Are we there yet? I am sure EVERY parent has heard this question repeated over and over again. There are days when I wonder if we will ever get to that far off “there”… Life is full of journeys: little, big and in-between. Some come to an end and some continue for the rest of your life. The true adventure is getting there… and I have to admit, some of my journeys… well I wish they were shorter.

We woke up to a ton of fresh snow on the ground and more coming down. So our morning plans went out the window in favour of the twins getting into their winter gear and working on what they are calling an igloo with a treehouse on top. I made them promise NOT to go into their igloo alone and we checked it for reinforcement. It IS very sturdy and today they realized – WARM. So the idea of an igloo working as a home is not nearly so abstract for them now!

Showing off the "treehouse" aspect

After fun outside it was back to Ireland and St. Patrick’s Day. We are focusing on some instruments today. Each of the twins picked one they were interested in (harp and fiddle) and coloured a picture of them. Then we read some information about each one I found online and wrote what they found interesting on the back of their illustration. We also watched some YouTube videos. My favourite of the two we watched has to be the fiddler. We have two more exotic instruments to learn about as well – the Bodhran and the Uilleann. The boys really enjoyed the videos for those. 

This one got Trinity and Emanuel dancing! So of course, PICTURE TIME! 

SPIN

We found some more colouring pages to share HERE and HERE. Trinity really enjoyed colouring the Irish princess and had to do TWO versions. 

We finally started our paper mache project today… glue and water and torn up newspaper is so messy! And we have kids who HATE getting dirty… so… we squished the twins’ hands in it and put Emanuel to work tearing paper strips… It was fun! Though I had forgotten how much difficulty there is in getting ALL the white glue off our hands! We made the bowl portion and the little base pieces but are going to glue those on once they are dried. You can find the project we are working on HERE. 

Getting messy

Of course there was a SECOND run out into the snow this afternoon. We have had so much come down it looked like the first time they went out! I have to admit, the igloo – rather cool! But… I think we have enough now… could someone turn it off???

IGLOO

Emanuel

I am not sure what it is about a truly snowy day but it seems to sap a lot of my energy and drive away. The world looks absolutely beautiful though with the fresh layer of white, pure snow on everything. However, I have not exactly been productive. Although it does feel safe… like we are insulated away from the world with our family together… Echo is healthy and fine in here, the boys are smart and learning well… Trinity and Emanuel adorable and Ken my hardworking soulmate… there is no depression, no PDA, no dissenting of my choice to homeschool… the world is right here and right now. Don’t get me wrong, I am on Facebook during the day… my MSN is connected (though I am slow getting to some messages) and I check my email periodically for interesting info but right now… right now the van doesn’t matter, the bread is done in the breadmaker and the house smells lovely… right now the world stands still. 

So a rather introspective day… 

So much snow!

Being a mother has its ups and downs and then there are those moments of uncertainty. I had one of those today tinged with joy. Echo officially has her surgery date for dealing with her PDA. It is a bit more complicated than go in and get done, stay the night and go home though. Basically the day before we have to head into the city (an hour and a half away) and do the pre-admission process. They will work through everything, examine her and tell us what time the surgery is the next day. THEN the next day we come in for the surgery (scary) and she stays the night for observation (which means I stay the night too). So the date then… THE date for surgery is March the 21st. We have to go in on the 20th for the pre appointment and then will (hopefully) be released to go home early on the 22nd. So enough time to worry myself sick about it if I so desire!

I posted on Facebook the dates and lovely (she) Chris has already offered to watch the other 4 for us! That is a HUGE load off my mind as we certainly did NOT want to drag the kids all over the city. I know that I WANTED this date and this done but not at the same time. This is MY baby and the idea of anyone doing anything to her makes me rather ill. 

Zander had a rather exciting completion – his first reading themed book – a Starfall one. He had to read each of the stories online and then do worksheets that corresponded with the sound lessons. He struggled a bit at times and complained (always) when I had him come up with and then copy sentences but I am hoping this completion will spur on more focus on reading!

Well done Zander!

I finally found a moment to do some practicing with my brush and ink… I CAN tell you that the two characters on the right are for Grandma (mother’s side) and the top mess was my attempt at Grandpa (mother’s side) BUT the bottom one shhh secret! 

Practice

And I am sure much more went on today but with a sore throat and no nap I am a little spacey! Tomorrow we end the week and I am sure I will have much more to talk about!!

Our sweety

The short answer… LOTS!!! But first a hearty breakfast with Grandma before collecting ourselves to get out the door around 10:30/11 am.

