Pictures from last week...

Workbooks...

Some of the books Abigail is using this year....of course we are also using much much more than this but these are just a few of the things we fall back on. I picked up the grade one books to be sure Abigail had covered the basics that she didn't do last year. She has flown through them - especially the math which she finds ultra boring and doesn't want to do but I said if she flies through it in a couple of weeks we will go and get her grade 2 and 3 as a 'treat'...and of course she loves this idea...so she is rushing through it. instead of doing a page a day or whatever she is doing she is doing several a day. She just wants to get it done. I know she doesn't need to do it but I kind of want her to do the basics again because I think her teacher really messed with her confidence and I kind of want to bring back the fun she had with math before - she used to love how easy it was and then in school she was struggling because her teacher was a dork! I want her to find it fun again and see it as puzzles again! To WANT to do it....so thats what we're doing!

I have been having fun going through the Education Station catalogue choosing things....I much prefer their south store to Scholars Choice. I think I'm going to go there next week and head to Ikea for breakfast. There are a few things I have my eye on for Abby from Edu Station....

Trying Chinese foods for New Year...

The children tried out some Chinese foods for our new year festivities last week! We also had some decorations around our display table to celebrate the new year. We have decided to extend our study of China for the rest of the year instead of just for New Year because we have been enjoying it so much! Susannahs friend Melissa was able to join us to try the foods. Most of the foods were made with sticky rice. The bread was filled with a pureed bean.

And plans change.....

So we were meeting Val at Kidz Quarterz this morning, then heading to MP for the running track and then swimming. Sam was fine until he got out of bed to get dressed and then his head started to hurt. He started crying. I gave him meds and he went back to bed. We tried again 30 minutes later. No better. More crying. Back to bed and then he started to feel sick. Then he WAS sick.

So we are home AGAIN. Stuck at home surrounded by workmen with a sick little boy when the weather is going to be so lovely!!! What a shame!!!

Journaling Workshop

Wednesday Feb 11th - 7pm - 8:30pm

Sherwood Park Library - Free!!

Not sure if there are spaces left, but if there are, would anyone be interested in joining me?

Participants experiment with four easy to use journaling tools while learning how and why journaling works as a vehicle for personal growth. Please bring a pen and notebook, your curiosity and a sense of adventure. Presented by Kathie Sutherland.

Let me know if you're interested and I can pick up passes!

Sam making his Valentine cards...

Sam was busy at work the other day making Valentine cards....

Get well card

A card Abby made for me last week when I wasn't feeling well. I'm hoping they are puffy sleeves on the dresses rather than four boobs!!! ;)

Valentine atc's

For a swapbot swap....

Friendship angel...

I was given this beautiful Friendship Angel from Val for my birthday. Isn't she gorgeous? As is Val!!! I'm so looking forward to scrapbooking with Val this weekend! I'm even looking forward to making breakfast with her on Saturday - waffles with strawberries! Mmmmm :) I've been packed ready since Saturday!!! Thats how excited I am :)

Val looks like Susan Sarandon. Especially as she looks in the movie Mr Woodcock.

9 ways to keep the romance.....

9 Ways to “Keep Courting” after Marriage

By Cheryl Moeller


There’s no better time than Valentines’ Day, to revive your courtship.
Courtship shouldn’t end with marriage. Keep courting!

(These are intended for married couples… to fan the flames of continued courtship)

1. Make a dinner for your husband where everything begins with the first letter of his name. For instance, if his name is Robert, you could make roast beef, rice, and radicchio salad. Serve red licorice and raspberry ice cream for dessert.

2. Add “I love you” to his calendar on the day of his birthday, every month. So, if he was born on December 15, write ” I love you” on the 15th of every month.

3. Clean the house. Pack a lunch for you and the kids. Leave a lunch behind for your hubby. Tell him his gift is a quiet house. He’ll get to be alone for a whole day.

4. Ask your wife to marry you on the anniversary of your engagement. Ask her in the same way you did the day you became engaged. Set the scene again. Relive the moment and celebrate! Look her in the eyes and pop the question again.

5. For Valentines’ Day, set up a mini Christmas tree in your bedroom, with heart ornaments and lights. Your heart ornaments can be handmade, with construction paper, doilies, and scissors.

6. Make a taco salad, with her favorite ingredients. Buy a bag of large taco chips to use as the silverware. Take a moment to feed her with a chip.

7. Go out with both sets of grandparents for a triple date.

8. Practice smiling throughout the day. It could be contagious!

9. On her next birthday, send her the number of cards that matches her age. For instance, if she’s going to be 38, then send her 38 cards to arrive on her birthday. Some of the cards can be homemade. Fill up her mailbox with your love and good wishes.

Happy Valentines’ Day from Cheryl Moeller Production. Bob and Cheryl have been married nearly 30 years and have 6 children, ranging in age from 9 to 26.

Family bowling day....

We all headed off bowling for the afternoon for our monthly bowling session. More details below!

Jane does it in the gutter....

It was family bowling day today. Our new years resolution as a family is to go bowling once a month. We went Boxing Day and then we went today (yes its officially February so we didn't really go January but so long as we go approx every month we are happy).

I was teasing the kids that I had ordered 'team shirts' with our family name on - and that they read 'Thorpes do it at the bowling alley'!!! So after watching me play twice now, Chris laughed and said it would be more apt if mine read 'Jane does it in the gutter' hahahahahaha!!! Oh that boy is soooooooo funny!!!! ;)

I lost again today - yep, came 7th. Out of 7. Sigh......... Lloyd won. Sam came 2nd......Abby was third I think. Susie 4th. Laurie 5th. Chris 6th.

Me last......

Again......

But it was fun :) and I did get a spare.....

Susannah's birthday.....gift time...

Susannah's birthday on Wednesday. Gift opening time was when Chris had all his friends here - as they have known Susie for years, they joined in with the gift opening ceremony (ie we all sit around and watch her open her cards and gifts) . They're taking part in a movie Chris is directing....

Cards from Rhondas children....

I HAVE to post a picture of these....I just love them....Rhondas children drew me these cards on Tuesday :) Rhondas Mom works in Zellers I believe - or used to, I'm not sure...anyway, they have a lot of this old cardstock to use up, and the children were drawing on it for me. So we were just laughing that the first one I opened said 'for anyone'........so funny! then I opened the next one and it said 'friend' and I was laughing and said 'Oh I much prefer THIS one' hahahahaha

I'm only teasing - both of them are just so lovely and so so sweet :) thank you Rhonda :) The times I have spent with any of your children they are always just the sweetest little things!!

A card from a non card maker???

....I think not!!! Instead it's a lovely card handmade by my friend Sharon :) Although I think she's being rude about my age with the the sly comment about the number of candles I'd need on my cake ;) Mind you, I think she did mention that she'd need more on hers so thats ok hahahahaha!