April 29-30

Sometimes we just get a slow start… Monday and Tuesday really was that for us. However, we ARE all done our Earth Week learning with the ending being focused on becoming a member of the “Green Team” just like Freddy in Save the Earth by Abby Klein.

Green Team

Getting in some workbook time

While waiting on Gavin to wake up the other 3 did their nature journal pages out in the sunshine.

Getting some sun

We were unable to take our much wished for walk on Monday due to a deep sleeper (Gavin didn’t get up until past 10 am and although not sick like he was expected to be, he was exceptionally well rested). and two coughers. BUT we did have two bikes repaired and ready to go for Trinity and Emanuel! Two out of four is not bad, though the twins were less than impressed.

First real bike

Emanuel on the go

Fixing with Baba

The twins found OTHER things to do in the yard… skipping rope, soccer (where IS our large ball??), tree climbing, baby in her coup pushing… sunshine sunshine sunshine!

The beloved Coup

Kick Zander Kick

Up in the tree with Gavin

Chalk!

Tuesday had the weather AND the kids cooperating and we were able to eat breakfast and get our way out on a nice long walk. First the walking path, over the bridge and then … PARK!

Working on the nature journals

Echo wore the wrong shoes for the park with her fake crocs falling off and getting pebbles in them but she and Emanuel had a blast playing pirates with their own theme song and everything. We also picked up our garbage for our last requirement on that Green Team I mentioned earlier. 

Park!!!

Yo ho ho

Babies at the park

There is a 2 yr old behind that sun shade… seriously!

We had a new penguin themed book to enjoy – Turtle’s Penguin Day by Valerie Gorbachev. The kids then drew themselves in penguin costumes! Even Echo had her brothers help her. Now that Trinity is 5 we are working on having her more and more involved in schooling. She is all for the workbooks now and hopefully will be more and more willing to sit with us as we do our books and extended projects. I HAVE found her a special Mother’s Day (sort of) themed lapbook that she will do one on one with Mommy.

I love it when all 5 kids do a project all together

I was able to find a polar themed movie from the library that we picked up on the weekend. Really Wild Animals: Polar Prowl by National Geographic was a hit with our family. We watched it on Monday while Gavin was sleeping and then an encore on Tuesday so Gavin could see it and put in his input on our pamphlet style sheet. It is fun to look at the differences between the Arctic and Antartica wildlife.

Followed by some rather interesting Electric Company

We also lucked out with enough adults that Emanuel and Trinity got a Mommy and Daddy bike ride…

By the second ride a pro!

Lovely evening for it

While Echo ran out the door with Baba well in hand. 

Walking with Baba

With my little helper when it comes to laundry…

FOLD

We have continued our penguin and earth awareness trend… and with a good night’s sleep on Monday night (Sunday was a sleepless for yours truly) we will ramp up the week and run into Mother’s Day, spring and walk walk walk outside. 

Me and my twins

And the sunshine and warm weather came in spades today! And boy did we enjoy it! We had special lunchtime plans with Kristen and Fydo at their place. With their lovely deck and fenced backyard it was the perfect place for a bbq/picnic. Add to that  the kids being able to play with their OWN toys, bikes, etc… and wow was everyone HAPPY!

BBQ King

So there was our little slide that can easily be built and taken back down for Echo to learn all about! That slide has gone through all 5 kids and is in great shape! 

Each and every one of them did the slide this way!

After lunch – hotdogs and watermelon (total yum thanks guys!) on the blanket in the sun for the kids and the table on the deck for the adults it was  time to ride bikes.

Picnic!

Talk about utter bliss… of course the helmets were buried so we had to skip on those and the twins had to use the small bikes (large are still at warehouse) BUT they got to go… Kristen knew of the perfect path to take where we could see them far ahead and give them to freedom to pedal as hard as they wanted!

Pedal power

Echo rode in style in the stroller and Trinity took one of the scooters. Kristen and Trinity worked together to get the hang of it. 

Learning the scooter

By the time we returned from our walk the guys had unearthed a couple of buckets of Echo’s clothing and one of the boys’ summer gear so I was able to dig out some new bits. Some old favourites for Echo that were Trinity’s and a few more shorts for the boys. When we get moved in I am definitely going to Kijiji myself out of some clothing. Put it nice and cheap but you take ALL of it… I don’t want to keep anymore of the boys’ stuff, I had kept enough for a baby on up to now… and it is finally time to get rid of some of Echo’s outgrows. 

Before the garage spelunking expedition.. they are so programmers

We lucked out even further with TWO garbage bags of girls’ clothing waiting for Trinity to sift through thanks to Kristen’s sister. So the kids are good for the rest of the month, hot or cold! And some of those clothes that Trinity will grow into… SUPER cute!!! Ken and I are so appreciative when people do give us handmedowns. I don’t think the world at large understands how much that saves us money wise! A million thank yous to EVERYONE who has given us their outgrows over the years! I love being able to do the same. 

