Canada Day is tomorrow… we don’t have much in the way of decorations this year BUT I did find 3 little flags to put out. I went onto our very favourite UK site to hunt down some Canada themed print outs and lucked out. One of the ideas I found for decorations is the flag bunting. I am so happy to have my colour toner once again. We couldn’t find the box of strings BUT I did find a ziploc of decorative ribbon.

Working on their bunting

If you want to find a variety of Canadian printables etc. Be sure to check the UK site link HERE. I find that our boys especially enjoy the colouring pages this site has to offer, and don’t forget the puzzles.

Large flags and their colouring pages

Small flags by the door

DLTK had this neat 3D maple leaf craft… simple but fun. I figure anything where we get to make SOMETHING is a plus with this crowd.

Zander and his leaf

Next year I hope to cover the United States over the month of June and have the boys learn all about where their dad comes from. Then we can do a mini Independence Day celebration. I just hope I am going at a pace that is acceptable, I mean I KNOW that the facilitator, the kids, even KEN are happy with our progress but I am always a wee bit concerned. Zander and I are going to focus on his reading next week too (I think I mentioned that previously), I am hoping that some extra one on one will help him to be more settled here at home. Which he actually admitted to starting to like better than the old place last night! BREAKTHROUGH!

Today was THE day – we got our first piece of mail with our new address on it! And if this was not an omen for good … it was from my Grandma! A clear indication that the post is working again (of course this was directly addressed to us, we have not seen any forwarded mail yet). I love getting her handwritten letters, it is always a wonderful excuse to get out some paper and pen her one in return. Which is what I will do AFTER Canada Day.

After a mass amount of Canada Day themed printouts and the younger 3 napping the twins and I walked the block down to the local gas/convenience store. We took all of Ken’s change and went out to get a treat. After all they worked diligently to make their flag bunting and didn’t complain AT ALL about the word search! It was nice and sunny and just wonderful to get out with two of the kids instead of all 5.

First picture in front of the new "picture tree"

After naptime we packed the whole family up (in the rain at this point) and tried H&M for a Canada Day themed shirt for Miss Echo. No such luck BUT we got a cute little red long sleeved number that will go well with her headband and a nice pair of pants… and even better – on SALE – 2.00!!! BONUS! The others will be wearing red and white as well. I figure we will buy THEMED shirts next year.

Echo's shirt

We also continued on with our swan story. It was actually a rather long chapter about Louis’ night at the Ritz. Zander was super well behaved doing ALL of his assignments (including this one) WITHOUT whining so I let him have a whole HOUR on the computer with a timer so he could stop and start when he wanted. I was so glad he didn’t do his usual surly routine!

Completed swan page

I found some blue ribbons that all go together… actually ECHO found the pretty Snow Princess ribbon by digging through something I had on the floor in the tv room while I was moving speakers (gotta love the “walk in closet” in our room – it goes down under the stairs and the sub woofer fits!). Definitely not something I can make for the girls to wear now but it will work for the winter!

I did decide against the top ribbon but had already formed a bow out of it so now have to find matching ribbons for THAT one... I love how that happens!

I am trying ANOTHER anime on for size – this one D.Gray-Man. Not nearly as instant grab for me as Soul Eater but definitely interesting. Ken has been trying to hunt down a few others I am interested in that are not on Netflix. (and the rest of the XXXholic that wasn’t there as well)

Now to get back to ribbon making, anime watching and tidying!

Echo all in white

One’s life is a compilation of decisions, action, opinions and emotions… it is amazing how you create your own path (whether you are aware or not) with each movement and breath. The path Ken and I are on now is definitely focused on our little (or not so little) family. I know I want out path to be the best path FOR US and we work hard each day to accomplish this. I am VERY proud of how hard Ken works for us and feel very blessed.

Today was a bit of a slow day as Zander was misbehaving and got sent to his room for a 30 min break which led to him falling asleep! (a definite sign that he NEEDED to sleep, falling asleep so easily) Gavin and I took the time to finish up his Canadian lapbook. A very simple Currclick file. Tomorrow the plan is for me to sit down with Zander and do his.

Gavin at work

Gavin also took the time and coloured a map of Canada (and the US) that I found online. He coloured his to match the puzzle I bought them at Dollarama a month or two ago. We are getting pretty sorted out on the country/province/city concept. Next is our phone number and address. Next month I also need to get us back to days/months etc… oh and TIME!

Gavin's is the lower map

We read our next chapter in our chapter book but have misplaced our previous chapter’s pictures. A mildly frustrating thing, but I am sure we will sort it out. Right now when the boys set something down where it is NOT supposed to be it is a bit of a confusion to find it afterwards.

Completed pictures

I did up a couple more bows last night waiting for Ken to get home (he was VERY late). I still haven’t gotten to the ones for the August wedding, but I will!

Two more bows

We picked up our watermelon for Canada Day today… I am thinking we will stay mostly at home on the 1st but get out to something early in the day. Now if I could just get my camera to behave! Nothing devastating, just a bit of dirt causing issue. But I DO love my camera!

Miss T

My cousin Veronika has a great idea for us – that we have an exorcism done on the van (can you tell she was raised Catholic?). Of course this is a lead in on a whole new van saga… at least this time it is down to a tire issue. Ken was back at the old place to finish up there and started back early last night. He got out of town and blew a tire. The worst of it was that without a cellphone he had to sit there for AGES until someone kindly stopped and let him use theirs to call AMA. Then he had to wait around an hour for a tow. Luckily they had just enough time to get him to a smaller gas station/mechanics before the late night mechanic left at 10 pm. Rim damage had him grounded in the city overnight.

We were up early as apparently “please play quietly in Trinity’s room for a bit so Mommy and Echo can sleep a little longer” means go into the kitchen in front of the stairs and have a screaming fight and then drop something on the floor. So we accelerated our way through breakfast with Gavin my willing helper to feed Echo. And then right into schoolwork… MATH.

Math time

I figured if we busted through the bit we wanted to do we could work out the grumpies AFTER that. We read our chapter in our book amongst the chaos that is my bedroom and then the usual pictures.

Relatively simple drawings today for our short chapter

I have to say two full days without Ken but having all 5 kids – not fun. I have really missed him. The kids have too, they are very used to being able to see Daddy whenever they want. Of course it was not all sunshine and roses for Ken either. The rim damage had him stuck in the city until late afternoon – way past when he wanted to come home, and of course the added expense no matter how big or small is never something welcome. We are a strange pair… we ALWAYS do better TOGETHER…

Tomorrow marks my 32nd birthday! Nothing extravagant planned but I am happy to celebrate. Tonight I got some time out of the house with Kristen and her friend Kim. We went out to the newest scrapbooking store in town and I bought a couple pieces of paper to use on a page for Echo or Trinity. And then to the local ice cream parlour (only open through the spring/summer season). After 2 days home alone with the kids it was a welcome outing. And the opportunity to meet someone new!

New paper!

I think I have finally collected all the maternity clothing containers I have, so after my  birthday I am going to spend some time sorting through to list. I am still waiting back on a woman interested in some spare cross stitch items I am willing to part with and another on some scrapbook items. The box of past costumes has been found and a box of toys I am sure we don’t need. My hope is to liquidate all of this stuff and give myself the spare cash to offset the expense of a bigger pool for the kids AND the make-up I need for the August wedding. So in anyone in my area is interested please let me know!! I need the space!

Echo in Trinity's first Christmas dress! I love the Scotty dogs.