Painting Day

A while back we had a lot of nice weather and I wanted to get some of the painting done. So I scraped and cleaned the birdhouse and sandbox lid but never got the painting done because then the rains came, and in B.C. it takes a while to get a couple dry days in a row. But I had some time this afternoon and the wood seemed dry enough, so I put on my old clothes (well all of my clothes are old, but these are my really old clothes, so old that they are in fact originally from my sister) and went to work painting. I wish I had before pictures because it is amazing what a coat of paint can do. Looks good, if I can say so myself.This birdhouse is incredibly special to me. It was my first Mother's Day gift. Gerard made it for me, and it has hung from my apple tree in view of our kitchen table ever since (except when it has come down to be cleaned, there are hinges on the roof so it can be opened, and it has had at least three coats of paint). There is a family of birds that make it their home every spring and the kids and I have gotten so much enjoyment from watching them go in and out. It's been such a good reminder to me and to teach the kids, that God takes care of the birds and He will always take care of us too.

The fresh coat of paint on the sandbox lid. White was what we had around years ago when I first painted it, not really the color I would have picked if I were to start over, but it works for now.

And the playhouse that is finally finished being stained. Gerard started staining it with the kids about two years ago and never finished (I think he said he was too hot and would do it later...two years later ...lol) He made the playhouse out of scraps from here and stuff picked up from there. The whole family worked on it together...it was a good time building it together. The kids have also used it a lot. Most recently for sitting on the roof or jumping off of it. (onto the trampoline) Figures that would be my kids ...why use a door when there is a roof. lol

my safari trip...

After the second service on Sunday, we went on a "safari trip". My driver was not the safest...she had a hard time keeping her eyes on the road (as the picture shows). She enlisted the help of her sister in driving but she couldn't keep her eyes on the road either.

We got to where we needed to go and saw many wild animals. The scary green dinosaur was charmed by all the beautiful smiles, and even let us climb all over his body and take our pictures with him.

Niessa spun around really fast trying to make the animals dizzy...only Mommy got dizzy watching her.

We dug a big hole to hide from the rest of the animals lurking about.

And we climbed up really high so they couldn't reach us. Thankfully we all got away from the animals and continued on our safari. We got really hungry and were served pancakes and spinach salad for dinner. What a fun Sunday afternoon!!!

yum, yum, yum... This morning we all went to the shop to give it a bit of a cleaning and I told the kids if they emptied the whole van out for mom they would get an ice cream cone. It was done lickedy split! I can really tell that Danielle is getting older, she was so good today, no problem. I "quit" working there on Sat. with the whole family about a year and a half ago. She would not be content to sit in her car seat or pack and play the whole morning and when I let her go she would become completely black and then suck her black thumb...gross. Some germs don't freak me out, but chemicals do. There are so many dangerous chemicals and kids just touch everything and put it in their mouth..one day that was enough. We then went in the evening and hired a babysitter, so much more relaxing. lol
Gerard is still not feeling very well, after we came home he went for a nice long nap, which I was hoping would make him all better, but he still is not the best. We did go out tonight to a fundraising dinner for Ruth and Nomi's, it's a street ministry for the homeless. I phoned three people to take our tickets but none of them could do it, so off we went and did have a good time. I even "won" the bouquet of flowers from my table. I could blog for a while on my opinions of this and that concerning the ministry, but my hubby is sleeping on the couch and needs my help getting to bed.

I feel like an old lady taking pictures of flowers (and food) but here are some spring blooms from around my house.

These last two pictures Niessa took with my camera. Not bad! She would love to take pictures every day.

Sharleen goes to school...

Yesterday I was the parent helper for Niessa's class in the morning and in the afternoon there was a Ready Set Learn open house for three and four-year-olds. So Sharleen came with us and hung out with the kindergartners for the morning. For days she was sooo excited to go to school and then the morning finally came and it was all tears and she didn't want to go. Huh?? I had the day planed down to a" t" (and this was not part of the plan) and there was no way I could change anything. Once she was there she had a great time and was very excited to have lunch at school or eat all the special treats treats mom had packed. Then in the afternoon she got to do all kinds of fun things, crafts, puzzles, and stories, and played on the playground while we went into another room and listened to a presentation. Most of the info wasn't really "new" for me but it was 100% worthwhile going there, in that Sharleen got to experience "school" and that she could have such a good time. She had lots of stories for everyone at dinner and is still singing the new song she learned. Smart teacher...it's a song about folding our hands in putting them in our lap. I think our whole family should learn it....and keep our hands to ourselves. lol

Then today I took the kids ice skating. Gerard woke up this morning feeling REALLY sick and didn't get a lot of sleep last night, so I had to cancel our company plans for tonight, but I still wanted to do something. It's been a while since we had gone ice skating so off we went. The public skate was from 4:45 -6:15, the perfect time, to come home, have dinner and put the kids in bed. The picture is all my girls looking pretty in pink, one man even said: "What a lot of pink". Timothy definitely enjoys ice skating the most. The girls like the penalty boxes, there they can open and shut the doors, which always makes me cringe b/c they are such heavy doors and they have got their fingers caught in them. (ouch)

Like I said Timothy loves ice skating and wants to learn all the "moves". He asks me "Mom how do you stop?" to which Mom replies "Umm... you put your hands out before you hit the wall" or "Mom how do you skate backward etc." I know how to get around but that's about it and when we go with Dad he doesn't know much more either. I saw him watching the other dads practicing with their boys today with a bit of longing in his eyes, so I tried to practice a bit with him. (a bit tricky b/c all of them need a bit of help) He liked going around the cones. His dad will just have to teach ALL the MANY other things he knows how to do...hockey just won't be one of them. And in the bigger picture of life, his caring and concern for his little sister (who was often left in her stroller in the middle of the ice, it wasn't busy at all) is something I hope he keeps developing so much more than all the hockey skills in the world.

