Well it has been a while since I have done a full blog entry! We have had a party, driven to Grandma’s, reconnected with friends gone for 3 years now returned, had chicken from the 7-11 for old time’s sake and played with the family pet (well Grandma’s pet but we share while we visit). It has been a whirlwind of fun, food, and best of all FRIENDS and FAMILY. 

Baby in a hat

We said good bye to Sean who left shortly before we did on Friday. He had errands back home and his folks in town for a conference. (she) Chris dropped off her van earlier than expected so we were even out the door earlier than originally planned. We left her with our house key and were off! It is actually rather lucky that we couldn’t take our van as with the amount of stuff we came back with it would have been a SUPER squeeze! Oh to have a newER van!!!

Visiting with Chris

A picture for Aunty

We made good time to Grandma’s and the kids were quick (as usual) to make themselves at home. Gypsy, my mom’s new dog was there and amazingly calm with the kids. They absolutely LOVE her though Echo and Gypsy had some struggles finding a balance. Gypsy wanted to give kisses and steal snacks and Echo most definitely did NOT agree! She is not a tiny dog so Echo did a bit of her usual screaming to make her point as really what else could she do with someone so much bigger than her??

Gypsy

Dinner was already waiting for us when we got there – roast beef with potatoes and gravy!!! Ohhhh yum! With enough left over for tons of leftovers (that should give you an idea of how big a roast… our 7 plus mom with leftovers!). There was lots of time for visiting and playing (Trinity just disappeared into the playroom to play with her dollhouse) and of course fun with puppy time.

Saturday morning we had the usual amazing Grandparent breakfast fare – WAFFLES! Homemade of course! Everyone in the family loves a good waffle from the biggest to the smallest! Though Echo tried our stamina by waking up around 6 am. Mom even had strawberries, blueberries and raspberries defrosted to go on top with some whipped  topping. The kids love that as she puts the bowl on the table of the fruit and those cans that you push the nozzle for the topping and they get to go nuts! The mess is actually rather minor and with our family, NO leftovers! 

All growed up

Puppy prettied up for the party

There were a few errands to run, mom and I went to the grocery store and picked up the cake Mike ordered for the boys from the Co-Op. He is in Jamaica right now (until the 21st I think) and so was unable to make it. He did call AND the cake… well the cake was absolutely AMAZING! 

The most awesome cake

Grandma and Echo

Ken and Zander ran out as well, and were SUPPOSED to get Zander’s glasses fixed (nose piece, straightened) only to have Zander bring the case without the glasses in it! You can imagine how happy Ken was NOT. So the new plan is to take him in tomorrow (Mondays are a black out for Ken with work) with the glasses firmly on his FACE! 

2pm marked the beginning of our first true KID party! And did we ever do it in style!! TONS of kids, lots of fun, food… OMG the food! Mom made her absolutely amazing dip that we all crave and covet. Crackers and veggies (thank you Chris and Chris for the broccoli and tomatoes you picked up at H&W for us!!) and punch (orange juice and generic ginger ale)… Along with the Epicure dip mom won at Christmas… so much snacking!

SNACKS

There were kids everywhere – down in the basement where toys reside, outside… babies in the kitchen (and so many babies!). Echo finally got to meet her birthday buddy Seth as well as 2 month younger Avery… They all played rather well with the baby toys my mom has on hand just for such occassions. Oh and don’t forget baby Russell (9 months)

In the basement

Backyard

Babies - Avery and Russell

Birthday buddy Seth

On top of all the snacking there was hotdogs before cake! We had to contrive enough places  to sit and eat but we managed!

Some of the guests

And then the cake… it was DELICIOUS!

Blowing out the candles

And finally PRESENTS! People were so generous… everything from Swim lessons (thank you SO much Bleau family! Pictures WILL follow) to transformers and even something to go with our Wii… lots of educational things as well! I have to say I was right with Zander’s present… a 3.00 chess set to replace the one he has that has pieces missing apparently was the PERFECT choice! 

Sharon and Echo

Lucky boys

I had stamps and paper and pencils for those kids left after all the fuss to create with and visited late into the evening with the one family that stuck around. Christine (Gavin’s god mother) even brought her two puppies to meet Gypsy (Bella and Jasper). So we also had a puppy playdate. Don’t forget that we had friends come who we had not seen in years! OH and new friends to meet… What a day! 

Bella

And to end the day – going to 7-11 for an old University treat – wings and wedges… noms! Seriously we would once a week go and get this stuff… they had a special on Thursdays!! It was tradition!

Nostalgia in a box

Karyn stayed the night and we hung out with Ken in the basement. I have to say for a birthday party literally over run with kids and noise and festivity… I think we did a great job!! I am hoping to go back in March and plan some playdates for the kids. We are the only homeschooling family out of the bunch but there is always weekends, late afternoon… baby playdates… I am sure we will manage! 

Out from behind the camera

Well the first day of the new “regime” has gone over rather well… we are already seeing a lot more wet diapers, she is still not sure about this whole no soother thing but we are doing as much nursing as we can. I am already excited about the wet diaper results, now if we can just get her weight to bounce up with the banana/breastmilk mixture!! Ken is  going to weigh her on his own so I don’t start obsessing and I am just going to do the very best I can.

Hanging with Big Brother Gavin

We have a new “toy” for Echo, Babies R Us had a 50% off sale on their Ocean Wonders swing – the version that is compact. So instead of paying 100.00 for a swing we spent around 60. She was rather impressed from the start. Not only does it swing, have her sitting somewhat upright and have a fish for her to look at it also does music with water sounds AND vibration. Our other swing was 6+ yrs old and dying so this is a wonderful addition to the clutter in our home.

New swing

Since it is New Years Eve we decided to do our usual – friends over with their computers. This year not nearly so many people could come, so we are able to have everyone upstairs. Just our family (minus Zander) and Ted and Sean.

Computers at the ready

I am even letting the kids stay up as late as they can… barring bad behaviour. They are already  being spoiled with candy canes and Wii!!

Trinity's wiimote had no batteries but she still "won"

I have started the post Christmas cleaning, but only enough to uncover our kitchen table from the festivities, I am still hoping to do some posed pictures in front of our tree before we tear it down, and the kids love their Christmas wall and counter top so I won’t be taking that apart until later next week. The next big thing to plan is Chinese New Years (we are trying to celebrate it each year – this will be our second year) and then the twins and Emanuel’s combined birthdays. There has been a rumour of a cake being made at Grandma and Grandpa’s house for the birthday party! I am excited to see what will come of that.

I have to say this year has been rough and frustrating at times, but there have been good moments as well – like Echo’s birth, this new old van, having the twins registered officially for homeschooling… In fact, I think it is safe to say 2010 is ending on a high note. After all we are all of relatively good health, together and mobile. Next year can only get better!

Now to go and ring in the New Year with 3 very hyper active children and a slightly fussy baby. Thank goodness Ken is home to help out! Happy New Years everyone!