Harvest Home Pop-Up Shop Sneak Peeks
2 days ago
Friday, July 18, 2014
We got a new-to-us trampoline in 2008, I think, from a co-worker of my husband. The kids were excited and I was happy for them. I remember wishing we had a trampoline when I was a kid! (this was before the very thought of jumping made my bladder all giddy!) The kids bounced and jumped and attempted flips; it was fun.
But then the neighbours bought a brand new one with netting, and then the other neighbours bought a brand new one as well a few weeks later, and our old one wasn't as fun or as bouncy! The kids went on ours, but not as often. It was mostly used by the Youngers.
Eventually the poor trampoline lost it's bounce, and lost it's excitement, and it started to come apart. The covering for the elastic (ours doesn't have springs) came off last summer and we discussed taking it down then, but it stayed up for more fun. I wanted to keep it up for as long as we could.
Today was the day.
It had it's last bounce.
The kids were on it and counted thirteen, no, fourteen elastics snapped. The Olders were almost touching the ground when standing in the centre. The kids were at a risk of falling into a black hole of danger.
Down it went. The kids had fun pulling the elastics and taking it down. Hunny came out and took the poles apart, sawing them into pieces. (We'll see about taking them at a recycling depot. Maybe we'll get some money for the metal.)
Our poor trampoline. I'm sad to see it go. It was fun having one! (I couldn't jump on it, only bounce without letting my feet leave the mat; silly nervous bladder!)
Now our yard looks huge!!! I'm starting to get excited about what we can do with our yard now that it is opened up again. We spent the evening mowing the lawn (I actually enjoy using the push mower and weed wacking!) and pulling out the blackberry bushes that were in the back corner of the yard, and trimming back some crazy growing trees. (we found a missing shovel under the trampoline, as well as two sprinklers buried in the yard, plus three more sprinklers in the back of the shed! I had no idea we had that many!) It looks so much better already! I have my hopes set on a pool for next summer. I wonder if I can convince my Hunny?
But then the neighbours bought a brand new one with netting, and then the other neighbours bought a brand new one as well a few weeks later, and our old one wasn't as fun or as bouncy! The kids went on ours, but not as often. It was mostly used by the Youngers.
Eventually the poor trampoline lost it's bounce, and lost it's excitement, and it started to come apart. The covering for the elastic (ours doesn't have springs) came off last summer and we discussed taking it down then, but it stayed up for more fun. I wanted to keep it up for as long as we could.
Today was the day.
It had it's last bounce.
The kids were on it and counted thirteen, no, fourteen elastics snapped. The Olders were almost touching the ground when standing in the centre. The kids were at a risk of falling into a black hole of danger.
Down it went. The kids had fun pulling the elastics and taking it down. Hunny came out and took the poles apart, sawing them into pieces. (We'll see about taking them at a recycling depot. Maybe we'll get some money for the metal.)
Our poor trampoline. I'm sad to see it go. It was fun having one! (I couldn't jump on it, only bounce without letting my feet leave the mat; silly nervous bladder!)
Now our yard looks huge!!! I'm starting to get excited about what we can do with our yard now that it is opened up again. We spent the evening mowing the lawn (I actually enjoy using the push mower and weed wacking!) and pulling out the blackberry bushes that were in the back corner of the yard, and trimming back some crazy growing trees. (we found a missing shovel under the trampoline, as well as two sprinklers buried in the yard, plus three more sprinklers in the back of the shed! I had no idea we had that many!) It looks so much better already! I have my hopes set on a pool for next summer. I wonder if I can convince my Hunny?
Thursday, July 17, 2014
I caught Eden out on the deck doing her own pedicure. I cringe at all the nail polish everywhere, but I let her continue. She is too cute!
Free Pedicures to anyone who wants to pop by and visit!
Welcome to Thankful Thursday, my weekly post of things that I am thankful for. This was created by Louise, at Talk Nerdy To Me. Check out her list too, and then start your own!
1. Banners to share
I am thankful that Louise let me use her banner for my thankful post and blog! Thanks, Louise! :) I was just thinking last week, 'there needs to be a nice banner to promote this better', and hey, that's what she posted on her own! *smile*
2. Free Slurpees
I don't usually buy slurpees for the kids. They're okay, but I guess I just never drank them enough as a teen on my own, so it didn't continue on down to my children. The Olders are starting to get them though, since I will let them walk to the gas station every now and then. (I have to let them go out on their own eventually, so I am giving them some freedom. I had so much more when I was Abi's age, but we live differently now. I don't know if there really is more violence or danger out there for kids, or if it is all in our own fears and worries and too much media attention to stories that are actually quite rare, but I feel better when I know where they are, and what they are doing and can monitor them!) Moving on...
