I just realized that I had not linked the instructions for making the Lucky Stars, just pictures and the finished stars. So HERE are the instructions I use.

Today is a civic holiday here in Alberta – Family Day. Since we have had such a busy week and weekend and the weather is still so chilly I decided to keep the girls here at home and send the boys out. Trinity definitely needed her daily nap and Echo has rather poor circulation in her feet like Ken does.

Ken ran into the library to get the “Welcome Baby” package for Echo – it comes with her very own library card. There is lists of suggested books for her and of course a brand new board book!

Welcome Baby Booty

After running into the library they went to the grocery store for the beginning of our meal plan – quiche and Caesar salad.

Noms

And then FINALLY they made it over to the local hill for some sledding (after all it was ONLY -11 Celsius!). Even Ted got on the sled.

Ted on a sled (Zander standing)

But my favourite is a video of all 4 of my boys on one little sled going down the hill!

I am working on some intense backstitching on my long time unfinished Teresa Wentzler… I can show a detail picture but I want to save sharing a picture of the entire piece until it is finished!

So much stitching

After everyone was back home and Trinity up from her nap I settled the kids down to do a craft. A friend who was downsizing last year sent us some craft kits and books. The glue was no longer usable but the instructions and other bits were perfect. Hand art!

Crafting away (Gavin right)

Gavin's Octopus

We officially completed our Frog Lapbook today, putting in the last part – each of the boys’ hand printed sentence on something new that they learned about frogs. They are very proud of the lapbook, the bulk of which was found at this site. We have not got a new focus set up for tomorrow so it is looking like workbooks and talking about what to do next. Though I am REALLY leaning towards going back to our dinosaurs and starting up the lapbook. I have most of the bits printed out for that, though I have to reprint a few things once we have colour toner again (soon soon, just getting the store to talk to our board for a payment order).

Zander and Gavin and a large portion of the lapbook

Trinity asked for new barrettes so last night I made her up a set in bright green ribbon. They turned out very bright and pretty. I have a few ideas for Echo but have to pick up some Velcro.

Very green!

With Ted and Sean over for the day (and last night) it has been a wonderful long weekend, and one of our last with this ease of visiting with the guys. It is going to be hard for us to be over an hour away… especially with Sean’s car broken down and Ted without a car himself. I am sure we will manage but it will be a MAJOR change. (of course in return we will be closer to more of MY friends and family, so definitely a trade off)

So with Emanuel’s bed (formerly the twins’ bed) assembled in his room – to be rearranged tomorrow, and the kids a little over done from sledding I am ready for a quiet evening. Hopefully!

Trinity, Baby and the new clips

So the zoo was… chilly and for some reason the drop in program was not going on. BUT one of the zoo keepers was nice enough to bring out an armadillo for us to touch and learn about! And she let us know that she had to turn the lights on in the nocturnal area long enough to put it back and waited until we could get there so we could see the critters in there with the lights on for a couple minutes. The kids felt that that was even MORE fun than seeing frogs (after all we have one at home – which they of course alerted the zoo keeper to… actually Frogger has been nice enough to shed his skin the past couple days which has illustrated another of the things we learned about frogs).

Meeting the armadillo - this is the only breed that closes itself entirely into a ball!

Three-Banded Armadillo

We stopped by the lemurs (as per our usual pattern). Where the red chested lemur was nice enough to sit right up at the glass and have a peek at everyone. We also go an amazing picture of one of the little monkeys (don’t ask me which one it was). It sat there and watched the kids forever!

Too darn cute!

The Arctic foxes were out in their white coats confusing the kids who expected them to be in their summer colours. There is going to be a new polar display next winter that is supposed to be state of the art. We are planning on coming back into the city for that one upon its completion.

Arctic Fox

It was chilly and we were definitely not there overly long but it was worth it with our passes. I want to heave over to the conservatory early in March and back to the zoo at least two more times before we have our leisure passes expire. I think we have done a good job of using them, though we have not been swimming. I want to head back to mom’s and go with her to the pool there. It is rather kid friendly.

