Halfway through the weekend and it has already been a busy one. The weather has been terrific for the kids to basically live outside in the backyard. On the flip side of that all my plans for schoolwork also went out the window. Ken and the boys finished up their teepees on Friday. Originally they were going to use string or elastic to keep the twigs together but with the slippery feel to the table it was easier for them to just tape the twigs to the paper cover.

Attempt With Elastics (Zander far left)

Taping the Twigs

Finished Product! (Gavin in blue)

After they were done with that Ken went out with them and made a teepee of sorts out of twigs stuck in the ground. This then progressed to Zander sitting down and making a sort of fence out of upright twigs  that had a “y” shape to them pushed into the ground with other twigs placed on them horizontally. Very creative!

Fence by Zander

Raspberries are still plentiful though the bushes have decided to defend their bounty far harder than in the past. My arms are starting to look as if I was attacked by a kitten of a cat. Tiny little scratches everywhere but oh so worth it! I am up to 5 or 6  decent sized containers in the freezer as well as a nice glad ware container in the fridge that we eat and refill daily. Add that to the melon I froze Thursday and we are getting a nice back up supply of fruit for the winter!

Ken spoiled me Friday – for lunch we had donairs! Very affordable from the nearby mall and at this point in our budgetless budget an absolute treat. Funny how once you take ALL of something out of the budget you REALLY appreciate it when you do have the ability once in a blue moon. Honestly, in all of the cutting out of extras I really only miss two things – Ken having a cell phone and tv. Thankfully we found an AWESOME deal with Shaw where we will get free months of tv, internet and phone (1 or 2 depending on which you are talking about) as well as extended reduced rates. This means this up coming week we get tv back! YAY! It is near impossible to find the boys’ favourite educational programs online to download and watch. They are beyond tired of the stuff I pvred for them before we had our sattelite cut off, it takes seconds at this point of the show for them to moan and groan about watching the same Word World or Super Why yet again! I can’t blame them, I am getting tired of them also. Thank goodness it is summer and we spend most of our time outside with the tv OFF anyway.

Well we worked on our book some more for our trip to Muttart or as the boys call it: “Visiting the Flowers.” We spent some time on Friday looking through Gavin’s camera. I was quite impressed with the pictures. The ones Emanuel took had fingers over the lens and I am pretty sure Zander’s were the blurred ones but the ones I was sure it was Gavin who had taken them were actually rather good. He took quite a few pictures of the same things Ken or I did and got some wonderfully  different perspectives. He ALSO go a clear picture of one of the statues we have dubbed “the Speedo Collection” which of course I cannot miss posting!

Man in Speedo

I also think he got the best picture of me and the boys as well as one in front of the face in the wall. I am so glad we spent the cash earlier this year to replace his relatively rudimentary camera with this newer one. I am hoping he will continue taking pictures to the point where it may even become a passion, but who knows.

Emanuel and Zander with Mommy

Prickly Pink by Gavin

Yellow Flowers From Below by Gavin

The boys found 28 images they liked from both my and Gavin’s camera which Ken is shrinking down to 2inch square images. I have cut up more cardstock into smaller sheets (8 1/2 by 11 inch into 4ths) using the same rainbow set up as our Summer book. I figure it kind of drums into their heads a bit the proper order of the traditional rainbow… that and those are the colours I have. We also wrote a story (well Zander and Gavin dictated and I wrote it out) which I have typed up on the computer. This is a common activity for us, after a special event we sit down and talk about it and write it up for them to illustrate and then I put a copy of the story and the picture into their special school binder. I have found it makes it a little more memorable. This is the story for the flower trip:

Gavin likes taking pictures of the flowers. Zander likes Mommy walking in the flowers. We saw a lot of flowers. They were orange, red, blue, yellow, pink and purple. There was a bridge and the water went under it. There was fish in the water. There was white flowers.

We saw a boy statue and a head stuck in the wall. Mommy took our picture. Gavin likes flowers every day. We threw money in the pond and made a wish.

There was 2 orange flowers opening. There was a lot of purple flowers outside. We had fun. Mommy, Daddy, Trinity, Emanuel, Zander and Gavin all went to see the flowers.

