What a weekend, a little down but a lot of up! So let’s start with the sucky… the van… oh dear I can hear everyone groan! But for once, it is NOT the BANK… no this is just a transmission issue (I say just because it could be a lot worse – that mess from earlier this year all over again!). Ken had noticed the van had been “acting weird” so he called our mechanic Saturday morning (the guy who fixed the van 2 yrs ago when Ken hit an icy patch and broke the front wheel axle coming home with Trinity from one of her infant appointments… 600.00 LESS than the dealership estimated!!). The mechanic had him check some codes on the computer on the van and figured it was a transmission issue and not  to be driven. Thank goodness for AAA (Ken’s folks give it to us each year for Christmas) who towed the van right over there… AFTER Ken pulled everything out of it, carseats, diaperbags and all. We should hear something back on Monday.

This completely blew our Saturday plans out of the water. Michaels is not nearby so Echo and I went back to sleep and the kids and Ken hung out and played.

Somehow Trinity spent half the day in Emanuel's pants??

After the younger two had their nap and we all had a nice afternoon snack we decided to take advantage of the amazingly lovely weather (after hitting the – Celsius we hit +25!) and went on a family walk to the gas station. The leaves are changing and starting to fall off the trees and combined with the warm weather it was a perfect walk. Gavin even pulled the wagon for a large portion of the way both ways while Zander burned off some energy running ahead.

Gavin pulling

Fall is here (Zander)

Best ride!

On the way home we collected leaves to do a painting craft. Gavin gathered a special handful for a craft he wanted to do on his own – making a leaf (and stick) lapbook all by himself. After over an hour of work gluing, taping, drawing more leaves and copying some words it was all done. (All this while the other 3 played downstairs)

Gavin at work

I did manage to get a scrapbooking page done – another one for Echo. Tonight I have to do up the baptism invites for the people we need to mail out. I managed to get stamps last night from 7-11 and Ken knows of a not too far away post box so at least I can get THAT accomplished (and maybe use it as an excuse for another family walk?).

1 week old

I did get in a little time with the camera and Echo Friday night. I tried out our fake leaves, but I think if I change them to black and white or sepia it would look better.

Attempting leaves

And another go at baby on Daddy’s hand.

Cradled on Daddy's hand

Saturday night Chris and Chris came over and He Chris made garlic meatballs… yummy… they planned on staying the night so that we could all go to the museum in the morning. They had 3 spots free for the girls and myself and Sean (who bought Alan and Xinny’s old car) had 4 spaces for the boys and Ken. Thank goodness!!

We stopped at McD’s for breakfast on the run (of course the van has to be towed when we have not done our grocery shop) and then off to John Walter. There was games right out front – croquet, beanbag toss…

Croquet with Uncle Sean (Zander

Beanbag toss (Gavin grey)

Even a sort of trike/wagon thing. The gentleman in charge of the area was very patient and kind.

Going for a ride with Uncle Chris

Next stop – the middle era house and the then dubbed “cookie lady” making sugar cookies on the wood stove. It was so lovely and warm in there and Chris, Chris and I hung out with Echo for a bit to watch . Then over to the craft table where they were making necklaces and bracelets out of wooden beads using the morse code to create each child’s name! Trinity had the most fun with the stringing of the beads, though she managed to get Sean and Ken to do most of the work towards the end!

Working out the morse code (Zander red)

Trinity and her helpers

In the 1901 house (the most recent there) they were making homemade ice cream. All 4 kids each had their own cone – Trinity’s first and made a HUGE mess but loved every minute of it!

Mmm ice cream

After all the fun at the museum area we headed over to the leisure centre across the parking lot. They had a giant bouncy SLIDE! Everyone but Trinity went and had a few rides!

Zander on the slide

Once we got home and the little ones were in bed for naps Ken and Chris (he) ran out for the necessary groceries (thanks guys!) and to pick up a desk for She Chris. When they got back Chris (she) and I ran out for errands… Fabricland to pick up some stretchy lace (I ended up getting bra strap material), Michaels for my adhesive (in stock!) and then to the new H&W to get bananas and such since we are not sure we will have the van for our usual Wednesday trip. By the time we got back Karyn and her parents were over for a baby cuddle! Her parents are up from Saskatchewan so we don’t get a chance to see them that often!

Karyn's Mom

So our revised schedule for the upcoming week is a whole lot of hurry up and wait! Ken is going to call in our homeschooling supply order tomorrow morning, though I am not sure how or when we will go pick it up. That is HUGELY exciting though not overly surprising how easy it is to spend the whole amount! Hopefully Ken will get me the rest of the pattern I a waiting on at least by tomorrow. I want to get my “to do” list more manageable!

Me!

All 5 in a row (Zander red)

Mid week comes so quickly lately, but we made this one count! Echo decided to make last night a late one and then once I got her settled and snuggled in my left arm went completely achy. So I stayed up LONGER to get that sorted… so not exactly an early morning.

Sleepy baby

So in the morning after watching our dinosaur movie AGAIN, having breakfast and all that, the kids settled down to read together (I know 4 kids, one book and TOGETHER! definitely picture worthy!).

