Answer Me This: Swimwear that I don't wear, and lots of plates, y'all

Happy Sunday!  Summer vacation has started here, and we are gearing up for a week of Vacation Bible School again.  My kids have been locked out of the house one time already for "getting too hot" or any number of other reasons to try to come back into the house.  But, on the plus side, my Emma has almost done her whole math packet for school!  LOL  It hasn't been hard to get them to do some summer work.  Ask me about this in about 6 weeks, then we will see. 

 

Joining Kendra at Catholic All Year for her Answer Me This!


1. When's the last time you got a new bathing suit?

 

Oh, bathing suits.  Ugh.  I am not a good swimmer, nor do I enjoy the water, but I have 4 kids, and am pregnant over the summer, so I have to have a suit.  I bought a really cute one from Lands End during their 50% off sale, and was so excited to use it this summer.  It was adorable: pink and navy paisley, and I had a cute skirt to go with it.  I hope I am able to fit into it next summer......

 

I always have fun looking, and this is pretty much the look I like to go for when it comes to suits.

 

 

 

I have a plain, black suit that I wear over my belly.  Very slimming, but very boring.  With a skirt.  I am not sure I am up for opening the can of worms in talking about bikinis, but the only time I have worn a bikini was my honeymoon.  I don't think that is something you will catch me in since 1) I am a mom and I have kids that look to me for modesty guidelines, 2) I have carried all 4 (5) kids that are all very large, and my belly is not something I feel that I need to show everyone, and 3) I don't think I need to be worried about things coming off me while I am at the pool or in the water thankyouverymuch.

2. Who made the last incoming call on your phone?

 

Probably my husband.  I am more of a texter than a caller.  Has to do with some of my anxiety and self-consciousness.

3. If you receive communion, do you receive it in the hands or on the tongue?

 

On the tongue.  It's the way I was taught, and the way I taught my kids.  There is no guarantees  that my kids' hands are clean enough, or that I don't have a child or child's hand to hold.  Too distracting.

4. Do you have a tattoo?

 

No. 

5. How many dinner plates are in your house?

 

I think we have about 12 everyday plates, and 9 china plates.  For our wedding, we picked something really simple for our everyday, that would match the flatware we had.  We VERY quickly broke the majority of those (big and small plates) and my sweet husband let us choose another setting which we found at Target.  I know. we are not daring enough to do colors, but it's so permanent. 

 This is our china pattern.

(Apparently I am not good at taking pictures of plates!  LOL)

6. Do you have an accent?

 

Not to my knowledge.  But, I have a musical ear, and LOVE listening to accents.  Sometimes I catch myself imitating someone who has one.  I don't do it very often with my trainer from Argentina, but southern (my roots come from Louisiana!) will always get me and I can slip into that easily.  I drop plenty of y'alls in my talking.  Does that count?  

 

There are some accents that are like fingernails on a chalkboard, and I can never understand how those get started. 

You are the Salt of the Earth....You are the Light of the World

Patrick is going to be a 6th grader.

 

Middle School.

 

A big kid.

This end of the school year has thrown me for a loop.  There was a "stepping up" ceremony for the kids going to middle school.  It was quite hot, and so I was able to really pay attention to the words and significance of what they were saying to them without getting too emotional (who am I kidding, I got teary at least once).  Their focus was the gospel passage from Matthew 5:13-16.

 

 

13ⁱ “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.^* 14You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden.^j 15Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house.^k 16Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.^l"

 Each passage was explained and each time I was struck by the words in this gospel message.

 Each student was called by name, and given a special prayer card.  Our new deacon told them that they need to show these things with one more thing: JOY! 

 I am super proud of this kid, with his gentle heart, his (sometimes frustrating) never-ending quest for things he wants, his love of family, and desire to do better.  He will talk to anyone, especially bigger kids since they are more polite and listen to him.  He loves the outdoors, and all things with Boy Scouts.  Sometimes he has a little trouble with kids his own age (wonder where he gets that?  Sorry, buddy.) but he manages to find a friend whenever he goes places.   

 This boy finished up his year with first honors, and is hoping to be in the higher math group in middle school!  His teacher wrote him a sweet letter, encouraging him and complimenting him on his good qualities.  There was even a Panda in the corner! 

 Last day of 5th grade!

And how this boy loves his siblings!  Even little photo-bombers!

 

Good luck, my #1 son.  Love you lots!

 

Last Day(s) of School

I like to see the changes in these kids.  Here is the first day of school pictures.  They have all grown up so much!

