First Confession For James!

The same day James was winning 2nd place in his den in the Pinewood Derby, he was also going to Confession for the very first time!  It was a very busy penance service, and I was super proud that James decided to go to a shorter line instead of trying to visit a certain priest.  He knew he would be going to Confession very often, so he knew he would have many more chances.

Clean soul!

Scout Business For William

The first few months of the year are always busy in the Scout world.  We start with pinewood derby, the last one for William, Lucy getting to participate in the sibling races, and James winning 2nd place.  It was a good day all around!

William then received his Arrow Of Light, reminding us all that he is growing up and finishing Cub Scouts soon! It also came on my birthday, which combined with my grey hair, made me feel extra old.

Crossover to Boy Scouts came later in the month, with an Outdoor camping cake competition, won by the Web 2's.  It was a joy to see all my boys in their uniforms together, and see the excitement from William continue as he came home and started to work on his Boy Scout Requirements as soon as he could.

First Days of School 2018

Seton kids go first. 

 

8th grade for Emma!  I don't think she slept the night before school started.  The excitement of new friends and school work makes her happy!

 

Sophomore year for Patrick.  (Oh my goodness)  He wasn't quite as excited, but has the desire to do every single club, play and movie the school is offering.  Schoolwork will be a challenge this year, with a full schedule. 

 

When the big kids have to go, the little ones get up too! 

 

Then, the next First Day of School came!

5th grade!  His teacher is full of energy, and quite an impressive resume.  We are happy to have new friends to choose and help feel welcome.

2nd grade!  2 sacrament this year, a growth spurt over summer, and the joys of old friends. 

 

God bless all the teachers, students, and the parents.  We are so blessed to have this community, both schools, and God has been so good to us. 

Tires, Minivans, and Wind

Virginia has had some crazy weather this year.  Little to no snow in the winter, snow in mid to late March, and some odd days off for cold, threat of snow, and high winds.  Crazy weather.  But.  A gift nonetheless.

 

 

I came out to this on a Thursday morning.  We are no strangers to car troubles, which used to always happen as we were trying to leave for school, and we are so grateful that we have family nearby to help!  My van, the tires, the transmission - all on it's last leg, and now this.  It is done.  Not only was the tire done, the spare was too.  So, we decided it was time.  We knew it was coming, we just weren't sure when.  And when the government and schools closed the next day, we knew it was time. 

 

 

We said Goodbye to our van with over 160K miles, the van that brought home 4 of my kids as babies and got us where we needed to be, many times.

 

But, we traded it in for a new to us van.  Lucy says it is "dark buhlue" and we all fit.  Comfortably.  And the perks are just amazing.  Saint Anthony really helped us to find what we needed that day.

 

(As I write this, I am realizing I don't have a ta-daa photo of the van alone)

 

We did get it blessed!  Father Noah paid special attention to the engine.

And of course, we all got a treat!

 

As I told my sisters, I am like the cool kids now.  A Honda.  :)

 

But.  In true fashion, we have had an adventure.  The new van has automatic doors and so many safety features that we are trying to figure out and some that are so safe they are annoying.  (The kids call it R2D2 with all the beeps it says)  I used to leave the keys in my old van as it was always in the garage.  It was easier, and they weren't in the ignition.  But, I did this just one time accidently in the new van.  And Lucy got into the garage, and into the van.  And OH!  It's a toddler's paradise!  Buttons!  Doors!  Open!  Close!  Oh yes.  She did.  She locked herself in my van with my keys.  And the lock buttons are too tough for her.  And. as I am trying to get her out, she sets off the car alarm. 

Horn.  Blaring.  In the garage.  Oh oh oh my ears!  I admit.  I did some freaking out.  And maybe even a curse word or 2.  But, I am grateful my keys were there, as I yelled at her to push the buttons (between honks) on the key fob and she was able to turn off the alarm and unlock it!  Whew.  It was awful.  My ears were ringing for days!  And, lest you worry, I don't leave my keys in there anymore.  And yes, there IS a child safety handle on the garage door.  Oy.

Teen Number 2 In The House!

Emma turned 13 over our Christmas vacation!  We decided that this year was the year of just family,(as in no party with friends) and I was so proud that she never complained, or fussed.  She was even happy after everyone left, and thanked me for making it just family fun.

