Here I go, March 2018… catching up in a timely manner. YES! Or not… my fast and furious blogging took a hit with the much anticipated Karyn visit AND a semi surprise last minute Shauna and Jeff down from Canada weekend. And then life in general kicked my butt… but here I am.

So… March, what was March… it ended in Easter weekend. So we had our own little egg hunt in the house. The twins did the hiding for the younger 3.

We also decorated eggs.

And even made square ones!

The other “themed” day was St. Patrick’s Day. We had all sorts of green stuff going on.

I jumped all in on working on Irish and Celtic knots. I have purchased a few books and some lovely satin cord. Definitely a skill I need to find time in the fall to continue with.

I invested in some gorgeous reversible sari skirts which I can tell you NOW I wore ALL summer. There is something amazing about wearing bright colours and patterns that swish when you walk.

There was plenty of time spent at the YMCA, of course. I hope it has been at least somewhat fun for the staff to be such a major part of my kids’ growth and enjoyment!

I took a walk down memory lane and bought a Tamagotchi! If you don’t know what that is… well I won’t ask your age, cuz that could end up sad.

There was plenty of time spent petting the fluff that is the chinchilla.

Echo lost teeth, important teeth – the front ones – and they took FOREVER to grow back in.

I got in my crafting time. Crochet keeps me sane after all.

And we did plenty of school.

Ken and I even snuck in some dinners out dressed to impress.

And we helped celebrate Jeffrey’s birthday. Which ALSO means, Mystro pics! You can thank me later!

I love how the twins can be before and after pics at the same time.

My final thought on this quick WAY belated peek back at March… WOW was my hair long!!! And that is that.

One of the big summer goals that WE did do in a timely manner was getting the twins ready and registered to run 2 almost back to back 5K races. One at the Catholic Church down the street from us (with Ken) and the other at our local YMCA.

The twins spent the summer in once a week run club at the YMCA with their favourite coach Ben learning techniques for distance running. He was so awesome, walking them through how to properly warm up and pushing them to push their limits.

The first 5K was run with friends and Dad! The Schwartz family are members at St. Joe’s and were the ones who alerted us to this 5K opportunity. Their whole family signed up to run. Ken, Zander and Gavin joined them. 

Trinity, Echo and Emanuel made signs and we got up WAAAAAAY early in the morning (for us) and walked down the street to cheer everyone on. I was surprised we were pretty much a solo act but we did our best. (after saying good bye to Aunty Karyn who had to leave to drive back up to Canada)

We love you~

Zander was the first to finish out of our crew. Ken and Renee ran together and Gavin and Nathan ran together with Chris, Evan and Jeffrey went at a much more leisurely pace. 

After cheering them until the end it was back to our house for naps, food and resting up.

The following Saturday we were all up super early once again to head over to a VERY familiar place – our local YMCA. This time for the Officer Shawn Silvera Rotary Run. This yearly event begins and ends right around the YMCA. Last year the twins did the splash and dash through the YMCA, but this year they had aged out of it. 

Wearing the shirts from the week before’s run

I was very proud of my boys. Zander came in first with Gavin not too far behind. We brought new signs and cheered them on. 

There was other fun things to do in the parking lot. The other 3 built stuff at the Home Depot tent.

And we had some snacks and time in the bouncy house. It was a great way to round off a summer of hard work and determination.

Onto November and possibly getting my blog up to date before November of 2018 comes around… maybe? Summer gets so busy for us and I have let it snowball a bit. So enjoy the post and the look back at way cooler temperatures. A head’s up… December is already up and posted along with seasonal links HERE.

Ken spoiled me with a new tea mug!

Anyway, November… the month of chinchilla and workout pictures… wait that is much of my life the past year. I do love the Fluffy Overlord and working out has become second nature with me now.

Talking about chinchillas, November marks Neko-chan turning 1 year old!!! check out that post HERE

Emanuel went through a bit of an image change with a fancy new hair cut.

As did Echo. We have some rather spiffy looking kids!

The 3 younger kids went to Home Depot for the craft and even convinced Dad that PAINT should be involved.

I crocheted up a storm and we blocked this year’s special mom and grandma gifts… shawls! Plus matching hats for all 3 of us girls.

The kids dressed up in their finery for Santa. We went with the Schwartz family to their mall Santa of choice since our traditional one no longer exists after a store closing.  You can read all about that HERE.

I found winter boots in the children’s section of Target – something that made Ken laugh and entertained him and a few other people for days!

We had dinner with our wee niece Maevowyn… and her parents too, but we all know who the star of the show was!!!

I may be biased.. . but that face just makes me melt.

Echo LOVES her cousin

With Mom, and Dad photo bombing in the back

I also got in some quality kitty time, and pictures.

Silly Snoopy

We had school time.

Themed crafting continued.

A whole set of Halloween themed cupcakes that were out past the date.

Gavin made all of our cards this year.

Christmas Art

A Christmas mouse

Gavin the solemn crafter

Christmas mug cozy

Really all the babies babies were seen.

A poppy was worn, sent straight from Canada for Remembrance Day.

And I photographed my chinchilla from pretty well ALL possible angles…

All the junk in that glorious trunk!

Close up with lighting!

Yup that was November in a quick scan through images… hope you enjoyed!

We baked!

Whole family!