Back To School!

Today, I survived our first day back to school…

More importantly, so did the kids!

Just a little FYI… I had absolutely nothing to do with the outfit selections in these photographs. I used to try and make sure that they always matched, and their hair was always done perfectly… I remember looking at other peoples’ kids and thinking “I would NEVER let my child step foot outside the door dressed like that!”

I used to swear off, tacky little character shoes, cartoon shirts, and mismatched socks.

Now, they dress themselves. Even Jeddy… the girls do their own, or eachothers’ hair. Elijah has StarWars sandals, and as you can see from the picture- a Cars shirt. The girls don’t always match. OK, rarely match.

Against my better judgement, I let Prayer choose her own yarn for a hat. So what if it looks like she’s wearing scrambled eggs on her head, right?

Maybe I’m maturing as a mother?… Maybe I’m just too lazy to bother now?…  Either way, the kids are happy!

The girls and I decided to use some leftover fabric, and make our own school bags this year.

I was amazed by how simple they were. I think Keona could have probably done them on her own after watching me!

We finally found a pair of shoes that Ella will keep on…

She must take after her father. Only the most expensive ones will do! :P She refused to take them off all day. Maybe she’ll decide to walk now!?

And where was Jeddy while all this was going on?

Do I really even have to tell you?

Probably not…

You guessed it!

Now that we made it through the first day of school without killing hurting eachother- I finally got around to cutting the boys’ hair, the kids are all showered and in bed, and now -maybe I can relax.

Or…

I could crochet the 10 hats I have orders for, finish the props for the baby photoshoot this weekend, paint our new chest for the livingroom, wash and iron Scott’s dress shirts for the week, find the perfect place in Durham for family portraits, and maybe…. just maybe… have time for a shower myself?…

Back To VBS

Well, not exactly back to VBS... just back to my VBS post.

What an awesome week. This was our first year, where we didn't have a little baby, or I wasn't pregnant, and we were actually able to go. We helped out with the grade one and two group. That age is hilarious. The things that these kids say... they have no "filter" yet, (as in everything they think just comes right out) so we heard some interesting stories. One little boy, told me that taking medicine is the same thing as doing drugs. Hmmm...

These guys, had a blast in the auditorium. With everything from the "penny contest"...

...to singing the song where we "bark like seal, run like a caribou, and freeze to the colour blue." It did get quite noisy at times. Think 200 kids yelling singing as loud as they possibly can. I have never sang so loud in my life.

See, I was a Penguin, and Scott was a Polar Bear... and you know how competitive we can get.

Don't tell him, but I gave extra pennies to my kids on the penguin team.... ;)

Oh, and the Penguins won. Incase you were wondering...

Other than the kid running headfirst into a mail box, and little girl stepping on a pin... It went pretty smoothly, for having 63 grade one and two kids all together.

Such cuties!

I'm so thankful that we were given the opportunity to have a part in this year's vacation Bible school.

The best part?
On Friday, 29 children came to know Christ as their Saviour!

Now I understand why my kids talk about it non-stop.
I'm already looking forward to next year!

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I started my sewing last night, and I'll only talk about last night...since the dress that I attempted tonight, was a complete and utter failure.
At least Ella's tutu turned out alright!

I. Am. Tired.

Yes, though tired doesn't quite seem to say it.

We started cleaning out our basement two weeks ago. I really should have taken a "before" picture. But I didn't. Even one from this morning, when the entire floor was covered by books- would have been sufficient. Ah well, who wants to see my messy basement anyhow!? I spent the entire day today, cleaning out our storage room. I turned 16 bins of clothing into 8. I got rid of 4 carseats. I still have 2 booster seats down there if anyone is interested! Along with a double stroller that we no longer need.

Oh, if you could have seen all the junk we got rid of...

We turned the storage room, into what the kids are now calling their "library." Keona is the proud new librarian. I think I'm going to have them do some artwork for the walls. The whole purpose of all of this, is so that we have enough space to keep school in the basement this year. My neighbour saw all the stuff outside, and asked if we were moving! Nope... not yet.

Thankfully, I had my little (big) brother here today to be my muscles. It would have taken me forever to do all the lifting and moving on my own. Especially since I know have a slightly handicapped husband. OK, so he isn't really handicapped, he just has a hernia and isn't supposed to lift anything heavy until after his surgery... in September! Easier said than done.

Hopefully, only one or two more days of work, and the basement will be finished. Tomorrow, we move more stuff...

Tonight, I sew. The new fabric we picked up for 50% off, is calling my name! :)

Mondays Are Always Fun

I woke up this morning to a pleasant surprise- Jeddy had thrown up all over his bed at some point during the night, but apparently slept through it...? I will never understand how they do that. He was so cranky this morning (not that I blame him) but usually when he's sick, he atleast slows down a bit. Not today! He was still in to everything. Just extra cranky. He did crash around lunch time though. I had sat him on the green chair after pulling him out of the kitchen for the 4,000th time, and when I looked back, he was fast asleep.

