Time To Catch Up

No, I didn't take time off to catch up.  Heavens, I don't think I will ever feel caught up.  No, I think I need to do a quick catch up on the blog.  And, because I am about chronology, I will try to put things in order.  Mostly pictures which are harder now, as my nice camera officially broke. Very very sad day.

• Lucy is up first, and she began a new adventure: Atrium!  One day a week, and this girl has loved every minute of it.  Don't call it school, just call it Atrium.  My sister teaches the older grades and has poked her head in to watch (Lucy says, "Aunt Jenn sat in the chair and did not talk") and says Lucy has great concentration.  My most favorite thing of all is hearing that sweet voice sing all the songs. 
  
• Tommy turned the big 4-0 in October, and I will do a blog post about that. :)
• Lucy turned 4!  We went all out with her love of unicorns, and I made her a special cake.  I think she liked it.  
  
  
  
  
• Halloween was fun with friends and good creative costumes.  As the kids get older, we have found that going out trick-or-treating is more fun in a group and Emma has found the sweetest girls and we are more than happy when she is able to have some outings with them.  Lucy spent the whole day in her costume.
  
   Emma is Cordelia Biddle from the movie "The Happiest Millionaire", William is a Pokémon trainer, James is Harry Potter, and Lucy is Violet from "The Incredibles."  
• Patrick had his first Homecoming/Enthronement Dance.  He went stag, though he had tried to ask a young lady, but it didn't work out.
  
  
  
  
• James  lost a front tooth!  Even pulled it himself.                                                                          
• Our family celebrated Thanksgiving at our home with all the locals on the Gregory side.    I was so happy we could accommodate Joe and his wheels, and everyone else.  :)       
  
• William is officially an altar server, and had been doing an amazing job.  It is a joy to see all the boys serving together some days.
  
•  December brings Saint Nicholas cookie making.  I need to remember to double to batch next year.  I never make enough for all of us to enjoy.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Our family went into DC for a very cold, and muddy ALS walk for my brother and his family.  It was a very different feel this year, as you see the progression of the disease.  It was a joy to see all the love and support of Joe and his family.  Please keep praying for him! 
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All About Lucy: Birthday, Big News, and Sparkles

My, my, how time does fly when you spend your days scrolling the book of faces and try, very unsuccessfully to keep house.  My days are full, but not really as full of what I hoped would be going on this year.  It's funny how so many people say that with one child at home I should be able to do so much.  I am not nearly as busy as I am when the kids are home.  And though this is not my first year with just one at home, I still have this response:

Bwahahahaha!!! 

Well, in theory that would be amazing.  But, have you met any 2 year old who lets you do anything, uninterrupted?  Or, if you decide to potty train (oh my goodness I always forget how hard that is) and you feel like a helicopter pilot/mom.  That.  That ALONE fills the days.  Can I have a nickel for every time I say the word "potty"?

 

(Don't worry.  It was clean.  Never been used)

 

She's done really well!  I'm super proud of her, though some days I wonder if I started her too early.  But, we persevere!  And I love not worrying about diapers.  

Lucy had her very first dentist appointment, and though I told her she would be going after Mommy, so she could watch, she very seriously informs me that "I am going first."  Well okay then. 

 

She did uh-mazing.  And, when she was all done, she says, "I have sparkly teeth!" 

Love this girl.

 

Next up in this awesome girl's adventures is Lucy turning 3!

We had princess stuff everywhere, and are still enjoying the balloon daddy bought for his Princess.  I sent him to a fun store called Party Co for a cake topper.  I couldn't even fit it in the photo!

 

 

In not so exciting news, I tried to get to a local Bible study again.  Lucy must have had some serious bad memories as she started crying as soon as we entered the building.  I could hear her crying all the way down the hall again, and it broke my heart.  For a little one with so much energy and spunk, she is not a fan of "daycare" scenarios.  I was really hoping that she would feel comfortable, as I wanted to try to join a gym (though I doubt I will get my tush in the door of one)

 

Lucy understands so much, will help me remember things in the grocery store and keep the boys in line.  Her hair and curls are the talk of everyone wherever we go, and I just hope that they will stay!  I love that she is all about dresses, girly shoes, princesses, and purses, tea parties and fancy clothes.  It's adorable!



 

My Sunday Best: Fall Weather! And, What Happens When I Try To Blog 2 Days in a Row

Cool breezes and temperatures dropping means it's time for jean jackets and boots!

