July 14-17

Monday the 14th was the first day of our VBS at our own church. We did make sure to go over on the 13th after all the other fun stuff and help set up.

The whole experience was pretty amazing. We had a Monday through Thursday program of half days. 9am to noon. One thing it DID show us is that we really do enjoy our flexible beginnings in our mornings. Our homeschool day starts BETWEEN 8:30 and 9… depending on our eating schedule and if we all have a late evening.

The kids were broken up into 4 groups and we had kids in each one. I was in charge of following along with the littlest ones. Ages 3-5… lots of adorable energy. By day 4 they were rather fed up with the routine. I think it was really the little guys’ limit at that point. It was nice though, while the twins were together it was fun for the other 3 to spread their wings a little. And since Echo was only MOSTLY potty trained I really had to be there anyway.

We had various stations… science, craft, storytime, music, snack and games. I was the only one who was attached to an age group and not a station. Each day there was the same rotation for each group so it was nice and consistent.

There was lots of creativity… snacks were themed as well and the pastor was there to open 3 of the 4 days. We had one day with no water due to road work but we managed! And the science teacher brought owl pellets for the big kids to dissect (just like we had seen on Dirty Jobs… the boys were so excited!).

So here are the pictures… I tried to get a bit of everything and everyone. So much fun!!!!

The best I can say is – rental tomorrow… and my personal response – DARN WELL BETTER! For those keeping track – that makes our rental appear a week after the mess truly started with the baliff first showing up at our door. This means this ALL could have been avoided if collections had answered their phone Thursday morning or better yet – had their system set up to recognize the agreement they made with us to hold our payments in the first place!

Now onto some other news I forgot to share! Earlier this month Miss Trinity was asked to be a flowergirl for a June wedding. Of course we said YES! She will only be 2 so a little young but the bride is more than willing to have one of us escort her up the aisle with the ring bearer… so Ken is going to purchase a new dress shirt and I have upped my budget for my wedding fancy dress. This is going to be a first for us – a much more traditional Chinese wedding than we have ever been to before! Exciting! Apparently there is a THREE HOUR dinner… we are debating taking all 4 kids or just Trinity and Emanuel (easier manageable and Emanuel is the one who would enjoy the meal the most!). All in all very exciting! The dress is being taken care of by the bride’s mother who lives in China. I actually  got Trinity’s dress for my MOM’S wedding off eBay from a store based in Hong Kong and was very happy with it. So much more affordable!

I have to say there is one unexpected benefit to all this … frustration … I have been stitching like crazy on my commission to the point where I finished the text and am working my way around the vine like green border. I imagine I will soon make it to the point where I wait on Ken to alter the design slightly to suit the individual this piece is destined to be given to.

Taking Shape!

I started my searching for Easter workpages… mazes, word searches (that will be a first for the boys), colouring pages, even counting pages have been printed out. I am also planning on adding a “game a day” rule to the house so that each day we play some game with the boys that is either educational or family oriented.

I am now thoroughly behind on my mailing. I think I still have a few Christmas envelopes  to get out and I KNOW I have Valentines to send people. I am hoping everyone is understanding and just excited to get mail no matter how LATE it is! March is definitely going to be my “catch up month.”

We have opened most of the birthday Play Doh and started using the new pens with their books. We managed to keep busy while Ken spent a large part of the day (once again) on the phone. I am certainly looking forward to freedom once again when we are back with a vehicle, as it is our trip to the Biography Fair is looking like a definite no go.

Queen of the Play Doh

Well Tuesday is over and with Wednesday up in the air I am just glad that we are safe and sound at home for the night… just have to remain optimistic for the rest of the week I guess!

Optimism Personified