Happy Happy Birthday… #32! Yesterday was a terrific day. We started it with sunshine and warmth which had me taking 4 of the kids out to play bubbles while Echo had her morning nap. Ken came home with the big bottle of bubble soap from the old place on Thursday. We have one of those Gazillion bubbles machines (without the applicator bottle, never did find that)… though Trinity was rather sure that they were taking HER bubbles. We sorted that out, brought out some bubble soap containers and then had Kathy show up with a couple more and the kids had a blast. Of course most of the containers ended up empty by the evening.

Bubbles in the backyard

Another bonus of the moving to this particular town… proximity with another favourite aunty – Kathy. She not only brought some bubbles but also a mini trampoline (we now have 2), a lovely pink body pillow, books and a bread box and more. Talk about excitement. Of course, they still remember that she brought them a giant pink bucket of Legos that live in the basement. (we do have an upstairs container and a downstairs as well)

Kathy, Echo and I went to the nearest mall to our house and had snacks and then went to Dollarama which happened to be one of the biggest ones I have ever been to. We picked up a shower curtain (duckies) only to find out at home that we don’t have a decent rod in the main bathroom. Something new to pick up. AND those burner tins to catch drips. A few other choice items made it home, but we examined a bunch of things I figure Kathy or myself would not have minded picking up.

Then in the evening Kristen and Fydo came over with a lovely handmade card (I do so love receiving things made by the giver). We had nachos for dinner and enjoyed a lively game of Settlers of Catan. Kathy won! Another bonus – boardgames, with a lovely couple AND a friend from college… BONUS.

My card

Another of my birthday requests fulfilled – an ice cream cake!! Total yum and leftovers for later!

And then the present – I am REALLY excited about this one – IOU for Comic-con in 2012 AND babysitters guaranteed for the boys. And then to open today – one of my favourite chocolate bars, Cookies’n’Cream and a package of beef jerky. AND a card I have NOT gotten before (seriously he has bought me like 4 of the same Valentine’s Day cards over the years).

I got a call from my dad last night down in South Carolina AND my mom up here. It was great to have a chance to talk to my dad, I had not heard from him since before my sister’s wedding. It looks like his plans have changed since we last talked and he will not be up until the fall. Which really doesn’t hurt us as we are homeschooling year round as well as staying rather close to home for the rest of the year. I always feel a boost after talking to my dad (I am such a shameless Daddy’s girl).

Since summer is really here (well at least we are TOLD it is) we are hoping to get the kids out more and more. the backyard is starting to shape up into a much more fun place and Kristen has alerted us to some smaller splash parks. I still want to head back and visit my mom so we can go to the splash park there (it is one of the best in the province).We just need Ken to stop needing to head back to the old place! I am REALLY hoping Monday is the end of those trips. (and VERY uneventful) Now if the rain would just stop for a FULL day! PLEASE?

Working on the playset

The more we have people over, do everyday things, put more of our personal possessions out and simply LIVE in this house the more I feel like we are home. I really need to find my picture nails. There was one nail already existing in the stairwell that the owners had simply painted over so I hung up one of my wedding series.

Ken moved the last of the stuff from upstairs down to the basement. So much more room in our dining/kitchen area now. All this just in time for a belated birthday visit from Esther resplendent in her new hairdo. Then soon after she got here Karyn gchatted us from New Orleans. We got to see some of the books she has acquired (including a SIGNED Terry Pratchett!) and catch up on her adventures (eating alligator!) and share our own (rain rain and hail… oh and more rain).

The kids took full advantage of a captive Aunty Esther and had her playing games and puzzles well past bedtime. Talk about convenient, she can come up later in the day and leave by midnight and still get sleep. An hour away only! (Bonus!!) The kids were even more excited when we explained that now that Aunty Esther has also moved to a better place she should be able to take one or two of them for an overnight visit as well.

So the past two days have been rather marvellous. Lots of company, yummy food and other positive experiences. Tomorrow we are planning to make a trip to Michaels (there is only one here) and start the hunt for a Canada themed shirt for Echo for Canada Day. This will be Echo’s first after all.

Sippy time