27 (almost 28) weeks

The kids have been practicing their bike skills. John Paul wants to take off his training wheels soon, while Joseph is working on riding with no hands. We've been spending tons of time outdoors and winding down our school subjects for the year so we can be almost exclusively outside.

Emilie is all bruised up in the face - but not from biking or trying to walk beside John Paul's bike, as the pictures might suggest. She fell down the kitchen stairs last week, as nearly as we could get out of her. Her poor face and nose suffered. She's been telling us every day: "My nose and face are starting to be better!" You can see the purple/blue around her nose above.

Baby continues to grow, as do I. I'm now just about 28 weeks along with this little one. I drank the horrible orange drink yesterday and sat for an hour at the blood clinic. Apparently, the drink is the equivalent of about 3 Cokes. Say what! I have a running list of things I have to do this summer (fun and not so fun): Emilie's baby book, photo albums, buy plants, re-pot succulents, plan/organize school for the fall, organize baby stuff.

And we made a summer bucket list for fun... and because due to the above baby, we don't have any huge travel or camping plans. I'm sure we'll be adding to it.

Summer Bucket List

• go fishing
• play baseball at diamond
• go to Nipawin pool
• have a picnic at the park
• backyard camping
• campfire roast
• learn to bake/cook
• make play dough
• go to bouncy castle park
• go mini-golfing
• go to driving range and golf course
• go to the beach
• make a lemonade stand
• make origami
• finger paint outside
• make slime
• plan and build a woodworking project
• play "Chopped"
• visit Kipabiskau Regional Park

Long Weekend

Last week the kids decided to make stores in our backyard with some friends. They use coloured rocks for their currency. They set up stands of any group of things - balls, chalk-coloured wood, sticks and other tools (obviously, the sticks are actually something else: guns or metal detectors). It's been hours of fun!

We spent 2/3 of our long weekend in Nipawin. The kids were delighted to have their cousins from Saskatoon to hang out with. They hiked the trails, played lots of baseball and soccer, searched for missing kittens, built a fire (see above), and tried to light it with sticks. Emilie was finally convinced to hold a little kitten, but spent the rest of her time shadowing her big cousin Catherine.

We also planted our garden. It's an ambitious endeavor and, thankfully, Dan is quite willing to take on the bulk (90% +) of the work this summer. I can't see myself weeding or harvesting much at 8-9 months pregnant. It's so easy to plant, but very difficult for me to remember just how much produce comes from what I plant. Last year, we had 4 zucchini plants and drowned in zucchini. This year - I planted 7! I made a mistake, ok? Yikes. We also expanded most of our other garden veggies. August will see us eating copious amounts of zucchini, salad, and cucumbers at every. single. meal. It's a good life!

Mother's Day Weekend

 

 

 

We had our first day of gorgeous weather yesterday on Mother's Day. It's been a long, long, slow Spring, but I think we are finally into the warm weather.

We spent the afternoon in Nipawin. Four new baby kittens were born last week and all the kids were excited (and nervous) to see them. John Paul and Emilie didn't want to hold them, but kept wanting to go back and check on them. The boys took out guns (mini-sticks) and went hunting with Emma. Not to be outdone, Emilie found her own stick for a gun and went around saying "pow pow". Dan and Joseph walked out around the remaining flood water in the field to check for tracks. They saw dog, cat, deer, and duck tracks, apparently.

We are itching to plant our garden. Next weekend!! Hopefully, I can still crouch for a reasonable amount of time to seed without falling over (haha!).

The family spoiled me with cards, roses, and a sweet video of our life with kids these past 7 years. We also ate scrumptious (huge!) burgers and angel food cake (plus strawberries and whipped cream, of course). How blessed I am!