And then came Wednesday… at 6am I called (Ken was exhausted from being up late into the night working using the netbook and worried that her surgery would be forced to the following week and we would be WITHOUT sitters) the number Alan left us (I had called the night before and left a message but with something so important we did not want to wait until the 8am time Alan was quoted that she would call back) and confirmed our changes. Thank goodness Thursday WAS an option AND we were scheduled as the FIRST surgery of the day. This meant the chances of being bumped due to ANOTHER emergency was slim to nil (though we in turn had bumped someone else… there were only 2 surgeries scheduled for Thursday). 

So that changed our rules for feeding her. Amazingly enough – still no food past midnight, but now we had to be at the hospital by 6 am for admitting (of course not AT admitting as the main hospital admitting office is not open that early but to the pre-op office we went to on Tuesday) for a 7am surgery. She was allowed breastmilk until 3 am and clear liquid until 4. We were given (on Tuesday) two jars of sugar water to give her as well… of course with our juice free lifestyle for the little one that was a no go! 

This left us with a day with nothing planned… and of course the need to call EVERYONE involved with the kids so that we had everyone in the know about our extra day in the city. Thankfully (she) Chris was able to take the Friday off and Karyn and Lauralee had already taken Emanuel and Trinity to the library program Tuesday night. Karyn was willing to take the twins to her place for a visit as well! They had been asking to see her place for some time now! 

With a day free Ken had to contact his contracts to alert them to the change in his days away from the computer and take advantage of the free time to do some of the work that needs to be done anyway. We had texts to make, a few phone calls and then… well Alan and Xinny were at work, Isabella sick (and sequestered AWAY from Echo) so that left Alexander, Izaac and Xinny’s mom (she is a lovely lady though does not speak much English). A nice and quiet home. 

Sean, who is still off work after breaking his foot (his walking boot is off but it is still not 100%) contacted us and offered to take us out for lunch and some fresh air. That sounded MUCH better than sitting in the house worrying about the surgery the next day! Once Ken finished up a tiny bit of work we packed up, said good bye to Alexander (who was going for his usual half day of school soon) and his grandma and headed out to Denny’s.

At Denny's

After Denny’s we stopped a grocery store and then back to the den Otter’s where Sean hung out for the afternoon as we rested up, napped Echo (and myself) and Ken continued getting work done. Alan had to work late but Xinny came home before supper. She made ribs and Ken made mashed potatoes. Ken also ran out to get Alan when he was finally done so that he would not have to take the lengthy bus ride. 

Cuddle time with Uncle Sean

The evening was also quiet, with Ken and myself both on pins and needles and watching how Echo was coughing and behaving. She nursed at midnight and then that was it (again sugar water NO GO). I actually headed to bed (cell in hand to text with a few friends to calm my nerves) a little early and plugged everything in that needed charging. After all… Thursday was going to be EARLY! We figured I had to be up by 4:30 and Ken by 5 at the latest so we could get out the door by 5:15 and on our way to the hospital with LOTS of time to spare! 

Echo and Izaac

Today I want to start with linking a great blog. HERE is her most recent entry on her choice in wearing the traditional hijab headgear. The video at the end is wonderful! I wish the world would just accept that people CAN make educated choices… not EVERYONE is forced to do things… tolerance is so important as is finding your own path to that higher power in the world! 

I think what struck me about the above blog entry is how people’s reaction to my friend are not unfamiliar to me… I get my own version in regards to other things in my life… not religious based but at the same time close to my heart… like when people realize that all 5 kids running around with me are mine, or that I stay home with them, or that I am homeschooling… there are people who look at me like I MUST be locked in the house and in turn forcing my kids to accept the same isolation. How dare I CHOSE to stay home! After all, anyone who is educated MUST want a career outside the home! And, in all actuality, I faced this BEFORE I was even married! In my last semester of University before I graduated I took a Women’s Studies course (it was one of my required credits) and during the span of the class we covered all sorts of issues. What stands out in my mind was when the professor asked me what I planned to do in the future. Well I admitted that regardless of my education, my career my choice was to stay HOME with my kids. I was told that was not the right choice, as any woman would want to have more than that. Well, I can accept that SOME women want something ELSE but more? This is my career, my job and one of my passions. My children, family, their education, the well being of my husband (who seriously DOES need to be reminded that coffee and caffeinated beverages are NOT meals in and of themselves), the crafts I do, the special moments I have – THESE are my life and the direct result of my choices. And that holds merit. 

