July 21-26

The days in July are ticking away as is the kids’ time with their cousins before they make the move to Florida. So when we have the chance and they are over school is set aside in favour of play. But the week STARTED with half days.

Trinity finished her booklets about her July 4th experience and the 4 days of VBS (she did a page for each day)… sorry about the fuzzy pictures. We had a drawing and then a couple sentences that talked about her experience or what she learned.

The girls have been working together a lot lately. AND Miss Echo made her first real go at using scissors… it was… interesting!

Of course we took advantage of our recorded Wild Kratts episode. The same on Tuesday.

Tuesday was a backwards day with pool and tent trailer in the sunshine THEN school.

Wednesday was a day of worn out toddler… but there was a silver lining – Baba snuggles. She seemed to have caught a slight bug.

The weather is definitely holding lately. With the whispers of another cold winter I am chucking these guys out NOW to enjoy all the sunshine and run out the excess energy! Clothed or not!

Thursday was another of our limited time only cousin get togethers. It is so weird to be on the opposite side of the visit in Minnesota! We have tried to tell the kids to take advantage of their time with Gabbi and Zachary. And I think they did a decent job. Of course we had school in the morning before Nana and Baba returned with the cousins.

Then it was out into the yard… the tent trailer was finishing airing out before heading over to Joe and Faithe’s for them to stay in as they finish their cleaning out of their house for the big move.

And the backyard garden was just screaming for us to come and pick and poke around.

Don’t forget the pool! We inherited new water guns that were not slated to head to Florida for the kids to play with as well.

The next day it was breakfast all together made by Baba, of course. Followed by a very special tea party with REAL tea hosted by Miss Gabriella.

Chicken noodle supper rounded off the meals (a common cousin request).

So much cousin fun.

Saturday the cousins went home and we made do just as us. Inside and outside we made Saturday count WITHOUT electronics.

BUT that night… BONFIRE and just for Ken and myself! Shandai (my bestfriend from Canada who moved here blah blah blah) had moved into her new rental with her boyfriend Ravyn (super nice guy). We left our kids with Chris Schwartz until Nana and Baba could get home and had a blast… booze, food and a bonfire… oh and two snuggly kitties. Not only did we have a blast but Ken got in a nap. With the cats!

I have to admit… I have not drank so much in ages but it was so much fun! We were out past 3 am I think!!

I was finally able to gift my housewarming present… when I was growing up my mom always took spider plant cuttings potted when someone moved into a new house. I can never remember what plants are cat safe AND am not able to keep many plants right now so I figured why not make some to gift!! I also made some to sell. I have plastic pots for those. For Shandai’s I used tiny clay pots and saucers I purchased at Walmart.

So we have been busy and made good use of our days…And our evenings. Mid week Ken and I snuck away and went to Chris and Renee’s KIDS FREE to drink, have a bonfire and hang out.

July 8-9

Well this summer has been a scheduling jumble and it turned out that with the boys getting home we only had the week following for school before our own church had VBS planned! I think our choice to do TWO VBSes was a good one. We had a CD given to us at the end of Sunday School with the songs for VBS. So of course, the rest of the week it was music in the background with many spontaneous dance parties!

The reunited siblings had some great together moments. Trinity and Emanuel did a wonderful job on their Canada Day picture. (print out thanks to Activity Village… click link on right and search Canada Day)

And while the tent trailer was being emptied and aired out the kids played and enjoyed the sunshine (and the new place to hang out) together.

The yard is so beautiful in the summer.

Which all led to spontaneous lawn work!!! The kids did an amazing job.

Eventually back into the pool.

Or in Echo’s case, begging Baba to NOT spray her… which in Echo world means SPRAY ME NOW PLEASE!!!!!

We spent much of Wednesday (9th) out in the sun. Stitching cat toys while the kids played in the pool.

Throw in a little fanfiction…

And an open tent trailer and we really didn’t see the necessity to come in and do practical learning. Sometimes learning to share and cooperate and enjoy the world around us is even better!