7-11 had their annual Free Slurpie Day to celebrate their anniversary on 7-11, naturally. Since I had the van that day (Hunny has been taking it to work typically. I think it's to keep us housebound so we can't spend any money, haha. It cuts on the cost of gas not having two vehicles though.) I took the kids out for their own small slurpees!
3. My brave daughter
Since I am not above telling embarrassing stories of myself, here's goes:
The other night, Kai found a spider hanging from a web in our stairwell. We were both quite freaked out, but I was going to be brave. I got out our electric fly swatter and was going to use that to remove the spider. It was quite huge, I couldn't believe it! Abi scoffs at us and tells us that the spider is already dead. Yes, I know that it is hanging upside down, and that isn't typical for a spider, but hey, they are sneaky things, so I wasn't going to fall for it! I had visions of it jumping and scurrying and me losing it somewhere, all of its legs moving and creeping me out! The very thought had me too nervous to use the swatter on it, so Abi had to do it. Still, she rolled her eyes and reminded us it was already dead. She even blew on it and it didn't react!
When she picked it up on the swatter, it bounced a bit, which made me do a jumpy dance and run to the centre of the room! Sometimes head knowledge isn't always heart knowledge! I was still scared despite thinking that it probably was mostly likely dead!
So, I am thankful for my brave daughter for saving me from a dead spider! :)
4. Some Shade
It's been seriously hot this week. Our deck has full sun all day, so by noon, it is too hot to walk on without shoes or to sit on. I have wanted to add some type of sun shade out there, so imagine my happiness when we found a gazebo in a box in the shed! I think we got it from my parents, but I can't remember when. How sad is that?
Today, the Olders and I put it together. Mostly. We didn't add the netting and it isn't held down to the deck, so it can be ruined in a heavy wind, but hey, it's shade for now! Yay!
**I just found out that it is supposed to rain this weekend, so I hope we didn't put all that effort out for nothing. :(
5. Fevers that go away
Rhys fell asleep on the couch for a nap in the afternoon, which wasn't too worrisome; he still sometimes naps. It was when he woke up that concerned me. He was falling back asleep at the table, and I noticed he was just burning up! We couldn't tell for sure if it was a high fever or from how hot it was that afternoon, but we were wiping him with a cool cloth and took off his shirt. I put him back on the couch and he was so sleepy. Hunny started to actually drip water onto his head from his hand, and soaked his hair! It made me nervous that Rhys wasn't even responding to that! If he had heat exhaustion, that could be a dangerous thing if it turned into heat stroke, so we knew we had to get him cooled off and drinking. Bryn and Eden were already jumping in our "large water vessel" (aka: bathtub) so I carried him there and dipped his feet into the water. Still he didn't respond much, other than to weakly complain it was cold, and then fall asleep in my arms! We were close to packing him up and heading to LMH.
Thankfully, he started to cool down and I carried him downstairs to the basement, where it is cooler. Hunny went to the gas station to pick up some Gatorade and freezies (for sugar and salt) and when Rhys finally drank and ate some, we let him sleep again. He slept for almost another 45 minutes, and when he woke up he was back to himself: enthusiastic and wanting to play. Abi took him out to run around in our sprinkler for a bit. I got some chewable Tylenol into him and he drank the rest of his Gatorade and then went to bed for the night an hour later. He was a bit warm again in the morning, but he hasn't been like that since, so we still don't know if it's an infection hiding somewhere in his little body or from overheating. But I am so thankful that it passed. It was a bit scarey for a bit there. Rhys just seems to get sick so much easier than the others. :(
6. Sleepovers
Today we are going over to visit my Mom, who lives in Chilliwack, and spending the night! (just the kids and I) My Dad has been gone to Powell River for a few weeks now, helping my brother with a few painting jobs (both my dad and brother are professional house painters. If you are in either city, and looking for an update in your house and want it done beautifully, let me know and I will pass along their info!) so we are keeping my mom company. Then we are taking her back home with us so she can stay the night or two here. We have a birthday party to go to on the weekend and she doesn't want to miss out! (seeing as Dad took their one vehicle for his trip, she is stuck at home too!)
The kids are super excited and have been talking about packing their bags since yesterday!
I hope that your week has been good too. Go check out Louise's list now and then make your own! There is so much to be thankful for!
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
I was going through old blog posts and came across this one when Rhys came into the room. Goodness, look at how little those boys are! Look at B's long hair! And a bald Rhysey! Eden looks like B! (he was 3 1/2 here.) What fun!