The End

This I am going to print out and put on the first page of our little book. Of course Ken had some issues shrinking the pictures to the size I wanted so our actually putting together will be done tomorrow. And this book is going to be quite thick so I am going to have to keep an eye out for cheap rings. If anyone has any ideas please tell me! That is one thing I have not had the opportunity to source out yet.

Ready to Put Together!

Friday night Chris and Chris came over for D&D again. While I am getting the hang of the role playing part I am so NOT getting the skills, the spells… the dice names… which I think  may be aggitating Ken… a little. But it IS fun. This session I used Snow White from the kinder style chocolate toys I got back when I was pregnant with Emanuel. This seems to annoy Ken which for those who know us well explains WHY I keep doing it! Love the man but I really do find it humorous when I make that vein in his forhead pop out a bit! I just can’t help myself!

Note the Disney Princess (Ken sure did!)

I made my goal with Fydo’s logo and finished it late last night. Sadly I won’t post pictures but I am very happy with how it turned out. Ken has 3 or 4 lined up to design for me and I am hoping on hearing back from some more friends with their favourite or most used sayings. In the meantime the stocking is calling me… loudly! I am starting to see sections finished off but with all the smaller projects I am doing inbetween it feels as if progress is even slower. I am determined though – it WILL be done in time!

This morning we took the boys to the local branch of the library where there was a professional puppeteer. (www.Kaybridge.ca) While the boys watched the puppet show and Ken read his book in the  back of the room Trinity and I wandered the library. They have an extensive cd selection as well as some dvd’s, limited manga and books. While not as big as the library back where we used to live you can always do interlibrary searches. Ken said the boys had so much fun they didn’t even look back to see if he was still there once and when we got home Emanuel was quite adament that I HAD to know that he loved the puppet show and wanted to go again. Best of all – FREE! And luckily for us a very short drive to get there.

Trinity's Way to Enjoy the Library!

Puppets! (Gavin in red)

Ken was one lucky man this afternoon. He was part of a focus group for Bioware to try out one of their new games. Of course a disclosure form later and that is ALL he can say and in turn ALL I can say – just be aware – Ken is happy!

I have also been at work adding to our original gallery at its new location (see the links to the right of this entry). I am only adding the minimum and the besst and still that is a few too many in Ken’s mind. I have decided NOT to post the homeschool related stuff since I am already doing that there and instead focus on just special pictures of the kids and special events. So don’t worry I have NOT forgotten about  the gallery’s existance, simply am slow to add to it.

As a super special treat for the boys I brought out the bubble machine we bought way back before leaving for Minnesota. Even after the time away from it Trinity is still much in fear of it and still totally NOT on board for bubbles! Which is funny since her brothers are nothing but in love with the bubbles. Oh well, just keep trying I guess. We also have the bubble bbq but it has you sitting there watching the boys as they play with it, not especially condusive when you have a scared infant running around and Ken out of the house doing his thing. BUT the time they did have with the machine was terrific.

Emanuel, Gavin and Zander Popping the Bubbles

Oh and our huge Emanuel breakthrough for the week – the boy finally wants to do puzzles ON HIS OWN. To the point where he sent his brothers away! FINALLY! We keep telling him he CAN do things, and he keeps saying no, so this was big for us! Which of course meant he HAD TO have a picture taken!

First Puzzle Completed Solo!

Tomorrow we are on our way to church finally. Nothing going on and gas in the van so I am looking forward to at least hearing SOME of the service though not expecting the WHOLE thing. Sunday afternoon should find us at the park or walking around our neighborhood… but Monday is where there is some actually planning. We are going to have a family picnic. I figure a fresh loaf of bread out off the breadmaker and whatever is sitting around the house along with our weekly produce run to H&W and we should be able to make a nice spread. So if anyone is interested we can always make it potluck! Just remember – no cell phones!

So while not our most exciting weekend or even our most educational we did have a lot of fun! I have a TON of ideas of crafts the boys are going to get started on to make Christmas gifts for friends and family as well as kits for the kids on our list. So keep an eye peeled, everything we make I will probably post up here, kind of stops the surprise for some people but at the same time I really do like to share the crafts. And you can’t be sure that is ALL that will be in your gift come Christmas.

I could not resist one more flower, this one from our own backyard, isn’t nature grand?

A Backyard Blossom!

