It's true!!!

The best things in life are free....or cheap.

The boys (mine and two extras) have been going to some free day camps put on by local churches.  They have been having a blast.  This week is pirate camp and next week is time travel.

 

I took the youngest two, Lydia and Finn for a walk/ride on Harbour passage this morning.
 
Finn was in the stroller- a freecycle stroller. :) Lydia on her bike that was either from a friend or freecycle. :)

They were thrilled with just watching the Coast Guard boat come in and seeing a train go buy.  She's been waiting all summer to go for this ride.  Probably wasn't the best day as she's feeling yucky with a cold.

We saved a worm from the pedestrians.


This afternoon the 5 oldest are at the school playground program for an ice cream party.

Slip Sliding Away

With Jeff laid off and me having a home daycare, we can't always do what we'd like to on a nice hot day.  The nearest water park is almost 2 hours away and not my cup of tea.  The beach is about 15 minutes but we don't always have room in the van.  Out of desperation for summer fun that is cheap and can be done in our back yard, I've come up with a few water activities that are relatively inexpensive and easy to do.

Four years ago we made a slip and slide with a sheet of plastic.  That summer I was very, very pregnant and not up to lugging kids to the beach.  We also went about three weeks without a vehicle. ( It's an amusing story)  Then Lydia arrived and I wasn't taking a newborn to the beach.

This year I improved on the design of the slip and slide and hopefully we'll make it last the whole summer.  Here's how to make your own backyard waterpark.

Materials: 

• a roll of vapour barrier $29.99 at Home Depot and I have enough for about 4 slides


• 10 plastic tent pegs - we found them at the dollar store


• 9 tennis balls- dollar store


• duct tape- I found duct tape sheets at the dollar store and they were just the perfect size.  10 small sheets for $1


• a hose and nozzle


• cheap soap or baby shampoo- The dollar store shampoo I bought was a little too runny.  Dish detergent woks well but depending on the age of your kids, you'll want something that is non-stinging.


• a pool noodle


• a good pair of scissors

Roll out your vapour barrier and cut it in half.  Mine was 4-4.5 ft wide- that just encourages more kids on the slide at once and the potential for tears if not injuries.  You can also cut it to a good length for your yard.  I have enough left to keep us going for a few years.

I stitched a "hem" in the end of my slide.  This creates a pocket for the pool noodle and the reason for this is two fold.  It creates a bumper at the bottom and it gives me a way to roll up the slide when we are done.  You could use duct tape to do this as well.  The bumper works well for little ones but not as well for bigger kids.



At four evenly spaced intervals, on either side of the slide, place a duct tape sheet.  this will keep the plastic from tearing.



Cut a slit in each tennis ball.  The tennis balls will go on top of your pegs to prevent injury.



Peg your slide down with the tennis ball pegs on each of the duct tape patches.  You might be able to forgo the pegging if you have a flat yard but we are on a slope and this would never work without securing the plasic sheet. 

Secure the hose at the top of the slide, using one of the remaining pegs.



Squirt some soap on the slide and turn on the water.  For best results, grab a buddy.





If you are using the slide for while, you may want to check the bottom of the slide.  We ended up with a mudhole.



Have Fun!!!

Blizzards for supper

 

That's right, we had ice cream for supper.

Today Parker reached a major milestone.  We took the kids swimming and just as we were finishing up, Parker said, "Hey, wanna see me glide?"  Ya OK.  He never takes his feet off the bottom of the pool.  All of a sudden, he's swimming.  We stood there in disbelief.

Years of ear infections developed a fear of water in Parker.  He used to scream and scream over having a bath so we switched to showers by age three.   5 summers ago we offered him a quarter to go into the water up to his belly button.  It worked.  Then we moved on to swimming lessons.  It was slow going and we realized that we'd get more progress with more practice as opposed to actual lessons.   Parker needs time and space to process and figure things out and you can't push him..

We have access to a free pool but during the school year it's hard to fit swimming in.  We told the kids we would try to go twice a week during the summer since they weren't signed up for any evening activitites.  Apparently, the frequent swims are producing results.