Rhys bewildered about him being a bald toddler at one time, but what really got his attention was the play doh! He was so excited about that! He was jumping up and down (which is more like a small bounce since he doesn't like to jump too high) and told me that we had to make some again, right now, let's go!
Of course, being the Mommy, I had to be mean and send him back to his room! It was already an hour well past his bedtime and he had already come out of bed several times; I was starting to lose my patience. I did, however, promise him that we'd make some more play doh in the morning. Thankfully, that satisfied him and he willingly went to bed. *Phew*
Silly me. I forget how his little mind can't concept day, night, morning, afternoon, tomorrow, yesterday.
He came out of bed every two minutes asking excitedly, "Is it morning yet?" and "Can we make it now?" His little body was just trembling, he was so excited over the idea! His enthusiasm is infectious! It's hard to get angry at him (even though I was starting to feel tired at having to explain nighttime and morning and sleeping to him every few minutes) I kept tucking him back into bed, with a kiss and a promise to make it with him soon!
This kid was so excited just over home made play doh! How awesome is that? I haven't seen him that giddy in a while. It was like the night before Christmas! You know, where the kids are bouncing all over the place and you just want them settled into bed so you can finish wrapping all of the gifts? Yeah, like that.
Yay for homemade playdoh!
Rhys bewildered about him being a bald toddler at one time, but what really got his attention was the play doh! He was so excited about that! He was jumping up and down (which is more like a small bounce since he doesn't like to jump too high) and told me that we had to make some again, right now, let's go!
Of course, being the Mommy, I had to be mean and send him back to his room! It was already an hour well past his bedtime and he had already come out of bed several times; I was starting to lose my patience. I did, however, promise him that we'd make some more play doh in the morning. Thankfully, that satisfied him and he willingly went to bed. *Phew*
Silly me. I forget how his little mind can't concept day, night, morning, afternoon, tomorrow, yesterday.
He came out of bed every two minutes asking excitedly, "Is it morning yet?" and "Can we make it now?" His little body was just trembling, he was so excited over the idea! His enthusiasm is infectious! It's hard to get angry at him (even though I was starting to feel tired at having to explain nighttime and morning and sleeping to him every few minutes) I kept tucking him back into bed, with a kiss and a promise to make it with him soon!
This kid was so excited just over home made play doh! How awesome is that? I haven't seen him that giddy in a while. It was like the night before Christmas! You know, where the kids are bouncing all over the place and you just want them settled into bed so you can finish wrapping all of the gifts? Yeah, like that.
Yay for homemade playdoh!
Saturday, July 12, 2014
Our good neighbour, Jenny, invited us over to their house to play in their pool the other night, so we took a quick walk through our backyard and into theirs! (yes, when we rebuilt our fence, Hunny and Steve, left a spot for a gate between our backyards for the kids. If that doesn't say Good Neighbours, I don't know what does!)
First stop was the kids jumping on the trampline with soap and water! (the idea makes me nervous since it's so slippery and makes for easier accidents to happen, so I keep an eye on them. The Olders handle it better than the Youngers, that's for sure; the Youngers don't handle the Olders big jumps and end up being bounced all over.)
Then it was time to hit the pool to cool off!
Yeah, it looks like we need a new neighbourhood pool, but hey we got 7 kids into it at once! (we are missing two)
Time with friends chatting while the kids run around and play nicely is such a great way to spend a summer evening!
First stop was the kids jumping on the trampline with soap and water! (the idea makes me nervous since it's so slippery and makes for easier accidents to happen, so I keep an eye on them. The Olders handle it better than the Youngers, that's for sure; the Youngers don't handle the Olders big jumps and end up being bounced all over.)
Then it was time to hit the pool to cool off!
Yeah, it looks like we need a new neighbourhood pool, but hey we got 7 kids into it at once! (we are missing two)
Time with friends chatting while the kids run around and play nicely is such a great way to spend a summer evening!
Friday, July 11, 2014
Silly Girl! Eden wanted to put on the tattoos that we got from McD (uhm...not that we go there. No, of course not. It's not good for you, after all!) She put on the whole complete sheet on her tummy! Label topper and all! Lovely.
Thursday, July 10, 2014
I decided to take up this challenge from Talk Nerdy To Me; where Louise posts ten things that she is thankful for that during the the week. I thought what a great idea! I could definitely put more effort out in being thankful. Sometimes the weeks go by and you miss the small things, you know? The events that occur that you don't think twice over. In thinking through your week more clearly, in doing that search for items, it is so much more easier to see just how wonderful life truly is! We really do have a lot to be thankful for!
