A Visit from Grandma Jo-Ann

Grandma Jo-Ann came for a vist and we had a great time together.

Yesterday, we thought we would spend the morning at Science World. I didn't realize that Science World is closed on Mondays, so we went to the Space Centre instead.

Last Wednesday it was career dress-up day at Community Class. Ella wanted to dress-up as a chef. Unfortunately, she woke up sick and so we had to stay home. She really wanted to wear her chef outfit and help me with lunch... so here she is! Her new career plan is to be a homeschooling mom who works as a chef in the evenings. Where, you ask? "At a very fancy restaurant - like White Spot."

Taking in some cozy time reading on the couch during our sick day.

In other learning this week, we collected various things from our yard and made some nature boxes.

While I was doing math with the big girls, Karis measured her baby to see how many blocks long she is. Then she said "she sure is getting big."

We have spent some mornings in Holland Park.

And Karis loves to "read" to her little brother while he plays with magnets on the fridge. 

Peter started taking a few steps this week! So far his record is three steps. 

I love this video. Ella is coaching Peter and in the background Juliette is reading to Karis. Most of us are still in jammies because Peter's steps have completely derailed our morning schedule. The whole scene makes my homeschooling heart happy :)

First Day of Community Class!

Last Wednesday, Ella and Juliette had their first day of Community Class! They were very excited. They had their outfits picked out and their backpacks packed the night before. 

Karis is not in Community Class yet, but she thought she would be. She packed up her little bag, got all dressed up and said she thinks her teacher's name will be "Ms. Clara." Then when we got to school, their was an opening assembly, and Karis sat with all the kids. When they all got called to go to class with their teachers, Karis came back to where I was standing (with the parents and all the other younger siblings) and she asked me "where is Ms. Clara?" 

Sorry Karis. Ms. Clara doesn't exist because you invented her. And you are 3.

Ella's teacher is Mrs. Krahn.

Juliette's teacher is Mrs. Thain (Ella's teacher from last year, whom we love!).

Karis' teacher is not Ms. Clara!

On Wednesday mornings I get to spend time with these 2 cuties.

Ella and Dadda went on a date to Happy Cakes.

And our landlords got chickens!! 13 chickens!! The girls and I are thrilled. It's awesome having chickens in our yard.

The other day we ate fresh hard boiled eggs for snack. Ella said "this is the freshest egg I've ever eaten."

Just having a little picnic while Momma finishes math with Ella.

And yesterday we spent the morning at the AppleBarn. We have decided that we LOVE the AppleBarn!

All 3 girls went on their first pony ride!

Peter was enamored by this goat.

It was a fun morning! And we left with fresh Jonagold apples, a peach pie, and apple cider. Yum!

Happy Birthday Great Grandpa!

Last weekend Great Grandpa turned 94!

We went to Uncle Brian and Aunt Jan's to celebrate!

It was fun for our littles to sit at the kids table with cousin Alex and Steve's boys - Andrew and Oliver

Karis is getting really good at printing her name. Teaching her the letter "k" has been no easy task!

The girls love picking and eating the carrots from our garden. Although they are very oddly shaped, they do taste delicious!

We have been spending some of our Saturdays in Whalley, getting to know the city and the people. It's a fun tradition and God is growing our hearts for Whalley.

And sometimes when we drive home, Karis does this.

Announcing...

No Hands!

Yesterday Peter started to stand without holding on to anything. He and the girls were so very excited. Last night, he was so happy with himself and the reaction from his big sisters that he proceeded to crawl around and slap his chest like a gorilla, putting on a real show (we didn't get this on video).

Since he has started "free standing" he does it over and over. He works up quite the sweat and ends up with very wet hair. I love at the end of this video when Karis says "He's the best standing up baby in the world."

Peter is 1!

Last Tuesday, our sweet Pete turned 1. We are so blessed to have him in our family. He is such a happy and healthy little guy. Happy Birthday Peter, we love you.

His big sisters made him a birthday present. They made him a ball out of paper and stickers.

The birthday boy.

We have been measuring Peter as part of our math learning. He is now 36 cubes tall!! While he was napping we predicted that he would be 30 cubes. He sure has grown since last year.

Grandma sent us Ariel and Flounder costumes. Karis LOVES Ariel and even before getting these outfits she often played "Ariel and Flounder" with Peter. It is very cute. She walks around the house calling herself "Ariel", and she calls Peter "Flounder" as he crawls next to her. Now they have the dress-up clothes to go along with it. Karis is much more thrilled about this than Peter is.

Peter getting his birthday cinnamon bun :)

Ella when she was 1.

Juliette when she was 1.

And Karis when she was 1.