Jai's Gymnastic party.

I have had fear of Jia discovering the gymnastics building.  It's nasty, gross nasty.  Jai is a little boy in the Littles kinder music class and we went to his birthday party today.  Jia LOVED it.  She played hard for two full hours.   She stopped long enough to eat one strawberry.   When we got to the car she said "I want to go there every day and I want my next Birthday there".  You just know that she'll be asking constantly. 

Luk on the other hand wasn't too thrilled with much of the party.  He wanted nothing to do with the instructor or what the other kids were doing.  I tried to keep him involved but it was hard, he is no where near able to keep up with the kids.  Even the younger kids were more able.  We truck along thinking he's doing ok and even improving but after today it's fairly obvious we have a really long way to go.

At the end he found a triangular foam piece that he enjoyed climbing onto and walking down.

Kinder music this morning, a meeting for Eric, piano for the big girls that ran over time while keeping the Littles busy in the car for nearly two hours, then the gymnastics party.  Finally home.   Feeling exhausted and pretty happy the kids and I get a jammie day tomorrow.

Sooo tired.

Jia has been sick since last weekend.  We thought she was feeling well enough for school so today was her first day back.  Lili got this picture of her after school today.  So sweet.  Eric figures she was waiting for Mama by the door.

Grade 7'S

The Grade 7'S.  They did a great job.  So happy Lili got to have this experience in her last year of elementary.  We love their music teacher, Mrs. Mac.  She already retired and came back and sadly we're losing her again.

Little Clowns at home.

And of course the Littles wanted to be clowns too!

More Clowns

The girls had their last show tonight.  I got to see all three.  It was such a great performance.  One of the Moms at the school was taking photos.  She took hundreds and there were some great photos.  Here are a few of Lili and Fei.

It's a balloon bath.

Lili just brought home these balloons from the Clowns show.  Jia is delighted to say the least.  She just came to tell us she is having a balloon bath.  Just wait until Luk sees them in the morning.

Bananagrams

Shannon had Appleletters out during a dinner out and I was really impressed with the game/toy.  I tried to order it on-line and found the banana version through Walmart online (free shipping,  low price).  They finally came today and it's fabulous.  I can't wait to whip it out next time we need to focus and calm Jia down. 

Clowns

It was rehearsal day for the big girls.  Fei was in the choir and smiled throughout and was clearly having a good time singing her heart out.  We loved watching our beautiful girl.  Lili was The Big Wheel.  She was fabulous.  I got a little teary near the end.  Our shy tiny girl who has stood back for years not letting anyone know who she is.  She was strong and confident and nailed it.  So proud of our kids and happy they had fun with their friends in the production.

Jia was home sick so Eric and I took them both to see the show today.  Good choice, there was tons of empty seating at the back.  Jia loved the show and was thrilled to see her sisters.  Luk couldn't find Fei,  I wonder if the make up through him or maybe he needs glasses.  He did find Lili, he waved to her every time she spoke.  Awe.

The dream stroller.

Ok,  we haven't used it out side of our house so we don't 'know' it's perfect but it's going to be close ;)

When I got home Eric had just finished assemblying it.  Luk got in and refused to get out for two hours.  We kept giving him snacks and he happily munched the whole time.  Jia figured out how to stand on the back frame.  Too funny. 

Exciting times.

We have a Disney road trip planned.  It's been planned for months and today I booked us a Mexican Riviera cruise for the same trip!!!  The cruise leaves the day we check out of our Disney hotel.  Too perfect.   We got in on a major sale since the cruise date is coming up soon.  Pack and go price.  Cruises get a bit more complicated when there are six of you ;)  If anyone wants  to join us, let me know and I'll send you the details. 

So the big girls are happy about this sudden twist and add on but their first concern was "will there be WiFi?". 

Luk will need a stroller for both parts of the trip.  We've been through a few strollers.  Sigh.  First mall stroller is long gone.  Got a double and passed it on.  A couple umbrella strollers that didn't last.  Another mall stroller for Jia that we love but it's too bulky to pack around and has mall wheels.  A jogger stroller for Jia that has had some serious use and has seen better days.  Also hard to fold down, bulky, heavy with a front wheel that doesn't pivot.  Another couple strollers that are ok but flimsy.   So, as crazy and wild as this is, we're stroller shopping again!  Finally found a jogger we like for Luk and it's on a clearance sale. I'm so excited to try it out.  It should be here next week.  Hopefully stroller number nine is the last one :) 

Luk as a sandwich?!

Our life is not at all as we thought it would be.  We have moments daily that are just crazy.  I don't usually record much of it.  It's been suggested often that I write more of it down. This is what we just heard in the hallway.

Lili:  Jia!  Come here now!
Luk:  Jia you need say sorry me.
Jia:  Ok,  soorryy.
Lili: No, like you mean it.  Say 'sorry for trying to make you into a sandwich'.
Jia: Ok Lili.  Sorry for making you a sandwich Luk.

So, I'm settled watching tv under a blankie and I don't really want to deal so we're letting it go but part of me is kinda curious about what she did to Luk to make him a sandwich.

Skating

Craft time, Jia is skating on her ski-skates.  So cute.

Another visit to Scott

Our weekly trips to Victoria to see Scott are draining.  The social worker, occupational therapist and speech therapist are not all on the same page.  We're being pressured to take him back even though we have clearly and repeatedly said he can't come to us and he NEEDS assisted living.  It's beyond frustrating and they out and out lied today.  What a horrible ugly job they have.  I thought if we forced conversation with the kids in the room they would understand clearly why we just can't do it.  Sadly it's looking like we'll have to disappear for them to get him settled somewhere.   Ugh.

After we left we went to the museum to see the nature photo display, which was great, and funny and beautiful and gross and sad.  Glad we took the time to go, helps that we have passes.  Finally ending the day at Raymonds with friends for dinner and to celebrate Zoey's sixth Birthday.

New Years Eve

I didn't take many pictures but I did remember to torture the kids with the group photo.

We all had a nice time.  Good food, great company and we did kid countdown around 9:30 and brought in the New Year by dancing to Shake It Off.

Aside from the group photo I grabbed the rest off Shannon's Facebook.