Archive | August 2014

St. Mark’s VBS

July 14-17

Monday the 14th was the first day of our VBS at our own church. We did make sure to go over on the 13th after all the other fun stuff and help set up.101_8542

The whole experience was pretty amazing. We had a Monday through Thursday program of half days. 9am to noon. One thing it DID show us is that we really do enjoy our flexible beginnings in our mornings. Our homeschool day starts BETWEEN 8:30 and 9… depending on our eating schedule and if we all have a late evening.101_8548 101_8550

The kids were broken up into 4 groups and we had kids in each one. I was in charge of following along with the littlest ones. Ages 3-5… lots of adorable energy. By day 4 they were rather fed up with the routine. I think it was really the little guys’ limit at that point. It was nice though, while the twins were together it was fun for the other 3 to spread their wings a little. And since Echo was only MOSTLY potty trained I really had to be there anyway.101_8552 101_8657

We had various stations… science, craft, storytime, music, snack and games. I was the only one who was attached to an age group and not a station. Each day there was the same rotation for each group so it was nice and consistent.101_8553 101_8599 101_8609 101_8651 101_8652

There was lots of creativity… snacks were themed as well and the pastor was there to open 3 of the 4 days. We had one day with no water due to road work but we managed! And the science teacher brought owl pellets for the big kids to dissect (just like we had seen on Dirty Jobs… the boys were so excited!).101_8607 101_8598 101_8604 101_8600

So here are the pictures… I tried to get a bit of everything and everyone. So much fun!!!!101_8547 101_8545 101_8560 101_8557 101_8559 101_8608 101_8647 101_8610 101_8668 101_8654 101_8656 101_8660 101_8661 101_8665 101_8669

So Much Visiting Packed in a Few Days

July 11-13

Looking back at July it seems like we didn’t do anything but fun in the sun! Well we DID take advantage of the lovely weather and a freezer full of freezies and got our time in the sun.101_8457

We are doing well with reading, worksheets mailed by Gammie and of course the new season of Wild Kratts. (HERE)

Dodo and Tasmanian Tiger

Dodo and Tasmanian Tiger

Saturday we headed back to the Schwartz’s for a nice visit So there are MORE pictures of the ever adorable Jeffrey…101_8466

Renee was out with her mom and sister but the kids, Ken and I came over to help Chris and his folks build a shed. I mean, KEN helped with the shed, I helped Grandma (Anne) with the babies and the kids played and hung out.

Best little buddies!

Best little buddies!

Watching a movie together

Watching a movie together

101_8468 101_8469Mystro is absolutely one of my favourite subjects to photograph.101_8459

101_8470Chris treated us all to Chinese as a thank you. It was so much fun to just sit, sew and read with Anne and Jeffrey. Talk about a relaxing Saturday (not so much for Ken and Chris and Gary!).

Ken and Mystro

Ken and Mystro

101_8477 101_8476On Sunday we decided to go back to the Blaine beach and enjoy the wonderful sand, water and splash pad. I have to say, with such a nice location a short drive away we are really not motivated to go further and find a less manicured or bigger beach.101_8480 101_8482 101_8483

I love the confidence all 5 kids have at this beach.101_8494 101_8495 101_8499 101_8501

101_8503After the beach it was back to cheering on one of our favourite soccer players. Anthony was playing his final game of his regular year.10502173_10152582610461151_4158553654237434734_n

101_8508 101_8507 101_8511Even big Andy made it out! Which was GREAT. Ken does love spending time with him, but he is so often on the road driving truck this summer it has been a trick to plan out.101_8516

The kids wandered off and played together so that worked well.101_8533 101_8541

And Anthony and his team played a great game! I do believe they were undefeated in regular season. Our plan is to go to a couple of his USA Cup games as well. I know they play a couple foreign teams along with some more local (or at the very least American).

It is these great opportunities to spend time with our friends and family (I mean, come on Novaks are basically cousins at this point!) that has slowed our hunt for the elusive homeschooling family to meet and hang out with.101_8531 101_8534 101_8538 101_8530 101_8524

Supporting a Smaller Soccer Star

July 10

So we DID do some schoolwork. But the real focus was on our evening schedule.101_8367

We were set to support another of our budding soccer stars, and this one is NOT a Novak! Rather we joined Renee, Jeffrey and Evan to cheer on Nathan who was being coached by his dad Chris.

#6

#6

The kids were restless but I managed to get some lovely action shots of Nathan on the field…101_8423 101_8394

Pictures of Chris coaching…101_8376

And we snuck in a few adorable baby shots as well!101_8377 101_8383 101_8397 101_8407 101_8430

And our baby as well

And our baby as well

After the game there was medals given out!101_8429

And then pizza back at the Schwartz’s.101_8436 101_8437 101_8438

The boys enjoyed some time in the mini forest behind the Schwartz house.101_8447 101_8448 101_8449

This was also our formal introduction to the newest member of their family – Mystro! He is a baby Maine Coon and beyond adorable!101_8432 101_8435 101_8431

101_8452 101_8456I am so glad we could get out to support Nathan! Please enjoy the overflow pictures of the action!!!101_8374 101_8387 101_8388 101_8390 101_8401 101_8414 101_8425