Ok, first things first – do you have a Smartphone? Do you send pictures online with it! Well WATCH THIS and consider turning off your GPS setting on your pictures. I honestly don’t do much photo taking with our phone, I am much happier with the camera I bought last year… but this does make you think. Please please please consider when taking pictures of your kids that there ARE people out there who are NOT part of the majority wanting to keep them safe!

Yesterday we finally managed to coordinate a visit with the den Otters to meet baby Izaac (and more importantly – according to the kids – play with big sister Isabella and big brother Alexander). We went after supper so Ken could spend some time visiting with Alan as well. Echo was rather impressed by entire experience and wowed her aunty an uncle by finishing a whole banana as well as breastfeeding while there.

Xinny, Alan and Izaac

Izaac is such a little cutie, the smallest of den Otter babies, he was born at over 9 lbs but dropped down to 7 and some. (still bigger than the biggest Reinsch-Johnson!) I got in my own little newborn baby snuggle time while Echo visited with Alan and Xinny and daddy. She has gotten much better about being held by people other than Ken and myself.

Newborn cuddles

After getting in some play time for the kids and a snack (thanks to Xinny’s mom), we had to take our worn out brood home. Of course we made plans for ANOTHER visit. According to Chinese tradition Xinny (and Izaac) are to stay home for a whole month after the birth so we are making a few visits before that time is up to entertain her and to let our kids get in some much requested playdates before we head an hour and a half away. Hopefully they will be able to visit us in our new rental as well. Of course we WILL come back here for visits! After all Alan and Xinny are Emanuel’s god parents and we are blessed with Isabella as our god daughter.

I could not resist playing with the camera...

Fast asleep

I gave Izaac his little gift yesterday as well. I used the same pattern that Zander and Gavin have been using and made him up a little teddy bear. You can get the template here.

Handstitched

Our Math Week is going well. The boys have been teaching everyone their dice games, doing more addition colour by numbers and Gavin even started the paint by numbers he got for Christmas from his god mommy Christine.

Painting by numbers

They even sat down (and while I was in the tub!) and worked out a word sheet that matched numbers 10 and higher with their number names! I was so proud of the sounding out and the thinking things through. Of course ZANDER checked the wall where we have the numbers 1-16 listed, which shows he thinks about the problem and finds a way to solve it (right?). Gavin decided to go the slower route and work on sounding things out. But both did their best and got awesome results!

Our goal for tomorrow is to play some boardgames that are math related… at least until their facilitator shows up (at 2pm). He is coming for their second assessment so while Ken is gone with Echo to take her to her 6 month appointment with the doctor I will be collecting all the completed work they have done and tidying for the visit. I am actually rather excited about this visit. I feel that we have been doing our very best and that it shows! The boys are really progressing now and are happy and proud of their work. That is really all I can ask for!

Math practice game

As an artistic venture the twins sat down today and made art for Fat Sheep. Today’s finished pieces starred not only Fat Sheep herself BUT also Karyn! Be sure to check out Fat Sheep’s website to see her current blog posts, follow her on Twitter if you have it (she is VERY into quotes as well as daily updates). I do believe today she fulfilled one of her bucket list items – visiting Karyn’s work!

Aunty Karyn on a walk with Fat Sheep

Aunty Karyn and Fat Sheep playing ball in the house during a storm

Aunty Karyn, Fat Sheep and Mommy in the car in the rain

I am on the hunt for a jar now, something cute and unusual for MY Lucky Stars. Dollarama didn’t have anything remotely like what I had pictured in my mind. BUT I managed to pick up some Velcro to use to finish off the infant clips I have for Echo. So that will be part of my weekend goals. (Pictures to follow)

I finally got another bit of fun mail! My 50 French Barrettes got here from Hong Kong. They are just the little ones, but I am hoping to use them on all the bows I have waiting. The seller was great, our post is SUPER slow and unpredictable right now and they actually contacted ME on Monday to check on the shipment. That is the last of my craft items off of eBay. The price on these was great. Around 4.00 for 50. Much better than buying them at Michaels!

Barrettes

Now my evening is a lot quieter with the kids in bed but the list in my head is keeping me hopping. So much to do an so little focus!

OUR little baby