That is not to say there are NOT people forced into lifestyles, forced into religions, forced into anything you can imagine but that by no way means paint everyone with the same brush! Just like I wear a cross, my friend wears her head covering. That is a choice between each of us and that higher power… I live my life for myself not because it was dictated… so those poor you looks really are not merited. That is not to say I don’t have poor me moments (oh trust me Friday night I was wallowing in a large one of those), but my 5 kids are precious, their education something I LOVE being in charge of and staying home – well my home is my work and I am proud of it! 

And now back to our daily life… not much occurred of great note on Friday… the kids were certainly NOT working WITH me. This has been a hard week with Ken working hard to get his Saturday cleared. We had to postpone Gavin’s first skating experience to Friday and late in the day at that! Ken and Gavin went out without helmet (oops) but had a blast giving skating a first go. We have to return this pair of skates but I am hoping I can get my hands on a second boy pair so that both of the twins have have at least a few more goes before the weather permanently moves to spring! 

Gavin

We read two more books with a St. Patrick’s Day theme. One had listed in it some instruments we were not familiar with so now we have some research to do on Monday. Each of the twins has already chosen an instrument of interest and we will fill in the gaps on some more exotic others. I am hoping we can at least look for interesting tidbits of knowledge for them to share with others. With 2 weeks until the day we have plenty of time to find out more and more about the Republic of Ireland. We are already going much deeper and further than I expected with their intense interest! I am so glad! 

Books!

We have added our knowledge about St. Patrick himself along with an illustration Emanuel coloured for us. Our folder is now in a binder though I am hoping to get to the Dollarama and find a GREEN binder to better store our endeavors. There is a little of each of the kids in this one. I have requested some fairy story books as well, so we will do some reading and discussing… I am so lucky with friends on Facebook who are more knowledgeable than I in regards to Ireland!

Saturday was a whirlwind sort of day… we had the whole family out the door by 11 am (I know INSANE!) in our borrowed van (fear not our part IS through customs). Without any sort of complications (seriously this IS my family??? What the!) we headed out to the city. One stop at Walmart to get a present for the birthday boy (1 yr old already!) and we were on our way to the den Otter’s. 

The kids always have a blast with the den Otters. There was toys and friends and nibbles… what more could our kids ask for? Well, for once… NOTHING! AND there were NEW friends to meet too! 

Kids everywhere

Alan’s sister Rachel and her family were there as well. Their middle child was a smaller baby too! It was so nice to talk to someone who had experienced the tiny but healthy baby! Apparently her husband has family in city here… so I hope to visit with them more often. 

There was cake for the adults and a jelly treat for the kids and of course the singing of Happy Birthday to Izaac! 

Cake

Noms

Of course there were presents to be opened!

Presents

And a photo op with our youngest god daughter. I had not seen her in well over 6 months! Which also meant in turn that Echo got to see one set of her godparents. She was a little shy and gravitated right to Sean. Don’t forget Uncle Ted… It was great to get to see so many friends that we are now so far from. I am hoping once our van is fixed (come on part get here already!!) we can start doing an every other month visit like we used to way back when before we lived in the city in the first place. 

Anna and Echo

Again

Now there are two stores (well three if you count T&T though we did not make it there) I miss A LOT – H&W and Bulk Barn and for once traveling corresponded with the time to stop AND the cash to spend there. First stop H&W to get fruit and vegetables where I was complimented by the cashier for taking all 5 kids out shopping. She was impressed by them being under control AND us being calm with them. 

Then Bulk Barn where one of the employees went out of her way to tell us THANK YOU for keeping our kids under control! She said so many people let their kids run wild… I cannot imagine, especially with the barrels of food unsealed. We got spices and noodles and snacks… and cereal! It felt good to actually be able to get the odd items we used to once every week or so. It felt normal and I need as much normal as I can before the 21st…

When we got home and unloaded the kids ran around a bit while Ken napped and then it was time for the long sought after time with Daddy. Down to the basement for PS3 games. I love that he is working so hard to have more time for our family. We have missed him.

