And I am back in catch up mode… sorry all! Let’s go back to Tuesday… The sunshine keeps on coming which has totally worked in our favour. The boys are still resistant to doing work out in the sunshine but less so than in the house. We are still mainly focused on Farmer Boy and his adventures which is just fine with me. The newest one – Tin-Peddler. We have been working on a list of all the characters in the story… Mr. Nick Brown the peddler was our newest addition. 

Gavin and Zander

What interested Mommy was the statement that Almanzo knew that little boys could listen to adults conversing but NEVER interrupt by talking. The twins were less than enthused but I am hoping we can apply that nugget of knowledge at least to the point where we decrease interruptions by little pitchers with big ears.

Our actual visit to the green and park had to be sped along to just sitting by the park though. The city was cutting the green and that meant we couldn’t spread out our blanket and enjoy the sunshine before heading onto the park. Thankfully the grass around the park was already done and we could find a nice bit of grass to settle on.

The cause of our plan change

We made up for it with pop

The kids were a little disappointed that the little boys from Monday were not there but they managed. Sand is always a fun thing to be around after all and this park is kept rather clean.

They were making a mine apparently

I took my time in the sunshine to make some more stacked bows. It wasn’t too difficult once the kids finished their writing and discussing of the chapter, to spread out and work out some combinations. I completed all but the portions that require hot glue. 

Crafting in process

We spent hours out in the sun, luckily it was not as hot out as projected (26 Celcius) and a little overcast. We are all starting to see some lightening in out hair from the sun! 

At the park

That night it was my time to take Echo and go back to Karyn’s for our weekly visit. The plan WAS for one night but… anyway… after work Karyn AND Lauralee came and collected myself and Echo. Always a bit of a pain in the bum with the playpen to drag along AND the carset to install.

We kept it earlier since Karyn had to go to work crack of dawn the next day and I stayed up to watch a little Netflix after Karyn and Echo had gone to bed. That left Wednesday as a major crafting day. I brought with me the features and wings to 4 owls, some ribbon and a stack of felt to make into felt bows on bobby pins. Karyn and I had stopped Dollarama the night before where I found a solution to displaying everyone on our table. Lots of bright coloured plastic containers! I am looking forward to next week when Ken and I are going to head to the one local to my mom’s place and do some minor shopping. 1.00 a piece!!

With Netflix, only one kitty and some crafting time I really had a great day of it. Dare (actually spelled DERE oops but shall remain Dare for my word search count) even came out and hung around in public! I can’t say that he LIKES us, but he has gotten more used to us! And he and Echo seem to have somewhat bonded on their hatred of Karyn’s shop vac.

Cat in Public

We had planned on going back to Chris and Chris’ that night but Ken suggested we stay another… so a dinner of slurpees and 7-11 chicken and wedges was planned and a brief run to the Superstore for lunch the next day… then one load of laundry to cover diapers and we were set for a VERY lazy evening of chatting… once Echo went to bed of course! 

Baby in the sunshine

Baby on the balcony

Baby asleep... with Fat Sheep

So that was the first half of my week! Nothing extreme but some really great moments! 

GASP hedgehog!

You go to bed with some fluffy flakes and wake up to everyone home in the morning due to a full out storm. (He) Chris decided to wait until it was light out to head to work in the van in need of repairs (seriously VANS and the people in this house … not good)… and (She) Chris had her schedule changed so that she would not have to ride on the roads until it warmed up. So much snow!

So much snow!

Snowy bush in the backyard

So of course the first thing I did was have the twins dress up and head out to make a snowman. They made a tiny one that they said was “Echo sized”. The snow was perfect for it, actually would have been perfect for a snowball fight but that was best NOT suggested!

Echo sized

We had lots of productive school time today… math, copywork… even bookwork for the little ones. 

Working in the sunlight

Not only that but Starfall is up and running in the corner of the room. Though Echo is a little bit rough at times… at least it is something “new” to occupy the kids! 

Starfall baby with her bruises

So to go with the fresh snow we also dressed up (He) Chris’ car… with bunny ears AND a tail! Gotta love Dollarama! I think the whole set cost 2.00.

Bunny car

I found some time to finish off my bunny barrettes. You can find the instructions and the link to the template HERE. I have done them two ways – the stitching on the ears with just DMC regular floss and then the others with blending filament. I made one up in time for (she) Chris to wear to work and another for Trinity for when we do photos. The rest are awaiting barrettes and selling. I ordered some more alligator clips off eBay today (to be sent to She Chris) so I will have another 50 to use before the month is over, I hope! 

Bunnies!

So tomorrow I plan on having the boys make some Easter (ish) themed paperchains for Chris and Chris to decorate their home. I was lucky enough to bring a box along with the bulk of my cardstock (sadly not very much white) and remembered today that I did have some lovely colours. AND my paper cutter!! Add to that our tiny stapler and one of our boxes of 5000 staples and we are in business. 

The chapter illustrations I promised from last blog

Our actual Easter plans are up in the air still at this point. Ken has found 3 possibles for purchase online and is in contact with them van wise and Chris and Chris are attempting to get their brakes fixed this weekend. If that works out we may have wheels to get to mom’s for the holiday but back here on the Monday night. So we shall see. I am sure either way we will make it a great day!

Bunny Baby

The hunt for a van that is AFFORDABLE and RELIABLE is on… as is the countdown to Easter. Race against time as usual! Well I do have a few Easter worksheets to share – all from Education.com… We have an Easter bunny dot-to-dot, a fun spring colouring page, and a decorate your own Easter egg page. They have updated their site and now I am not sure how to add things to my collections right now. 

Poor Echo has some non make-up related eye shadow on one eye but the goose egg is gone. And the baby gate is a royal pain for us all but at least now there is no repeat performance in the wings. On the plus side the bruising is not extreme for the injury so that means the aspirin is not thinning her blood too much. 

Echo and her eye

I spent some time today working on math with the boys, and we talked about Spring… so of course there is a snow warning for the area – like 15-25 cm tonight! OUCH. But that IS spring in Alberta. We are sort of playing it by ear… we do what we can, work on what we can and keep in mind that once we are settled back down we can REALLY focus on our schooling. No summer vacation here! 

Tonight was a felt night. I did get my ribbon bucket out of the bedroom before Echo went to sleep BUT found a fun new felt hair thing pattern to try out and of course scraps to make more felt bows… white, blue and green tonight. I was spoiled with some lovely peppermint tea to go with my crafting. 

Tea and bows

We are working on ideas to keep the kids busy! I have really committed to reading to the kids at bedtime. We are reading a chapter book and then the next day one of the twins is drawing something from the story to make a mini book. I will share pictures of that tomorrow. In the mean time I have some tidying to do… some bows to store and some sleep to have. At least I am feeling momentum in my crafting! It is always a pick me up! 

Emanuel and one of his creative moments. That is his skyscraper