Tag Archive | Gabriella

Saying Good-Bye to Gabbi and Zachary

July 30-31

With 2 days until we say good bye to the cousins it was the best choice to have a final half day for the week with the kids on the 30th… And then embrace the cousin time!

On my suggestion on the 31st we packed up EVERYONE and headed to our now favourite beach. One last dip in the lakes for the cousins before they head to the coast. Not to mention a perfect opportunity for an outing (on a budget) with all 7 kids for Nana ans Baba. Not the warm beaches of Mexico but the kids had a blast.

We packed a picnic lunch… Lots of towels and toys and made much of the day of it!

I even got some crafting in!

Gabbi and Nana even caught a fish!!!!

With so much outside time they all settled into computers and fun inside.

We also were able to gift Zachary and Gabbi with a very special scrapbook the kids made up for them. Each page full of memories and special messages. And that was that.

Time for the kids to say good bye. Where did the month go??? I can report quite happily that after over 4 days they and their cats successfully made it to Florida in one piece! We shall certainly miss their company! But we wish them the best!

Happy Birthday Echo!

Aug13

August 13th is a very special day for our family. The baby of the group is officially FOUR! And still not on a Friday. We had already had a mini party with Chris and Renee and their family but today was THE DAY. So we dropped everything to do a wee bit of celebrating. Echo got to wear her new birthday dress (her gift from Mommy and Daddy this year that she helped to choose). Grandma and Grandpa Mike called for their birthday call and we went over to the local library branch where they had a beautiful flower display.

Then over to the park where Echo opted to open her gifts from Gammie and Aunty Holly, Uncle James and Cousin Jimmie. It was a special request… gifts opened ON the actual birthday. Who are we to deny such a reasonable request?

She was in love with ALL of them and not the least bit upset to not get the chance to run the park. Instead she walked the babies, tried on the backpack and checked out her new book.

With a run to the grocery for park snacks it was back to the house in time to open the gift from Aunty Faithe, Uncle Joe, Gabbi and Zachary mailed from Florida… Barbie movies!

Light lunch and we packed back up for Andrew’s Park complete with splash area and all! And best of all… Darcy and all 4 boys (though Anthony came and went).

Aidan with his belated (way) birthday present… I made him a soccer ball, he just happened to be wearing his jersey!

We had a blanket for the adults set between the wet and dry areas, a container of snacks and birthday CUPCAKES! We were set for hours and happy as clams.

Ken in my new hat

In and out of the water… up and down the park stuff.

Echo opened her very special gift from the Novaks complete with a mustache and TWO special teddies from Alex’s personal collection. She LOVED it all!

The kids seriously INHALED the cupcakes…

And of course splashed their hearts out…

Anthony’s dramatic hair dry

It was an amazing afternoon and the company could not have been more fun or entertaining.

We came home to a strawberry twinkie “cake” for miss Echo to blow the candles out of in front of Nana and Baba.

And topped the evening with Daddy building Echo’s special gift from Aunty Holly and family which she and Trinity combined their ponies and sets and smiled until bedtime!!!

So thank you everyone for the birthday wishes and those mentioned above for today’s gifts… our baby is growing up so quickly!

And In Blows May

Jun3

May 1-4

We started May with Wild Kratts.

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!!

The 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.

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!

We also busted out the chocolate bunnies… nibbles on ears and bunny tails…

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!!!

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.

We 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!