And that is why we had Blizzards for supper.  A celebration of a wonderful milestone.

Wii Recycle

We just rearranged our basement "rec"room and the Wii is down there.  With the new setup, the Wii has gotten alot more attention lately.  We don't have room for recycling upstairs so I toss it down the stairs and the kids are supposed to put it in the proper bins.  It often piles up, I have to harrass them to do it and then it's an arguement on whose turn it is.  I found a solution- if you want to use the Wii, recycling needs to be cleaned up.  I made a sign as a reminder, Hannah wants it on a shirt or bag.

It's been working really well.  Parker always asks before he plays and the recycling is always cleaned up.

Stubby Pencils and Report Cards

Another great year of school has gone by.  The kids both had great teachers this year.

Parker continued to do well (A's and B's) and has had some of his accommodations dropped from his SEP.  The school has requested assistive technology for him.  Basically a small word processor he can use at his desk for writing assignments.

Hannah's marks were great.  All A's and A+'s except for gym.  She had a dance routine that was supposed to be performed with two of her friends.  One was away for a week and then one was absent for a few gym classes.  They never got the chance to do their routine so her mark was disappointing.  Truly not fair to the kid who was always prepared to do it.  I despise group assignments.

Here's a sign of hard work.

Most dedicated Shimpokai member

Parker brought home a trophy tonight from judo.  He earned "most dedicated" out of the three awards they gave to the kids class.  He was pretty excited and so are we.  Last summer he was assesssed by OT and he saw a neurologist.  He was diagnosed with dyspraxia and poor muscle tone.    The OT was putting in a referal for physio but when she came to the school to do a reassessment, she decided that he was benefiting more from judo 2-3 times a week than he would from the in school physio that they could provide.  After he had been to judo only a few weeks, she could already see a difference.

Parker has plugged away at judo all year, earned his white and yellow/white belts, gone to two tournaments and been defeated pretty quickly.  The tournaments are an eye opening experience.  They can be pretty aggressive, kids and instructors.  But the Shimpokai club really does practice  "gentle way".  His instructors always check in to see if he's ok after a match, letting him know not to get discouraged.  At practice, they work side by side with the kids, dividing them into smaller groups and giving extra coaching when needed. 

About 6 weeks ago, he turned the corner.  He defeated one of his rivals and he's been on a roll ever since.  His last tournament is on Saturday.

  

Silver Linings

 

This is week three of unemployment for Jeff.  Being "laid off" came as a pretty big surprise and his company didn't want to do it but they are short on projects for him to work on.  After we got over the initial shock, surprisingly we weren't all that worried about him finding a new job.   Despite the fact that we were supposed to get an awesome new health plan next month, we had made plans to get some major projects done and we really, really need a vacation.  We've been through soo many bumps in the past and everything has always worked out.  So what's the silver lining?  Jeff is making the most of his time off and taking care of things around the house that have been on the back burner for too long.  He's helping out with the kids I look after which means I can get out for a wolk with some and leave some home.  I can do things with the older ones that I ordinarily can't do. ( We went to a Superstore cooking class yesterday)  And he's able to put in some volunteer hours with the Family Resource Center and the school by giving them some tech support.  You would think things around here would be more more stressful but for now they are pretty relaxed.  We're dealing with unemployment with a sense of humor and the faith that all our needs will be provided for just like they always have.  There's always a new experience around the corner.

Faith isn't the ability to believe long and far into the misty future. It's simply taking God at his Word and taking the next step. - Joni Erickson Tada -

Little Miss Independant goes Christmas shopping

Lydia decided a while ago that she wanted to buy everyone gum for Christmas.  So today we hit Dollarama and bought lots of gum.  Tomorrow I'll give her scrap pieces of wrapping paper and some tape and she can go at it.  Should keep her busy while I bake. 



