Tag Archive | Fran

Friends, Field Trips and Sunshine

May 24-29

I have to say we have learned from our winter… get those kids OUTSIDE!!!101_7608

And on Sunday we joined Matt, Fran and their twins at a local park to have a full on BBQ…101_7611

Park…101_7609

101_7614Lake…101_7615

101_7618101_7619S’mores…101_7622

101_7623(and dinner)…101_7613

We had it all!101_7612

And on the Monday we were back to Geocaching… we have had some amazing journal entries regarding our experience with some VERY creative hiding ideas.101_7624

101_7632

We had a lovely print out for a scavenger hunt (HERE) to have the kids looking everywhere for their nature objects.101_7626

101_7629And a break with snacks and park fun while the twins and Ken hunted that last cache.101_7634

101_7636101_7639Tuesday was much more our work work work on the schoolwork day! We had a rather interesting experience learning about Legends and Pecos Bill. We are working on understanding the difference between true factual stories and what a legend really is. The kids just keep quoting back at me – EVERYTHING IS BIGGER IN TEXAS and then giggling.101_7640

We got back into our classic Treasure Island. I am not sure which book we will read next. BUT we are working on a plan to get us storytime every day.101_7641

We are working through our dinosaurs that were in our Texas book… of course links to all of this will be in the Texas resource page (eventually).101_7643

And then right back out to burn off the energy… so much discussion of spring, teaching of siblings on the outside toys… so much fun!101_7645

101_7646On Wednesday I changed it up. Before the mosquitoes can take hold we drug the whole classroom outside to enjoy our grassy backyard. Once we found an ant free spot that is!101_7648

101_7649Great fun and we didn’t get too badly eaten up.101_7650

We fulfilled another additional Scout thing by driving down to a local small airport and checking out the planes. The kids all took turns spotting planes and talking about the different kinds. Family favourite is the seaplane. Though everyone was quite put out they land in LAKES not SEAS.101_7655

101_7657From there it was on to a park for a Geocache and play about in the sun.101_7661

Goofs!

Goofs!

101_7669Add in some Texas themed story writing and I think we succeeded with an interesting mid week.101_7670

Thursday was another special outside day. Echo had a preschool assessment to go to at our church so she and Ken dropped us off half way with some schoolwork.101_7671

A snack…101_7677

and a park! It was just really too bad that her session was delayed, we were there over 2 hours in the end and rather warm and cranky. BUT we met some wonderful little kids with their dads and enjoyed a perfect spring day.101_7673

101_7674101_7675Miss Echo did wonderfully with her assessment though they did reinforce that we should get her hearing tested to rule out anything extra in regards to her lisp (not total word forming… lazy girl!) which of course we already had scheduled for later in June.101_7678

101_7680101_7684Spring has sprung and so have we… out into the sunshine!

With super high water levels EVERYWHERE

With super high water levels EVERYWHERE

Can you spot the neighbourhood white squirrel?

Can you spot the neighbourhood white squirrel?

And In Blows May

May 1-4

We started May with Wild Kratts.

Flying Fish

Flying Fish

And Echo modelling a little purse I made her known as a church purse or cradle purse. I remember having one of these made  for me by my grandma Reinsch. Though I think mine had a plastic soap container bottom. I chose to go without to avoid sharp corners. Complete with a tiny blanket for the baby doll. You can make the purse turn into a baby cradle. Perfect for quiet play at church… if Echo would stop losing it! Though I have to work on my knots for my drawstring. I am not pleased with how they slip after my 3 1/2 yr old has tugged and gone at it for a while. Would love suggestions on that!!101_7322

101_7324The next day, to cover another Scouts extra we all made instruments out of pieces of what not we had around the home! Talk about a noisy and fun craft.101_7325

We also made a trip to a bakery… an Italian one. Where we got some amazing pastries. We got to watch the baker in the back mix something up in a rather impressive giant mixer.

My treat!

My treat!

101_7328We also busted out the chocolate bunnies… nibbles on ears and bunny tails…101_7329

And then, suddenly… MAY WEEKEND! The first Saturday of the month so OF COURSE we have Home Depot. We went to a different one than we usually did and not only did we make flower pot holders but we ALSO got 10 craft pins. Something our home Home Depot did not offer! They also do a 25 I think so guess where we are going for that milestone month!!!101_7337

We actually had a reason for our change in Home Depot venue. This was the closest one to the district Pinewood Derby races! Held at a car dealership no less. The boys were able to sign up not long before their races (both Emanuel and Aidan) and trophies were awarded right after. For our first districts Emanuel did awesome – 4th place over all pretty much! Aidan took home first! Everyone had fun watching the cars and it gave the adults some visiting time.101_7339

101_7340101_7342101_7343101_7345We had PLANNED to head to the free comic day at The Source… up until we drove by and realized that they were lined up literally AROUND the building! Though there was some amazing cosplayers out there to keep people company!101_7351

Add to this already busy day Ken with an overnight gaming with the guys and I think we made good use of our first May weekend already!

And some time with the cousins!

And some time with the cousins!

After Ken came home, then took the kids to Sunday School and then came home again we had company for dinner… Both of the Schwartz families!101_7367

The kids played, the ladies crafted and the men assisted in the kitchen.101_7357

101_7358AND I got to photograph baby Jeffrey. Isn’t he an adorable model??101_7360

With Daddy

With Daddy

101_7363101_7365Really, after an amazing dinner with terrific company… what a way to end a weekend!!!101_7347

101_7350

101_7368

101_7355

 

Happy 6th Birthday Baby Girl

April 26-27

Oh my goodness! Trinity is SIX!! Where did the time go?? And of course her birthday weekend is a busy one… from 11-2 ish Nana and I were at a bridal shower and then had to rush home so that Ken and Baba could join up with Christopher and Matt Schwartz and their dad Gary to go to the second half of the bachelor party. So Saturday was extra busy while the kids never left the yard!!101_7253

BUT Sunday! Well we started with Sunday School (the year is rolling down quickly with the ending session on the 11th of May – Mother’s Day) with Echo and I staying home to blow up balloons and prep for the party. Lots of bright colours!101_7254

101_7255Trinity was spoiled this year… Aunty Darcy was the artist behind her amazing cake and cupcakes. Isn’t it amazing how much Trinity and the princess off Tangled (before she cuts the hair) resemble each other??101_7257

101_7260We had quite the full house with Matt and Fran’s boys, the cousins and Novak 4 all there to celebrate. But the kids had an absolute blast and even Big Andy made it!!!101_7261

101_7262Ken made hamburgers from scratch. Spicy like we used to back home and non. Poor Echo didn’t even make it to dinner!101_7263

101_7265She was over the moon with all her presents.101_7279

101_7270101_7284They included a lovely pillow sent from God Mommy Karyn…photo

And a tea trolly to match the kitchen set and baby bed from Aunty Holly, Uncle James and Cousin Jimmie.

101_7292We really enjoyed our amazing Tangled cake! I think it was an AMAZING birthday party and am so appreciated to everyone who sent gifts or came in person! 101_7286

101_7287And now for the extras!101_7290

101_7296

Goldi Bloks

Goldie Blox HERE

101_7297