Back to the dinosaur book (Zander light blue)

Our afternoon turned sunny and relatively warm after Ken and the kids woke up to frost on the ground, perfect weather for the big treat of the day – THE ZOO! Almost empty except for a few parents with their kids and a busload of teenagers we had the run of the place. Echo’s first zoo trip!

Mommy and Echo (with a screaming Emanuel in the back)

We didn’t see everything but we did get to see the guinea pigs (the ones that are left, there were originally more than 60 but someone poisoned the poor things).

Guinea Pig

Of course we had to stop at the favourite enclosure – the lemur. Actually the boys had a rather good idea which way to go to get there! The weather is still nice enough that they were in and out on both sides.

Playing lemurs

To top it off the tortoise was outside having a meal – the most Ken says he has EVER seen a tortoise move, they may be slow walkers but this one ate FAST!

Hungry tortoise

We wandered a bit but headed right over to see Lucy the elephant. We lucked out, she was out on her walk and taking a break to munch on the grass. This time the kids were much more excited and showed really no fear. When Ken went to take pictures from a different angle all 4 wanted to follow to see her eyes.

Lucy the Elephant

We tried to peek in at the tigers but they were not in their enclosure. We figure there were repairs being done. BUT the wolves were out and in fine form. Trinity LOVES the wolves – she calls them Harley – her word for dogs. We want to go back on the weekend for the 11:30 wolves presentation, just not THIS weekend.

Checking out the wolves (Zander left)

Our last stop was the Arctic foxes who we saw when they first had their babies. It is a large family and apparently a lot of work for the parents so they have  put up some coloured plastic in front of the glass that is immediately in front of their den. But they were running all over the place and the kids thought they were AMAZING. I figure in a couple weeks we will be back there, chilly weather or not, to visit those foxes some more!

Arctic Fox info

Arctic Fox

After our zoo experience we had some shopping to do. Our favourite produce chain has opened a brand new store here in the west end. Very fancy but still the great prices, and since today was their grand opening we got a free reusable bag as well! The kids were VERY impressed.

H&W

And at Walmart I managed to get something off my Baby Echo List – her Christmas dress! 18.00, size 0-3… the second piece is a little pair of pants so I still may need to pick up some tiny baby tights (far from my favourite but the baby legs are too big for her baby legs!). It is very sparkly and definitely what I had in mind. Great price too!

Echo's Christmas dress

After all that excitement the kids were settled down to do their pictures from their zoo trip. Zander did up the zebra (we saw them last time), Emanuel the elephant and Gavin the lemurs… ring tailed of course (his favourite).

Zander's zebra

Gavin's lemurs

Emanuel's Elephant

AND  THEN to amp them all back up – Ted, Fydo and Sean came over. Fydo was in town for work (he lives in the city we are considering moving to in the spring) so Ken picked him up and brought him over for the evening.

Fydo meeting Echo

That of course means we ended up with netbooks and xbox and other electronic games out. I do believe Trinity is now an addict! She got to play pacman with the joystick!!!

Little Gamer

An evening of gaming, and good company is certainly a great way to end our Wednesday.

Gaming

Of course that means less time for our to do list tonight but it is worth it! Tomorrow we have to get started on our official plan for the year to show our facilitator… among other things. Talk about a fun way to start our fall.

Happy girl at the zoo

I am further thwarted today with a severe lack of Toner… ok so I knew it was coming but it said order black toner for MONTHS and then now when I honestly needed it for school set up… it lets me down. BUT apparently tomorrow is the day! So the boys were left with what pages I had managed to print out and of course their educational games and toys. Which seemed to work relatively well.

The whole crew headed out after naps and played in the backyard. We are working on taking down everything but the swing set and packing or throwing out for winter so the pickings are slim toy wise but the swing set is always a win. And of course, since it rained or something last night they managed to find some mud to play in. What kid doesn’t love mud? Certainly not ours… they all came in a little grubby.

Drying off the play-set (Zander)

My Scottish needle case is coming along swimmingly. I am a little vague on the finishing directions… I think I have to find a piece of cardstock or something and cut it down  to size (not that I don’t have TONS of that). I can’t wait to see how it turns out!

Rose starting to show

We made it to the library today after our weekly run to get fruit and veg. I ordered all the books I could listed on our dinosaur lapbook and the kids are over the moon. We read the first book tonight as a bedtime story – If the dinosaurs came back by Bernard Most. Not a complicated story but a GREAT bedtime one, especially since this one came in the big book format.

Story time (Gavin right)

I ordered another round of pictures for scrapbooking purposes. I figure since Karyn has left her Cricut with us for another week I would do a few up for the weekend before I have to give it back. Such a fun toy, I am completely sold on wanting my own!

The kids did get to watch their dinosaur video this morning, and plan to repeat that process a couple more times in the near future. Emanuel is so excited that we are getting going with dinosaurs again. I figure this way no matter what we have a common theme through the first half of our year. Which reminds me that in 2 weeks we are having our facilitator over for one of 2 yearly meetings. Exciting and nerve racking. After all this is my first year actually signed up and dealing with a board. I am hoping we are doing enough and in a way that is positive and fulfilling for my kids! 28th of this month is the day!

Future students

So back to work on my needle case and baby snuggles… life is rather good!

Who can resist BABY FEET?

From last night... our little girl!