 

 William's last full day was 2 days before the big kids.

 Here comes Patrick to middle school!

 Emma is going to 4th grade!  Straight A student, "easy year" and a weed that just keeps growing. 

 I told Patrick he needed to stand up a little more. 

 I can't wait for James to ask me if the "kids at school?" and I get to answer him "No!  They are here with you!"

We are so ready for summer!

Last Days of Kindergarten

 Kindergarten Luau in the VERY hot sun.  Mommy came in time for the picnic outside.

 Assistant Mrs. DiRenzo

 Teacher Mrs. Izquierdo

 

 Graduation Day!

 

 

 

 



 

 Father Bob has been at All Saints for 14 years, and has been there for a lot of things for our family.  He is leaving us at the end of this month, and I was quite emotional when he spoke to the kids.

 Principal!

 William said, "Father Bob, you're my favorite priest."  So sweet!

I had to include a picture of his favorite friend. 

Look out, First Grade!  Here comes William!

Answer Me This: Maybe I do, and I didn't.

Joining up at Catholic All Year

1. What’s something you intended to do today, but didn't?

Do I only get to choose one thing?  Every.single.day I don't do everything that I mean to do.  To just pick one......now that would be difficult.  I needed to shop for end of the year gifts for the class I am room liaison.  Figuring out how to divide and spend the money among the kids....oh man.  Overwhelming.

Laundry, clean, dishes, and make my husband happy by joining him in some scouting events to name a few others.  I can't stay on this question too long or I may get depressed.  Move along, nothing to see here....

 2. What's your favorite grilling recipe?

Um, the ones my husband makes?  LOL  I don't grill, EVER, on the outside grill.  Inside, yes.  I have a grill pan that is great when you have a small fire or something in the grill outside and you have to finish the meal inside.  My favorite recipe for Tommy that I "grill" for him is Blackened Fish Tacos.  Delicious.

 3. What movie did you see most recently?

Emma and I watched a Hitchcock's Rebecca together.  I loved that book, and anything Hitchcock is so worth watching.  Even though it is in *gasp* black and white, my Emma sat through the whole thing.

4. Would you say your tendency is to over or under react to medical situations?

My initial thought when I read this question was "oh yes, I TOTALLY overreact to medical situations.  I overreact to EVERYTHING!"  And then, I did some more thinking.  I sometimes prefer NOT to know all the details.  LOL  Well, as with most things, I am a bit indecisive.  I think I sometimes do better NOT knowing all the details, because then I freak out, but it is important to have all the details so I can know how to treat the problem and make it better. 

5. Do you squeeze the toothpaste tube or roll it?

Squeeze.  Rolling is just weird.


6. What are you doing for Father's Day?

Not too much.  We will be celebrating a little with my Dad, and hopefully relaxing a bit with my Tommy.  He is the most amazing Daddy and husband.  He works so hard for all of us, and keeps me sane and feeling loved.  He is always so happy and ready with a joke to lighten the mood, or to make things better.  We love you, Daddy, and are so grateful to have you! 

James is 3!

 3 years ago, James decided to make an entrance 2 days before he was scheduled.  We have had so much joy in our family with this little boy!

 He loves his siblings so much, and misses them every day when they are gone.  He is so happy to see everyone, any time.  He is so generous with his hugs!

 His love of superheroes is like none of my other kids, and it's adorable to see him in his shirts with the capes all the time.

 I can't believe you are 3 today, and going to be a big brother!  This baby is so loved by you already, and you will be an amazing role model for this new baby.

 There is nothing sweeter than hearing you say, each time you see a cross or crucifix, "Jesus died on the cross."  You are the first to volunteer when to lead a mystery when we say the rosary.

We are so blessed to have you in our family!  You are such a joy, and I am excited to see what the next years with bring!  We love you lots and lots!



{Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real} Family Fun Edition

 

 {Pretty}

Oh bubbles!  They are so pretty!  They make me so happy!  How can you ever feel sad when you see them?  I am glad he can blow bubble without me, as I get winded with this big belly.   

 

 

{Happy}

So much love!  Just a quick moment with these three, but it is a joy-filled family.  Of course, shortly afterward, we had some wrestling and crying in the room.

 

{Funny}

Oh yes.  The awkward pictures, the cousin "love" and the mouth open phase with every photo.  These boys are so funny. 

 

{Real}

Oh this face.  If looks could kill.  He wasn't feeling well, and not even a swing could make him happy.  But, he has a birthday this weekend, and we have already begun celebrating!!