I love a good sale… and this year I have been spoiled with winter clothing sales. I have now replaced the two items that were wearing out for only 20.00 (plus tax)… first a new winter coat from H&W and now… BOOTS! Not only winter boots but FASHIONABLE ones, for only 5.00! Definitely a find.

We also dropped the costumes off at the church for the Sunday School teachers to see on Friday (She Chris and I). My mom has already alerted me to the fact that there are MORE waiting for me to pick up at home already! I also gave the secretary the information for Echo’s surgery so that she will go on the prayer chain in March. That makes me feel a lot better about the whole thing. After all positive thoughts, Christian or not, go a long way in my mind. I am so glad I was able to start bringing over costumes… I feel like I am contributing more to the church since I can’t volunteer too much with our Echo being so cranky at the time of service. 

Ken had some spare time yesterday with the conclusion of a couple contracts so with a nap taken he spent the rest of his spare time working on fractions with the twins. It took a bit of work and some frustration on all sides but a good start was made. I am sure next time there will be even more progress!!!

Fractions

Gavin finally got a chance to finish his last Valentine’s Day themed project! A felt heart stuffed with felt. I think he did a great job with only a few frustrating moments. I still have to stop and end his threads but otherwise he is on his own with it from stitching to stuffing to closing. I am not sure what he is planning on doing with it yet. We were chatting about Christmas and I think the next big sewing project for the boys is going to be to make a felt CHECKERS set! I am not sure what shape the pieces will be but it could be fun!  I figure Velcro on the pieces would allow for stacking to make Kings… 

Stuffed

Friday night we had another guest – Kathy came up for the first half of our long weekend (Family Day is Monday here in Alberta). She brought some cookies (though I doubt they will make it to the party), and took me out for a girls only dinner… BIG girls only! We went to Tony Romas where I ate more than I have in one sitting in AGES! It was delicious, the waiter was cute (but rushed off his feet) and the company AMAZING. We then went to Walmart to do some window shopping until they closed and then headed home. 

Today we spent at home, Kathy was here until late afternoon then onto the other half of her vacation. We played Lego, Mega Blocks, wooden blocks (do you see a theme?). And of course baked one of our batches of cookies for tomorrow’s party. Sugar cookies… the twins were quick to take over the job of cutting them out. 

Wooden blocks

I finally had the time to make the kids’ Valentines they are giving out tomorrow. I got the idea HERE. Very cute! So we did that same thing, darker wall (I wish we had a cute door like that!) and used some suckers I picked up at Dollarama. Ken put the Happy Valentines Day on for me and we printed them at Superstore. I may have to make a few more after the weekend to give to some people we don’t see then but I think they turned out great!

Valentines

Now it is time to get ready for the party… tidy, bake… all that fun stuff. 

My baby girl on the phone

Being a mother has its ups and downs and then there are those moments of uncertainty. I had one of those today tinged with joy. Echo officially has her surgery date for dealing with her PDA. It is a bit more complicated than go in and get done, stay the night and go home though. Basically the day before we have to head into the city (an hour and a half away) and do the pre-admission process. They will work through everything, examine her and tell us what time the surgery is the next day. THEN the next day we come in for the surgery (scary) and she stays the night for observation (which means I stay the night too). So the date then… THE date for surgery is March the 21st. We have to go in on the 20th for the pre appointment and then will (hopefully) be released to go home early on the 22nd. So enough time to worry myself sick about it if I so desire!

I posted on Facebook the dates and lovely (she) Chris has already offered to watch the other 4 for us! That is a HUGE load off my mind as we certainly did NOT want to drag the kids all over the city. I know that I WANTED this date and this done but not at the same time. This is MY baby and the idea of anyone doing anything to her makes me rather ill. 

Zander had a rather exciting completion – his first reading themed book – a Starfall one. He had to read each of the stories online and then do worksheets that corresponded with the sound lessons. He struggled a bit at times and complained (always) when I had him come up with and then copy sentences but I am hoping this completion will spur on more focus on reading!

Well done Zander!

I finally found a moment to do some practicing with my brush and ink… I CAN tell you that the two characters on the right are for Grandma (mother’s side) and the top mess was my attempt at Grandpa (mother’s side) BUT the bottom one shhh secret! 

