Hard to believe she is 8 already… And definitely her own girl as well. When asked what she wanted to do for her birthday this year she had a rather conclusive list:

1. Go to the YMCA to swim with JUST mom and Echo… so Daddy drops us off and LEAVES.
2. Opening presents with her brothers.
3. Dinner at Culver’s with the whole family.
4. Cake or cupcakes with Aunty Darcy and her boys (that last one will have to wait until a weekend of course).

The pool was basically empty (on the non lane side) except for us and after a minor blip of having forgotten out goggles and toy bag and having to call Daddy to drop them off we had a blast. I had to get the iPad out and email Ken to wait an extra half hour and come get us later.

I even packed a snack bag for the girls and myself. Echo angled successfully for an additional treat at the vending machines… I swear they ALWAYS go for the most irresponsible choice, though at the YMCA really the worst snack you can get is the rice krispie square.

We had a lovely stack of presents for Trinity to open, including a few items for the others. We had lovely parcels sent all the way from Canada and Aunty Holly, Uncle James and Cousin Jimmie, the items I made for Calli from our family AND a selection from Gammie all the way from Texas! Add to that yesterday’s FaceTime call from Nana and Baba and a phone call from Grandma in Canada after dinner and I think we did a good job covering the gift wish list.

Our afternoon had some minor classroom work, after all Mommy is a teacher at heart now, but for the most part we played on the new DS2D and hung out together in the bedroom.

Supper was at Culver’s, though Ken was kicking himself… WEDNESDAYS right now (apparently) are 2.00 kids meals… oops. Well we still spent less than you would eating out as a couple at a sit down restaurant and EVERYONE was full!

Cake will have to wait as we ended the day full up. BUT here are some more pictures from when I was playing with the camera of the girls. Happy Birthday darling Trinity.

In her new purple dress with her koala bag.

December 5-8

Here I am writing about Thanksgiving well into Advent but this year the two were so close together! Trinity and Emanuel had their coffee filtre turkeys to finish with Daddy after all. You can make one  yourself thanks to Peapod Labs HERE.

We brought out our Little People Nativity set. Echo is enamoured with the angel. Apparently this one is ready to ride!

Of course we had our advent calendar and a craft to add to the fun! What we can do with markers, popsicle sticks, paper and glue!!! I think Trinity did a great job.

Then the boys had the exciting completion of their Minnesota lapbook plus extras. Only took FOREVER for us to get it done and together. Of course I saved the resources in a separate blog entry HERE. We did a mini lapbook and then went from there. I hope the little nuggets of facts and truths we found will stick in our minds for at least a little time. It was fun learning more about the state we now call home.

We have also started using Trinity’s daily reading as family story time. Every time we read one of her Christmas themed books (or watch a Christmas movie) we draw a group picture that will go in our Christmas binder!

We ended our school week with a paper craft that I picked up last year at an absolute steal. This was making a fancy paper gingerbread house with accessories.

It was the first Saturday of the month so of course the kids headed over to Home Depot for free craft time. Ken also signed them up for a special extra craft on the 21st.

Emanuel drew a wonderful Christmas themed dinosaur page to send up north to a special someone.

Of  course Sunday brought Sunday School. Cold Cold Cold.

And then Baba and Ken put up the yard decoration that Nana found at Fleet Farm. Very pretty.

Later in the evening we had Facetime with Aunty Xinny, Alex, Izaac and Isabella. It was WILD!!!

We ended our evening with decorating the new 8 foot tall tree. The ornaments this year are from our stash. Not ALL of them but soe many memories and old favourites. The kids had a blast showing them to Nana and Baba.

Christmas is very apparent in the house now. And after a busy weekend it feels so much more real

We are coming to the end of our two months of off and on company… It has been amazing to have that lovely touch of home here in Minnesota. Though now I am rather aware of the move back to our family unit standing alone. I really do appreciate (as does Ken) the visitors we HAVE had AND the people both friends AND family who have agreed (for various reasons) to wait until we are settled. I know it is not fair that some can come and visit so easily but I really want us to enjoy our visitors to the fullest and in some cases that really requires more room than we have here sharing with Ken’s parents. While that time will be some months yet it is not an impossible dream. 

In the meantime I would love to invite people to Skype, Facetime, MSN, email, Facebook and of course call us. With the first two be sure you don’t assume we are online… I don’t always hear it. The kids speak often of everyone we have left behind and I try to call people when they request it! It is amazing how small the distance is with all the current technology. 

I think it is rather clear from the blog entries that we are settling in, while I miss things and people our life is smoother here. Wish me luck as we continue the immigration process and please don’t hesitate to say hello! The kids LOVE getting mail! 

I absolutely ADORE digital as I am sure you have all noticed… the ability to share everything so easily and have these multiple images is such a blessing!

Careful painting

Resting baby

Sweet little fairie

The adorable kitty thanks to Aunty Xinny

Goofing around with Uncle Ted

My Kindle Fire cover

When men get together EVERYTHING is a competition… here they are blowing up balloons!

The final result was terrific though

Pretty in blue thanks to Aunty Esther

Adorable in orange

Now reclining

Cuddles with Uncle Ted, or as she calls him Dada- not to be confused with DADDY.. for some reason the “T” sound is too hard

3 girl cousins together

I love this picture. There is a corresponding one of the 4 boy cousins HERE. Some day as adults I am totally going to have to reproduce this.

With her friend Evan

Birthday Boys! Zander, Gavin and Emanuel… 9,9 and 7

The joys of 3 birthday boys – the need to relight candles to blow out!

Outside enjoying snow, sunshine and her sister’s hat

Gaming like old times

With Bree and Lily to Be

Paper roses

You can find the instructions link on the blog entry HERE.

Quite the fashion plate

T & Q