I missed last week as we were away camping, but here is this week's list:
1. Cousins
B got invited out to the zoo with cousin Mia (they had a two-for-one entrance coupon) The two of them are so alike, it is so neat to see! They are both so incredibly silly and have oodles of energy to spare! I hope they always hang out and do stuff together as they grow!
2. New Phones
We didn't get to fix the cracked screen on my Nexus cell yet, but were advised by a Telus salesperson that the best idea was to go buy a Samsung Discovery, which is a tiny touch screen, everything included, cell that comes with it's own SIM card. It only costs $70 and has no contract, so it was within our budget! In fact, I replaced my phone (we just swapped my old SIM into the Discovery) and Abi upgraded from her crappy Blackberry. (As much as I want to support a Canadian company, blackberry just isn't reliable and they didn't keep up with how fast technology is changing. It's sad.) It was a win-win situation for us!
The Discovery isn't too bad either. It is taking me some time to get used to it still, but it is quite cute. It is very similar in looks and in application as my old Google Nexus. With just a smaller screen! What I don't like about it is that silly Auto Suggestion! Oh my goodness! It doesn't just want to correct your spelling, it wants to offer you other words instead. It tries to predict what you're typing and gives suggestions for you to click instead of finishing your own sentence. So very irritating. It would be like someone constantly interrupting you. "So I was.." "going....walking....shopping....sleeping....?" "...going ..." "for dinner? with? a walk?" "...to go to..." "bed? see? " GAH!!! It was so frustrating. I finally took that option off of the phone. But now I find it irritating that my misspelled words aren't immediately corrected for me! *sigh*
I do love my new little phone though, and I am very happy to be able to join the rest of the world in texting instead of calling or visiting. Haha. I love being connected to FB all of the time, as well as Pinterest. (well, wherever wifi is!) And I love my apps. Which brings me to my next Thankful listing.
3. Apps
I have enjoyed adding some apps to my phone. The boys love playing Clash of Clans (K) and Castle Clash (B) and Lego Junior's Quest (R). and I have my addiction to Tetris again; but to be honest, I don't play too many games on my computer, I tend to waste my time on FB the most.
The app that I love the most and have to say was one of the first things I updated when I got my phone back was the Bible app. It is YouVersion, the Bible App, and I love it. Not only do I have the Bible in several different versions (Hunny loves Da Book, a Hawaiian Pidgin version, for the fun of it. I like to stick with a basic New Living Translation. But there are 950 Versions in 648 Languages available. WOW!) but I have several different Reading Plans to choose from. Such as Devotionals or Topical studies or the Whole Bible (for those who's goal is to read the Bible in one year, one day I will do that.). I am so happy to get back into reading my devotions. I finally finished a 5 day plan that I started in April. (haha. I had trouble accessing it without my phone) and have just started two new 30-day ones.
I have to admit that I have totally noticed a difference in my peace and outlook and in my faith just in consistently reading the Bible and studying it and by doing a devotional. It just takes two minutes out of my day (and I read at night before bed. I don't do mornings, so I do it when I can focus on it better. I know most people suggest getting up early and starting your day off with Bible reading and/or exercise, but really it won't work for me. And I am okay with that.)
I am so incredibly thankful for the ability to get back into these Plans. Hooray! It just feels better in my spirit, to be honest.
4. Being Creative
I actually went out and stamped with friends this week! How wonderful is that? I have been keeping myself busy by stamping at home, but it just feels so much better and relaxed and fun doing it among others. We didn't have a class, but we all brought our own projects to work on. Considering I arrived there with a ton of stuff but no plan or real thought, I was impressed with what I accomplished!
I need to do this more often! I miss getting together with friends and stamping and being creative!
5. Siblings who help eachother
Abi got herself a paper route this spring; just 74 houses in the immediate neighbourhood. It's been a relatively easy way for her to make $50+ each month. Sometimes she ropes her brothers into helping her out (she has to pay them) and I've helped drive her sometimes as well. (I think that makes the route going longer than it needs to be though.)
I love it when her brothers help her out. They don't have to, and I do sometimes have to remind them to stop complaining, and to actually be useful and to not drag their feet. (If they agreed to help, they need to stick with the committment. I love it more when they do it without needing to be reminded of that!), but it is so good to see them willingly helping her out and working as a team.
I missed last week as we were away camping, but here is this week's list:
1. Cousins
B got invited out to the zoo with cousin Mia (they had a two-for-one entrance coupon) The two of them are so alike, it is so neat to see! They are both so incredibly silly and have oodles of energy to spare! I hope they always hang out and do stuff together as they grow!
