Tag Archive | ValueVillage

Duct Tape!!!! Enough Said!

Life goes on and on in the Reinsch-Johnson house and lately at breakneck speed. I would say that is just how we like it, but I would rather have a nice and relaxing week just this once (which begs the question as to why we had 5 kids… not a calm set up at all!). But since that is not happening we are just going with it!

Popcorn baby has recruited siblings!

We started our morning with Stuart Little… apparently he has decided to run away from home and actually knows a dentist who can make model cars that turn invisible! I certainly don’t know the right people! The kids were rather credulous about how REAL something like that would be… 

Stuart and his begginings of a new adventure

I ducked away to have a bath once Echo was asleep and left the kids to finish up their art, work on cutting out some more stuff for their months lapbook and apparently making princess crowns for Trinity!!

One crown

And the other... note the wooden crafts they found when we tidied.

Can you tell I am getting as much use as I can out of the camera before I ship it off? We took a family picture (well kids) in front of our picture tree before we ran errands…

In the front yard

It turns out Best Buy in Canada does NOT ship out objects unless under their warranty so Ken has a few calls to make and if we can’t find a local company that DOES if you are under warranty we mail on Monday… At least the trip was not a total waste – we were at the same end of the city as ValueVillage and bought the items we need for costume creation, a pair of rubberboots (Gavin), new runners (Trinity – 1.99) AND a new bathingsuit for Emanuel (who is overjoyed as there are DINOSAURS on it!) all for 20.00. 

So proud of his new swimshorts!

I ran out to Michaels with Lauralee and Karyn and picked up some more supplies for schooling – not bad and they gave me the teacher discount!!! 

Crafting goodies!

I left the kids well foamed and busy crafting to go out with the ladies… they do love a good gluing, stickering, messy sort of craft!

Craft time

Today was overcast and cold, as seems to be our fall norm. So we scrapped our morning and had a tent! Handy sheet over the diningroom table and there is just enough room for all 5 kids to enjoy the experience. They took the flashlight that doubles as a lantern, some crayons and paper and hung out under the table for much of the morning. 

In the tent

We had some workbook time… the mini offices are coming in handy to give the big boys some space while the littles babble away at their own books and pages.

Now onto the main focus/excitement of the day – DUCK brand DUCT TAPE!! We took full advantage of what I bought yesterday (black and zebra patterned) and got to work. First off… bracelets! You can find the instructions we followed here. One for each of the kids, though the twins did the work.

Bracelets

And then Gavin took his time and made a basic flower that he in turn gave to his sister. Lots of fun, basically the same as the rose I made previous only on a straw and a lot less petals! (out of choice). You can find THOSE instructions here.

Finished flower

It is hard to find actual visual instructions but the kids decided they wanted to make a coin purse. So we followed a YouTube video and voila – working coin purses for their allowance!!!

I had to make the little ones theirs but the big boys did most everything themselves! 

Zander and his change purse

And then since no one would make one WITH me, I made my OWN bookmark and matching hairbow! You can find written instructions for the bookmark here. And of course the bow here.

Bookmark and hair bow

For fun and with Ken’s help I made myself a full out purse! If you want to give it a go hereare the instructions.  I love the zebra print, it was a GREAT choice! Trinity has a little coin purse out of it that I am ever so tempted to grab. 

PURSE!!

Now as much as I am sure there is more to talk about… I am on a roll here and need to dig out the hot glue gun for other projects. Probably NOT to get going on them BUT to have it ready for tomorrow… crafting is an AWESOME way to end a week!

Future crafter!

Back on Track After an Unexpected Hiatus

So sorry for dropping off the face of the planet for a while. Life got a little out of control here at home, coupled with myself being very ill yesterday and some of today… but we are back full force now! Though Echo is a cranky baby and myself a little off my feed… but we will get there! Promise… now back to the blog entry I started back on Wednesday! Enjoy!  

I love being a fly on the wall with the twins… when they have some quiet time in their room they are rarely truly quiet and Wednesday was no exception… conversation ran immediately to Echo and her shots… the needles were POINTY, they didn’t remember THEIR needles being so LONG and of course it HURTS then the needle pokes your skin… then the conversation went on to “pictures on your skin” and did you know that they are made using NEEDLES?? The scoffing at doing that to yourself was a little comical. In fact, Echo’s appointment at Public Health was one of those times when I wished I had a hidden camera… the kids were all over the place and mildly annoying up until the needles came out for Echo and then did the boys COWER… really there is no better word for it, they shuffled off to the corner by the door and COWERED! 

