What a day! We finally had the boys’ joint birthday party today… and what a party! They had FOUR little friends come over – the usual den Otter duo and then fellow homeschoolers Angeleen and Morris and their two kids (Morris does our photography). Not so many kids for some people but for our family it was perfect.

Karyn and I spent our afternoon out doing a bit of last minute shopping. I had to pick up gifts for the boys from Nana and Baba’s money. I stopped in at Michaels coupon in hand to pick up 3 dry erase activity/learning boards (do I ever LOVE coupons)… and then Old Navy at THE Mall to get 3 pairs of jeans (on sale) and an outfit for Trinity (clearance) all very warmly received by our bunch.

I got myself a couple of things too! A top coat for my nailpolish to save on me having to redo them over and over again and a little white tank top from Old Navy that was on sale. We even ate a nice snack at the food court. It was so nice to just get out and about again!

The party had a nice selection of our adult friends as well. My mom and Mike of course, Ted, Sean, Chris and Chris, Karyn, Nathan and Ada… we missed out on Christine as she left for Vegas this morning and Esther is still out of the country. The boys were absolutely over the moon with their company.

We had TWO cakes this year – the carrot cake my mom made us and the boys’ favourite box mix – cherry chip. We had homemade icing and then Dollarama candles and the boys seemed to think it was perfect. Of course we sang happy birthday and then blew out the candles! There were A LOT to blow out!!

Gavin left

Dinner was a hit as well – hamburgers (thank you Chris and Chris!), chips, and veggies. I don’t think we had any left overs! Unlike the cakes.

Nom Nom Nom

Presents – well they absolutely were SPOILED with presents, lots of learning things… fun toys… books… Play Doh… I don’t even know exactly who gave them what but I know that each and every gift was opened with excitement, joy and thanks. I am looking forward to a much calmer tomorrow when we can actually go through and really SEE what all they received. Though some toys WERE opened and enjoyed.

Zander middle

It was great to get some adult visiting time in as well. I miss having the larger get togethers that we used to have back when we lived in a smaller city and were in University. Our next event is Trinity’s second birthday and HOPEFULLY the owners will know THEIR plans by the end of this upcoming week so that we can cement a date for that. I would love to have a firmer grasp on the next 12 months.

I have been working on my latest commission… it is a re-do for me, the piece I did up for my mom a couple Christmases before though this time I am doing it on 18ct which is a count smaller than I usually use and a bit of a change. It is nice to have something else to work with than the stocking, though I plan on starting Baby #5’s Easter Egg to go with the family basket soon.

Commission!

…and tomorrow I will share with you the VAN EPIC! However it ends up on Monday… be sure to check back!

Monday was an odd day for us  – with an activity in the afternoon naps were cut short for the two little ones and our time in the morning was much more hectic, but it was worth it!

Ken and the boys finished off the letter X… boxes and axes and other interesting words with x were discussed and drawn. Which left me with time for a nice little bath – much appreciated and much needed (being a girl definitely has its negatives… monthly negatives).

Letter X (Gavin left)

The kids and Ken also spent some time examining the insect books that we picked up at the library last week. Today’s book was “The Insecto-files” by Helaine Becker. Definitely one for the wish list. A brand new publication with Maple Tree Press it is printed on ancient forest friendly paper. (I am starting to notice the more environmentally sound things around us – I think my own experience with economizing out of necessity has brought to my attention how much we have and do waste.) The boys all seemed to enjoy it though we have not tried any of the experiments I am sure in the future we will give them a go.

The Insecto-Files

Our afternoon started with waking up Trinity and Emanuel – neither woke up gracefully or happily but both perked up by the time we made it to Kidz Quarters. This indoor playground was a lot of fun – with a little guy area, climbing area and then some games you had to buy tokens for.

This gathering was  to celebrate the one year anniversary of our local homeschool meetup group. The Organizer Angeleen is the wife of Morris who has done photos for us – last year’s Christmas and  Trinity’s one year pictures. He is TERRIFIC! If you live near us an need photos for any sort of occasion please send me an email at rosereinsch@gmail.com and I will give you the contact information for him! We are on our way back to get Christmas photos done on the 20th.

I actually ran into someone that graduated the year after me in high school who is now also a homeschooler, made some new friends and actually talked in person to some of the people I had been exchanging emails over an egroup with. Ken even had fun chatting with one of the moms and watching the little guys in the toddler area.

Building With Another Little Boy

Hopefully I will get my hands on a group photo taken by Morris to post here. The turn out was quite nice with a variety of people and kids. I am hoping we will be able to make many more of these occasions. I really want to make it a priority! Friday we have another rather informal gathering at the local nature centre that should be great fun for the kids.

Miss Trinity

I brought a bag of outgrown boy clothes for Morris and Angeleen’s son and they gave us a huge bag of their daughter’s for Trinity! I love when there are people who can trade off with that, of course I sent some applesauce and a dozen sugar cookies as well. Seems like many many people are going to be getting baking and applesauce as presents – I hope people don’t mind.

My activity with the boys for homeschooling today was to colour a little Fall book. This one was not so much a story as a bunch of facts about fall with fun pictures. Even Emanuel got into the swing of it colouring the fall leaves the right colour. For some reason the idea of ORANGE leaves just makes him SO happy! I am hoping to do a couple more Fall related activities this week and then take a look at how much we have to fill our lapbooks.

Fall Booklete

We had a rather major craft activity after we got home from Kidz Quarters with the melting beads. Each of the boys got his own shape and went nuts. I have the ones that came in some small Michael kits (1.50 a piece be sure to look for them!) and then the set of shapes I bought from Ikea last year. It certainly kept them busy well into the evening.

Working on the Beads (Zander left)

Emanuel and His Heart

Can You See the Z?

I left Ken in charge for a while and for some odd reason while he was working on the computer ZANDER got a bead UP HIS NOSE ??? And by got I mean the story we got out of them was that GAVIN put it up there??? WHAT??? Of course they tried to blame Emanuel first – but he was not even sitting NEAR Zander! I seriously thought we had had the “don’t stick stuff up your nose discussion” but apparently it didn’t stick? I think we got the point across this time… I hope!

I have found a book that would go terrific with our Pumpkin Lapbook – “The Pumpkin Patch Parable” by Liz Curtis Higs. A Christian Preschool site had a fun little activity but I have yet to get my hands on the actual book. I have around a week and a half to hunt it down so have sent out an email to my local and provincial groups to see if anyone knows where I can find it. I figure I will search further on the expanded library catalogue or splurge and get it from a bookstore. I cannot wait until I have the school funding. One of the moms at the gathering said you can sign up as a home school and do the Scholastic books – I don’t know if everyone remembers but the leaflets that would come out where you could order books about all sorts of stuff for a lovely price. I have plans!! Another mom suggested an attractions pass that is around 200.00 as well that lets you get into almost all the educational places in the city! The things  you learn!

Sewing wise I am almost done a second Tux… resewing it I have made some pattern corrections that are now posted on the pattern site. Nothing major – just the horizontal line on the half stitches changed to a different colour to make it easier on the eyes. I am hoping for Ken to post some more of our finished patterns on the site tonight or tomorrow. FINGERS CROSSED.

Tomorrow should be interesting – we are planning on heading over to Dollarama as well as school work, cleaning and such. Hopefully I will have a new pattern to stitch as well. I always feel better when I am busy busy!

Hamming it Up For the Camera