Tag Archive | MAG

Adventures of a Sunday Nature

Sunday, what sort of adventures did we have on Sunday… well quite a few actually! First off the whole family had to be up and out the door by 8am… this is actually a bit of a struggle when you add in IN THEIR CHURCH CLOTHES to the equation, but we managed. Thankfully I had everything we could need or think we needed in bags and ready to go. We left Sean sleeping downstairs, the dog outside to play with her across the alley friend and packed up and headed out. Straight on to the church and Sunday School in our Sunday best. 

We managed to dress Echo perfectly in red for the Pentecost Sunday and met up with the NEW minister… he is freshly ordained and VERY nice. We had a chance to speak to him, get some spiritual support and find out that he lit a candle for our family in prayer at the Synod convention this past week. I felt so blessed. AND he says that once we are back in town there is no issue with me lining up some time to come to the church and talk to him. I just want someone other than Ken to share my thoughts with who can be a support system. 

The right colour for the Sunday

Playing in the cry room

After chasing Echo in the cry room and saying hello to people, dropping off the costumes that mom made to finish off the series with the man in charge of them and helping practice next week’s costume dedication songs it was time for church. Now, with 5 kids and the service starting around Echo’s nap time (at 10:30) we usually do NOT stay…  but… this Sunday we were part of the service as it was finally the dedication and welcome of the new members. I am so glad we ran into the minister BEFORE service as that allowed us to sneak out after that point and head on our way to the next adventure on our adventurous Sunday. 

My family

So with church thoroughly enjoyed (the twins even got to draw chalk drawings outside)… and the family back in the van it was time to find an internet connection… thank you Starbucks parking lot… change everyone OUT of their Sunday finery and check the emails to make sure nothing new had come up that we could accomplish in the city… Well there was an errand to run but nothing else… 

With everyone in spring casual again it was time to head out of town, this time to Chris and Chris’ to pick up the all important Chinese New Year poster and some mail I had sent to their place. This was a solo endeavor by Ken. The kids were cranky and time ticking to make plans to meet up with friends. As well, She Chris has been under the weather since the day we left for mom’s so less was best. 

From there it was to the No-Frills which had an awesome 1.00 sale going on. We are very careful when it comes to eating out on day outings like this… with 7 people to feed cheaper is better and going to a grocery store for sandwich fixings, water (great sale I am telling you) than eating out. This No-Frills is actually attached to our clinic where our family doctor is! 

One more internet connection to be found to check email and then on to the MAG to see the new displays. We met up with THREE people this time – Karyn, Victoria and her friend Fatima. So we made a new friend while we learned about proper food preparation and Chinese immigrants who came during the gold rush etc etc. Ken had to dart out for the errand which left me in charge of all 5 with the ladies for help… so we multi tasked as well! I am so helping that those keeping an eye peeled for us can find us the coupons (when they come out) for the free family pass for a year again! We love the MAG. 

Running before we get educational

Then the fish in the entrance

Me and my baby

Zander in one of the Chinese outfits they had to play dress up in

How much cycling does it take to burn off a chip? (Gavin)

A bit of history

One more stop before we said good bye to the city and headed back to Grandma’s – this time a combo. Ken dropped me and the kids off at Dollarama and then went across the parking lot to empty out the old van (bye bye Quest). We shopped all over the place, everyone got a treat and I picked up some things for my craft table. I am almost ready I think, I have some bright containers, baggies for bows to ensure bought bows do not get dirty when taken home, and black Velcro. YAY! It was actually a rather fun walk through. 

A surprise find! RC Cola!

When all was said and done it was around 3:30 when we went through McDonald’s to get apple slices for the kids and head back to home (well where home is for now). We even stopped off at the pharmacy on the way back into town and Gavin got to see his god mommy Christine and give her a specially coloured picture! A fulfilling and FUN day. We ran, we played, we learned and we celebrated… all necessary Sunday activities don’t you think? And we came home to a rather rested puppy who had an afternoon playdate with her bestfriend (thanks again Ashley). 

Worn out kiddos

We also had a Sean to visit with before he had to head home to get ready for school in the morning. I am sure you can imagine how excited ECHO was! And that was how our weekend played out… 

Back in the backyard before bed

Cookie Party… A Success Story

We were lower in numbers (people wise) due to illness… seriously February seems to be the month for colds/flus/general ick feeling. BUT we rallied with those who could make it (some of which were not at 100% – myself included) and we had ourselves a cookie party and then some! In fact, I can safely say I am cookied out! 

Sitting around munching

There was time for a game of chess

Miss Echo and Aunty

I personally made sugar cookies with the kids, and then we took the left over icing from the birthday party the weekend before and put it in a bowl for people to help themselves. Ken made his chocolate balls everyone seems to love, though he was baking while we partied. I took the veggies I had in my fridge including some cauliflower (he) Chris picked up for me in the city (such a sweety) and had a veggie plate to offset the sweet. We made coffee and used some of our Kenyan tea (lovely and strong loose tea that worked perfectly in the tea pot Karyn gave me – thank you Esther!!) as our drink offerings. 

Veggies! And Fat Sheep's Daughter!

We had a few people who could not make it due to sickness, Kristen and Fydo, Esther… though Karyn braved her near voiceless state and joined in on the fun. Lauralee and Victoria brought their homemade offerings and some cartons of juice. Chocolate orange cookies from Lauralee and chocolate chip or raisin cookies from Victoria. Sean picked up chocolate chip and monster cookies from the store with a case of cream soda (which is an unusual pop to make it into this house and apparently a nice change from our norm!). We also had Chris, Chris and Mae (remember the other bridesmaid from the wedding? She is featured in Fat Sheep’s blog of the same time as Fat Sheep’s date!). They came with gingerbread men, peanut butter cookies and shortbread cookies… oh and A&W Rootbeer, diet of the same and the familiar case of Coke. Quite the offerings for a party!