Our Echo did do rather well at the health clinic. She had 3 shots – two in the leg and one in the arm. She has gained weight and stayed in proportion. Granted not the size that they call “normal” for her age but she is all good. 

Brave little baby

The boys got a new project Wednesday, we purchased from a local homeschooling student, two aloe plants. They are going to do the research as to how to look after them and keep them healthy with Ken… a bit more responsibility. 

Our new plants

We were thrown off a bit with the whole shots appointment and resulting angry baby so other than Gavin doing some sewing on his self designed pattern and Zander working on one of his old unfinished workbooks we basically called it a day. Sadly Thursday followed suit and my sweet boys were absolute wonders… first off we all played in Trinity’s room (Echo included) and the boys kept an eye on her and told me to have a nap! I woke up to breastfeed her and sent her off to bed and the boys played Minecraft while Trinity played in her room around me. Apparently I had a full out play food picnic!! Go figure! I am told I had a wonderful meal and the tea was excellent!

That followed into an early evening for the kids… Echo had post shots crankies and I was still barely functioning so they got some tv and then bed. Karyn stopped by unexpectedly while I was Skyping with dad and drug me out (when I was finished of course) for a slurpee run and some fresh air. Can you believe I got a SMALLER slurpee!!! Was I ever off my game! But it was some much needed girl time, a shoulder to cry on (it has been a rough month as I am sure you have noticed through the posts) and an open heart to share with. I am VERY blessed with my friends – ALL of them! 

This morning was rough, I will admit it… I was still feeling ill and Ken had a lot of running around to do at the end of the month… he worked miracles and got EVERYTHING done in a timely matter (with a little help from some amazing people but still) and then I was finally able to have a nice soak and wash the sick feeling away… A good soak does wonders on ones entire being really! 

But not before I cleaned up Trinity’s room with Echo’s assistance! It is time to get the place ready to turn on the heating which means hunting down each and every vent and making sure it is unobstructed and ready to be turned back on. Quite the job in a place where I really don’t know where the vents are yet… but I have figured out the upstairs and now just need to see if the downstairs are all in the ceiling or not. 

Checking out one of Trinity's baby dolls

Emanuel spent some of his time showing off to Echo all the work he has done in his special workbook. He is very proud of his work as we all are! Echo thought it was very neat! 

Teaching his sister about letters!

I have had some lovely mail lately… clips I bought off of eBay, a belated birthday present for Echo from her godparents and god-sibling and then most recently – a package of ribbon (Halloween themed) from a very considerate and thoughtful homeschooling mom. I cannot wait to find some spare time and make up some hair things for the girls for Halloween! I have started some actual thought on the costumes as well now. Made a cursory trip to ValueVillage, will have to go back with the kids and see what we can find!

New clips

Checking out her birthday box

Some of the ribbon! Thank you!

Tonight I got taken out for dinner by Karyn and Lauralee (thanks you two!). We went to The Rock. The pizza was divine, though after being sick for a day and a half I really couldn’t eat much… what was much more important was the getting out and AWAY from the house… I feel much better, the issues we had to deal with are resolved and I feel a little more at home again. What did come of this was some very heartfelt and meaningful conversations with BOTH of my parents (at different times of course) as well as a realization that Ken and I can face life head on and make it through – though I do it with A LOT of tears! We have learned some gaps in communication we need to fill and realized how we need to understand feelings a little better. I also called my church and have gotten in contact with a church elder who will sit and chat with me once in a while and help me learn some new coping skills! I feel very thankful for that! 

Supper!

I haven’t managed to finish any of my owls BUT they are all works in progress… I am still hoping to have a nice parliament to add come the end of the weekend. They are all a little quirky and hopefully will strike someone’s fancy! 

Popcorn baby came out to play briefly but sadly the popcorn was too buttery and she ended up throwing up (these shots are harsh!) and then crawled away in a panic so you can imagine the mess. And then she blamed ME so it was good that Ken was home to take over with some snuggles! I did get a cute picture though… 

Pre sore tummy and mess

So we hope to get out to enjoy the leaves tomorrow, send the boys to Sunday School on Sunday AND maybe sneak out in Trinity and my special wedding dresses for some pictures in the park… Next week it is back to school with a vengeance. We have much to catch up on and many questions to answer… plants to grow… recycling policies to research… and HOPEFULLY our library card to get (finally)… I am determined to make October a GREAT month! 

I do need to get back to my owls… and tidy up more… and and and. I have had my down days now it is time to liven things back up! Ribbon is calling me… owls are hooting for beaks and wings… and my kids want to learn. That is the sweetest thing of all! 

According to Trinity colouring needs STICKERS