Speaking of independant, yesterday she told me it was time to clean up the kitchen and that I needed to help her.  This morning she told me that the gifts I wrapped last night needed to go under the tree and that I didn't do it "pawperwy"

10 more days

I buckled down and got some sewing done last night.



I made a stack of pillowcases last night. 10 pillowcases and 3 gift bags. Need to find the other page to cameron's cloth book and make a couple more diapers and then I am done sewing. Why I don't do this earlier, I'll never know.
Finally figured out a gift for fil, girlfriend and her son. Whoonu- already had it in the gift box, a tin of sweets and some pictures framed.
Other than that, I am finished with gifts.  I've finished shopping and ready to wrap.  Tonight is a baking night and I need to label 50 cd's.  Over the past few weeks, I've been recording our circle time at playgroup.  Dh burned it onto cds for me and they'll be handed out to the kids at the Christmas party and potluck tomorrow.  How cool that they get to take home their own songs to sing along with.

I just got a card from my bestest buddy from Jr high.  Her boys are handsome.  Good thing they live so far away from us.  I might have a problem with Hannah if we saw them more than every few years.

I came across this advice today.  Sounds good to me.

It doesn't really matter how much you want to accomplish today; your pace will likely be set by circumstances that are beyond your control. The best you can do is remain clear about your abilities and your limitations. If you don't overcommit, all should work out okay. But if you take on too much, even the simplest jobs could suffer. Pace yourself, work hard, and don't apologize for what you cannot do

Countdown to Christmas- YIKES

 Do you like my Christmas countdown?  I stole it from Family Fun.    It's not on the mantle though.  I'd have to have a higher mantle and matching socks.  I think I'll try and collect Christmas socks in January.

 I've been crazy busy.  Our Home and School did a pasta fundraiser and it was going well so we decided to do one for our church as we are sponsoring a refugee family of 11.  I've learned that when you suggest a project, the project is yours. :)  The pasta was ordered Thursday, arrived Tuesday and I sorted the 180 bags during nap time.  Getting it out of the house tonight.

Tonight is a birthday party for Jesus at the church.  I made individual cakes for the kids to decorate.

Lots left to do.  Sort and wrap the kids gifts and pick up a couple of items.  I know, I know Helen, I should have it wrapped already but I need to visualize it.   I need a meal plan and list of holiday recipes.   Saturday, a friend is taking the kids for a couple of hours to make sugar cube castles.  I think she's crazy but since I can't remember us going Christmas shopping together, I won't tell her.

I have my brother and sil's gift ready to mail to Atlanta.  Cara is taking it to mail in the US. Faster and cheaper.  I need to pick up some more Christmas flannel to make more pillowcases as gifts.  Secret Santa gift is ready for the mail tomorrow.  My mom's gift is done.  Mil's is thought of, just need to get it.  Sisiters are done.  Nieces and nephews, just about.  Fil, no idea.  Teachers, need to wrap.

BTW, I ordered two Knights of The Lunchtable; The Dodgeball Chronicles to donate to ds's school on behalf of his teacher and TA.  They came damaged from Scholastic.  I called the company on Friday and replacements arrived on Tuesday.  They have a 100% guarantee.

Dear Santa

Dear Santa

I am three years old.  Do you remember coming to my birthday party?  That was fun.  I would really like to have a Rose Petal Cottage to play in with my friend, Kate.  If it won't fit in your bag,  I also like Groovy Girls.  The Christmas one or the rockstar would be nice.

wyv y.rc355\-8d,m.,m iooolttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttgjkk gghnhnjjhn om[p9ngi

Merry Christmas Santa.

Dear Lydia Claire:

Hi, my name is Pepper Minstix and I am the special elf who helps Santa with all of the email he receives during this busy time of year.

No matter how busy Santa gets at the North Pole, I know he takes time to read all of his letters! You can expect to get an answer from Santa within the next few days.

Thank you for writing to Santa and please write to him again next year!

Happy Holidays
Elf Minstix

Round and Round we go.

Do you ever want to get off the merry-go-round of life?

