Happy 10th William!

 

We had to say goodbye to our cousins visiting, and we braved the super hot day for a zoo visit!

 

 

The day included a picnic lunch, a visit to the Zoo and the Kimono dragon (most important visit for the birthday boy).  The evening had an Eagle scout ceremony for some amazing young men in the Troop, and an errand with Mommy when she locked her keys in the car and we had an adventure as we waited.  It was deemed "the best birthday ever" and he was so happy!  We love you, sweet William!

 

Last Days of School

To refresh your memory, or make you feel old, this is the First Day(s) of School.

 

 

First one to finish!  Off to 8th grade after an AMAZING year first year at a new school.  She received an award in almost every single subject.  Which means that she had grades 95 or higher. Go Emma!  So proud.  She even entered an essay contest and came in the top 3 of the Junior High. 

 

Second finisher is the new 10th grader.  First honors, and a year full of first honors, and growth even noticed by his teachers.  I am so proud of his journey as a young man.  He has been attending a weekly prayer group, youth ministry, and even decided to go to Work Camp.

 

Award for the longest year ever, goes to these boys who finished 2 weeks after the big kids.  William is going to be in 5th grade next year. Finished the year with a very tough teacher with 2nd honors.  When asked what he liked the most, he said "sparkle was my favorite."  Why?  Because he knew the teacher's pattern for calling on the students.  And he used to position himself in a certain place so he could "always come in 2nd."  What an amazing kid. 

 

This boy!!  What a year!  2nd grade will be so great for him. He loved all the reading, and how much his teacher challenged him, and with each note she sent home thanking me for the work I do as his mom and "first reader" brought me to tears. He sprouted and grew this year in height as well! 

August Birthday Boys, and An Incident

These boys will probably always have a shared post for their day(s) and especially this year after big family events and a party.  I am a bit partied out.

First: William is 9!  Mass, breakfast, rain, lots of rain, time with family, and cake and minions. Lots of minions.

 

And, the big 4-0 was my big brother Glenn!

 

(On a side note, I found this awesome banner maker, and I went a little crazy!)

 

Next is my big Freshman: Patrick is 14!

 

 

We had a quick visit from our priest friend, who gave us a beautiful Franciscan blessing and got us ready for the feast of the Annunciation, or Patrick's birthday. 

 

 By the way, do you see the bandaid on James' eyebrow?  He fell, while dressed as Batman, and hit his face.  The glasses broke the skin and he needed 3 stitches.  Poor thing was an amazing trooper!  After getting an expander this same week.  What a brave boy!

 

 



 

 

 

First day in the 8th, 6th, 3rd, and Kindergarten! (oh my)

School.  It has begun!  And I am still not sure I am ready, but here we go!

 

 

8th grade.  His tie has R2D2 on it.  He started last week, on a Wednesday.

 

He was up, and so ready to go!  My big boy is going to school!  These guys started on Monday.

 

Kindergarten!

 

I have another middle schooler in the house.  Emma is in 6th.  (whaaaa?)

 

And my ever casual, no big deal William is in 3rd.

 

Lucy knows the days will be different.  I think that is why she isn't the happiest in the pictures. 

 

God bless all the teachers, new and old friends, and keep them close to you, Jesus! 

William's Birthday

Well, I spoke too soon.  As soon as I was done with my pity party, my husband stepped in and took off half a week to be with us and planned some amazing outings. But first:

William turned 8!

 

He was my first child to ask for a home cooked meal specifically for his birthday.  With all the kids usually asking to go out to eat, (which we did for lunch at Red Robin so they would sing to him) it touched me very deeply to have him ask ME to cook!  Did he eat it?  No, but it was the thought that counts.  :)

 

 

We got our first pets in the house!  An ant farm!  It is fascinating to watch the ants dig and move the habitat/food around in the container.  (amazon prime rocks!)  There is even a little light to help us see them even better.

 

Happy Birthday, my Sweet William.  I think I will call you that forever. 

Religious Award

William is enjoying his time in the Scouts, and has earned the next Religious award.  The Light of Christ.  We have our very own parish priest who has his secret weapon: an Eagle Scout neckerchief and slider.  The boys were really excited to see Father Noah.

 William with the Cubmaster and Father Noah. 

 So proud of my boys!

William's First Communion

What a special gift on Mother's Day weekend to celebrate a First Communion! 

We were so excited to be able to share in the joy with my nephew, Robert.  He is the youngest of my sister's 4 boys.  Big day!

 

The Mass was beautiful.  My Tommy's sister-in-law led the young people's choir at the Mass, they sang my favorite "Oh God, Beyond All Praising" which caused me to cry (as usual.  "We'll triumph through our sorrows, and rise to bless you still.  To marvel at your beauty....").  It was lovely. 

  

I am a picture taker.  I take lots, and when it is a special day for my family, I start to worry.  I worry about the food, the photos, the clothes....yes, I worry about silly things.  We were running late before Mass, and didn't take pictures as much as I would have liked.  I started to worry during Mass that we needed propane to cook the meat after, and I made the mistake of sending Tommy home with 2 kids.  Our family split up, and there was no chance of taking any pictures at church.  Okay, we take them at the house. 

 

Well, no, that didn't happen either.  The grill wasn't working, so off came the suits for playtime, firing up the coals.  So things moved along, and we didn't do all that I hoped for.  But we did get some really important ones:

 

William and his Godfather Uncle Paul.

My girls.

His Godmother Aunt Jenn.

Grandma (with her heart doing much better) and Grandpa.

And Mani and Papa.

 

Everyone else.  

 

Not one of all my kids, or the family.  I was trying to "let it go" and not worry so much, but it was eating me up.  I just wanted my family (or my chickens, as my mom would say) in one photo.  Just one. 

Now, really I should laugh.  I should.  I shouldn't be such a worry wart.  The party was lovely, we had family together, and lots of leftovers.  But I like things just so, and I asked just one thing for Mother's Day.  And I got it.  Tired faces, not as nice outfits, but they (sort of) did it for me.

Our sweet friends came to our rescue before Mass, and we managed a little something.  It made the celebration of William's SECOND Communion just as special!  Tommy was the Eucharistic Minister at Mass and made sure he was on our side for William.  We were all smiling, and in truth, that is what it is ALL about!