WARNING LOTS OF IMAGES

September 13-15

It was hard to do it but we managed… for over 2 months we kept quiet about it, planned it stealthily… executed it PERFECTLY… and on the morning of the 13th Ken took the twins to pick up the surprise… they didn’t know what hit them!!! Yup, at the airport they picked up… GRANDMA! She received a 3 day vacation, for her birthday, with 5 of her 6 grandchildren! The excitement continued when she walked in the door as the little 3 still did not know!

Waiting for the surprise

We didn’t have a vehicle big enough to cart us all around so the bulk of the vacation was spent at home doing wonderful together things with Grandma, like playing Legos, watching movies, drawing pictures, telling stories.

And doing hair!

Sorting the Grandma American Change she brought the kids

There were Canadian themed books to check out as well! Thank you Grandma and Grandpa Mike!

Echo got a hat she wore for days after!

Seriously

There was even time for a Grandma only walk to the park!

Though on Saturday Trinity and Emanuel took Grandma and Daddy to the Harley Davidson store closest to pick up choice items for Grandpa Mike (and sneak in some ice cream!). And that night Mommy and Daddy snuck out for a much needed dinner for two!

Movie time

Calling Grandpa Mike

Sunday MORNING was the first official Sunday School session so Ken took the 4 enrolled and they went solo. Everyone had fun and looked great… except for Zander’s miss buttoned shirt which we will say is a “fashion statement”…

We had fun meals together, checked out the garden… played Lego.

I think it was a good visit! And all managed by staying close to home no less! And don’t forget… more braiding!

September 11-12

It was a bit of a trick to really get through to the kids that it was a new year. Though using the kitchen table (with Nana and Baba gone it is freed up) to change things up a bit for now has helped.

On Wednesday we had a special visitor – Aunty Darcy! She had an errand to run in the neighbourhood so came by after it to hang out and to take yours truly out so we could enjoy a kid free lunch (one of the perks to having a hubby who can work from home!!). She was a gem and found us a caterpillar to check out. We would have kept it… until it escaped the cup and tried to make for freedom! So we examined it for a while and the twins returned it to the front yard intact.

We are working our way back to daily story time courtesy of our fantastic readers Zander and Gavin…

Checking in on science projects…

and enjoying our days as much as we can. After all learning is best when it is FUN!

Our first week of the “new” school year is an abbreviated one. We only set up to school Monday to Thursday as Friday was a special (super special) surprise for the kids. But Thursday was still school as normal. Working with the kids to see how they answer questions like – what you like, don’t like, favourite class… it is so fun finding out what runs through their heads!

The boys really went all out working on some of the new (and not so new) instructions off of Art for Kids (link on right). They are our go to place for drawing and art related ideas!!!

Miss Echo also had an absolute BLAST making her own series of messes…

The kids wowed me with a Lego Tree…

And Ken and I FINALLY made the two lunch boxes for two little girls back up in Canada… out of duct tape and some Velcro. I hope they work!

Thank goodness for Disney and our lion themed film – The Lion King! We even made rings to go with!

I can’t forget to share our Target stash… 50% off school supplies in the dollar section is AMAZING!

First off, I want to share the exciting news with everyone that my sister’s husband is home from his deployment!!! Welcome back Adam!!! We hope to give you hugs and drive you wild in person some day but until then have that lovely wife of yours hold you tight for us!!!!! He is home SAFE AND SOUND!!!! Now on with the cute!

As do the faces of sweet little ones. My “loaner baby” Lily Bean.

And sometimes I get out from behind the camera… briefly

He stood there for minutes while Ken sprayed him with that look on his face… it was hilarious.Gavin (above) and Zander have two of the most amazing pairs of blue (blue grey?) eyes!