What a day… started it off with heading out to the bank with the whole crew, sending just Ken into the grocery store for a VERY short list (we find this is the best thing to do, I am not as tough as he is with the list). The boys were impressed, they got to watch the first part of Meet the Robinsons (a favourite as it is the one with the dinosaurs). Sadly that was the extent of the morning. Heads up for those of you in our area ground lean hamburger is at a VERY nice price at Superstore!

Gavin, Emanuel and Zander Watching Meet the Robinsons

The afternoon was not so… restive. For some reason all 3 boys simply could NOT get along. Emanuel thankfully DID have a nice long nap. And while quiet time was going on my mom and her hubby stopped by with a jogging stroller my Uncle Wayne found! Thank you so much!!! This was a much hunted for item for me as I really want to start at least briskly walking with the baby. Exercise darnit…

New Jogging Stroller For Trinity and Me!

School wise I started with our last name with the boys. Reinsch-Johnson is a bit of a mouthful though they  are able to say it after careful coaching. I figured we will start simple and work on the name Johnson. The boys managed to practice the J, o, h and n before starting to complain so I considered that a success and sent them out to play in the backyard (did I mention how much I LOVE having a fenced yard?? Cuz I do!!). The backyard is becoming quite the wonderland… chalk all over the cement, sand spilling out of the sandbox… squash grown to the point of bursting out of their pots… and what amazed Zander the most – a MOUSE HOLE UNDER THE GARAGE… Guess what Daddy now has to block up! What an adventure! Add to that the raspberry bushes and the occassional bee or birdy and we have our own personal nature experience!

Acorn Squash

Craft wise I had to put a fingerprint on my mom’s card from Trinity so I figured why not take it to the next level and have the boys make fingerprint people… er things… er critters? I have a lovely set of pastel inks borrowed from my friend who moved to California last year. Stampin’ Up is permanent but with a baby wipe comes off nicely… so each boy picked a colour and went at it. After the prints dried we passed out the markers and went at it… caterpillars, monsters, cats, bugs… we drew it all. Ken and I did Emanuel’s for him, but he worked out what each print would be. The end result was something each boy was VERY proud of and a craft we will repeat on a rainy day!

Gavin Stamping

Zander Stamping

Emanuel Stamping

Prints: Gavin, Zander and Emanuel

Trinity's Prints and Ink

Zander and Gavin Drawing Their Critters

Emanuel's With Mommy and Daddy's Help

Gavin's Critters

Zander's Critters

I have taken the leap into a new food for Trinity… Cherrios (ok the no name brand – way cheaper), still with 1gr of sugar per 1 1/4cup serving but thought we would give it a shot. The taste was approved of, we shall see how the tummy does. It is rather cute watching her mow down on them with only 4 top and 2 bottom teeth. Snack cup in hand is just too cute! But then isn’t she always?

Cheerios

I managed to grab the pattern and stitch for my nephew and take it with me in the van today so while the boys watched their movie and Trinity napped I stitched. I am actually rather happy with how far I made it today with the silver portion of the insignia. Again with the metallics, and I plan on doing the yellow portion in a gold braid medium #16. Already it has a definite recognizable shape. As I am doing it on the 11 ct aida it IS a little larger than I am used to but for a child of 4yrs I think it works better than a smaller version. What does everyone else think?

Silver In Progress

Tonight ended with Chris and Chris coming over for D&D which was a blast. Lots of fun and laughs and all that. I don’t know if we will go weekly but at least every 2 weeks. I am an Elf Cleric – Ayjah.

Chris and Ken Creating Characters

So another day that started a little rocky and improved over time. Or maybe my attitude changed? Who knows and what matters is fun was had, things got done and love was shared! And tomorrow we are off to reconnect with some of my mother’s extended family – wish us luck!!

Why is it that every “W” word in my vocabulary today is one that is inherantely frustrating? Ok so the first 3 have positive uses but the last one… now don’t worry intrepid reader… this will not be a “woe is me” type entry in the blog that is Lisa’s life. Merely a momentary blip before I go over what ELSE has gone on in our rather cloudy and mildly rainy day.

