Archive | March 2014

Art in the Hands of Another

March 5-7

Midweek sunshine had the kids out in an extended recess. This has been a wonky winter… huge spans of too cold weather and the snow just not being packing friendly. So anytime they can get out and run run run it is worth it!101_6412

101_6413Baking sugar cookies is a two day thing so Wednesday was baking… the result was absolutely delicious as usual.101_6414

101_6415That evening Echo and I had fun playing with baking soda and vinegar. I saw this as a toddler idea on Facebook. You take a baking tray and put toy cars and baking soda on it. Add vinegar and let them play. I decided to strip her down to her pull up and put it in the tub to minimize mess. The cars were nice and clean and Echo thought it hilarious. Boy did we use a bit of vinegar though!!101_6416

On Thursday we assembled our own kaleidoscope from a kit we got for Christmas from Grandma. It was a lot of fun putting it together and then reading about the history of them thanks to Wiki HERE. And a short video with some information that we sat through.

101_6418101_6419101_6422101_6429Mr. Emanuel is wowing me with his increased wish to read harder and harder things!!! Way to go big boy!101_6423

Friday marked the start of a new portion of our homeschooling routine – learning to use Google and the internet to answer our own questions. First we made a list earlier in the week of things we just wanted to know and then the twins took turns writing the questions into Google to find answers. I would screen the sites that come out and then the kids would take turns reading out our answers for me to record.101_6424

Back to Legos…101_6426

And then baking again… we could not show up empty handed at the Novak’s!!101_6427

101_6428Which is where we went that evening. We had a dinner and playdate sort of day… we brought the side dishes and Darcy got pizzas.101_6430

The kids played games and hung out and watched movies (Depp Wonka’s Chocolate Factory – I brought my copy) while Darcy worked on a birthday cake for her god daughter and I played supportive friend. Not that she needed much of a cheering section. Darcy does AMAZING work!101_6434

In fact the girls are no ADAMANT that she make their cakes this year too!

So we ended our week with an amazing evening of play time for the kids and an adult visit that included some amazing artistic creativity for yours truly!!101_6431

Marching Out of Winter… We Wish!

March 1-4

First Saturday of the month was also the FIRST of the month. Talk about a quick start to the third month… Home Depot of course! This time it was making a Trojan Horse piggy bank! Not the strongest piece and definitely not a family favourite but cool.101_6350

We had visitors over lunch for a play date. Last week it was the Schwartz family – Chris and Renee and their kids. This time it was the Schwartz family Matt and Fran and their twins Henry and Izzy. They are between Trinity and Echo in age and most definitely NOT identical. I was so thankful Fran was able to come. It was great to see yet another adult woman in person. Sometimes the snow and cold really does isolate you.101_6351

101_6352The next day it was Sunday School as usual. We are really seeing the benefits of a church that has Sunday School virtually every Sunday. The kids do love going to class.101_6353

Then nap time for a Mommy who still had the vestiges of a cold. While I was snoozing away the kids and Ken were doing some necessary ground work on the tools used in making their own pinewood derby cars. Familiarity breeds understanding and SAFETY! What was absolutely brilliant was that it was TRINITY who was the last one working away with the tools. Very serious business.101_6354

101_6355We also enjoyed some girly time doing up the first of I am sure MANY scrapbook pages in Trinity’s Hello Kitty scrapbook! We do love a good sticker!101_6356

101_6357And of course in order to prove she could pull her own weight Miss Echo took a go at the vacuum. What a good helper!101_6358

I would love to say March started with lovely spring weather and sprouts of green but… well more snow once again.101_6396

101_6397The twins and I did our first animal reports. We are starting with books and internet searches and then hoping to move to bibliographies and paragraph form!101_6398

We had a complicated combination of swimming lessons for the twins at 7:30 and Scouts for Mr. Emanuel at 6:30. With the distance between the two It was a whole family all evening affair. We lucked out and Darcy’s older 3 were (semi) willing to watch the girls for Aidan and Emanuel’s session. I think that was my first experience with real babysitters!!!101_6399

101_6400The next day it was back to work… we are especially working on the concept of chores and how they are a part of being a family and NOT the means to money or reward. Mommy does a lot for the family that there could be help with. So why not pitch in and let us have more time to have fun TOGETHER?101_6401

We are all about the Lego lately. With the table out for Perler beads or the Lego game the kids have gravitated to the kitchen and together play time more and more. It is nice!101_6402

But more importantly… the family also have been enjoying more baking time together. I don’t know why we don’t do this more often! Especially with Nana’s awesome mixer at our fingertips (and yes it was unplugged before Miss Echo started her tasting).101_6403

101_6406101_6409Our focus in March really has gravitated to stuff we do TOGETHER!!!101_6410

Two Months Into 2014 and Under Our Belt

February 26-28

We have, in the past, done full out units on Dr. Seuss’ birthday. This year we decided to really just enjoy some worksheets and books. There is something amazing about first of all sharing these books I remember from my childhood with the kids but ALSO watch the twins read these stories to their siblings themselves. Quite the tongue twisters at times but Gavin toughed it out and bit by bit read through an entire book.101_6338

In the middle of a week we have to find some interesting activities to add to our routine. The girls went the tent route.101_6340

101_6344And the boys decided to give a Lego boardgame I found online HERE a try. I love this one, it uses reading, creativity and math skills to create an activity all the kids can enjoy.101_6341

101_6345We have found ways to make EVERY day enjoyable really… everything from tents to games to climbing on Daddy when he is on a break.101_6346

And then back to reading.101_6347

We took everyone out to run errands… Miss Echo was VERY pleased with her 1.00 sun hat from Target. Quite the find!101_6348

And that brings us to March! As I look back at February I see a flexing sort of learning. We have looked at Valentines Day, discussed China in amazing depth… talked about the Olympics and continued with our swimming and had a blast with Scouts. Ken is healthier than ever and our decision to stop expanding our family is one we have fully embraced. How blessed are with to have 2 months of 2014 with so many wonderful and positive things! Now to continue the trend!!

Baby in a suitcase???

Baby in a suitcase???