Once the garage was all filled back up and closed it was time to recollect the 9 of us and go for another walk. This one to the nearest park… which just happened to pass a Mac’s. So you can imagine what we did on the walk back! 

...and back to labeling until the glasses are repaired - Zander

Asleep

Big kids

By the time we got back to Kristen and Fydo’s it was time to head to Michaels for some craft supplies I needed and then back to Chris and Chris’. The kids were rather put out that they couldn’t stay longer and play with Kristen and Fydo and their own toys but it was such a lovely visit all the same. I picked up HELLO KITTY duct tape! YAY! So have that to add to my crafting process. In fact, tonight is a designated duct tape craft night. So it is bows and change purses all the way… I need to think on the purse for Trinity but it will happen too! 

First of the kitty

So our day has been quite the adventure. We saw friends we had not seen in ages, went to the park, ate outside, did a bit of shopping AND had slurpees. Though the kids were sad to see it end they were go go go all day. 

Look I was there too!

Aren't they cool?

I think that this Easter has been on of the best for our family. Not only did we keep busy from Good Friday to Easter Sunday but we also managed to have play-dates, family time AND craft activities.

Easter Sunday started bright and early getting everyone ready in their Sunday best. From the biggest to the smallest all dressed for church. Trinity had yet another new dress to wear – this one one we got in Minnesota at the Children’s Place outlet store (thanks to Christmas gift certificates last year from the Bleau family), Emanuel looked dapper in black dress shirt and the twins in matching white. We did our usual yearly pictures on Emanuel’s bed. Harder each year with the more wiggling bodies and active minds. Trinity especially had to be coerced to sit on the bed and smile pretty.

Trinity, Gavin, Zander, Emanuel

With Dollarama Bunny

Trinity and Emanuel

The next set were our usual outside background – the neighbour’s weeping willow… too bad we are still without a lot of greenery but I do love the impact even the naked branches cause. I have this same set up for so many photos of our 4 that it is as if you can see them grow up almost in the same spot over the years!

A little breezy but in front of the tree (Gavin middle)

Sweaters on and ready to go (Zander blue)

I had Ken take a couple of myself outside as well – was it ever chilly in the morning though!!

All dressed up!

We left from doing photos to drive the hour to Grandma’s house to meet up with her and Uncle Wayne and then head off to church. We made it all the way through the sermon and offering but did not stay for communion. Though I did see quite a few people I knew from when we were members of the church so I figured we did good.

After church was the traditional KFC/Taco Bell lunch with some time for the kids in the play area. Trinity got her very first taste of chicken fries and we all got our fill on food most likely NOT the best for us!

Trinity and her chicken fries

Then (no pictures sorry) came the ever important tradition of the SANDAL SHOP! Every year Grandma buys the kids their very own pair of sandals for the year. This was Trinity’s FIRST year! She was less than impressed with the trying on but once we got her box and shoes together she was all over that. Carrying the box, opening it and each time OOO in surprise! Then of course she put it back on random shelves at least 4 times! The boys lucked out and this year were able to each get a different style!! Pokemon for Zander, Spiderman for Gavin and Lightning McQueen for Emanuel! Talk about excitement.

Sandals for All!

Back to Grandma’s just in time to send Trinity off on a much needed nap (and insure that we forget her elephant and dolly *gulp* in the basement spare room). Oh and Ken too…  After Ken woke up from his nap we moved on to egg dying. Grandma had two different kind of kits – one you put drops of colour in a baggy with the egg and GENTLY smoosh it around, the other the more traditional bowls of colour. All in all messy but effective (and clearly the reason all 3 boys were stripped down to undies).

Easter Eggs for the win (Gavin right)

Drying out the eggs

One of the kits included information on how to use origami paper to make the eggs into flowers! Very pretty effect.

Supper was a full out turkey dinner!

Enjoying dinner with Grandma!

And Uncle Wayne brought his 3 great nephews a Cars themed  drawer full of GAMES! I don’t think he heard the end of the boys asking for him to come play with them. They played Go Fish, Crazy Eights and I am sure attempted a few more. Another new favourite gift they were absolutely over the moon with and so happy that it was to come HOME with us.

Playing "Go Fish" with Great Uncle Wayne (Zander yellow)

The only missing element was Mike! He is gone to Ontario to see his sister and family for a special presentation. He did call mom while we were there but definitely NOT the same thing. Harley got in some time with the family though… even Trinity was following her around to play and pet and snuggle.

Over 80 lbs and STILL trying to be a lap dog!!!

We came home late last night with 4 very worn out kids. Today was spent working on our last spring related mini book and then Ken taking the twins out to purchase new helmets! Oh and pick up Ted. With the tire pump found the boys got in their first bike ride of the year and Emanuel his first EVER! Ken needs to get his bike fixed so the 4 of them can go out together.

Emanuel on his very first bike!

Definitely a terrific start to April. Now we prepare for Miss Trinity’s second birthday, my next ultra sound, and a visit from a College friend. Hopefully we can squeeze a day trip in to see my brother as well!

2 yrs old on the 26th!