Game time with Daddy

We have our house guest back until Monday night again. Sean is still off work due to his broken foot but optimistic that in another week or so he will be back on restricted work. 

Sunday was SUPPOSED to be Sunday School but after our busy Saturday both Mommy and Daddy were absolutely worn out. Instead we let the kids play in the living room and rested. It is so rare that we take a full morning off… and the resulting mess really wasn’t that bad! The weather was perfect for the boys to pretty much live outside in the afternoon I am hoping they will finish what they are created by tomorrow so I can take a picture to share!

So cute

We also cleaned ALL the bedrooms upstairs. I went through Trinity’s clothing and sorted out the too smalls… we attempted another sort through of the toys and I am hoping she can keep up with it a little longer. I hope that in the next 6 months or so I can pick up another dresser to put her dolls and dolly clothing in, maybe even teddy bears. Storage is always an issue with kids. 

Tidy room

Sunday evening we had a game night with potluck nachos and a new game! Bridge Troll. It took a bit of explaining but once we actually started playing it wasn’t bad at all. 

New game

Playing with Fydo

I am almost done my special barrette for Echo to wear post surgery. I am using ribbons I salvaged from the wand Trinity had that had broken. I finally hunted down my heart shaped crystals and plan on adding one to the center. Hopefully it will be done for tomorrow! I didn’t have the chance to plug in the hot glue gun today.

So the weekend is over and it is time to make the most of our week. I’ll leave you with a few more pictures of the birthday boy!!

Echo and her boyfriend

Birthday boy

The den Otter family

And one more of Echo for good measure

There are days where you keep on schedule and days when you don’t. Those days that you don’t can be due to a positive addition or a negative… today we DIDN’T keep to schedule and the reason was a VERY fun and welcome one. An afternoon visit from one of my mother’s brothers… Great Uncle Wayne. Not only did he visit but he brought a large box of Legos AND t-shirts… I have the 5 cutest McLean clan members EVER! 

In their matching shirts

So our afternoon of Inuit lapbook assembling was vetoed in favour of a visit with a favourite uncle. Not a loss in my mind! There was lots of Lego creating, adult company for Mommy and a chance for Echo to show off her new found ability to walk. It really doesn’t get old! And the kids were so busy they never even THOUGHT of going down to bother their Daddy (who was swamped with work!). 

We did get in some workbook time in the morning AND the boys started their St. Patrick’s Day decorations. A good standby for our family – paperchains! This time in green of course. The boys are VERY good with the staplers. 

Paperchains!

Oh and Gavin read this to me pretty much all by himself!

I have been prepping worksheets (I will share what links I have later) and finding green craft supplies. We will be making shamrocks tomorrow with green cardstock, glitter and all things green and crafty… Ken picked up some library books for me as well, I managed to find a few on why St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated (beyond the green and the beer). 

I realized that I had not shared the amazing 5.00 boots! So here is a picture! I am still getting used to them and have worn them only twice BUT it is so nice to have something a little more fashionable! 

The boots

And while visiting took the place of organized learning I DID manage to get my owls done tonight. 4 St. Patrick’s Day themed owls. I am going to put two up on my Facebook page right away and am toying with Kijiji as a medium to get some sales. I have a shelf of the little owls and would love to free up space for the Easter socks I have in mind to buy!! As always I am keeping them at 10.00 plus shipping. 

All 4 owls... you can find the two for sale on the Facebook site I have listed on the right.

There has been no word on the part for the van. Apparently it did not only come from out of province but also out of country! Just across the border into the US so they are thinking… customs (seriously… a 15.00 USED part…). We are hoping it will get here SOON as little Izaac’s birthday party is on the 3rd and we would rather go in our own vehicle (though I have a back up plan). 

So owls are completed, plans have been made for tomorrow AND the weekend looks like some stuff WILL be going on (we will see what we manage to make it to!)… keep checking back! 

The littlest MacLean baby (so far! cousin is due shortly)... I think my grandparents would have been proud