And the sunshine and warm weather came in spades today! And boy did we enjoy it! We had special lunchtime plans with Kristen and Fydo at their place. With their lovely deck and fenced backyard it was the perfect place for a bbq/picnic. Add to that  the kids being able to play with their OWN toys, bikes, etc… and wow was everyone HAPPY!

BBQ King

So there was our little slide that can easily be built and taken back down for Echo to learn all about! That slide has gone through all 5 kids and is in great shape! 

Each and every one of them did the slide this way!

After lunch – hotdogs and watermelon (total yum thanks guys!) on the blanket in the sun for the kids and the table on the deck for the adults it was  time to ride bikes.

Picnic!

Talk about utter bliss… of course the helmets were buried so we had to skip on those and the twins had to use the small bikes (large are still at warehouse) BUT they got to go… Kristen knew of the perfect path to take where we could see them far ahead and give them to freedom to pedal as hard as they wanted!

Pedal power

Echo rode in style in the stroller and Trinity took one of the scooters. Kristen and Trinity worked together to get the hang of it. 

Learning the scooter

By the time we returned from our walk the guys had unearthed a couple of buckets of Echo’s clothing and one of the boys’ summer gear so I was able to dig out some new bits. Some old favourites for Echo that were Trinity’s and a few more shorts for the boys. When we get moved in I am definitely going to Kijiji myself out of some clothing. Put it nice and cheap but you take ALL of it… I don’t want to keep anymore of the boys’ stuff, I had kept enough for a baby on up to now… and it is finally time to get rid of some of Echo’s outgrows. 

Before the garage spelunking expedition.. they are so programmers

We lucked out even further with TWO garbage bags of girls’ clothing waiting for Trinity to sift through thanks to Kristen’s sister. So the kids are good for the rest of the month, hot or cold! And some of those clothes that Trinity will grow into… SUPER cute!!! Ken and I are so appreciative when people do give us handmedowns. I don’t think the world at large understands how much that saves us money wise! A million thank yous to EVERYONE who has given us their outgrows over the years! I love being able to do the same. 

Once the garage was all filled back up and closed it was time to recollect the 9 of us and go for another walk. This one to the nearest park… which just happened to pass a Mac’s. So you can imagine what we did on the walk back! 

...and back to labeling until the glasses are repaired - Zander

Asleep

Big kids

By the time we got back to Kristen and Fydo’s it was time to head to Michaels for some craft supplies I needed and then back to Chris and Chris’. The kids were rather put out that they couldn’t stay longer and play with Kristen and Fydo and their own toys but it was such a lovely visit all the same. I picked up HELLO KITTY duct tape! YAY! So have that to add to my crafting process. In fact, tonight is a designated duct tape craft night. So it is bows and change purses all the way… I need to think on the purse for Trinity but it will happen too! 

First of the kitty

So our day has been quite the adventure. We saw friends we had not seen in ages, went to the park, ate outside, did a bit of shopping AND had slurpees. Though the kids were sad to see it end they were go go go all day. 

Look I was there too!

Aren't they cool?

a very good place to start! So… it has been a while since I have blogged properly and I DO have a good reason… Saturday did NOT go as planned! (well really the whole weekend went bust but who’s counting?) Ken showed up ready and willing to pick up keys, pay damage and first month’s rent… and sign a rental agreement but the owners did not! And have not contacted us otherwise. You can imagine how our little family reacted. No one was happy and Ken wasted 4 hours waiting around for them. Thankfully our original choice who has the electrical issues was willing to return our deposit and all that AND keep us top of the list should it come open this month (seriously the man is great! But we cannot wait around on a maybe)… so that was a bit of a pick me up! BUT that means the great hunt has recommenced. Joy??

Now for the REAL reason I have not been blogging… Saturday was a big boo hoo day so Ken sent me to Karyn’s overnight to enjoy the peace and quiet of her apartment and to do the girly grumble thing (with Echo in tow). We hung out, played on our iPads (no laptop thus no blog but the pre-done picture one) and were lazy! 

Baby and iPad

The kitty

On Sunday Ken was supposed to take the crew to Sunday School but instead spent his day on the phone and email with potential rentals… Sad that we could not make it to church and then to the afternoon church bowling event but so proud of Ken just jumping right back in and going for it. He has wasted NO time. In fact, once I was aware of the no show on Saturday and that Ken was waiting I too took to the Kijiji site and started calling around. Can’t let the world beat us!!

Sunday with Karyn was nice and relaxing… we slept in until Echo and Dare (kitty) woke us, one hungry the other expecting his insulin. Then we bummed around the house and chatted, bathed, etc… then it was time to go to get Victoria and go to the food court for lunch! YUM! I had to have Umi Sushi Express, and then we rounded it out with frozen yogurt! 

Victoria and Karyn had movie plans so it was time to head back to Chris and Chris’. In a much better frame of mind I might add! Some time away from the crowd was rather special for Echo as well! 

All cool and relaxed when she got back!

We read a book before bed Sunday night from the library… the app listed on the cover is available for free and rather cute! Be sure to check it out! 

The book

So that was my weekend in a nutshell… not the worst of my life but far from the best… so lets see if Mother’s Day weekend can be BETTER!!

Dria

It is hard enough to wake up on a day when plans have been through out the window (as this WAS another potential move in date on the new rental) but add to that the snow on the ground and the chill in the air in the middle (dead center) of April and honestly my heart was not in it. Thankfully my boys woke up right around when Echo did and the fact that today they were NOT grounded off Netflix was enough to make them all perky! If only adults could work the same way on a consistent basis! 

All around the computer

We have had a bit of a lazy Saturday though Ken was able to deal with picking up the bulk of our old damage deposit, one more thing basically off the list. Perks you up a bit to get one more thing done… mostly. 

I am still on the great iPad app hunt and finding more and more interesting ones along the way. We are still going through a list a friend from a homeschooling group gave me. She has a very extensive list, though some cost money so it will keep me busy. Again any and all suggestions I more than welcome them!

iPad time with Daddy

The first of our vehicle picks was not horrible, according to Sean, but would need repairs. So while it is not OFF the list we are hoping number 2 or 3 would be in better condition. The joys of a limited budget I guess. BUT it is a start. We have this week to get it sorted before the trip to the city the following week and Comic Con. I am told by all the guys that this is plenty of time as Ken has already made inquiries and ensured that the vehicles we are interested in are available for test drives. So one step closer to where we need to be to be calm and collected…

And with that I am debating an early bedtime. My sister in law Holly has completed all her procedures and surgeries and should be home either tomorrow or Monday. We are so thankful that her time in the hospital is coming to an end. 

A Victoria owl and his bunny friend