Zander, Gavin, Emanuel and Trinity

Echo asleep

Mommy and Trinity

So yesterday was a rather quiet day for us, lots of cleaning and Ken working on projects with upcoming deadlines. I started making the lucky stars for Anna for her first birthday. I have a jar left over from the set I bought for Trinity’s first birthday to fill for now. (I got them at IKEA, I think they are spice jars) I am not sure if I have enough papers for both girls BUT I have alerted Ken to the fact that all I need is around 2-3 dollars to order more so if he has a credit card with little or no on it to pass it my way.

Beginning stars

I did get another barrette done. This one is the Easter Bunny and the instructions can be found here. My bunny is a bit thinner than the example but cute all the same. I am going to tweak it some once I get some more white grosgrain ribbon. All I have is a more satin type and it does not hold form as nicely as the grosgrain. Tons of steps on this one and I used fabric glue for the eyes (we will see how that holds). But the result is CUTE.

Bunny Clip

For the first time ever the boys are ALL asking for winter to be over. And these are the kids that were asking for snow in JULY! I think we are all a little weary of the cold and the ice. I know I would love to be able to  get out the door without having to figure in about 15 min to make sure everyone is bundled up, boots on the correct feet and blankets in hand if needed,

I am a bit worn out myself after today’s zoo experience in the cold and then Ken being gone for the rest of the afternoon helping Nathan and Ada to move to their new apartment (they didn’t move everything but have another week to do that yet). The kids were wired for sound when the three little ones were not asleep. Thank goodness it is QUIET in the house at night. Now if only all the carseats and the two middle seats from the van WEREN’T in the middle of my livingroom… grr.

Dinner tonight - with spices from Ted (his dad brought here from Ethiopia) talk about delicious.

So the Tooth Fairie is destined to make ANOTHER trip to our home tonight. Gavin lost his second tooth this morning during breakfast. He now has lost BOTH of his front bottom teeth (this time it is his right front bottom). It is not as noticeable as it could be as the adult teeth are already growing up behind. But talk about EXCITEMENT, everyone had to tell me he lost a tooth and that he would put it under his pillow tonight (time for the tooth fairie to make a run to the store I guess). Our boys are really growing up!

TWO missing teeth

Our trip to The Mall to check out a hat (when I have the cash I am so getting), see the fish (a success) and wander the Chinese grocery was fun. Well up until we got through the till at the grocery and had to face the Hello Kitty display at the gift shop while putting our mittens back on. I DID see a compact there for under 10.00 that I think I may have to go back and get her for her birthday! And they had watches and stationary supplies and and and… Mommy and Trinity were in Kitty heaven (not to mention all the food items that were branded Hello Kitty – so cruel to our almost 3 yr old Hello Kitty fiend).

Fish watching (Gavin middle)

Our goodies

We made paper flowers today as a family (well besides Ken who was working). Ken cut out our pieces of paper and then we assembled them together. The instructions for the Heart Flower Craft are right here. We have just sort of slid into spring crafts a little early (after all the weather got cold again and snow has been coming down lightly all day). We have decided to make another poster. I am thinking this one will be ringed with handmade flowers.

Heart Flowers

Gavin and Emanuel spent some time with our new foam pieces my mom gave us making flowers on stems. Before that Zander and Gavin just made flat ones to put on the poster. Glue, foam shapes and pipe cleaners and so much fun with a little imagination. It has not been explained to me who all was going to get these new flowers but I am sure there will be some gifting of flowers before February is done.

Foam flowers

Oh while remembering Hello Kitty – I got another of my eBay purchases again today (wow is stuff coming quickly from Hong Kong this month!)… Hello Kitty lucky star papers. I have some folding to do, and some instructions to hunt back down. I did up a bunch for Trinity for her first birthday – so she could have as many wishes as there were stars. They sit on her dresser now!

Hello Kitty

So that leaves one more order. also from Hong Kong… maybe I will luck out and get more mail tomorrow? It is always nice to get fun mail like this!

It was game night tonight – we played Monopoly Junior. We didn’t finish the game but got the hang of it! Lots of counting and turn taking!

Game night (Gavin red)

So the rest of my evening should be at least a little crafty and a lot resting. Still have to find time tomorrow to take pictures of Echo and if Ken can trim the twins’ hair, their pictures on Friday!!

6 months old, can you believe it?