March is a special month – within the span of a week my brother AND my father have their birthdays. I will warn  you now… March was photo heavy!! And VERY delayed… but better late than forgetting all about the blog and giving up on it… right?

Our trend of almost every evening at the YMCA has continued. I think we are really taking full advantage of our membership right now.

Ken and I spent more than a few weekends with an evening at the indoor soccer games.

Some of those nights Aidan and Alex joined our kids to avoid having to go watch.

We spent some fun time with the Schwartz family.

Of course there was plenty of school going on.

We had a tiny bit of snow to enjoy.

We had a bit of a fashion show month.

The completions in class just keep on coming.

And I found time for some baking.

Don’t forget about St. Patrick’s Day!

Or our monthly Pizza Hut.

The sunroom has finally warmed, with the help of the new portable fireplace and a tidy room we have really been enjoying the space.

We finished up a redecorate on Emanuel’s room!

We also put up improved clothing rods for the girls!

I got in lots of crocheting time.

And found a yarn that reminded me of a famous painting.

Snuck in a cross stitch pattern – a birthday gift for my mom!

And after making them at Cluby, Trinity helped me make some knotted blankets for our sunroom chairs.

Spent some time at church.

It was great to spend time with friends who are family.

And just straight out family! 

Ken and I snuck out for our own time together too.

All while we played and learned and kept ourselves busy!

 

 

Hard to believe she is 8 already… And definitely her own girl as well. When asked what she wanted to do for her birthday this year she had a rather conclusive list:

1. Go to the YMCA to swim with JUST mom and Echo… so Daddy drops us off and LEAVES.
2. Opening presents with her brothers.
3. Dinner at Culver’s with the whole family.
4. Cake or cupcakes with Aunty Darcy and her boys (that last one will have to wait until a weekend of course).

The pool was basically empty (on the non lane side) except for us and after a minor blip of having forgotten out goggles and toy bag and having to call Daddy to drop them off we had a blast. I had to get the iPad out and email Ken to wait an extra half hour and come get us later.

I even packed a snack bag for the girls and myself. Echo angled successfully for an additional treat at the vending machines… I swear they ALWAYS go for the most irresponsible choice, though at the YMCA really the worst snack you can get is the rice krispie square.

We had a lovely stack of presents for Trinity to open, including a few items for the others. We had lovely parcels sent all the way from Canada and Aunty Holly, Uncle James and Cousin Jimmie, the items I made for Calli from our family AND a selection from Gammie all the way from Texas! Add to that yesterday’s FaceTime call from Nana and Baba and a phone call from Grandma in Canada after dinner and I think we did a good job covering the gift wish list.

Our afternoon had some minor classroom work, after all Mommy is a teacher at heart now, but for the most part we played on the new DS2D and hung out together in the bedroom.

Supper was at Culver’s, though Ken was kicking himself… WEDNESDAYS right now (apparently) are 2.00 kids meals… oops. Well we still spent less than you would eating out as a couple at a sit down restaurant and EVERYONE was full!

Cake will have to wait as we ended the day full up. BUT here are some more pictures from when I was playing with the camera of the girls. Happy Birthday darling Trinity.

There is no such think as unlucky Friday the 13th for this family. After all, in 2010 in the early morning of Friday, August 13th we welcomed Miss Echo into our family. And life has never been the same!

The baby of the family has officially hit a milestone. 5 is the age when she can start going to Home Depot for the monthly wood working craft (Just not September as we double booked ourselves that Saturday! oops!), she is of age to really join our classroom… and according to her – big enough to no longer have her cone in a cup at McDonald’s (the jury is out on that one when mommy had to eat a portion of her birthday cone in order to save the birthday outfit).

Anyway, the birthday DAY… Daddy spoiled her with birthday tiny toast (french toast cut into small pieces).

Grandma called all the way from Canada!

Miss Echo had her photos taken (with Trinity) at the flower garden outside the library.

While there she ALSO had her first present (from Gammie)… a unicorn… which brought a HUGE smile!

We had her actual birthday party on the Sunday following with Aunty Judy, Uncle Jim and Cousin Robbie. She helped pick out her own colours (blue) and her own cake (Olaf!) on her birthday when we were out running errands. Small and intimate and perfect. Though the poor thing took TWO MINUTES to blow her candles out… she kept blowing up. I was sure she would hyperventilate and pass out into her cake.

Talk about excitement, family, presents…

AND a battery for her inherited Barbie Car! Thanks Nana and Baba…

Definitely a 5th birthday to remember for Miss Echo. Now for the extra pictures to enjoy… Note the amazing batgirl bear from Aunty Holly, Uncle James and Cousin Jimmie!