July 24

What else is there to do on a summer afternoon – well celebrate a birthday of course! Alex Novak turned 9 this month after all! Definitely a party worthy occasion. And we were privileged enough to be allowed to come early and help out with the decorating and party prep work! There is, after all, a lot to do before a party, and only Darcy there to accomplish it. 

Snoopy!

 The kids (well the boys) were just over the moon to be able to join the kids for another day of fun and play. Alex was to be kept away from the party set up as much as possible as we tried to keep some things a surprise. For example the cake – something Darcy created from scratch based on something called Adventure Time. I personally have not seen the cartoon but the boys told me (the Novak ones) that it is  worth watching… I think Darcy’s cakes were inspired. 

One of 3

There were balloons to fill with helium and tablecloths to put on the tables outside. Don’t forget food to prepare. Darcy decided on something called walking tacos. You basically take a small bag of nachos and crush up the chips, add in your toppings and grab a fork. The kids seemed to love it!

Lining up for supper (Samantha and Andrew)

Anthony and friend

A full table

Add to that a bunch of kids, presents, adults and sunny weather right up until the end when it started to sprinkle and you had an amazing party. There were party games, a very short treasure hunt and even fishing for treats. 

Echo and Mommy

Water balloon toss

Dancing during foursquare

The winners of the treasure “hunt” (note that is the birthday boy)

Sack race

There were other little girls  there as well (2) and Echo of course made sure to latch onto her Anthony.

Anthony as a chauffeur

The birthday boy seemed happy with his presents…

Present time

And the cake (with ice cream) was a huge success. 

Blowing out the candles

A rainbow!

By the time it started sprinkling our crew was about partied out. So we helped with the clean up and then said our good byes. It is a great feeling that this was not one visit in a two week or even a month span but another visit of many over years! I am sort of getting the mindset that this is a long term thing… when I will be able to come to complete grips with all of this change and newness I cannot say. I am finally getting the feeling that I CAN do this though and that in and of itself feels like a success! 

Andy and Darcy

Birthday boy and his proud mom

Echo and her boy

July 21-22

I am not sure how many of my readers are aware of Ken’s history… but way back when (when he was young and spry) he was quite the soccer player. Up until his grade 12 year when he had an unfortunate accident on the field (really ask HIM to regale you with that one) where he broke his collar bone and could not be scouted for University soccer teams. Instead he became a kicker for the school football team and broke state records which lead to him playing University football (not the European kind but football football). Anyway off the beaten path but… Saturday became our opportunity to watch another budding soccer star who is dear to our heart! Our godson Anthony. 

Proud God-daddy

He was in the middle of his tournament so we took in one of his games. It was hot and humid (of course) and amazingly enough only Ken and myself ended up burnt. The rest of the Novak boys (less “big” Andy) were there with Darcy so it was a great chance to get reacquainted with everyone. John and Maggie (“big” Andy’s parents) also showed up for the game along with Kyle and Samantha (the Novak cousins). All people we had not seen for 3 years!! 

Reuniting with the Novaks (Aidan and Alex)

I suppose I should explain who the Novak boys are… well Andy (Andrew, “big” Andy) and Darcy have 4 kids – ALL boys! (little) Andrew was at our wedding way back in 2001! And was absolutely ADORABLE! Anyway he is now… almost 12 I think! And next is Anthony our godson who is 10, then Alex who is freshly 9 and finally Aidan who is going into Kindergarten this fall at the ripe age of 5 I do believe! Darcy and Andy are also Zander’s godparents. So you add their 4 to our 5 and  you have a lovely group of active, healthy and happy kids. 

Anthony

Our boy

Enthralled Echo

Look at him run!

Action shot

The boys made instant friends and Echo an admirer in Anthony… Trinity was a little less enthused but when you are the only girl in a sea of boys it CAN be a little overwhelming. I figure give her a few visits and she will fit right in.

Miss Trinity in her garage sale find shirt

Sadly Anthony’s team did NOT win but it was an experience all the same. And very clear evidence that we are not used to the humidity coupled with the heat. After the game we returned home to ALL (and mean ALL 7 of us) have a nap! Much needed! Once napping was accomplished we decided to head back to the Novak’s home for a visit. We were actually debating where we would meet up with them but a neigbour had an emergency so they were unable to come to us. In fact, this meant there were a total of 12 kids! 10 boys and 2 girls… so you can imagine Trinity’s lack of glee. 

Dog pile on Andy

Add to the fun a kitten and a puppy and we had a full and chaotic house. So what better to do to feed the masses then order from a place called 5.00 Pizza! Seriously large pizzas at 5.00 (or a little more depending on toppings) a piece. YUM! 

Pizza time

We pretty much had to tear the boys away from the fun when Echo finally decided she was completely exhausted. With plans to return already in the works it is a great relief to see the kids all settling in with another family so quickly. Our first day of our first weekend was a definite success even though the soccer game was not won. 

Echo and her Anthony

Sitting with Aunty Darcy

The boys

Sunday was a down day for us. We did go do some shopping, but most of our time was spent at the house getting used to our surroundings. Nana and Baba have set up each of the 4 larger kids with lovely beds… the twins have a bunk bed and Emanuel a single in one room…

New sheets and everything

Trinity (and by extension in her playpen Echo) is in the sewing room next to our room. Note the Hello Kitty sheets…

Totally Kitty

Of course, now that there was less kids around and some down time it was time to let the boys have their Tyrell Museum gifts. Gavin got a mosaic style craft project that uses stickers on a patterned image to make a lovely almost stained glass look…

Gavin at work

Zander chose his gem finding block. A definite success as he sat down and worked on this thing for lovely extended periods of time. It was like a treasure hunt!

On the look out for gems

Life has truly begun here in Minnesota… and tomorrow… Monday… it is time to begin our time homeschooling once again! 

We were not the only Canadians there that day!