Another milestone reached – the twins are officially 6! The time does speed by. So of course it was their day to make the decisions. Which was unanimously – SLEDDING!

A nearby hill (Zander blue)

Emanuel

Oh and don’t forget the birthday cupcake! Not enough room for 6 candles but we made do with one on each cupcake and of course a round of Happy Birthday. All in all a good day for the birthday boys!

Blowing out the candles! (Gavin red)

Here it is the end of the week and as usual it feels like not quite enough was done! BUT we are picking up momentum. Yesterday the boys focused on writing their names – first and last for the twins and just first for Emanuel. Zander has been lazy lately and forgetting his “d”. We are still waiting on word back from the owners on their plan for the following year before I get them going with learning their address.

Hard at work! (Zander green)

Today we moved back to Valentine’s Day crafts. Perler bead wallhangings to finish and a cute little paper heart man to make (this is the same craft I did way back when with Emanuel when we did a library weekends program when he was 1). Though the paper heart person made it only to the prepping stage before we ran out of time.

We got a bit of a start on our paper heart pillow. I absolutely adore this UK site for seasonal and holiday crafts. Of course anything with paint and using things like staplers is an INSTANT hit!

Painting the hearts (Gavin red)

I actually have a completion to share. I had donated for Haiti relief and in return received two patterns – of a nurse and a doctor kitty. I had to alter the pattern a little – on the fabric I used the white of the outfit doesn’t really show up so I used the grey they call for for the doctor and had to correct a couple of minor confusions with the colour suggestions. All in all I am very pleased and it was a VERY simple and quick pattern to do.

Haiti relief kitty

I am VERY frustrated with the post right now. The letter we sent last week to my grandma came back CHEWED UP! They are resending it on THEIR dime but when Ken stopped in and was checking on it he did not have the address on it. And that was a REGISTERED letter. If there was an affordable alternative I would be right on that at this point!

I got my package from Hong Kong of folding papers for making stars that I purchased on eBay. Thank goodness Ada knows how to fold them as the instructions are full of steps. But the papers are so pretty and with the vendor I bought from when I bought two packages I got a third random one for free!

Star folding papers

Also in the mail was the birthday cards for all 3 boys and Valentines for all of us from my nephew Jimmie. Add to that a phone call in the morning from Grandma Anna and the day started off just lovely. For the adults in the house – the rest of the mail — my Cousin Katie’s wedding invitation (which we ARE going to) and… nothing else! What a great way to end the week – mail wise!

Love the wax imprint!

Our weekend should be rather quiet though we have lots of preparation to get to – for the Chinese New Year/Valentine party and then the following weekend’s joint birthday party for all 3 boys. I have a carrot cake in the freezer just waiting for icing – thanks to my mom, and plans to make whatever box mix the boys choose our next trip to the grocery store as an alternative. We are going to try making a loaf of banana bread with brown sugar instead of white tonight for Trinity. The joys of a child with unusual dietary needs!

So we definitely keep busy and though my nausea is consistent I am feeling much more alert. If I could just go to bed without tossing and turning.

Watching videos together

There are moments when I get this jolt of a realization that my baby boys are not so… baby any more. One of those moments was a day or so ago when Zander and Gavin and Emanuel were working on Emanuel’s new Lego set (the only toy that broke this year at Christmas was a Lego knock off car set – pieces broke and didn’t fit together so we replaced it). There the three of them are, instructions spread out… taking turns (!!!) putting pieces on with the common goal of helping Emanuel. Not only did they offer but they gently talked Emanuel through each step. Zander’s perfect enunciation asking if they were missing a floor piece is so amazing when you remember all the fuss and bother we went through about them even talking or talking properly years ago. Gone are the tiny babies we spent sleepless nights worrying about, the toddlers that refused to do simple things like talk or listen to us… and I have to admit a certain level of pride in how much I am involved in that growth. The independence, the kindness and their intelligence my boys are a great source of pride.

Working Together (Zander left)

My week has zipped right by. Another massive error by a bank that we are working double time to correct, warmer weather perfect for sledding… good and bad have simply blended together. BUT I had a GREAT time last night, I ducked out on the guys’ gaming night and headed over to Chris and Chris’ to commiserate with the currently grounded (he)Chris. Popcorn, chatting and much fun ensued as well as my first introduction to their menagerie. 2 cats, 2 ferrets, some fish and a lizard!

Physically I am still totally drained but keep working on getting that rest and eating when I can. The boys are working on learning about the planet earth and continents. It is so wonderful to have Youtube. Emanuel especially wanted to see “the city” and is quite quick to differentiate between OUR city and GRANDMA’S which of course is SMALLER. I am not sure how much is really sticking but they are having so much fun and at this age that is half the battle! The link for where we go the worksheets to make into a booklet has both Canadian and American settings.

Worksheets! (Zander left)

I am spending my evening re-watching the BBC made for tv movies for Discworld. I absolutely ADORE Terry Pratchett! I am debating using some of my left over Christmas money to buy a couple of his newer books.

Not much to report stitching wise. I have been working on Baby #5’s stocking a little while waiting on Ken to iron out the kinks on my last commission. I am hoping to drum up some new ones soon so if anyone is interested… contact me!!

Stocking So Far

And with that I am out of news… and ready to kick back and watch the rest of my movie.

2 Clips and She is All Grown Up!

Well yesterday we had the adventure of a new and messy craft – potato stamping. First step – strip all 4 children down to their skivvies… second – cut potatoes… third – dole out the paints… fourth – STAND BACK! There was not so much patterns resulting but a colourful creation by each child all the same. Trinity turned hers more into a potato stamp smear and then proceeded to paint herself. So of course, after stamping – the inevitable bath.

Gavin getting started

Paintfor everyone! (Zander far right)

Trinity "Stamping"

Shapes

I forgot to mention last entry, but I was gifted by two other homeschooling moms, they no longer needed maternity clothes! What a blessing! Though some pieces are definitely too big, I have a nice selection to keep and my mom has 6 other co-workers who are pregnant and could possibly be in need of clothing themselves.

Oh, a definite MUST see I think is an independent lens movie… Young@Heart. This follows the preparations of an all senior singing group for a performance. The concept of the group is amazing, the people lovely. You get to love them all so quickly. Of course being an emotional pregnant woman I did shed a tear or two a couple places, but I certainly have made new goals for myself – I want to grow old gracefully AND actively! I want to live each day, even now, like it matters. Be sure to check out their official webpage as well. Here is a group I would go the extra mile to see in a heartbeat! I will certainly never think of the song “Fix You” by Coldplay the same way again!

The past two days have been slightly frustrating. I am tired but unable sleep at night for hours… and then there is the lack of being able to eat enough to not feel too light headed… I am still debating the merits of the diclectin. I would love to find something I can consistently eat and fill up on, though melon and ice water are helping.

The boys are still hard at work learning the numbers 11-20. Gavin seems to be catching on quicker than Zander but everyone is enjoying the printed out sheets. Today was fish.

Two fish and an elephant (Gavin middle)

Oh and don’t forget the biggest treat for today — SLEDDING! And new friends! We were invited by another homeschooling family to come out to a hill they enjoy. The mom and the youngest (Trinity’s age) were able to make it out – they also have a 6yr old girl! Trinity and I stayed home as I had had another near sleepless night as had Trinity so it was just Ken and the boys but they had a blast. And it is looking like we will have another play date sometime soon!

Gavin

Zander

So it has been quite the few days. I am more emotional than ever but at the same time that makes the happy moments all that much more… exquisite. Although with this continual nausea… well I am able to better face the idea that this is the LAST pregnancy. So hidden bonus right?

Cutie Patootie!