 

 

Happy birthday to our amazing young lady.  The flower, the independent, organizer and sweet sister. (William had a tumble on his face right before the family arrived)

Of course we had more photo fun.  :)

 

 

 

Wood Badge

7:30AM,  on a December Friday morning, I get a text message from my husband that goes sort of like this:

"Do you think we can host the Scout Christmas Party?"

"Yes"

I just said what?  My brain was yelling NOOOOO!  My fingers typed that faster than I realized. The party was Saturday, as in, the next day.  My big kids were home for the Holy Day of Obligation, and my thoughts were, well, if it's a Christmas party with the boy scouts we should probably put up the tree.  And decorate a bit?  And we did!  It took less than 24 hours (a record for me!) and we put up the tree and set up quite a bit for the Christmas party.  The kids totally rocked it.  I was kind of prepared for some teenagers and families to come over.  No big deal.

Except, as I realized about an hour before the party began, (at our home, because the snow outside closed our first location), it's not JUST a scout Christmas party. 
"Are there strangers coming to this party?"
"Yes, dear.  They are coming to award me and Eddie our Wood Badge."

!!!!!!!!

oh. OH!  That is why.  That is why I said yes.  That is why I didn't freak out (as much) as I normally do when he asks me for something last minute.  My guardian angel.  Wow.

 

 

This award is a really big deal.  Tommy been taking classes, earning his tickets, camping, and working very hard for this Wood badge.  It is something that helps him be a better Scout Master, and the boys actually were part of the process.  He wanted to show them the results, and thank them as part of his ceremony, which is why we were putting it with the Christmas party.  (I promise, he does tell me stuff, but I very often get distracted and don't remember)  His patrol was invited, as well as Eddie's.  Some of these people came from 2 hours away, in the snow to be there for these awesome scout leaders.

 

We are so proud of our Daddy, such a hard worker, and always trying to better himself for these boys.  I am also so glad my Angel guided my hand to help me make this easier for my husband.

   He has also been asked to help teach this course to other scout leaders, and has encouraged many of the leaders in our group to take the course.  That man is the pied piper.  :)

Halloween Days 2017

Halloween!  This year was a marathon!  Our weekend began with a Halloween party at the Knights while the big boys camped.  This post is heavy on costumes, and cute kids.  Just forewarned.

 

Batman, the Dark Knight, Sleeping Beauty, Hermoine, and Lego Batman.

 

And, though the Dark Knight isn't happy, Mommy did attempt a lady bug, but determined that I am not the costume type.  Especially since my wings broke after this photo.

 

I love the simplicity of their parties.  Crafts, pumpkin fun, games, breakfast and a goody bag tailor made for each age.  Best part?  Not too much candy! 

 

Even though our next event was a school night, there was no way we were missing Halloween at the White House!  The school was given over 300 tickets, and we put our family name in the lottery to go.  We were picked! and got the last time slot: 7PM.  Great for the mood of Halloween, not so great for photos.

 

 

 

It was cold, and We had different costumes, for some. 

My teen is Error 404, Emma the Cat, Harry Potter, Lego Batman and Aurora!

 

They gave out candy, bandaids, stickers, photos of the White House and POTUS, and even Smokey the Bear.  NASA had a moon rock for everyone to feel!  It was interesting to see the Security wand the kids in costumes.  Even Lucy. Gave me the giggles, but I didn't want to be disrespectful. 

 

 

It was such a fun time, even though I had to do something I said I would never do: drive in DC.  Tommy works there, so it made sense for me to pick him up, but my hope was he would meet us outside of the city.  It didn't work out due to his job busyness, so I had to drive. 

I will admit there was a lot of yelling. 

 

And apologizing.

 

It was very cool experience!  We will definitely try to do it again next year! 

 

 The next day was officially Halloween.  The Penny Bazaar is the way the school celebrates, and we always try to help work a couple games, and enjoy the fun.

 

 

Lucy was warm and cozy in her costume, all day. 

 

And then, the event.  THE event.   

 

 

 

This is our second year with these sweet girls TOTing with us.  The planning that went into these costumes made me giggle.  Even down to the nail polish for "claws."  Love these girls.  Though they didn't share their Milk Duds with me.

 

This year, I decided to join the kids, and Patrick stayed to give out candy.  It was COLD, and I was grateful when Lucy's teeth started chattering.  And it ended up all the little came home with me, so Tommy was with the big kids.  Which means less candy for us to worry about!  :)