And the leftovers… some took cookies home but the lion share remained here. I now have a variety in the freezer and some containers on the counter and some VERY pleased children. In the summer we are planning to have a Veggie and Fruit party and try having everyone bring a vegetable or a fruit and a drink and see what we end up with (or maybe even MAKE drinks from what we have… how adventurous can we get??). 

This is some of the left overs if you can believe it!

There were some belated birthday presents for the boys including movies! We are now in possession of TWO Cyberchase DVDs as well as a Charlie and Lola (volume 7). Amazingly enough one of the math ones included FRACTIONS! Timely huh?

Prezzies

After seeing everyone off, tidying up the cookies (and freezing a portion of course) it was beyond bedtime and the end of our very busy Sunday. Next Sunday it is back to Sunday school for the kids. And maybe all of us going for once… I really want to know where February has gone! 

Family Day Monday was a much quieter affair. Our morning was slow with Ken and myself being sick… BUT in the afternoon, sick or not, Ken took the 3 boys to the MAG for their special Inuit Cultural event. There was Bannock bread, throat singing, games and more. The only thing the boys did NOT take part in was the craft due to crowds and wait time. 

Watching the speaker

Games

Ice fishing

More games

SNACKS

We had Kathy stop by on her way home from the city. So I got in a brief visit and send a package of cookies on with her. These more frequent visits with Kathy are another reminder, on the days that are less bright, that moving to this city was a GOOD choice. While the home we are in is just that bit too small the town isn’t. I am just hoping that after Echo’s surgery we can finally find a way to really get to know the other homeschooling families around us.

Ending our day was rather quiet too. Emanuel was sent to his room for a time out and ended up napping.

Asleep

And after Zander got out of HIS time out, the other 4 spent some fun time in the sunshine in the livingroom. 

Fun in some sun

Now I am working on future plans for our schooling, Christmas presents and other random things. All of our Valentines Day and Chinese New Year decorations are stored away and the buckets holding the Easter pieces are ready to be brought out. Now the boys have shown an interest in St. Patrick’s day so books have been requested from the library and I am hunting down some crafts and worksheets. 

Peek!

This entry was posted on 21/02/2012, in Uncategorized. 2 Comments

Clean Bill of Health

Tuesday morning we started off the day with a tiny bit of excitement – a package in the mail! Echo’s Canadian God-parents sent her a belated Christmas present… a lovely purple winter jacket! I will have to put her in it and take pictures! I think it may be a bit big… ok I KNOW it is, everything she gets always is, but that is a GOOD thing!

Pretty purple coat

The boys coloured their pages from the MAG and have decided they want to learn MORE about the Inuit people. So I have spent a nice amount of my day on the library catalogue ordering some books for them to read. I love it when they show interest. I figure we will make a lapbook. The hunt for worksheets has not been very helpful but I am going to keep looking. 

Tuesday evenings are library evenings of course… for Trinity and Emanuel. This week was no exception. It was a snowy series of books and the kids actually went out of their way to talk to the other kids  this time. They really do enjoy themselves there. We had to make a quick run by the other branch to pick up my holds and then Ken, Karyn and I sat around and watched Ken play a computer game on the tv. 

Crafting with friends

Gotta show them off the next day

This morning was the dreaded yearly physical and Echo’s 1 1/2 year check up. Echo was VERY unimpressed with the nurses. She has drawn the conclusion that ANYONE in medical scrubs is NOT to be trusted. Thankfully our doctor wears just normal street clothes and is a very friendly and soft spoken woman. She weighed in at 17.8 lbs in clothing and was pronounced adorable and healthy. 

Reading with baby

My own appointment was experienced solo with Ken and the kids back in the waiting room. Much easier that way. My blood work came back with flying colours which was a wonderful relief. Even my iron levels were good a week ago! I am on the low low side of normal weight wise… I am advised to add on 5lbs for my own health. My bloodpressure was low (it often is) and she did indicate that I need to keep my fluids up more. This breastfeeding added to the stress of the last few months is not good and with my family history the best choice is to work hard to remove the stress and work on eating and drinking more. I really am very happy with our new family doctor. She is a great listener and very willing to explain things and give suggestions. 

The main suggestion that we came up with is us calling the office that schedules the surgeries and letting them know that a last minute spot WOULD be ok. Both our doctor and ourselves is a little concerned that they keep emphasizing how FINE she is, we do NOT want to wait until her PDA is causing issues and concerns to have it dealt with. 

Because of our loss of a morning today we declared the bulk of today (after some of the math workbooks were done) a Lego random creation day. They are allowed to play and make as many things (and unmake) as they want as long as in the end there is something for everyone to admire that they are PROUD of! 

Creations

Dinosaurs

Other than the math, and some reading the boys did with the books in the waiting room our day has not been spectacularly exciting or education packed. However, the kids have been trying out some of the computer games we have been given. 

And a little bit of reading

The part for our poor limping van is on its way here from out of province so we had to borrow (she) Chris’ van for the day. We have them tentatively lined up for NEXT weekend and the 1 1/2 hour drive to mom’s for the boys’ party as well. The hope is that the part and the repair will beat that deadline though. 

And so I am faced with further searches online for the boys, some Valentine’s themed ribbon that happens to be WIRED (not a fan of it myself) AND the knowledge that the week is half over and I am ready to hibernate. 

GIGGLES

This entry was posted on 01/02/2012, in Uncategorized. 4 Comments