent to bed. I will post the video tomorrow hopefully on the blog. These two just have so much fun together. Though we did take a few candids of Echo in her little 0-3 month jacket. VERY cute, even though it is a bit big!

Jacket and all

Ken has been working hard and is thinking early next year will be the start of GREAT things for us. I am so proud of him, he spends so much time working, networking and bidding on contracts and yet still finds time for the family. I just wish I could do more to help!!!

So other than that we are keeping close to home for the rest of the week, and then next week when we get the van – well I have plans!!! And hopefully tomorrow – a longer blog entry… or just a video! Check back and see!

Gavin holding Echo!! She was trying to stand up

Another two day episode. I really have to get back on track with my blogging! But for a beginning of a week it was rather quiet and sedate. Although today Ken drove Nathan to and from the hospital for his surgery. He is out of commission for 4 weeks now so hopefully we can help them out further. Especially once we get the van back – early next week!! Good thing too, looks like snow is coming. Funny thing, we got a notice in the mail about a recall in regards to the van – something to do with the airbags. Ken almost groaned with the thought it would be something major AND time consuming. So when we DO get it back we have to go to the dealership and get this minor thing fixed… fun.

So the boys have spent quite a bit of time on worksheets, workbooks and other writing things. Gavin is really starting to take off with the reading and even Zander is moving beyond the alphabet willingly.

...and some pc time of course! (Gavin red)

Trinity’s chin is finally healing up, which is definitely on schedule. After Ken’s birthday on the weekend I am putting up our tree so I can take pictures at home and hopefully we will line something up with our favourite photographer to have our family photos done before the end of November. He has been rather busy with other jobs and a new baby after all!

The stocking is coming along nicely. I figure finish it by tomorrow and start the next on Thursday ???

Stocking to date

The pattern when we sell it will have a different alphabet and number scheme. The one I am using on Quinn’s is off of another pattern and as it is a gift I can give it but not SELL that portion. I am hoping that this will turn out to be just the sort of pattern people will like!

So other than that, I am trying to drink more water – Echo is going through a growth spurt and has not been peeing as much as I would like but eating way more often so both of us are working on chugging down fluids. I actually let her have a sip of my bottled water since she was grabbing at it, she swallowed a bit and then when I showed Ken did a very cute impression of a fountain.

Just the girls

Well other than that here I am writing when I should be sewing… so off I go!

Snuggles

Our weekend was educational, productive AND fun. Saturday found us over at the Royal Alberta Museum for the hands on Wizard of Oz exhibit. This was actually Sean’s idea (well done Sean Well Done)… and with our imminent van return we are still in the position of needing that added vehicle to get the whole family anywhere so thank goodness he has a car! Karyn met up with us with two of her librarian friends who were absolutely wonderful, and Ted joined us via the busing system.

We built castles, yellow brick roads, visited the munchkin area… the kids absolutely ran wild. And on top of that – on the weekends before 11 admission is HALF PRICE and kids under 7 are free!

L-R Gavin, Emanuel and Zander

Gavin and Daddy build a 3D yellow brick house 🙂

Building castles with Aunty Karyn's friends (Gavin green)

There was a gallery of word class photography that you were not allowed to take pictures in but the kids loved. And of course we went into the natural science area with the BUGS. There was a lady there feeding some of them who was more than happy to answer the boys’ questions. They in turn “helped”  her clean out the white eyed assassin bug cage by keep an eye out for the dead crickets (the equivalent of juice boxes to these bugs as the lady explained it.).

Orchid Mantis

Learning about bugs first hand

We were there over 2 hours and I think everyone had a blast. Echo slept through most of it and Ken and I took turns holding her while the kids were happy to hang out with everyone.

Sleepy Echo

Large Dumbell Concretion

The afternoon/evening was spent at home with Ted and Sean over. Sean picked up a new laptop and had some issues he needed Ken to take a peek at before he left late afternoon to visit with his folks who were in town for the weekend.

Today was a Sunday School day and as our family is on the list for helping out for the month of November we also sent cookies for coffee time (I cannot wait to have the van back and be able to go as a FAMILY). That left the girls at home to spend some time cleaning, watching tv and of course being artistic at the chalkboard.

Chalkboard art

I sold a pair of the snowpants the boys out grew today! So that is another 5.00 into the kitty. I am hoping that the rest of my items will go the same way. Ken is planning on heading to the used bookstore tomorrow afternoon to see what we can get for our books. I am not downsizing too many but Ken has taken to reading a lot of his stories on his netbook and is not so interested in keeping around all the hardcovers we have amassed over time. That just leaves getting to the bottle depot.

My goal for tonight is to finish up the nylon headbands I have sitting out and then to find the paper to go with some pictures to scrapbook. It is almost time to get started on our Christmas baking though I do need to get some of the Christmas themed Glad ware to put it in. Easier than wrapping!

My push to finish the stocking THIS weekend has fallen a wee bit short but I am certain mid week will have MY portion of it done! Then I just have to figure out how we are going to assemble it and get it in the mail. At least with the basic template there it should not take too much work for Ken to get me the pattern for my nephew. Since we are most likely NOT seeing them for Christmas I have to decide if I am going to mail it on time or leave it with mom to take down when she visits with one of the twins around New Years.

Now for the details

Now to find enough hours in the day! Anyone have any ideas on how to add in those needed extra hours cuz I would LOVE them!

Smiles