April 10-11

Thursday was a rather special day. Family field trip! The first on our Spring/Summer odyssey. We packed everyone up and went downtown to the Mill City Museum. Did you know that Minneapolis was once the Mill Capital of the world? In fact, the one we were in… well the remains of it… was the largest briefly (4 months) until they built a bigger one across the lake. We also learned that the waterfall that ran the mills was gotten from the Native Americans, the flow changed and often even dirtied up. What a history!

We did have a blast. We came at the perfect time and were able to watch the video and take the elevator tour pretty much alone. Though the elevator scared the crud out of the kids.

Waiting for the movie to start

Ken went all the way to the top of the building and took some amazing pictures.

I think they had the most fun at the water lab… but then who doesn’t when you can play with water and wood.

Of course, I made sure to stop and take pictures of the kids in their Aunty Holly finery. An early Easter present. She does have some great taste.

The day was breezy but lovely so we spent some more time outside afterwards.

Friday was a special half day of school… after all, Nana and Baba came home! So spelling tests and then fun in the sun.

Emanuel even helped out with snacks and lunch for his Scout achievement! FRUIT SALAD!!

We ended the day with a family walk. Just the 7 of us, down the street to the walking path. Maybe not a lot of green but it was a lovely walk. At one point the frogs were so loud that when a friend called Ken he had to walk back the path to hear the call!

It always feels absolutely amazing to have so much family outing time. Healthy Kenny is a FUN Kenny and he is stepping right up and willing to go to these events I line up. So pleased.

Enjoy the picture overflow from our Mill City Museum trip!!! Check out their site HERE.

January 23-30

And now we get into the end of the month. The FIRST month of 2014… And the final countdown to finalizing our decision to stop with 5 kids. I can honestly say that I feel no regrets, sending Ken to the doctor on the 24th for the in office procedure (I will spare you the picture he took of it). If we do feel the need in the future for more children there are those already in existence that need us more. Having the procedure on the Friday did mean an at home weekend. Not that the kids complained as it culminated in the cousins coming to visit as well!

But first the Thursday (23rd)… I decided that since this year we weren’t going to make our own fortune cookies that we could still make our own fortunes! Jumbo fortunes. Even Echo made her own (translated loosely by myself).

I went out with Ken to an appointment and stopped at a more local small Asian market where I lucked out with super affordable red envelopes and lucky candy for our Chinese New Year celebration. The kids and I are rather excited about our celebration. We even sent off envelopes for the den Otter 3.

We had a half day on the Friday.

With some time squeezed in with Daddy learning more about magnets. These kits from Christmas are REALLY coming in handy! We used the last of the kids’ Christmas money to pick up some strong magnets at Lakeshore which has made them even more excited about it. (and had us sit them down and discuss where we do NOT put these magnets – laptops, electronics, Daddy’s computer!!!!)

Nana went and collected the cousins before she headed off with Daddy to the doctor. It has become a family tradition here… she also took Ken’s brother for his. It went smoothly and they were home before we knew it… though then Ken headed right to bed to sleep off the medicine, stress and hopefully through the first of the pain.

The weekend was quiet… with lots of potty attempts. We are still rather hit or miss and I sense a long road ahead with this one.

Saturday was a whole day of cousin time.

Sunday was the beginning of what we now see as Echo’s “Helping” phase, which often is not so helpful!

We skipped Sunday School so that the kids could spend the time with their cousins before they had to head home. Emanuel and Daddy took a few minutes to finish a Scout task. They had to figure out where to go when there is a fire.

And then on Monday it was back to school and Chinese New Year as usual. This time with some panda learning. You simply cannot learn all about China and such without touching on one of our favourite animals!

On Tuesday the kids finally sat down and worked on their rubberband loom. So many pretty (though still very basic) bracelets. Enough to add some to the package to the den Otters and give some to me! I need to take some time and try this thing out for myself! We do not have the rainbow brand version that is one you can change the set up on, but if it catches on with the kids it will go on the list for the next holiday!

We had a minor but consistent argument about electronics that night, so I called an hour of no batteries and pulled out games and toys… we started with dominoes, first the traditional line them up and knock them down with moderate success.

And then doing a matching version. I think I played MOST of the rules right with the kids, but we had fun regardless.

And then onto the I Spy game with a BELL! That was noisy and crazy and totally enthralling to all.  Operation back to the basic fun — SUCCESS!

Mid week and we are back to the books. Education.com and Activity Village have been amazing resources for us! Though remember, now with Education.com you only get TEN worksheets free a month.

The twins headed outside to add to Nana’s ice garden. Simple water, food colouring and cold weather… we freeze ours out in the sunroom.

Miss Trinity and Miss Echo have been learning together lately. Big sister must impart that wisdom on her little disciple. Everything from school stuff to online gaming!

And to top it off… Emanuel had his first extra field trip for Cub Scouts — to the police/fire station! Baba took him as Ken got stuck at a dental consult. But Darcy shared pictures with me and I was told by himself and Darcy that it was SOOO much fun!

And with that we are left with ONE day of January to see through and the start of Chinese New Year – year of the horse!! What a whirlwind month!

November 18-20

We started our week with the final excavation of our Egyptian treasure. Very Pharaoh oriented!

We learned about clipping coupons for our grocery unit. I am not sure they really understood what the deals were that they clipped BUT they did know that it was a good thing and could save you money to get more food or better things. Oh and that they expire.

Our Thanksgiving themed craft was thanks to Activity Village… A Thanksgiving Tree made using our hands! You can find the activity HERE. Anything that works to remind us how we need to appreciate what and who is in our lives is on the list for our Thanksgiving unit. Last year we worked on the actual history, this year we are working on the EMOTION behind the holiday.

That new computer set up sure is coming in handy with our new rule of no games until after 3pm. Lots of grouping together to work on games. We just need to find a way to get them some sound!

We had an amazing package show up on our doorstep from Sharon in Canada. She sent the kids all they need for a movie (Turbo) and cookie night and yours  truly some of her favourite chocolate bars – Coffee Crisp!!!!!

Our Tuesday had us separated into TWO groups – Echo and myself for our quiet morning at home with cartoons, cleaning and crochet…

And the rest with Nana and Daddy in tow went to their fieldtrip at Herb’s Service Station where Nana used to work.

They had a blast, everything from fixing tires to checking out the carwash to riding on the lift! What a treat! They ended it with hot chocolate and were home for school in the afternoon.

On the Wednesday the kids had another chance to learn with Nana and helped her make cookies from scratch. There are so many opportunities to learn from other people out there and when we have the chance we just have to grab it – not only did they read the recipe, help measure and mix but they also were able to spend special time with their Nana!

Of course we had school to do as well. Emanuel is now able to read to others some… it is amazing to see two of the kids sitting together and enjoying a good book!

I ended my day with a little festive drink. Ken and I got a mini date – a solo run to Sam’s Club for groceries and I was able to grab a small container (1L) of egg nog. I am the only adult in the house who likes it, but with a little milk added both Echo and Trinity enjoy a sip or two!

Definitely an excellent beginning half of a week!