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?

This is what I woke up to Friday morning! A wee bit of somewhat organized chaos… Ken cleaning out the dishwasher one last time with the hope to save the owners the cost of repair (hasn’t worked properly since we moved in almost 4 months ago!! GRR so guess who does TONS of dishes even though it is in my lease I have one?). The boys had their Trios and were actually playing as a group! Really nice to wake up to! 

Trios and a runny nosed baby

We skipped the morning workbook time and the kids went out to enjoy the brisk but sunny weather. We are trying to get in every spare minute of outside time we can and still accomplish some homeschooling goals. That sandbox sees so much use, but is really too small for all 4 to play in total harmony. They do do their best. 

Sandbox!

And then back in to work on Stuart Little. We are 2 chapters away from completing the book and watching the moving Cousin Veronika bought for them. We are planning on finding some nature books on mice and maybe go with another mouse related story. Trinity did her own thing this illustration but the boys were quite enamored with the idea of the mouse having his own tiny canoe! 

Stuart and his canoe

Since Emanuel had made a duct tape flower LAST night Trinity wanted one TODAY. She basically had the reverse of his made. I have to admit, fun and simple! 

Trinity and her Rose

That is not to say we didn’t get in any workbook time! But less than the norm to be sure! You can find instructions for it on youTube! Though we did a few extra steps to make sure that the exposed edges had the colour pieces wrapped over it!

Workbook time!

And of course there was the wallet Zander and I made together. He was so proud! 

Zander and his wallet

I ended my evening with a visit with Karyn – while the owners were here messing with the dishwasher and such, so we took the girls for a walk to the gas station to get slurpees… we had the boys safely ensconced in front of the tv downstairs. Of course I got the largest one possible and poured some into cups for each of the boys! But it was nice to get out for a walk and we managed to keep Echo’s shoes on for the whole walk! 

Slurpee!

With Aunty Karyn and her iPhone

I am beyond excited – the owners came Friday night of course and then today REPLACED MY DISHWASHER! So I now figure I am saving AT LEAST 7 hours a week in time that I was spending on dishes (and that is a conservative estimate) which means more time for crafting and one on one with the kids. They also re-grouted a tile in the bathroom upstairs so no baths until tomorrow night but it should solve the tile issue. YAY!

The excitement continued with a trip out and about town with Karyn for Kick it to the Curb… you put your stuff out with a “free” sign and people take what they want over the weekend. Of course for the most part we couldn’t find anything… until we gave up and were heading to the mall – TWO lamps!! I just need to re-do the shades – any suggestions?

Large lamp

Trinity's lamp

And then 2 blocks from our own home – JACKPOT! A lady who is moving end of the month had a whole bunch of little girl stuff out – stuff that was PERFECT for Trinity. She finally got one of those little foam fold out sofas I had been wishing I could get her. It is the perfect size for her and Echo! And clothes to grow into and a couple books… she is putting out more tomorrow so Ken is going to head back over there and check it out after Sunday School.

Enjoying the new couch

Karyn even managed to find herself a popcorn popper. AND we saw parts of the city we had not seen before, a quirky series of signs to an estate/garage sale AND some rather odd art. Ken and the twins went to the local art gallery and museum that we got a free pass from a coupon Kristen found for us! There was an art drop in program. Gavin’s is still a work in progress but you can see Ken’s and Zander’s! Ken is going to take just the twins next weekend and then decide if we should include Emanuel in the experience. We won’t be able to go to the following weekend’s as we will be at my mom’s but it is EVERY Saturday! 

Art and artist

Zander and his to be laminated placemat

With the dishwasher coming in we had to make a nice and clear path. That made it much simpler for me to get that livingroom cleared up. We also dug out the Halloween craft and decoration bucket from the basement with the foam sets the boys have put together with Ken – 2 so far, one for each of the past 2 years. I have already bought another kit during a sale for them to do with him this year! It is time to collect our activities and colouring pages… I will of course link anything I find! 

So now I have lamps to decorate, costumes to make, some Christmas presents to focus on, schooling to plan and and and… BUT more time to do it in!!! 

Popcorn baby decked out for her feast