So basically today was not exactly a day that “went as planned”… The weather did NOT co-operate for us to go to the homeschool park date which was quite the let down for all concerned. Even though there was not a TON of rain Trinity’s cough has me concerned enough that I don’t want to be trekking her out in unknown weather. After all this weekend is setting up to be BUSY! The boys were very upset about the cancellation and so were quite happy to act out… to the point where poor Emanuel came up with a smacked up face! I did figure out who the culprit was and had him appologize and give hugs. I am still at a bit of a loss as to how to stop the minor lying going on but I am working on it. All of this and Trinity not having a decent nap led to a cranky enough Lisa that Ken sent ME to nap! ACK!

Looks WAY Worse in Person!

Ok so now onto much better things (see I told you it would be worth the wait!)… I got a TERRIFIC surprise today in the mail, a package! One of the ladies from my online sewing group Chatty Stitchers Exchangers (a yahoo group of ladies who cross stitch – talk about a TERRIFIC group) – Sherry – sent me some cardstock she had extra and then in the midst of a cleaning binge sent me CHRISTMAS CRAFT SUPPLIES! Talk about Christmas in July! The kids are ecstatic and I already have ideas brewing! Everything from pipe cleaners to pom poms to coloured googly eyes (the boys are REALLY excited about those!). So keep an eye peeled for Christmas crafts and be ready – Christmas this year in the Reinsch-Johnson home is going to be HOMEMADE! My favourite kind!

Christmas in July!!!

So since we couldn’t do the park thing I decided to have each boy sit down with a piece of paper and his box of crayons and make a picture for Grandma Anna, her birthday was the 26th and we will see her this Saturday. Since she and Mike are riding on the Harley to the gathering I figured the pictures would fit in their storage compartment. So each boy did his rendition of Harley the puppy. I was very strict with Emanuel and made him draw  HIS OWN picture without help and was quite pleased with the results. Now all I have to do is make a little coloured folder to keep them in. I also need to take some time tomorrow and get Trinity’s thumbprint on the card. I want to do up a few extra to keep for her baby book and maybe give to her god-mommies. (Another craft for a rainy day in this house has got to be thumbprint people…)

Harley By Emanuel

Harley By Gavin

Harley By Zander

Ken spent some time taking Sean to get his vehicle and when he did finally get back came bearing the much needed diapers and milk (can’t go without either in this house!) AND my tickets for the Heritage Festival! EXCITING! AND on top of that Sean took him out for brunch and sent a meal for me. Steak and potatoes… I ate the steak and the boys ate the potatoes. Mmm. See how the day is picking up?

Add to that my raspberry harvest for the day! What a bountiful harvest it was! I had to go out after my nap so only went out once instead of my customary twice a day but I think I got all the ripe ones. Ken spent at least an hour out there cutting back more of the weeds and long grass around the bushes. This is so going to simplify my battle with the bushes and maybe even give me a bit more of an advantage. Right now I have tons of scratches on my arms!

Today's Harvest

So as a reward for all his hardwork Ken pulled down our blender and took some of our strawberries, a little sugar and milk and made strawberry milk! Not my kind of beverage (unless you add some ice cream which we are not in the way of budgetting into the house right now) but all 4 of my boys thought it was delish! Supper was less of a success, I added chicken oxo to rice and well, EMANUEL LOVED it… everyone else… not so much…

Strawberry Milk

I have started the next Star Trek themed project! For my nephew and all done in *gulp* shiny braids and potentially blending filament… it will be the insignia from the Star Trek uniform and hopefully will turn out as well as Ken’s pattern makes it look. I am loving the help with design and am hoping to post the one I did for my sister in law (pattern that is) on the site to be downloaded and used very soon. The one for my cousin as well. No picture tonight but maybe tomorrow if Trinity lets me sew tonight? Her cough is keeping her up and she is rather demanding of the Mommy attention.

So for all the W’s (we are still Waiting on TWO things related to Ken – one should be resolved either way by the middle of August) today may have started out rocky but a surprise in the mail, tickets in hand and raspberries by the bowlful and I think I can handly the most difficult W of them all – Worrying – as Ken says something I am VERY good at, but you know what? Sharing my worries and talking to friends, admitting to fears and working through issues with Ken… well I am getting much better at letting go of that W and moving more into WAITING which is a little easier to deal with. After all sometimes the things we wait for are TERRIFIC right? Even SURPRISING! And who doesn’t love a surprise???