I think that this was our first truly slowed down weekend since we officially moved to Minnesota! And even then on Saturday we were out and about. I think this is also the first weekend we have experienced that was a little on the cold side. Ok, not cold really but closer to low 20’s instead of 30’s (Celsius of course). We actually brought a couple sweaters out on Sunday! 

Anyway… Saturday… leisurely morning of doing nothing ate up our time. Which of course is not really a BAD thing. But in the late morning/early afternoon the ladies of the house (all 4 of out) left on a mission – to find shoes for two little girls while Kohl’s had not only their clearance racks out but an added coupon for those lucky enough to be credit card users (store card of course). Two stores later and we had two very happy little girls with shoes befitting princesses. In fact, Trinity got the very last pair of her light up sandals as requested and Echo finally stopped saying ow to the shoes 6 pairs in! 

Note the lights

Not to mention we rocked those clearance racks! With stuff already marked down 60 percent and then an added 30% for using the credit card and coupon combo… items were down super low! Dresses for under 4.00 and yours truly with two pretty striped tanks for 1.90 a piece! Now our girls are decked out in style! And Echo has OPTIONS for that special dress for not only her party (when we finally settle on a date) but also for her 2 year pictures tomorrow! 

Some of the Kohl’s booty

Well with all that shopping done and the boys back from being at the park (no pictures as the menfolk were too busy climbing and playing and then eating ice cream at Dairy Queen) it was time for some relaxing quiet time, naps for some… tanning for the Nana and Baba in preparation for their next big trip in the beginning of September! 

Oh and did I mention… last night I FINALLY got to play my birthday present… that’s right – LITTLE BIG PLANET 2 on the PS3! Finally!!

Another exciting moment… yesterday I got an email (or 3 really) alerting me to the fact that I won a draw! That’s right, 25.00 to spend on a lovely downloadable site that has tons of resources for teachers and homeschooling parents. I found out about the draw through a wonderful blogger called The Moffatt Girls! And the site to note: Teachers Notebook. So now Ken and myself have some shopping to do for resources that fit our plans for the children this year. This ties in wonderfully with the fact that a lot of these stores have back to school sales going on to begin with. Maybe something seasonal? Or something to help along our big goal of learning to multiply and divide? Or a reading resource?? I will be sure to share what we purchase!!! Definitely a godsend with our tiny budget available right now. 

I am actually going out of my way to enter as many school related draws and contests as I can to help supplement our supplies as well as continue the hunt for freebies. After all freebies are helpful to EVERYONE! So be sure to check back… I am hoping to make this school year much closer to a free homeschool year than ever before! Start with Education.com though, that one I can already suggest with absolute certainty. 

Anyway… Sunday… well of course we had to bring out some of the new clothes… the boys had Angry Birds tshirts that two chose to wear… Trinity her dress Ken and I got her (on clearance) from Walmart and Echo one of the Kohl’s finds. Can you believe a size 9month dress! Fits absolutely perfectly.

Waving to Nana and Baba

Dressed so pretty

Of course Ken put his foot down and said NO GOING OUT! So while Nana and Baba did the biking thing and tanning we made Perler bead creations as presents for our Echo who turns two tomorrow, total creativity.

Working on presents

 And then in the afternoon we had cousins descend upon us. They had all be out camping and had to return the tent trailer. They came with an educational surprise. Our very own butterfly chrysalis which in time will become a monarch butterfly! Talk about instant move to a focus on learning there. 

Butterfly to be

While the tent trailer was emptied out and put back in its parking place the kids ran their hearts out, climbed the trees and generally made mischief of a rather controlled nature. I do love watching them all play together. 

The call of the tree

Ken couldn’t resist either

Our dinner for the evening with late lunches and breafast?? Baba made popcorn add to that a movie – Dragon Hunters and our evening was complete. 

 I have been hard at work with my stitching. I love the wings on the butterfly. Creating them has been so much fun! 

Loving this one

This coming week should be interesting… we have a butterfly to watch, Mars to continue talking about… there are friends to connect with, a birthday to recognize and of course Ken’s job hunt to support. Life certainly is anything but boring!

Miss Trinity