Australian food

I love Australian food.  I think we are definitely in the lead when it comes to lollies, chocolate, chips and snacks!  My opinion is not biased!  Jeremy placed an order with the Australian Catalogue Company .  All I specifically requested was Cherry Ripes, because it had been a long time since I had had one of those and I LOVE them.  I love Turkish Delights more but we can buy those here at World Market .  I was so happy when I got to open the box, even though it arrived as we were running out the door to meet some friends at the park.  I quickly unloaded the box, grabbed a cherry ripe and left, knowing full well while I was gone that piles of delicious food were waiting for my return!  It became a family taste fest as we shared everything and commented on it.  The kids liked everything, even the musk sticks.  Though I know from a friend that tried some and let her family try some that they thought they were gross. Haha.  That's ok with me!  I think people get so worried that they are going to hurt your feelings if they don't like something that you grew up having and like.  It really doesn't bother me, more for me!!

Campbell really liked the Burger Rings.  Actually everybody loved those, how could you not?

Finn loved the Burger Rings and the Chicken Twisties.  He ran off with both bags haha

He looks like he doesn't like the musk stick, but he is really just having trouble with his braces.  He went back for more.

The kids liked the Iced VoVos, except for Campbell.  He doesn't like coconut (gasp)

Eating a Monte Carlo and saying cheese

"I'm not sure I can promote this stuff"

Don't worry honey, with that look on your face no one will want to eat it.  More for me!

This was later the same day, had to add it because I just love it.  Finn loves his sister SO MUCH, it is adorable!

First food

On April 19th we fed Soleil her first solid food.  She was 7 months and 1 day old.  She is the third baby in a row to have avocado as her first food.  I consider it a super food, so good for you, full of good fats and a pretty bland taste for those sensitive taste buds.  However it is NOT sweet like breastmilk so it is something different. 

Let's give this a try

Oh my god....what is this??

Let me take control mum!

Hey this is kind of fun!

Ok you guys need to stop! I'm starting to get annoyed!

Now I'm really mad!

Oh...we're done?

What is this???

What a fun experience....needless to say Soleil isn't quite ready for real food yet!

Baby fat

Soleil has an adorable little sun dress that happens to be a halter.  I am not sure there is anything cuter than her fat little arms sticking out of this dress!

So cute!

Oooh but baby feet are cute too!!

Baby Black Bears

Madeleine was headed to a friends house to hang out when we were asked if she could go with the same friend up to a animal refuge/zoo for an event they had going on.  This turned into Madeleine getting to hold baby black bears!!  What a fantastic experience for Madeleine, holding baby black bears isn't an experience that comes along every day.  We are very thankful that her friend and family welcomed her along for this!

Mother/Daughter dance

Earlier this month our Girl Scout council hosted a dance for the Girl Scouts and their mothers.  In February Madeleine had attended a dance for daughters and dads with Jeremy which is an annual event for the.  This is the first time they have offered something for the mothers and daughters.  A few girls from Madeleine's troop went and a few girls from the younger troop who are also friends of the girls in the older troop.  I have a feeling Madeleine might be a little too old for these events, she isn't much into dancing either so it doesn't make a lot of sense to attend dances :)  All in all a good time was had by all, but in the future perhaps we need to find something that the older girls would enjoy a little more.

Homeschool group easter/spring party

We celebrate all the holidays we can with our homeschool group, Easter is no exception.  I prefer to call it a spring party because we are celebrating the new life of spring and how the earth renews itself each year.  I love spring.  It's my favourite season, flowers are blooming, birds are chirping, trees are blossoming, the grass gets green, the sun is shining.  It really doesn't get much better!  It started off a little chilly, with a rain cloud looming over us.  We heard some thunder which made us nervous, but the cloud blew by and the sun came out and the day became beautiful! 

Soleil is getting ready to partay!

The egg hunt for the big kids was a little different then it was for the littlies.  Each child had to find numbered eggs.  The parents numbered all the eggs from 1-12 (each family had to bring 12 eggs for each participating child).  They then had to find 12 eggs each with 1 of the numbers on it.  This made it more challenging for them and made things take longer than usual, which is great because it kept the big kids occupied for longer.

Egg hunting

Campbell checking his loot

After the big kids hunted we "hid" the eggs for the little ones (under 5 years), they also could find 12 eggs.  They really got into it and had a great time.

This is just here so I can remember how much I loved this time with Soleil.  So sweet!  I love having the ability to breastfeed my babies!

Oh my god.  I love this girl and the faces she makes.  She makes me laugh every day!

This was taken seconds after the above picture.

Egg toss.....Owen's partner had to leave so I took his place.  We won baby! Yeah!

We looked over to see this.  I really love 3 year olds!

Owen amazes me!

Egg and spoon relay, there were two teams.  Madeleine was on one and the boys on the other.  The team Madeleine was on won.  They got bragging rights and some toys, stickers etc

Finn following Madeleine on the next game.  They had to carry a dozen eggs while doing an obstacle course.  She was skipping here.  Finn was running interference!

Easter Part II

The egg hunt.  This doesn't last terribly long now that the kids are bigger and more skilled at finding the eggs :) Madeleine spent a lot of time helping Finn and found her eggs last, which made it more challenging for her!

Hunting for eggs

Soleil checking out her new silk

She likes the silk and the ball that the Easter Bunny left her

She REALLY likes her loot

I love this kid, he is so CUTE

He made a gummy shishkebab (spelling?)

and then he ate it!

He really is a good egg!

So is this!

The silk streamer was a hit

She really makes some good faces

Later that day we had some friends over for Easter lunch and some egg hunting.  I think everyone had a good time.  We had a spiral baked ham with maple glaze, potatoes au gratin , roasted asparagus, mashed potatoes, salad and dinner rolls. 

Pics of the kids eating Easter dinner

Egg hunt

boys will be boys

Izzy said "Finn push me"

and he did!

When he got sick of pushing, he said "I'm done" and walked away.

I love 3 year olds!

What I discovered about Easter:  It's more fun spent with friends!