So we are still grounded to the vicinity of Chris’ and Chris’ during the day BUT we have managed to have some fun all the same. This morning the kids went outside and ran and ran and ran. Having toys from Grandma’s outside REALLY has helped that along. And then it was time for the new craft bucket. Everyone made something and the mess was not too out of control!

Today was the first iPad use day for the kids. They ALL lost 10 of their original 30 min last night with messing around at bedtime. Trinity got to go first and Zander lost 5 additional minutes (down to 15) for coming right over to watch over her shoulder. The he and Gavin lost 5 min for back talk and not following instructions (for those keeping track that had Zander at 10, Gavin 15, and the other two at 20 min.). Hopefully this incentive will help us to move out of the bad behaviour (regardless of all of our frustrations) and into the good books again.

Echo helping with time out

iPad and Baby

My sister in law is still awaiting surgery. We thought she would go in today but there was an issue with a stone kicked out and now they have tests and waiting to go through first. Thankfully her mom is with my nephew and my brother is able to work but their family needs her back. So please keep a positive thought/prayer/whatever for her and her healing. We are hoping whatever needs to be done is done ASAP and she is able to come home and recover in peace! 

Today was a workbook day for the twins… lots and lots of math. And for the most part done quietly and without complaining. Actually a nice change… lots of completed pages needing stickers and even Zander (who usually just rushes) didn’t have many mistakes! Makes a mom proud!

We had a super special treat in the form of a family trip out to the park that is a couple blocks away. Everyone got a chance to play and run and yell… though we had to head home after almost an hour due to a splinter (Trinity). I am so glad we managed to get out and play. 

Mommy and mini me

Why so serious?

Attempting the swing

Smiles

ME!

Cuz we love PARKS

Yesterday I finished a few more bows bringing my total for the past week up to 10. I will post pictures of those tomorrow. Tonight has been a stitchy night with one owl done, and more bodies made (thanks again Victoria). I need some men’s socks to make some bigger owls… my mom wants one for Gypsy. I seriously need to find some sad and lonely socks to add to my stash! 

We have managed a pretty fun day, and I have started putting out feelers for good FREE educational Apps. As usual, if you are aware of any, please send them my way! Hopefully TOMORROW I will have news on the rental AND the van situations! 

See you tomorrow

And Easter is over… we are back with the Chris’ and hopefully this is our week of completions… Lots of calls to be made that is for sure! Sadly I didn’t get around to blogging Easter Monday… a combination of travel, frustration with some situations and of course the worry over my sister in law’s health (add to that her being out comic con babysitter for the boys at the end of the month and…). She is still in the hospital of course and her mom flew into Alberta (from Texas) tonight. Thank goodness! I am on call if they need more help later but it looks good. Once surgery is done recovery is supposed to be relatively short. 

Our Monday was a rather nice day. We woke up at Grandma’s, had breakfast, played outside… enjoyed the morning… I finally got a chance to try on the classic lolita dress I bought last year to have mom examine it. All we had to do was alter the elastic around the arms and I am in business… of course all the accessories I have amassed so far are in storage BUT I have the dress and a crinoline I have plans for altering to be more… poofy. 

Tv...

Outside fun

And of course cute baby

We had lunch, tidied up, said good bye to Gypsy and it was time to head back to Chris and Chris’ and return their van. The kids were rather unimpressed as they were sure we should have stuck around longer (mom and Mike had to head to the city and left before us so they were hoping we would stay until the grandparents returned). If we can sort out our van purchasing the hope is to head back to visit in the near future. 

Don't forget Gypsy...

And the binky she ate

Do not forget the great peeps experiment that the menfolk here HAD to try… apparently putting a marshmallow peep in the microwave is considered scientific to grown men! I have to admit it WAS funny.

After microwave and before microwave

Of course, we are still in a holding pattern on the van AND the rental… first proper business day after the long weekend… BUT our homeschooling board was open so today I was able to not only get my PO number BUT also get to Staples and pick up our very own iPad 3! Funding covered our iPad and extended Apple warranty but I am going to have to save up (or get for my birthday in June hint hint) a cover. VERY exciting. 

iPad in all it's glory

I also got a couple packages of special markers, a phonics hands on sort of thing AND a bucket of craft supplies. So hopefully that will help with the boredom somewhat. 

Today we made use of what we have around us for our one school activity. I took the inside cardboard piece from one of the seasonal boxes of chocolates shaped like a bunny and we used that as a template to make some simple Easter books. The twins wrote some of the stuff they did for Easter, Emanuel made some lovely pictures and Trinity did her own thing. We used stickers mom had for the eggs that were left over and there you go! Something fun and pretty. AND something they can show the facilitator. 