Out on Grandma's front lawn saying bubye.

The kids were less than enthused with the idea of over 5 hours in the van after spending so many days away already but we stopped at a grocery store for food for on the road and pull ups and headed out. We side tripped briefly at the old house to pick up some mail (forwarding is said to be set and going but nothing yet…) and then on we went. There was plenty of rain, a road with just golf resorts and ONE gas station (potty break!) and COWS… for some reason that is ALWAYS exciting for the kids???

Potty stop means COOKIES FOR BABY

And then we got into mountain territory… THAT was exciting for our driver. Of course we kept in contact with our hosts and their other guest (Chris, Chris and Jocelyn) via texting and were able to co-ordinate nicely. Even when they (who were ahead of us by at least an hour) found out that the cabins were IN the national park instead of outside of they were able to get our park pass and have it waiting for us. Of course when WE hit the toll booth it was POURING so Ken got rained on to get it!

First view of the mountains through a rain splattered windshield

That pass totally changed our going home plans… after all why waste it? So instead of driving straight home the 5 or so plus hours we worked out a way to tour most of Jasper park and even some of Banff national park! But first things first – the cabins! Pocahontas Cabins!

Fat Sheep taking in our view from the private balcony off the second floor

Our cabin was a condo type thing – one in a building of two story cabins all sharing side walls (I did not get a picture of the whole building). We were right in front of the pool and hot tub (though we ended up not able to get into those). The main floor had a sitting room with tv and fireplace, a kitchen and a full bathroom.

I love how they folded the kitchen towels... note the coffee... Ken was pleased about that!

Then you went up a lovely set of wooden stairs were the sleeping quarters and another full bathroom. When you get to the top of the stairs there is a door to the private balcony and a nice sized bed… then through the door two beds and the entrance to the bathroom. So the kids (except Echo who was in a cot in our area) were in the room with a door. We got our OWN bed!!! Though the pillows were super squishy, too much so.

Photo on the stairs... lovely wooden things

So we got into the cabin, dropped our stuff, changed the baby and off to the restaurant so we could be treated to a lovely dinner! Apparently Trinity was not hungry so her meal and half of my lovely pizza came back to the cabin and into the fridge for later.

The Newly-weds

So she TASTED it but that was about it... generous servings though!

After dinner was a bit of a drive – we went to the Miette Hot Springs which are a short drive up a mountain from our cabins and an hour out of Jasper city. Of course there was one scenic stop off that we had to make. Can’t miss those photo ops!

Ready for the hot springs, but enjoying a moment of mountain bliss first

Not only snuggly but kissy kissy too

The kids were absolutely in love with Jocelyn

Our family in the mountains

The view unobstructed

The Miette Hot Springs had 2 hot springs and at least one cold pool that I saw though I, and the kids, stayed mainly in the warm spring. It was one you could slowly walk into and of the two hot springs the lower temperature. The hot and deep one was way too much for me though Ken and I did go in briefly to check it out. 

Ready to get into the springs

VERY warm

It was fun and somewhat relaxing but we did have to keep rotating the kids OUT of the pools. Emanuel especially got very red quickly and with Echo’s PDA we did not want her to strain, though she enjoyed herself immensely. After all it was just like a long bath and she LOVES baths. Trinity even let us know when she had to potty and peed in the toilet in the change room! Was I ever proud!! 

All the boys waiting on us

Echo totally got into it

This is really neat... these are pictures of the springs in the 1920's there was a big hotel and a single pool there until the 80's apparently.

After almost 2 hours there the kids and myself were wearing out so it was time to head out. But first pictures of the sunset while I breastfed Miss Echo who was really ready for bed.

So breathtaking!

Then off to the cabins and bed time for all 5 kids. We had to have two to a bed and luckily Gavin was fine with sharing with Trinity…

Two beds, 4 kids... asleep

Echo was taken from carseat to cot without barely moving and that was it for the night, leaving the adults to chat… then Chris and Chris off to their honeymoon cabin… decked out in style…

From here...

...to here without a fuss

Jocelyn, Ken and I stayed up late into the evening chatting and getting to know each other even better. So on top of all the excitement, the pictures, the outfits and all that I also have a new friend! 

And now… looking back at ALL the pictures… I think I will stop there leaving the question – How much of the mountains can a family of 7 see in 2 days? – only partially answered… but trust me… day 2 in the mountains is photo full so check back!!!

Fat Sheep out front of the newly-weds' cabin