I only wish that weekends were nice and calm and boring.  Nope.   I've got so much to do between now and Monday that I feel ill just thinking about it.    Tonight we have Kid's Club and Youth Group.  Thursday is judo.   Friday is my birthday but I'll spend it geting ready for Parker's party on Saturday.  I need to find a gift for him.  His birthday is Dec 28 but I agreed to have his party a month early.    There's a craft fair this weekend but I know I won't have time to go to it just like I missed the last one. Saturday will be dh getting groceries while I do laundry, judo, party and then Lydia is going with a friend to see Franklin's Christmas.  Sunday is church with a meeting afterwards, getting homework done and fitting in a family movie night?  Oy.  My head hurts.  When to start the Christmas baking or find a couple of hours to do some shopping?  Do I make myself a cake or not?

Off to tackle Mt Washmore so it's done by Saturday and I just have to put the 20 million loads away.



That's 48 hours worth of laundry.

Advent Conspiracy

 

No matter what your personal or religious beliefs, you've got to admit that Christmas has become over commercialized.  Christmas is no longer what it started out as and it's so easy to forget the true meaning of the season.  I've come across this video lately and thought it was good food for thought.  As I am part way through my Christmas list, it reminds me not to overinduldge.  I'm going to make every effort to refocus on our family this season and not the external forces around us that are saying spend, spend, spend.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVqqj1v-ZBU

Need some help on quality gifts from the heart?  Check this out.

http://www.rethinkingchristmas.com/

Little Miss Independant

Growing up my cousins collected the Little Miss and Mr. Men books.  We had a few as well but not nearly as extensive as theirs.  I'm wondering if there is a Little Miss Independant.  I have one that lives at my house.  Last week a friend was coming over in the evening.  I came upstairs from doing laundry.  Lydia was in the kitchen washing dishes.

 

I asked her what she was doing.  "Cara's coming, Mommy, I doin dishes."   When she was done she grabbed a towel from the laundry and finshed drying the floor she had "washed".

Another day, I found her downstairs putting together a doll playpen that I had packed away.  So much for downsizing the toys.



Then there was potty training her baby.



Last night she  finished eating and when I thought she was putting her dishes in the dishwasher, I found her helping herself to more Kraft Dinner.



She still uses water bottles on a daily basis, just to avoid cups getting knocked over because she can fill them and get the cover on herself.

More Green Deals

Yesterday the kids had the day off school for parent teacher conferences.
The kids and I stopped at Value Village. We were looking for a bag of plain Lego. Ds is having a Lego birthday and we wanted to put lego in the treat bags. We found a box of Lego with over 25 people in it and accessories. We also found a large box of K'nex AND an American Girl Doll 2008. The American Girl Dolls retail for $100. I got her for $2.99. She's in mint condition with gorgeous brushable hair.   Lydia is in love with her new "girl" Claire.





Might not look like a lot of Lego but the pieces in it were awesome.

A few days ago I picked up a pair of Ugg boots for Lydia.  $4.  We'd looked everywhere for black boots and had settled on a pair of boys boots.  Well now she has a stylish pair too.

If someone could tell me how ot get the mothball smell out, I'd be more than greatful.

It's a wrap.

That's what they say in the movie business right?

I just came up with a new holiday tradition for our house.  I'm going to gather up the Christmas movies and wrap them.  We'll celebrate the Sundays of Avent by watching a family movie together.  But when I suggest movies, there's always some bickering over who wants to watch what.  Now we'll just pick one without knowing what it is.  It'll be a great way of winding down a busy weekend .  Kids in their jammies, an easy supper and some popcorn.

Here's some of my favourites.

   



The Polar Express

I'll take suggestions if you have a favourite holiday movie.

Menu Plan Monday

I'm back on the Meal Plan Wagon now that I have ground beef in the house again.   Every Wednesday it's on sale at On The Vine for $1.99/lb.  I just never seem to be able to get there.  I stocked up last week and cooked and froze enough for 13 meals.  that is if, dh keeps his paws off of it.