My Sunday best link up with Rosie, who is looking so cute!

I love when I find something that I haven't worn in a while, and makes me feel like a million bucks.  The necklace was in the bottom of my drawer, and just suited this dress perfectly.  Jean jacket is from Old Navy, boots are a staple for Sundays in the fall and winter, and my dress is called Carly, from my new mania, LuLaRoe.  I love the high-low on the dress, and I feel a bit princess-y when the wind catches it. 

 

(Hardest part of this Sunday link up is feeling comfortable enough to take a picture of my outfit.)

Lucy and her curls.

 

Daddy is away this weekend so we had Mass with one adult, and it's like the toddler has an extra sense that she needs to act up, and we had to leave Mass multiple times today. Climbing over people each way, since we were in the middle. 

At least I looked good in my Sunday Best!  :)

 

Donut Sunday made things a little bit better.

 

Until I tried to write this blog post.  A certain child decided it was the perfect time to use a sharpie. 

 

 

Here.  I was working on it for HOURS, and I don't think it will ever come out.  Oh man.  What a day it has been.



 

7 Quick Takes: Saint Michael, Lucy's Birthday and More Lucy

7 Quick Takes

 

Linking up with Kelly for this weeks 7 quick takes! 

 

 

1).  We had the Archangels feast day on September 29, and I had this desire to wear leggings.  Little did I realize that my longing for comfort was also liturgical in nature!  Apparently, Saint Michael is the patron of leggings.  We don't often celebrate feast days, but both Lucy and I were happy to participate.

 

 

2). The newest Reynolds grandbaby had a Baptism, and sweet Joanna is lucky enough to have Tommy as Godfather. 

 

 

3). I sent a text to my local family to let them know that we were doing cake on Sunday for Lucy.  I had a small cake, and some ice cream.  I am not one for big parties anymore for little kids.  It's more fun just getting family together if you can to let the grownups talk.  I didn't think more than a handful would come, but was TOTALLY thrilled that ALL of them came!  I have 5 siblings local, and they came with their kids and so much joy to celebrate Lucy.  It was a quick visit, but absolutely perfect. I was so touched that they wanted to come and be together, but especially for my little "Light."

 

 

These boys are soo sweet with her. 

 

We would ask Lucy if she was having a birthday, and her response would be "cake."  She was excited for the cake, but I think in all her joy of the day she wasn't even ready to eat it!  (Walmart was selling cake mixes for a $1!  I didn't stock up, but I should have!)

 

 

4).  Lucy loves Barbie.  We watch the Barbie Princess movies, (something I implemented as soon as the kids started to go to school.  Ninjago and Lego Batman were out while I was exercising.  It was time for some girly movies!) and she was so excited with her new gifts. 

 

 

This photo is one of my favorites. 

 

5).  Because it is still Lucy's birthday week, I will give you more Lucy love.

 

 

 

6).  Some James school quotes, which I love.

"I don't like coloring, but I know I have to do it, so I do."  (insert heart emoji!)

"I want to be on K2 Superstar so I don't do anything wrong during the day."

(His teacher told me that he doesn't say ANYTHING in school, so of course he can focus on his work, and is on K2 superstar.  Which will involve a prize so who wouldn't want that??)

He comes home and wants to do homework right away.  I love it.  I know it won't last forever, but that sweet boy has so much joy!

 

7).  We are back in our busy routine of meetings, camping and workout nights.  My handsome husband works so hard, and I know he could use a pick me up.  We did enjoy the shooting range, but that can get expensive.  I want to be able to do date nights, but it's tough to schedule them, as well as find a good babysitter.  Patrick is technically old enough to watch the little guys, but I don't think I am ready to leave all 5 of them for a few hours.  And, though the older ones are self-sufficient and don't need the sitting, it is still expensive for all 5.  I know.  We are in the trenches and will be for a while, but it's so hard to be sure that we are making time for "us" in this busy life.  

 







7QT: Ants go Marching, CWBN, Lucy and Honesty

Linking Up with Kelly for a 7 Quick Takes

1) We have survived the first weeks of school!  James has done really well, has come home talking about "my friend" in his class, and learning all the ins and outs of kindergarten.  I am especially excited that he wants to show me all his work!  He was the one I was worried about, since it was his first time in all day school. 

