Let’s start this entry off with the silly kid moment of the day… My mom came to collect my nephew and take him to her house and while she and I were chatting the boys were running upstairs (which they aren’t supposed to) and Echo was sleeping in the basement. I mentioned to mom how loud that is for the person in our bedroom (aka Echo) and how they sound like elephants… Trinity ran by and said: “they aren’t elephants Mommy they are BOYS.” And then sweet as pie went back to playing. Little bitty children certainly have radar ears!!

We have come to the end of visit with Jimmie… the kids were all overdone today, lots of fighting and frustrating moments. Emanuel and Trinity have not had decent naps since Saturday (are you shuddering like I have been with that knowledge in mind?) and REALLY need them BADLY. Add to the cranky and somewhat over done children Ken gone to the city for the day to FINALLY get the last of our stuff (work and emergencies and appointments interfered until now) and I was one stressed out momma.

BUT we managed… a good breakfast and then back to playing, colouring and building in the bedrooms. Sadly the chaotic atmosphere was no longer half way under control. So there were more time outs, taking away of individual toys and stern reminders of the rules! 

Butterfly spinning time

We had tomato soup (well the twins did) and grilled ham and cheese sandwiches for lunch and then it was time to say hello to Grandma! Talk about excitement. We have not been to her home in a while and actually I think it has been quite some weeks since we have had her and Mike over here. Thankfully she had the time to hang out and chat… first with yours truly and then out in the backyard with the kids. 

Sitting in the shade

Gavin took initiative (and the wish to get more time on the computer playing Minecraft) and mowed a large portion of our backyard! He did an AWESOME job and worked up quite the sweat. Though that got Trinity VERY interested so I had to let her do a bit with assistance. 

Gavin mowing

Trinity TRYING

Sadly that was not enough and in order to calm her down (and in fact, get me a needed break) we went on a little excursion on our own to the convenience store (it really IS so convenient). We picked up a slurpee (of course) that we snuck past the masses and a nickel candy for all the kids… and Grandma – Trinity was adamant the she have one and eat it in front of her. 

A much happier girl post walk

We had the whole family out in the sun… even Echo got in some cuddle time with Grandma and then moved onto her blanket in the shade of our umbrella. She was pulling up grass and throwing it around by the end of it and when we came in, post snack, VERY sleepy. A little nursing and back to nap for her. In fact, after snacks and good-byes and some tidying up the 3 youngest ALL went for naps!

Asleep

That left the twins with some open and quiet time… perfect for reflection on their visit with Jimmie so that they could do an illustration with a little text for their Summer Folder. We have been trying to do a little documenting of some of their big enjoyable and sometimes not so enjoyable events to save and show their facilitator. Even Zander is starting to really get into drawing more complex pictures.

Two new pages for the folder

What amazes me is how suddenly Trinity is drawing THINGS… people with heads and looong legs and not bodies mostly! But YAY! I am sending my dad (with some of the boys’ art too) her first real piece. After all he and my step-mom don’t get to see much of the kids so why not share some of the best of the best? I hope they enjoy them.

Trinity and her Grandpa and Grandma card

I have been chatting up a storm with interested and POSITIVE parties in regards to our homeschooling choice and am starting to feel the confidence I had before returning. In fact I am VERY thankful to all the people who have put their voice and their love behind us and our choice to do this! From all walks of like and differing connections we have had words of positive reinforcement, love and appreciation. It is a good reminder that we really ARE supported by those who have seen, been a part of, asked the questions and learned about what we are doing here. I started really doing this blog on a daily (or near daily) basis for this very reason, to share my experiences AND to hopefully find like minded people to help me learn more along the way.

Gavin playing with the magnets

I ended the evening with more company! This time ADULT company… Karyn, Lauralee and newly returned from Manitoba Victoria. There was story time, play time and for Mommy, adult visiting time. This was lovely as Ken was late back due to having to do some work halfway through his final clean AND the dump being busy. 

Storytime with some of our best readers

After he got home Karyn and I drove Victoria home and I got to meet HER two kitties. I only got a picture of the one – Benjamin. But he was a cuddly suck! 

Benjamin

So now for the rest of my late evening – making white bows out of ribbon I picked up yesterday from Walmart and hopefully continuing on with the tutu dress… then there is the tidying away of my craft supplies for Ken’s LAN party on the weekend AND a hunt for the promised toy cars to go into a bucket in the twins’ room in return for them being awesome baby minders today while I did dishes and cut said ribbon! Who needs sleep?

Perfect afternoon shade