Happy Victoria Day everyone (ok somewhat belatedly but I am trying here). And with that we are a family back together… well sort of. Ken found that the internets here were intermittent and not working for him for work so come evening he left us for greener pastures at Sharon and Darryl’s but not, thankfully, until AFTER the girls had their bath and hair washed. 

Anyway, Victoria Day… Not a full day off for Ken as a holiday in CANADA not the US. But in the morning Ken and most of the kids took Gypsy for her morning stroll. It was a rather nice day in fact. This was the first time Ken ever walked Gypsy and it went quite well. 

Seeing off the troops

Breakfast in the highchair

We worked on some more school stuff for our duotangs, I emptied more of the van and stored it all away and of course we played. That fenced backyard, toy shed, sandbox AND a dog… bliss for our 5! 

Fun in the backyard

Baby in the wagon

Once Echo fell asleep for her afternoon nap Trinity and I got all packed up and walked to Co-Op which was thankfully open on a holiday Monday. We wandered the aisles… picked up food for supper AND got a cookie at the bakery! Chocolate chip for a very well behaved girl. Of course after that we had to stop off across the street at 7-11 to make sure that there IS a free slurpee day coming up (Wednesday) and then in turn pick up a slurpee to share. 

Ready for our walk

The rest of the afternoon was spent at home with the kids running Gypsy to happy exhaustion. The day was perfect for outdoor fun.

Little Sunshine... she went out too but first a snack

After supper Ken and I packed the kids up (and the dog) and went to the park that is just down the street from the house. There were two other kids there (a boy and a girl) and the kids made instant friends. I ran the dog back and forth on the green to keep her off the sand and the kids. She is still very timid around new people at times. 

ZOMG a picture of ME!

We stayed until the clouds blew in and the wind started to pick up, we really didn’t want to be caught in any rain and the baby was getting fussy. So it was time to say good bye and head back for baths and bed.

Pushing her own stroller

And I can’t forget the turtle Emanuel made for us out of the clay! He took inspiration off the one on the box (thus the details in the legs) and of course her eggs.

A most amazing turtle

Tuesday was rainy, VERY rainy… Ken took some of the kids for the morning walk with the dog… while they were out and about enjoying the rain Echo and I took pictures.

Sweet Pea

With attitude

What is there to do at Grandma’s on a rainy day? Why… play GOLF!

GOLF

This of course was later documented in the boys’ duotangs…What is Mommy to do? Sort her purse out, and boy did I need to!

All of that did NOT go back into the purse

The each did a picture dealing with the Weather. Zander has decided to do a daily weather report like is on tv. Three boxes for the day with an image to represent the weather and then the temperature listed as well. Even Emanuel got in on schoolwork with copying some words that relate to the stuff the boys are working on. 

Weather work with the Weather Channel

Emanuel and his words

Basically an indoor sort of day, even Gypsy was less than enthused with the great outdoors… I guess kids AND dog hate sitting in the wet grass to play and of course in the rain the sandbox is off limits! But what a great way to start the week: schoolwork, doggy time and various entertaining activities! And tomorrow… we finally CATCH UP the blog! 

And one more for the cuteness factor

And so we wake up on the middle day of our long weekend here in Alberta. Sunday, the day before Victoria Day. No Sunday school on long weekends so no guilt for not heading back to the city for that. Instead we woke up early and… walked the dog. It was nicer out than Saturday morning but there was still resistance. 

Walking together! (Gavin)

Best seat

After a brisk but lengthy walk the kids played outside while I made breakfast and our day began once again.

Baby and her puppy

We had a very special walk in the afternoon to Liquidation World. We were originally looking for bubbles since ours were coming back with Ken from the city that night but had no luck there. So of course we wandered the aisles, picked up some candy and… texted Ken to request input on a very special purchase… a new inflatable pool! I got vetoed on the larger 40.00 one as of course with 5 kids an inflatable pool really only lasts ONE season but the 24.00 one… came home with us in the bottom of the stroller! Thank goodness Ted had his cell phone and was with Ken so we could converse via the texts! 

The pool!

The kids were first excited about the possibility, then bored when it took FOREVER to hear back from Daddy (we timed this financial dilemma with his shower time) and then excited again when that box came off the shelf and we paid for it! One more BIG step forward to fulfilling our summer dreams.

The kids were relatively well behaved… well enough so that we could agree that EVERYONE deserved a freezie and I mean EVERYONE. Even Echo got a half of one that she managed to spread all over herself and enjoy thoroughly. I had to redo her hair, sadly I am not the stylist my mom is but I managed a jaunty little ponytail that kept her hair out of her eyes admirably. 

Freezie!

The rest of our evening was spent with baths and preparing for early bed… Ken was due home that night and it was more than enough for me to be home alone with the kids that long. All the walking and such is enough to make you ready to curl up and nap. We had to cancel our second walk and instead the kids played with Gypsy in the backyard running and tossing her ball. Echo was too done in and had to be in bed right after dinner after all.

Happy to have Gavin feed her her yogurt and aspirin

Tv for the boys in their rooms for an hour or so and then lights out and bed. I waited for the silence and then took a bath and library book for myself. Thanks again to Victoria for helping me pick some out on my way here… and even better, they can be returned here in town since it is Parkland area! EASY!

They are actually doing quite well sitting and having cartoon breaks together

I was so glad that Ken got home Sunday night, regardless of the kids… I missed him a lot. We do our best here together. No matter WHERE together is… I am honestly REALLY looking forward to being together in our OWN place, with the viewings he had this weekend we must be one step closer but in all honesty being here… in the town I spent the largest span of time in (we moved a lot growing up)… the urgency has faded a little. Don’t get me wrong, I still want us to move on… but here we have some space to breath, a town I remember fondly to explore and family around (well sort of … when they get back from THEIR vacation). Maybe not the most exciting town but there are things for the kids to explore.

And explore we will so keep checking back!!

Tupperware makes the best toys!