2) Lucy is the only child at home with Mommy and seems to get in more trouble when the kids come home.  She talks so much, complete sentences.  Runs to find exactly what you need her to find.  When you call her name, she says, "Yes?"

On the drive home from school, Lucy gets louder as she tries to make herself heard over all the kids.  So she says my name over and over and over again, and doesn't really have anything to say so she has a phrase: "Yogurt raisins all gone."  Sometimes drawn out, sometimes fast, but she knows it's nonsensical, but she smiles and says it anyways.

She is also THE most polite child. Her "thank yous" come after anyone does anything for her. Including change her diaper!  She says "'scoos me, Mommy!" when she interrupts and will say please more than I ever have to prompt her. Even when she is upset she will scream her polite "pleeeeeeeease!"

Her awesome curls are the talk of everywhere we go, and she has begun to notice what people say.  "Lucy's hair curly?  Lucy's hair curly."   I can't believe she is almost 2! 

3) At the beginning of September, I took a drive into Front Royal to meet some amazing Catholic bloggers at a Conference (CWBN mid Atlantic).  Some of my favorites were there, and kept me a bit tongue-tied.  The extrovert in me wanted to meet everyone, make connections and just be friends with as many as I could.  But the introvert in me won out.  I don't often take the time to do things for "me" including retreats, or even enough going out with Moms to make new friends.  I had an great time listening to the talks (by Elizabeth Foss, Mary Lenaburg, Jenny Ryan, and hosted by the sweet Rosie Hill and emceed by Kelly), but I think I wasn't prepared to learn so much, and all I could think of was that I don't fit in this group.  I struggled a lot that day, and wished I had been better prepared, and really ready to open up in groups, open my heart to new friends, and squelch that dreadful feeling of inferiority.

I have sat down to blog about it many times, but the words don't want to come.  Mary encouraged me to share exactly what I am feeling, and to be more vulnerable, and even share on Facebook.  Baby steps.



 4) Tommy and I celebrated our 14th anniversary on September 14, the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.  I went to Mass with my little kids' school, and I love hearing the same readings we heard all those years ago.  We didn't celebrate that day, but Tommy took of the next day.  We spent the day just being together, and actually went to a shooting range.  My first experience with a gun, and Tommy's first time shooting a pistol.  I was the flincher in the corner, when we first got into the room, jumping at the (really) loud guns going off.  I have to say once I got past the nervousness, I did okay.  And may even go back!  Who says you need a date night?  Date days are even better!  Especially when you have wonderful friends who will watch Lucy for the morning.

5) James has joined the boys in the house and become a Lion Scout!  The cutest little guy around is doing the pilot program in the local Pack, and he is so excited!  It's a very easy, once a month thing with the little boys, and we had the first meeting at our house.  I loved the joy of all the little boys and their parents who came for the meetings.  I teased Tommy that any parent that offers to help or lead gets first dibs in the small den.  :) 

6) Our ants have died.  They didn't last very long, but absolutely fascinating to see the progression of the ants building the tunnels.  I am still opposed to any more pets, as I can barely keep up with the humans I have in my home already.

7) The beautiful Rachel Cupps was so generous to offer new headshots of the ladies that attended the conference, and it took me some time to get up the noive to put myself in front of the camera.  But, I did, and I am so glad I have a photo that shows me my wrinkles, and the extra layers of age on my face, as well as the new dress and necklace that I just love. 

Lucy 20 months

 Lucy is such a stinker.  She talks up a storm.  She answers all of your questions and will go look for whatever you ask her to find. She is VERY clear about what she wants and does NOT want.  Some days she is so very almost 2. 

She loves things that are "pretty" especially her dresses and skirts, and all of mommy's jewelry.  It is "prebby" and just adorable to hear.  We have even painted her toenails!  And she will watch her toes while she walks afterwards. 

She climbs on everything, and my big fear is that she will learn to climb out of the crib too soon!  All step stools, chairs, and even the stairs when she can get around the gate.

I love her curls.  I love how the little ringlets bounce when walks, and some days she has a little one that will sit right in the middle of her forehead.

 It is adorable to hear her get excited and say "Daddy!" when the garage door is heard.  Or her little voice tell the kids "bye!" when it's time for them to get out of the car for school. 

Music is so much fun with her, and she knows all the prayers, though she won't actually say the words, she will do all the proper motions, and sometimes will mouth the words.