Making Bunny Books

We are still progressing but I am keeping it rather low key. I look forward to returning to our things and our own space so that we can jump into our homeschooling more fully and with more mess and bother. 

With Storytime too

I have been working on bows lately. I have some I completed tonight but the ones from a few days back I have pictures of… I am trying to use different colour combinations and play around with things more. It keeps my mind occupied and is helping me create a stock pile for a craft sale I have agreed to be a part of in June. A friend back where my mom lives is doing a charity drive and wanted me to sell my crafts. I give them a door prize and 10% of my sales! I have asked some other crafty friends to join in and hope we can fill a table and maybe even sell some things! 

Pretty in purple

I combined two patterns with matching colours on this one

Lots of red

Gotta use that Halloween ribbon

In fact, today after work Karyn made the drive out to school me in iPads and to visit with the kids AND to drop me off some socks without mates that Victoria was able to spare! Random socks are the best!

SOCKS

Miss Karyn and Echo

A pro with the iPad (this is Karyn's white one)

Well tomorrow will hopefully continue our positive trend… I am going to do my very best to help it along! But for now I have bows to finish, an iPad to learn and Apps to find! 

Don't forget ECHO'S grandma sandals!

Happy Easter everyone! We have had a marvelous day! Start the morning off with Grandma and Grandpa Mike’s from scratch waffles with berries and whipping cream and go from there! Then it was time to pack the kids up and head to Walmart for the traditional shopping of the sandals. 

So happy

Everyone got what they wanted – Trinity girly pink, Zander transformers, Emanuel Lightning McQueen and Gavin after near tears and an accidental dropping of sandals – ones that LIGHT UP. It can be so difficult to find the right thing for each kid! This time we did an amazing job of doing so. 

We did have to run back to Walmart with Emanuel to exchange his, we somehow grabbed 13s on the way out of the shoe section when we actually needed 11s. He had a blast in Grandma’s convertible (with the top up as it is still spring in Alberta… EARLY spring) with Mommy and Grandma ON HIS OWN. 

Just like at Chris and Chris’ we had EGGS to dye! AND Uncle Wayne to join us. Traditions are wonderful. Mom boiled a ton of eggs, we made up a bunch of dye cups, brought out the white crayons and fun ensued. Messy fun, everyone got involved (except Echo who was napping). Good thing Mike enjoys hard boiled eggs!

EGGS

Kept them busy

Then it was time for the gifts from mommy, daddy and the Easter bunny – a whole bucket of bubble soap and bubble wants and Kinder Surprise Eggs. So much excitement and chocolate (which by the way Echo did NOT like… though she did like the cow’s milk she had Saturday for the first time).

BUBBLES

Kinder eggs

Don’t forget the actual church clothes Easter pictures!!! I gave each of the kids their sock owls as well, I love my mom’s couch for pictures.

Cheese

A vision in white

The kids have loved the added space that Grandma has at her house, the freedom and their own rooms. Oh and don’t forget all the toys. We are borrowing a couple containers of Grandma’s outside toys  to take back to the Chris’ for the rest of our time there. At least then the kids can do something outside of the house for longer than 15 min. Fingers crossed the bowling set is the key to familial harmony. 

Me and my mommy

Oh and our special dip!!

Gypsy has also fallen in love with Echo, though the snacks she has been sneaking her has been helping that along. It is so cute watching the giant dog follow the tiny baby around the house and vice versa. She is a very well behaved dog. Emanuel even went with mom and Uncle Wayne and walked the dog HIMSELF most of the way!

The Gypsy

Supper was delicious with ham as the centerpiece… sadly after dinner we got some unpleasant news… my sister in law Holly is in the hospital for gall bladder surgery. Please keep her in your prayers and positive thoughts. This was very unexpected and has put their little family into quite an upheaval. We are currently trying to figure out a way to deal with my nephew Jimmie. He is in school for full days but someone needs to be there before and after. I am waiting to hear what her mother’s plans are for travel (she is in Texas) but if she can’t make it Echo and I may have to pack up and catch a ride to the city for a few days at least. 

The kids are slightly unimpressed with the knowledge that our time at Grandma’s is coming to an end. We have promised that once a van is purchased we will plan another visit but for the kids… well they LOVE their grandparents and this house has become a second home to them. I am glad, it reminds me of how I felt about my maternal grandparents’ home. It was comfortable and happy and… a good place to be! 

Hanging with the VERY popular Grandpa Mike