August 8-10

After so much fun and amazing company with the parade the night before I was rather proud of the kids for getting the book work and learning done that we did.

Everyone was excited to head out to the garden to see if the sun had helped our vegetables along. It is amazing how many green cherry tomatoes we have just awaiting that little bit more sun and heat to be ready for eating.

This has been the year for toads in the yard as well. When one is found we MUST stop everything and photograph it. I think we shall have to spend some of our time this winter and do a unit on frogs and toads!

And of course we had to do some mugging for the camera… selfies being a “real” word and all now!

On the weekend we figured we should take advantage of the sales and pick up some school supplies for our new school year. I try to keep a surplus around but at the beginning of the year each kid gets their own pencil case and supplies in those. Something new to start a new year with. I am amazed how hard it is to find duotangs here (the folders with the 3 sets of prongs for the paper holes).

Miss Echo sets her own style lately… quite well I might add!

The boys wanted to share their current display of Mixels. Gammie has sent them TWO series! There is a third yet to come. They are SO thankful that she felt she should send them these. A collection AND Legos… a match made in heaven!

Saturday evening we had a last minute plan change. With a garden full of cucumbers and lacking the knowledge about canning we called up Renee and Christopher. Their church was having a fair and is just down the road so after their mass they came over to our house for dinner and canning!

So the kids ran wild in the basement while Ken and I were educated in how to make pickles!! Thank you so much Chris and Renee… we cannot wait to taste the pickles! And now we can move this knowledge to face the coming tomatoes and maybe even touch on our peppers.

After we saw everyone off Ken ran out to take pictures of the (almost) full moon. This happened to be a lucky choice as at the high point (Sunday) we ended up with rain and clouds. I love it when we get a chance to play with the camera beyond the simple kids and pets.

On Sunday we got our butts out the door to finish the bulk of our school shopping… (pictures above) and Ken yielded to temptation and got these… mixed results!

Oh and buy a dress for Miss Echo for her birthday – that was her gift from Mommy and Daddy this year. We lucked out at H&M and got a teachers discount!

What to do what to do to round off the weekend? Why… head to the beach once more!!!!

July 11-13

Looking back at July it seems like we didn’t do anything but fun in the sun! Well we DID take advantage of the lovely weather and a freezer full of freezies and got our time in the sun.

We are doing well with reading, worksheets mailed by Gammie and of course the new season of Wild Kratts. (HERE)

Dodo and Tasmanian Tiger

Saturday we headed back to the Schwartz’s for a nice visit So there are MORE pictures of the ever adorable Jeffrey…

Renee was out with her mom and sister but the kids, Ken and I came over to help Chris and his folks build a shed. I mean, KEN helped with the shed, I helped Grandma (Anne) with the babies and the kids played and hung out.

Best little buddies!

Watching a movie together

Mystro is absolutely one of my favourite subjects to photograph.

Chris treated us all to Chinese as a thank you. It was so much fun to just sit, sew and read with Anne and Jeffrey. Talk about a relaxing Saturday (not so much for Ken and Chris and Gary!).

Ken and Mystro

On Sunday we decided to go back to the Blaine beach and enjoy the wonderful sand, water and splash pad. I have to say, with such a nice location a short drive away we are really not motivated to go further and find a less manicured or bigger beach.

I love the confidence all 5 kids have at this beach.

After the beach it was back to cheering on one of our favourite soccer players. Anthony was playing his final game of his regular year.

Even big Andy made it out! Which was GREAT. Ken does love spending time with him, but he is so often on the road driving truck this summer it has been a trick to plan out.

The kids wandered off and played together so that worked well.

And Anthony and his team played a great game! I do believe they were undefeated in regular season. Our plan is to go to a couple of his USA Cup games as well. I know they play a couple foreign teams along with some more local (or at the very least American).

It is these great opportunities to spend time with our friends and family (I mean, come on Novaks are basically cousins at this point!) that has slowed our hunt for the elusive homeschooling family to meet and hang out with.

May 1-4

We started May with Wild Kratts.

Flying Fish

And Echo modelling a little purse I made her known as a church purse or cradle purse. I remember having one of these made  for me by my grandma Reinsch. Though I think mine had a plastic soap container bottom. I chose to go without to avoid sharp corners. Complete with a tiny blanket for the baby doll. You can make the purse turn into a baby cradle. Perfect for quiet play at church… if Echo would stop losing it! Though I have to work on my knots for my drawstring. I am not pleased with how they slip after my 3 1/2 yr old has tugged and gone at it for a while. Would love suggestions on that!!

The next day, to cover another Scouts extra we all made instruments out of pieces of what not we had around the home! Talk about a noisy and fun craft.

We also made a trip to a bakery… an Italian one. Where we got some amazing pastries. We got to watch the baker in the back mix something up in a rather impressive giant mixer.

My treat!

We also busted out the chocolate bunnies… nibbles on ears and bunny tails…

And then, suddenly… MAY WEEKEND! The first Saturday of the month so OF COURSE we have Home Depot. We went to a different one than we usually did and not only did we make flower pot holders but we ALSO got 10 craft pins. Something our home Home Depot did not offer! They also do a 25 I think so guess where we are going for that milestone month!!!

We actually had a reason for our change in Home Depot venue. This was the closest one to the district Pinewood Derby races! Held at a car dealership no less. The boys were able to sign up not long before their races (both Emanuel and Aidan) and trophies were awarded right after. For our first districts Emanuel did awesome – 4th place over all pretty much! Aidan took home first! Everyone had fun watching the cars and it gave the adults some visiting time.

We had PLANNED to head to the free comic day at The Source… up until we drove by and realized that they were lined up literally AROUND the building! Though there was some amazing cosplayers out there to keep people company!

Add to this already busy day Ken with an overnight gaming with the guys and I think we made good use of our first May weekend already!

And some time with the cousins!

After Ken came home, then took the kids to Sunday School and then came home again we had company for dinner… Both of the Schwartz families!

The kids played, the ladies crafted and the men assisted in the kitchen.

AND I got to photograph baby Jeffrey. Isn’t he an adorable model??

With Daddy

Really, after an amazing dinner with terrific company… what a way to end a weekend!!!