Our youngest is a full on school age kid now! Where has the time gone? Yup, Miss Echo is officially 7 as of Sunday, August 13th. My Friday the 13th baby.

We actually had a rather fun weekend for her. Saturday was a trip to the Science Museum to see the Pixar exhibit (not that she enjoyed that all that much, so many other things to see). We went with our homeschool buds. It was fun. Expensive (the exhibit was an add on, which was annoying since we got memberships to AVOID that), but there was things to see and do that we hadn’t seen or done before.

It was nice to get out and run around and enjoy ourselves before heading back.

Before that we had spent an hour at the YMCA to swim and play.

Saturday NIGHT we had cousin Robbie over. Which is always exciting for the whole family. He is a family favourite after all.

Sunday morning we slept in a little… well some of us did. Before packing up Echo and going to take pictures out by the local library. We were going to do it at the flower beds but people were busy weeding so we improvised.

After pictures it was picking up the much anticipated cake! Then preparing everyone to head out the the birthday girl’s restaurant of choice – a McDonald’s with a play area. This was a total homeschool buds weekend as they joined us too.

Since it was a rainy day we had to table the beach plan and instead head over to our house for cake and presents.

After all that fun it was off to the YMCA for her swim lesson. Add in calls from Grandma and Nana and Baba and I think little miss had an absolute blast.

To top it off – she lost her first tooth!!! It was quite the milestone weekend!!!

Now sit back and enjoy the science museum images!

Echo and Nate

Echo is still trying to get her mouth around Independence Day… so often it is America Day. And ours was on the relaxing side. We actually had a bit of a celebration the day before with the Schwartz family. Full on fun – a pool, bouncy house AND we made poutine.

Ken and I brought some Molson Canadian to further meld the two holidays together. And Renee had the kids make ice cream.

Of course we started with photos on the 4th.

Note ZANDER is in WHITE

Gavin and Zander

Then… making of the snacks we were taking to our homeschool buds’ for dinner. (don’t forget making the kids clean while they waited for our leave time)

Our fun was on the relaxing side. Aimee had water balloons.

And then there was the mini firework type fun.

Throw in computers and toys and we rarely saw the kids.

Shucking corn

We were done and dusted and in bed only a little after normal bedtime. PERFECT!

So a belated HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY to all who celebrated. Our day was a calm one, just how we like it!

Our Easter was more of an Easter weekend. Just chock full of fun and activity. So much so that we were burned out and exhausted for school on Monday!

On Saturday all my hard work of stuffing Easter eggs was put to good use. We spent the morning at the YMCA. Well, some of us did. The door on the van was left ajar and the battery dead. So in between Ken smoking Sunday’s ham at the Schwartz’s (thanks so much for the loan of your smoker) I took Gavin, Echo and Trinity to the YMCA. Gavin and Trinity for club and Echo for swimming with Mommy.

Once the van was jumped and filled back up with kit and kids we headed off to visit our very amazing homeschool friends. Aimee had set up a rather amazing egg hunt all over their woodsy yard.

We played, watched a movie, ate wonderful food and snacked happily while we visited. It is such an easy situation on all adults involved as the kids really do entertain themselves. Aimee and I even ducked out to Walmart to pick up a few things.

That had us home in the evening and into bed so that we could be fresh and pressed for Easter service. Trinity even had her first communion! Everyone clapped for her when they were told before service.

The girls had their usual fancy hats and new dresses. I think we all cleaned up rather nicely.

We had Easter baskets and goodies from the Easter Bunny to enjoy.

We did our yearly photos, of course.

Gavin, Zander

After church it was back to packing up the van and heading over to the Novak’s for dinner and ANOTHER egg hunt.

We had so much fun there, as always. And it was ANOTHER day of easy supervision on the adults.

It was a wonderful way to celebrate with friends who have become family. I don’t think we could have had a better plan… well except for having the battery in the van die.

The Easter corner for the kids to eat in.

Christ is Risen

He is Risen indeed

Hallelujah

Now, enjoy the excessive amount of festive images!!!

Snoopy

Kiara