Practice

And I am sure much more went on today but with a sore throat and no nap I am a little spacey! Tomorrow we end the week and I am sure I will have much more to talk about!!

Our sweety

Mid week already and the Valentine’s Day/Birthday fun continues. I got to sleep in this morning as Ken had hooked the Wii up and put the kids’ new drawing game on. It is basically a tablet and they loved it! As I was asleep during the play time I am not exactly sure what all there is to do but I do know that everyone had something they COULD do!

We have continued our Inuit learning. Today it was hunting and Inuksuks. I have been alternating with them writing things down and myself. That way we are focusing on the content and not so much the frustration of having to print letters and words. We keep finding more and more interesting things about this group of peoples!!!

We spent a nice chunk of time with our workbooks and with Sean here for a visit Ken and I were able to leave everyone (Echo was sleeping) at home and do some very necessary grocery shopping. I am on the look out constantly to find ways to cut corners with food. The kids have HUGE appetites and our wallet is far from full enough to indulge all their fancies. I think my best find to date was the breadmaker. Our first was Ken’s mother’s and when we used it until it broke I found another on Kijiji for a steal. Add to that recipes like my mom’s brown beans that we converted to a slow cooker recipe and really ANY slow cooker recipe and we are able to stretch things further. I would love to hear more ideas from people! We use a lot of rice, potatoes and noodles as well. Anything to decrease the amount of meat as the main. Any advice? Supper tonight was helped along with the lovely piece of moose sent home from Grandma’s! Having a step-father who is a registered native american is lovely… he gets to hunt for personal use and as we are a part of his family… well we are VERY appreciative!

Workbooks in the sunshine

And some Magic School Bus

I have to share another Valentine’s themed worksheet the twins did today – this onehas the boys write something lovely or nice for family. Each of the hearts has a slightly different saying to finish. I had the boys each do one for each other and then they either did an Emanuel or a Trinity. I think it is important to get them to focus on  good things about their siblings! Sometimes I think we ALL need a reminder to look for the GOOD in people.  

Finished hearts

Oh don’t forget about the maze Emanuel did this morning. He loves a good maze. Of course what was REALLY wonderful was the picture he drew on the back of the sheet. I think the maze will be sacrificed to paste the picture into our Inuit lapbook. I love spontaneous creativity. 

Emanuel and his Inukshuk

I have been creating my own little parliament of Valentine themed owls (a little later for the special day I know). I figure I will put a few up on Facebook and then the rest will be gifted through the year. 

Owls

So I am still debating other presents… and my weekend goal is to get that extra page up here on my blog for ideas and suggestions. I do so like to work ahead! I do need to get a nice variety of owls sitting on my shelves for when the need comes! 

I have to admit, I have been feeling a tinge of green-ness about the eyes lately… metaphorically speaking. It seems like that feeling is  a slightly familiar one when it comes to gift giving events and holidays. Those visual and material signs of affection, approval and generosity are lovely to receive but when not possible to do so (or give for that matter), are hard to watch. Now don’t get me wrong, we have what we need… some of what we want and are truly blessed here in our little home BUT (oh is there always going to be a but?) there are those unrealistic wishes that create the discontent. I have been spending some time, these past weeks… well since Christmas really… trying to reassess in my mind what IS important, what things, trips, events, etc are necessary to myself and my family’s true happiness. I am one of  two adults in this home and my expectations cannot be the same as my children who do NOT understand the realities… we do not NEED every new thing, or even every OLD thing… we do not have to compete/compare with the rest of the world. What we DO need is happiness in our hearts. We can share that and our love abundantly and really, I think the world does not gift that enough. Do I WANT a new toy or two, yes, but what I NEED to stability, my husband, my kids, my family and friends… I need to be aware of the fact that what I create is as special as something much more expensive when I find the right recipient. I may not be able to buy the kids the newest toys BUT when Emanuel asks for an owl, well I can make that… teach Gavin a new stitch, create hair things for our Trinity or simply play a game with Zander. Someday we will be in a position to do and give more, I hope that at that time I still remember the priceless lessons and the sweet gifts I have received that have not been costly now! 

But enough of that… Valentine’s week continues and with it desert with Ken and time to myself to create… maybe TOMORROW I will get my time with my brush and ink to practice my characters???? 

Cuties!