I think the "He's so sweet....when he's sleeping!" saying applies here.. ;)


This weekend, we decided to have a quiet Easter dinner at home. Considering Scott had 2 papers, a speech, a sermon, a reading log, a book report, a speech file (and I know I'm forgetting things) due this week.... we needed that quiet time.

I made a big turkey dinner, and baked ALOT. Too much... I'm afraid that baking has become a hobby. One that I'm going to have to give up. I ate way too much this weekend. The kids and I made these Easter egg style "cake-pops" from Bakerella's site. SO much fun! The kids had a blast decorating the eggs.



And they didn't just sit there and rot! We actually got to eat them!

We will definitely do this again soon next Easter.

And then, since I took my Grandma's advice and tried making a cake from scratch, I had all this leftover batter from the cake pops... so I had to make a little cake too...and some icing...and some fondant...then I dyed it green for Jed...and decorated it for fun... :/



Did I mention the raspberry cheesecake I made for Scott's birthday yet? Cause I made that this weekend too... the last piece is in the fridge right now, calling my name... I will resist and eat the kids' chocolate instead save it for Scott.

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Oooh, and I saw Babylegs for the first time last week and became obsessed with them. Ella had to have a pair. :) I couldn't buy any though, because Scott would be just a tiny bit upset if I spent $15+ shipping on an accessory...for a baby... So instead, I found a tutorial online showing how to make them out of tube socks.

Well, I didn't have any tube socks so I thought I'd use some of the girls' old tights...


Before (rather funky indeed)





And after...




I think they're so cute! Actually, it's mostly the chunky little legs they're on that are cute! After sewing the cuffs on backwards once, taking the stitches out and starting again, they weren't too bad. I'm pulling out all the old tights now to make more "Babylegs." Like I said, it's an obsession...it will pass.

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This afternoon, Elijah knocked down a light fixture. On his head...well, more his nose than his head... He cut his chin, his elbow, bruised his nose, and shattered glass all over his bed, dressers, laundry basket, and floor. Five minutes later, one of our STUPID cats used the girls' top bunk as a litter box. I contemplated killing hurting throwing them outside never mind... Needless to say, I have about 20 loads of laundry waiting down stairs as I type. I'm very thankful for my commercial size appliances right now!

To finish Monday off on a good note, Jeddy and Ella got along for a few minutes while they were looking out the door today. Figured I better capture the moment...being so rare and all... ;)

Muffins, Fondant, and Cake, Oh My!

I had such a wonderfully peaceful sleep last night. I woke up to my girls reading silently in their beds. My little angel, Ella, was quietly playing with her toys. Elijah was being a perfect big brother and reading Jeddy's favourite book to him.

I wish.

In reality, I woke up to Ella screaming, the girls sleeping, Elijah down in the basement playing lego and Jeddy....

Well, this is what happens when you leave a two year old unattended with a box full of muffins.

Oh yeah, and he decided to paint our front door mat with my brand new concealer.

After breakfast, my little darling had the nerve to ask for a "mutton?" (muffin- incase you don't understand his dialect of the English language)

To which Keona explains, "No, you don't want 'mutton'. Mutton comes from sheep."

Jed quickly and sternly replied, "No! Mutton come from Randma!"

Thanks for the muffins by the way Mom. ;)

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Keona and I spent most of the afternoon making marshmallow fondant for the cake I'm attempting to create for the baby shower this weekend. She was convinced that it was play-doh. Until I let her taste some... Much, much better than play-doh. Not that I would know from personal experience...

We also whipped up 7 pounds of buttercream icing. I'm not sure that I'll need that much, but I figured better safe than sorry. Ok, better really safe...

This is my first time making a tiered, or fondant cake. Why not throw them both together and make it 3 tiers just for fun! I'm praying it turns out as planned. Or I'll be making an early morning trip to Costco...

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Oooh, and I finished the dress for Keona! I actually finished it a while ago and just didn't get around to taking pictures. I made tiered skirts for the triplets too... but they were way too hyper and not co-operating for a decent picture.

There are definitely a few things I will do differently next time. She's happy with it though, because most importantly... it twirls when she spins!

Apparently, it acts as a parachute as well when she 'isn't' jumping down the stairs...

I wonder where she gets that from?

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Did I mention that Scott and I celebrated our 9th anniversary this week? We did! We totally planned on getting a nice picture of the two of us all dressed up while we were out.... we forgot... until we were parked at home. So here's our best shot... I think the car mirror blocked my flash.

I can't believe it has been 9 years already! I'm so blessed to be married to my best friend.

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,
-I Phillipians 1:3