September 21-22

Nana and Baba are home safe and sound and only one day late! So we did the minimum of schoolwork and awaited their return. Farmer Boy is officially DONE! I think we all breathed a sigh of relief!

Not sure WHAT those faces are about

Each chapter illustrated and written

the lapbook portions I found online

Two extra illustrations to enjoy

We coloured, we tidied, we wandered around putting the house to rights and then – they got home!! Talk about some TANNED grandparents… and Nana’s hair – lovely!!! Echo especially just ate up the added attention. She REALLY missed her Nana and Baba and took turns sitting with them, playing and of course babbling away! Still no “Baba” yet…

Nana and Baba!

There was presents to see and then of course Baba’s birthday cake!!

Cake

Saturday was full of family time. Ken had to program another test code for another job application. This was a time consuming one so we were pretty well grounded. Which worked in our favour as Ken’s aunty Judy, Uncle Jim and two of their kids (Robbie and Jessica) came by to spend half the day with us. Judy is Ken’s dad’s youngest sibling and only sister. We caught up on everything and had an amazing visit topped off with pizza. We hope to go visit at their house really soon… maybe meet up at the zoo?

Drawing pictures for Aunty Judy

Baba and Uncle Jim

With Judy, Robbie and Jessica

However, he did have time to run with the kids… well run them with the remote control car. I am so glad that that little gem made it through our move. I am wondering, though, if we are the only people with kids who chase the car? Oh well, at least they had fun doing it!! 

Chasing the car

It was the first day of fall… and boy has fall come to us. The leaves are still mostly green but there is a definite chill in the air. We had to pull out the sweaters, long sleeves and even some pants. I am thinking my many scarves (and those Karyn made last year) are going to come in handy!!!

Miss Echo

And so the weekend progresses… amazing how busy we feel when we are standing still!

Trinity and her braids thanks to Nana

July 25-26

We are lucky as we know both of Quinn’s parents so on Wednesday we got to have ANOTHER playdate with him. This time with his daddy Steven along to visit with the adults. Ken and I both went to University with him (Ken two different schools, one in Canada and one in the US). So our friendship goes way back. In fact, we played the same text only game together. Anyway… before that, while waiting Trinity spent her time blowing bubbles and supervising her Baba’s bug killing. 

BUBBLES

Proud catch

Now Quinn and Emanuel have bonded most strongly over Thomas the train so I am sure you can imagine where they went right off the bat! Quinn tells us that we must come to his house and see HIS trains.

Bonding over Thomas

For Ken and Steven it was just like old times. We were able to sit and chat about everything and nothing while they played with their electronics and seriously relaxed. Just what both of them needed I think! 

Boys and their electronic toys

Further relaxing in the basement

We had lunch together – sandwiches, and then there was MORE time to play – this time heading outside to run as fast as little legs can go! 

Sandwiches together

Fun in the sun

I am so glad that Quinn has gotten along so quickly with our crew. It is great to add another sociable soul to our family unit.

Quinn and his Daddy

Thursday was a day for getting things done. Ken his job searching and such and the kids SCHOOL WORK! Actually we have been working on a little each day this week and it has gone… better… Once the boys truly realized that less whining means it all goes faster… for the most part we have trucked right through the little I have them doing (Farmer Boy and then their review books for the previous year). My hands are still rather tied until I either go shopping or get the rest of our things from up north. 

Drawing pictures for mailings… gotta get those stamps!

Echo on her own

We have spent a little time each day going to garage sales, checking prices at places like Target and Walmart. So far no boys’ toys but some unusual finds for myself…

The movie is one I just watched with Sharon recently!!

Don’t forget a nearby now dubbed Rainbow Park. 

Park

Baby in park

I am hoping to have better luck later but in the meantime we have enjoyed our finds and the kids are settling in more and more!!

Dolly chair is just her size

July 20

How do you spend the first day of a new life in the states? Well, it seems that there is time for some shopping (TARGET!!!) as well as some fun with the kids. Gotta start the day off with a good solid breakfast cooked by Baba… which means yours  truly got poached eggs on toast cooked to perfection!!!!

Cousins together for breakfast

And then the task of getting all 7 kids dressed and motivated for a day of play around the house. After all that driving we figured AT HOME was where the kids would most want to be. So, time for a tea party with REAL tea in the sun room!!!

High Tea

Echo did her own exploring, checking out what doors she COULD open… things she could get into… this is her first time EVER being here. The last time we were in Minnesota was 3 years ago when Trinity was only 1!

Stretching for the doors

The kids busy about the house it was the perfect opportunity for us to sneak out just Ken and myself for two purposes – one my first trip to Target (yay!) and the other, to see about replacing some of our now sold/given away/stored toys… GARAGE SALE! I lucked out on both sides… for the garage sale – a couple Hello Kitty clothing articles for Trinity and some barbies, a baby doll and something called squinkies. A great start and well under 20.00 spent.

A few Barbies etc for Miss T. Though I do need to get her a toy box.

And what Trinity considers the find of a lifetime right now – a purple Hello Kitty dress!

It twirls beautifully!

Target was another success with a relatively fresh soft pretzel and soda to boot (Coke though, grrr this place is VERY Coke heavy…). So why the soda and treat? Well it was quite the wait while we sorted out our CELL PHONE!! YAY!! We are connected. Though only for texting internationally… no calls so I have not been hunting people down to give it out that we normally do not text. My inlaw’s homeline is our main line for calls… so if you need that please send me a message.

Target!!!!

Wish such great successes and a bit of permanency under our belt that was it for the day… well until Cory got here for a visit. He is Gavin’s godfather and a dear friend of Ken’s. He hung out until after the kids finished their movie (How to Train Your Dragon) and caught up as well as reminded Ken of his new weekly event – gaming at Cory’s house every Wednesday evening. Life is surely moving on!!

Movie time

With Cory

The settling in process is going to take a little time but I think we are up to the challenge. We have to slowly start back into our homeschooling, thankfully I was able to bring our review workbooks and of course Farmer Boy… I anticipate complaints but it will all work out eventually!

YOGURT!!!