Outside in fall

 Matthew missed out on a trip to the store, and spent the time waiting (at least half an hour) biking back and forth and back and forth and back and forth...patiently waiting.

 Evelyn, when I came back from Oshawa was rather feverish, and spent the next while dozing off and on in my arms.  I felt bad!  But she was a good girl while I was gone at least, and didn't complain much.

 Daniel enjoyed pedalling too.

 Then Daniel and Jennifer enjoyed some marshmellows, and shared some with me!

 Then the kids came back

 Matthew had joined for an outing too, which I'm sure he loved!

Auto Museum

 Some of us went to the Auto Museum in Oshawa, for a few hours.  It wasn't a long drive, and compared with the Aquarium, almost free. ;)  It's a run down looking place, and they cram a lot of cars in the building, but it's also full of neat vehicles.  Even the experienced car fan managed to see some new finds!

 This is my choice as a keeper.

 The kids thought this seat on the side might not be safe enough for them!

 And a car on sleighs!  It only worked in the right conditions apparently, but light enough to toss out of a bad spot if you needed to.

 And a car that could cross the English Channel!  Not so sure about that one!

 And another favorite.

 Daniel didn't get to come along, but he colored in a sheet we brought back for him, and since I had to share it with his grandparents, I opted for a digital copy (photo) and let them take the hard copy.

Review: very interesting place to spend some hours (not more than two for us) with a wide variety of old cars!  Could use some updating and more space, but that's what goes with the price. ;)

Evelyn the chatter box

Teeter totter

Ripley's Aquarium Toronto

 Melanie's bday was doubled into another day where we went off for a trip downtown.  We started with the train, which, for some, seems to be the highlight!

 Just like Daddy, we get to have a ride!

 So many interesting sights (that he thinks very mundane) and before we knew it we were downtown!

 Walked the wrong way at first, but then we were on the right track-only a short walk!

And here we are!

 Melanie thought the birthday girl should get her own shot. ;)  Notice all the shorts in October?  It WAS that warm!

 Warm enough for sharks. ;)

Now the water table, which was a bit hit, kept the kids happily playing for over half an hour.  It was featuring locks, not very fishy, but fun anyways!

After a good long tactile play, they were ready to see some more amazing animals.

 Oh, and the equipment (simplified) was intriguing too.

And the bus ride home was great for napping and chilling, and thinking about it all.

 

Review of aquarium.  We thought it was pretty cool, and having a shark swim over you is a great way to see the lesser known features of them.  The sting rays were beautiful and captivating to watch swimming around.  They definitely put a lot of thought into making it a kid friendly experience, with a playground in the middle, several animals to touch, and lots of tactile displays.  BUT it was really pricey, since, well, there's lots of us!  I think I'd only go back if there was a great deal on tickets, which isn't likely.  We did get free cupcakes, but it's not likely that would happen again!
Do we recommend it?  If you've got all the cash, but probably only for a one time visit. In total, we spent maybe 3 hours there.  Oh, and we didn't see any sea turtles.

What amazing animals God has made!  The visit left us marveling!

Helping out

(Some help more than others. ;)

Melanie is 8!

 Way back in October Melanie turned 8.  She had a great time, made extra special with family from far who could celebrate with us!  We were just recovering from hand foot mouth disease (which, CC, I am very sorry to have shared with you! :( ) and Melanie thought it was only fair that she was the only kid who didn't get it "because it's going to be MY birthday!"

 She patiently waited a few days for our outing, and instead we decorated a cake together.  (Hey, we're getting a bit better with practice!)

She thought it deserved a few extra pictures:

Games were played, new to us. :)

 Cards and presents

 (Yes Jennifer was a nuisance and had to be kept in line!)

 Oh, you mean this is going to be extra work for me?

We love Melanie!  She is going through a "drama stage" it seems, but we don't fail to notice her kids heart, her helping out her younger siblings, and her eagerness to please.  What a blessing to our family.

Work

Matthew has made almost all the pictured ideas of what to make of k'nex.

Evelyn is expanding her vocabulary in the dictionary.  

Chore time. Matthew doesn't like his chore (I assure him this is a common complaint) and either gets finished very efficiently, or incredibly slowly.

Cleaning the tusks.  Daniel has to stand on the tub so he can see himself-you can't brush if you can't see yourself. ;)

Jennifer's job is taking care of her dolls.

Melanie loves to vacuum.  Nothing could make her happier. ;)

Baking so we have something for Sunday.

 Matthew made a spy glass all on his own, and it's even extendible!

All this hard work tuckered them out. 
(Actually they all have a fever, coming down with hand foot and mouth disease.)
I probably overworked them and made them more susceptible to it.