2. New Phones
We didn't get to fix the cracked screen on my Nexus cell yet, but were advised by a Telus salesperson that the best idea was to go buy a Samsung Discovery, which is a tiny touch screen, everything included, cell that comes with it's own SIM card. It only costs $70 and has no contract, so it was within our budget! In fact, I replaced my phone (we just swapped my old SIM into the Discovery) and Abi upgraded from her crappy Blackberry. (As much as I want to support a Canadian company, blackberry just isn't reliable and they didn't keep up with how fast technology is changing. It's sad.) It was a win-win situation for us!
The Discovery isn't too bad either. It is taking me some time to get used to it still, but it is quite cute. It is very similar in looks and in application as my old Google Nexus. With just a smaller screen! What I don't like about it is that silly Auto Suggestion! Oh my goodness! It doesn't just want to correct your spelling, it wants to offer you other words instead. It tries to predict what you're typing and gives suggestions for you to click instead of finishing your own sentence. So very irritating. It would be like someone constantly interrupting you. "So I was.." "going....walking....shopping....sleeping....?" "...going ..." "for dinner? with? a walk?" "...to go to..." "bed? see? " GAH!!! It was so frustrating. I finally took that option off of the phone. But now I find it irritating that my misspelled words aren't immediately corrected for me! *sigh*
I do love my new little phone though, and I am very happy to be able to join the rest of the world in texting instead of calling or visiting. Haha. I love being connected to FB all of the time, as well as Pinterest. (well, wherever wifi is!) And I love my apps. Which brings me to my next Thankful listing.
3. Apps
I have enjoyed adding some apps to my phone. The boys love playing Clash of Clans (K) and Castle Clash (B) and Lego Junior's Quest (R). and I have my addiction to Tetris again; but to be honest, I don't play too many games on my computer, I tend to waste my time on FB the most.
The app that I love the most and have to say was one of the first things I updated when I got my phone back was the Bible app. It is YouVersion, the Bible App, and I love it. Not only do I have the Bible in several different versions (Hunny loves Da Book, a Hawaiian Pidgin version, for the fun of it. I like to stick with a basic New Living Translation. But there are 950 Versions in 648 Languages available. WOW!) but I have several different Reading Plans to choose from. Such as Devotionals or Topical studies or the Whole Bible (for those who's goal is to read the Bible in one year, one day I will do that.). I am so happy to get back into reading my devotions. I finally finished a 5 day plan that I started in April. (haha. I had trouble accessing it without my phone) and have just started two new 30-day ones.
I have to admit that I have totally noticed a difference in my peace and outlook and in my faith just in consistently reading the Bible and studying it and by doing a devotional. It just takes two minutes out of my day (and I read at night before bed. I don't do mornings, so I do it when I can focus on it better. I know most people suggest getting up early and starting your day off with Bible reading and/or exercise, but really it won't work for me. And I am okay with that.)
I am so incredibly thankful for the ability to get back into these Plans. Hooray! It just feels better in my spirit, to be honest.
4. Being Creative
I actually went out and stamped with friends this week! How wonderful is that? I have been keeping myself busy by stamping at home, but it just feels so much better and relaxed and fun doing it among others. We didn't have a class, but we all brought our own projects to work on. Considering I arrived there with a ton of stuff but no plan or real thought, I was impressed with what I accomplished!
I CASED a card found on page 104 of the the brand-new Stampin' Up! catalogue. I made 11 cards with three different variations; the top one with the stars and no banner is being sent to my brother and his wife for their 11th Anniversary! The deets: Sweet Essentials stamp set, Retro Fresh dsp, Calypso Coral ink, Pear Pizzazz seam binding ribbon, rhinestones, bakers twine, star punch, staple.
I need to do this more often! I miss getting together with friends and stamping and being creative!
5. Siblings who help eachother
Abi got herself a paper route this spring; just 74 houses in the immediate neighbourhood. It's been a relatively easy way for her to make $50+ each month. Sometimes she ropes her brothers into helping her out (she has to pay them) and I've helped drive her sometimes as well. (I think that makes the route going longer than it needs to be though.)
I love it when her brothers help her out. They don't have to, and I do sometimes have to remind them to stop complaining, and to actually be useful and to not drag their feet. (If they agreed to help, they need to stick with the committment. I love it more when they do it without needing to be reminded of that!), but it is so good to see them willingly helping her out and working as a team.
Kai insists on wearing the safety vest! (Abi doesn't like it, but someone has to wear it during the route.)
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