It's Catch-Up Time....

Grab your cup of Joe...two weeks have zipped by again and rather than chunk up my posts, I'm going to hand you one big long one. Ready?

We've had soccer, soccer and more soccer (gearing up for Provincials next month!). Boys are looking good, but coach of course wants to get as many practices and conditioning sessions in as possible. This means we have soccer every single day/night except Friday's (and that night is youth group!)... so by the end of the night, I'm plum-tuckered. There's a season for everything right? Lots of bundling up and unbundling. Matthew has been a little trooper! We've celebrated two birthdays in our house, Valentine's Day, 20 weeks into our pregnancy, oh, and of course school :)

Kids are motoring through their schoolwork brilliantly (most days). I've already started planning for next year (we usually start our "new" year at the start of July) and I always find that exciting. I know, I'm weird.

Megan has been doing amazing with her Biology this year (we've been a little heavy in the Science department as she ponders the possibility of becoming a nurse) and she has been stretched with her new online writing class. The last assignment caused her some stress, but of the two papers she has submitted thus far has scored an A- on each. Way to go Megs!! She has really enjoyed her Literature program this year and has almost completed the grade 10 course. Joshua is pressing through his work at lightening speed (still working on that s-l-o-w down philosophy). I think he'll be moving into Grade 8 math before this year is through :) He's still not a fan of Language Arts, but I've so enjoyed hearing his stories through Story Starters we've been working on a bit more this term. His Aunt & Uncle gave him a National Geographic magazine subscription and he has been enjoying reading through those each month. I often hear him sharing what he's learning through those or he wants to show us the cool photographs from distant parts of the world. Love that. Sarah is our workbook lover and is usually up at the crack of dawn (or call of Matthew; same thing is seems) and busily working through her pages. She has really been our little reader these days and has gotten through a number of chapter books these past few weeks. She is looking forward to this "new" Math program being done. I think we will got back to Math-U-See (Delta) next year. We've been plowing through History (Donna Wards, Province to Province) and Story of the World as well and our days seem to be very full. We've been slacking in Art the last few weeks (which Joshua & Megan I'm sure are thrilled about), but not so much Sarah so hopefully we'll be back on track this week. The kids are daily tinkering on the piano. Joshua has taken to it the easiest and it already through book one (need to get to the music store this weekend and get him the next book!)

OK...they say 'a pictures say a thousand words'... so here's the past couple of weeks:

We seriously cannot complain with this mild winter we have been enjoying (although today's temperatures of -29C got some complaints!) On one of the milder days we took in a snowy park day. A little outdoor recess/PE time. Joshua loves to skate at the outdoor rink and Matthew loves the park right beside it. Perfect!

It's pretty rough on Matthew when Daddy is on day shift as he doesn't get to see him unless he stays up. He's usually down for bed around 7:15 so to wait up until 8 is pretty tough. However, after about 2 or 3 days we entertain and eat snacks and stay up. It's darling to listen to the squeals of delight this little boy makes when seeing his Daddy. On this particular evening as soon as Daddy walked through the door Matthew ran to his book bin and and came back for a story. So love that Daddy simply untied his shoes and plunked down right there to spend some time with him. (I think Daddy misses him just as much!)

Firefighting 101.

I did not realize this class would continue (remember the vacuum fire?). However, while Joshua, Matthew and I were off to physio, Sarah called to inform me the oven was on fire! Thankfully Megan knew what to do and after a box of baking soda, and a closed oven door, it was out. No, we didn't eat the pretzel bites that were cooked "Chicago style"!

WHEW!

Birthday #1 (mine) :) We held off celebrating until a few days later when Daddy had the day off, but Megan couldn't let it pass without a little celebrating (or perhaps just another excuse to try out a new cupcake recipe). These chocolate peanut butter cupcakes were divine! Oh, what you can't see is that the actually cupcake has been FILLED with that icing too (think cream puff!).

The following day was Valentine's Day. A little treat awaiting my sleepy students in the morning :)

Oh, yes and another reason to bake cupcakes. This time Megan figured she'd try making the much talked about "velvet cupcakes", complete with marzipan hearts!

Another success! Although Miss Sarah wasn't so sure with all that red food dye!

A birthday celebration is not complete without an amazing cake, right? Megan made me my favorite....

...layered carrot cake. Oh yes, that is cream cheese icing between all those layers!

Play-doh center. After church on Sunday the bin was pulled out and these two spent nearly an hour sculpting, cutting and rolling.

Birthday #2, Megan!

Thought we should include a photo of the "Popcorn Party" we tried. Another hit!

Air-popped popcorn covered in melted white chocolate and crushed smarties.

Mmm-Mmm-good!

A little birthday love.

Happy 15th Megan :)

S'more Chocolate Cake.

Yes, it was ENORMOUS! One of those instances when the picture on the recipe didn't seem quite so big. 7 layers: Chocolate fudge brownie, chocolate chip cookie, vanilla cheesecake, graham cracker - and then repeat! Between all those layers is a marshmallow fluff frosting and creamy chocolate icing.

It was intense!

There's still some in the freezer too!

Ah yes, too cold to go out and so we play hockey indoors. I know, I know... what am I thinking. When I get a ball in the head while washing dishes I wonder the same thing!

Here big brother is teaching Matthew the proper way to hold the stick. The puck was a bit to heavy for him (thank goodness) and so a partial roll of hockey tape serves the purpose!

Mechanics 101.

If Daddy can fix the door, I'm sure I can give it a try too, right Mommy?

Life is busy, but oh so good!

♥