February is NEVER a calm month. We start off running with birthdays – Emanuel on the 3rd, the twins on the 5th, their Nana on the 7th. Then it is right onto Valentines’ Day. Luckily this year Chinese New Year was in January, but we still seem to rush right through February year after year. As an additional plus, February marks the beginning of a membership at the Science Museum.

Of course first things first… the twins are TEENS! And lovely Emanuel 11… where did the time go? You can read a recount on these special moments HERE.

We spent lots of time at the YMCA, in the pool, in classes…

At club.

Trying out Yoga!

There was indoor soccer to watch – our godson Anthony.

We even managed a dinner out.

We decorated t-shirts.

By Gavin

Emanuel, Zander

Trinity

Echo

There was plenty of homeschool completions to celebrate.

We even had a Flat Stanley visitor.

The choir sang.

We crafted.

Had dinner with the Schwartz family.

We even managed to start some painting around the house. First room tackled – Emanuel’s!

Enjoyed our Pizza Hut reading program reward.

It was a chilly, busy, love filled month. Just like February always is with this not so little family!

And… back to the Love Inspired romances from the library. The Bachelor Next Door by Kathryn Springer has two very different souls battling much the same problem – an over commitment to work and success while forsaking love, faith and fun. The difference is that we come to these characters with one (Lily) well on her way to realizing her faith and priorities in a healthy manner and the other (Brendan) struggling to find any sort of balance outside of guilt and work.

Lily is helping out her friend Shelby who has contracted lymes disease and cannot take on a job at the family home of Brendan painting a number of the rooms. All of this was set up by Branden’s adopted (once foster) mother Sunni who then leaves for a cruise. This leaves the two of them in the same house during the day (offices for Branden) where interactions are unavoidable and romance and faith blossom.

This book is different from the “usual” Heartwarming Inspirational Romances in so much as there not being a child directly involved in the main interactions. Though I have noticed that the idea of foster parents or one of the main characters being adopted is quite common. In this case the 3 men Lily comes most in contact with (3 extremely handsome brothers) are all adopted and Lily herself was without a mother at a fairly young age. 

This book was a lot more faith first than some of the others, a lot of the activities they end up doing go back to the church, the main focus of the company Brandon is trying to save is a Christian message. Definitely a lovely story with lots of character growth and a nice ending that is basically wrapped up in a bow for you. 

November 21-22

There are days when the girls fight like cats and dogs and then there are days like Thursday where they sit down and colour together. Princess pictures out of the giant colouring books!

We had storytime together… I love just randomly grabbing a book and enjoying it with the kids! Of course we had to reflect and record what our favourite part or character was!

We also made turkey cards with Trinity and Emanuel. Relatively simple, just paint the portions of the hand different colours and slap it onto your paper. Let it dry and draw in your turkey. Trinity got creative and totally did it her way! But I think they turned out super cute!

With Christmas in our sights it was also time to start painting some special gifts. The kids wanted some of the family and friends to get their precious Home Depot crafts! So it was some serious painting going on.

Day 1

Day 2

Emanuel had Cub Scouts and is VERY proud of his new book with its instructions to get BADGES! That just leaves fees and the shirt purchase and we are well on our way with the Novaks as our guide!

The next day we had a special long lunch break… with Daddy… OUTSIDE!

Our afternoon was a bit of a workshop. We have our Canadian package to go north to Aunty Holly so she can play Santa for us. So… time to make cards! 5 cards among the 4 kids… no hands on except glue and tape assistance, from Mommy!!! Creativity at its best!

After painting and card making what to do? Well, use the newest Art for Kids (link on right) instructions and make some pictures to give away as well!

Oh and read a Thanksgiving-ish themed book…

The Apple Doll

And then end our evening with Turbo the movie and cookies from Canada thanks to Aunty Sharon!!!!

Thank you Sharon!!