 I also have a new to me deep freeze.  Woohoo.    Our deep freeze always seems full so there's no room for freezer meals or baking.  Mil was getting rid of her deep freeze and I was more than happy to take it.  I cleaned it and plugged it in last night.    I'm planning on using one for meats and meals and the other for baking and frozen fruits, jam...

Need help with meal planning?  You can check out my google calendar  http://www.google.com/calendar/render?tab=mc&gsessionid=J9J4lOkmRXb8dMubKyBEcQ  Click on a meal and the recipe should be there.  Although if you need a recipe for tacos or chili, you need more help than I can give.  I also came across this blog if you need more ideas.   http://orgjunkie.com/

Today we're having crockpot ribs.  MMMMMM  can you smell them?

Games for Preschoolers

So with Christmas coming, I thought I'd give some reviews of games that we have.  In the past couple of years, we've accumulated a lot of Cranium games.  One that we recently purchased for Lydia is Cariboo.      http://www.hasbro.com/games/cranium/browse.cfm?page=&product_id=21399

 I could explain how it's played but we don't really play by the rules.  It's an openended game, easily adapteed to what your child's needs are.  It was recomended by Lydia's Speech pathologist.  I ask her to say a word on a card (provided by the speech program) and then she gets to use the magic key to open a box.  If she finds a ball, she takes it out and puts it in the hole and when all the balls are found, the treasure chest pops open.  She loves the game so much, she'll even play it on her own.

I just picked these ones up for Christmas gifts-



Put the puzzle together and use the game cards to search for differnt objects.  Circle the found objects with a dry erase marker.  I picked this up at Winners for $6.99.  I like that it's a prereading game and leads them to read by using cues.  I'm not sure if it's readily available as it's not on the Cranium site but Amazon still carries it.

I also found Talking Tracks Monkey Safari  http://www.hasbro.com/games/cranium/browse.cfm?page=&product_id=21501

Again at Winners for $5.99.

More big hits with preschoolers- Hullaballo dvd game by Cranium.  We have the original one as well but I find it hard to hear so when I found the DVD version for $5 last year at Walmart, I told everyone I knew.  We often use it at church with an extra set.  It's a great moving game.

I used to sell Discovery Toys and Playful Patterns is a great game for so many reasons.  https://www.discoverytoyslink.com/ecommerce/control/product?PURCHASE_STATE=STANDARD&product_id=2930  As well as Games to Grow on and Oh Rats.

http://www.amazon.com/Discovery-Toys-Games-Grow-Board/dp/B0011CY82M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=generic&qid=1226721440&sr=1-1

http://www.epinions.com/review/Oh_Rats_Puzzle_Game/kifm-review-202E-ADC80B3-3A36E239-prod1

They're not available from Discovery Toys anymore but if you know a consultant or check Ebay and Amazon, you might luck out.

1st Annual Great Mitten Challenge

One of the most dreaded fall chores is sorting through the mittens.  I despise it.  This year I thought why not make a game out of it?  It's getting colder out and I always have to go digging for mittens for the first time for Halloween night.  So this afternoon I gathered the kiddos and gave them each a basket.  Lydia was to gather the hats, I did scarves, Hannah and Parker were to pair mittens.  All the odds got tossed and all the too small hats and mitts will be donated.



Before- I think we have way too many



Yes we do!



We lost a kid in there.



This is the face of a cheater.  Quite deliberately, while I was explaining the game, Lydia cathered an armload of hats.  She stood by her tote and said "ready, set, go" as she dropped her load into the tote.  Quite proud that she's young enough to get away with it.



All together now.



It's more fun with cowboy boots.



End result- 1 basket of mitts, 1 basket of hats and scarves, 1 bag to toss and 1 bag to donate.

Tomorrow's project- coats and snowpants .  I honestly don't know how larger families keep it all organized and everyone outfitted.

Lydia is quite enthralled with the changing of the seasons.  At first she was worried about the trees and wanted to fix them by putting their leaves back.  Now she's excited that when the leaves are gone, we'll get snow.

And we'll be ready.