WE LOVE YOU DADDY! This cake has a bit of an alterer motive. Yesterday there was no bible study so off to the Superstore we went to do some shopping, and on the way there (yes in the van) I thought I was going to take that cake decorating course, it's now or never. So I headed on over to Dickens paid for the course and went to my first class last night. I don't like getting out of the house so early (it starts at seven) which is REALLY rushed for our family. Gerard can finish up but I feel it's not really fair to him as it just makes him work longer into the evening on bookkeeping etc. By the way, I had talked to him about taking this course and he said it was ok, I just hadn't made a final decision. So today off we went to Abbotsford to buy the cake decoration supplies I need (this course ain't cheap, good thing it involves food .....) Michael's had a 50% off coupon on the Internet (it's over on Friday so if anyone needs anything make it snappy and go and get it) Anyway long story but I got the "best deal" which of course cost the most money. lol. I told Gerard that maybe I could ask my sister to get this and that with some more of those great "deal" coupons, but he said no more buying out the store. Wise man, it's not a deal if I don't even know if I can cake decorate yet. This is why we baked him a cake, (to which I even added some dried kale too )so he can see and eat firsthand the benefits of me spending all this money, oops! I meant learning to make yummy cakes. By the way, when we were posing for this picture the first time, the whole cake slid off the plate, yup right onto the floor (no worries I just washed the floor late Saturday night) so back onto the plate it went and I got to practice the edging abound the bottom again. lol (that's why they gave us that sticky mat to put under the cakes )
Now pull up a chair and I will teach you something about what I learned (you can learn for FREE) The red icing around the edge is called a dam and keeps the pudding from coming out. Yup! that course cost me $45.00. (don't ask about the supplies)

Here are all my little "helpers" fingers. yum yum! Yes, I made sure they all washed their hands. (after they licked it all off, I hate sticky chairs and cupboards)(wash before...that's where all good immune boosting germs are)lol

Niessa named this cake"bouncy red cake". (I think I should patent it) It was made at 5:30 when I was quickly tying out all my brand-new tips. Not the right time of day to be doing this ...baby #4 hit Child #2 on the nose with the recorder, child#1 tried to get something out of the recently cleaned and organized craft cupboard and everything came crashing down, etc. and everybody is hungry and just wants to eat the icing (see photo above, that solved that problem for a bit) Anyway the cake is in the freezer...I am having company over on Sunday. lol

Tonight (Wednesday) I went to a pro-life liaison meeting. I am so encouraged that that is an organization that is worth putting my prayers, time, energy, and money into. We watched a video (as well as talked about fundraising etc.) and it is just terrible what is allowed to happen. I really want to keep my heart open to where God leads me(us) so that I can be a witness that ALL life is valuable.

Welcome to Jaimee...it was my niece Jaimee's baptism yesterday. The first child of my youngest sister Joni and her husband Ed Louwerse. It was really special to see them at the front of Abbotsford Church promising before us and to God that they would raise Jaimee to know Him. What a responsibility!.

I was hoping to get a nice picture of Joni and Ed with Jaimee in her baptism dress, but this is what Jamiee said to that. lol She is a big healthy girl at four weeks old. Monday night we had Easter dinner with all my family at my mom and dad's. I had to bring a coleslaw salad and my girls were very excited to help, they like using the food processor. I am learning that my kids come running to help when it is something different, but getting them to pick up the mess they made or clean up toys... well, let's just say NO one comes running in this house.

Danielle opened up a forgotten present that was mailed a couple weeks ago from Opa and Oma in N.S. I think she appreciated getting something new and special after all the hype around her birthday.

This picture speaks for itself "Timothy Lov Mom" Sigh!!! It is GREAT being a mom!!!

Cleaning up the cul-de-sac...We didn't have enough things to catch up on when Gerard had a day off. He says he doesn't like the "garden" in the middle of our cul-de-sac anymore, so it has to go. I had phoned the city a couple of times over the years with the offer that if they would redo it I would maintain it, but all they ever did was a bit of pruning and weed eating and it looked overgrown a couple of weeks later again. So my man decided we would take it out after church (Easter Friday). sooo of course, since I love a good project like this, and working with my man I jump right in and help. It took all afternoon and a bit of this morning and the bottom picture is the end product. Many of the neighbors came out to tell us they were so glad someone was cleaning it all up, and to give us their opinions of what we should put in, (one said grass another said lava rock), but no one offered to help or pay. lol. Well, we had a good time and it looks a lot better and is safer for the kids when biking around.

Today Gerard "helped" Timothy make a bike jump. He had so much fun. (both of them) Yesterday we went to "the barn" where we have some wood stored some other stuff and some more junk and went through a lot of it, and are in the process of getting rid of some of it. (If anybody needs a dresser, a big coffee table, and one matching end table please let me know) Timothy found some more wood so before our neighbours were even up this morning he was outside hammering /making something. My neighbor Mr.G thinks it's just the best thing for him and doesn't really understand how sometimes I just don't want wood/nails/hammers etc. ALL over the yard. I AM really thankful that he has not seriously hurt himself, and that he has such a good imagination and can have so much fun.

I had to make some cookies to bring to Jamiee's baptism on Sunday, and once I had made enough to bring I added some of the dried kale to our cookies. You can't taste any of it, and it looks like there are just some green flecks in it. Gerard was not impressed, he said a good way to ruin a good cookie (by making it a bit healthy?) Don't worry though he still eats them. lol