Summer is Almost Over

It's hard to believe that next week that the kids will be back and school.  Lia, Mary and I won't know what to do!  But let's get to some pictures.  This first one is Pat with his friend Ellie, reunited for a week of Totus Tuus.

Here Lia and George were calling their trombone cousin to be born.  We learned later that night that she had been born a few hours before.  We've only seen pictures, but we're already in love with Olivia.

Becca and her friends made this lovely sidewalk art, inspired by the movie Tangled.  I'm sorry its off center but it was very bright out and I couldn't see what I was doing.

I took some pictures while I lay on the floor.

Mike decided it was time to hurt himself again.  This time it was his ankle falling off the freezer in the garage.  I'm just happy there wasn't a Mike shaped dent in the van.

Becca had to go back for a pulmonary function test last week. think it went well and we had some fun in the waiting area.  

Ain't she cute?

Him too.

As I said, we are gearing up for school starting next week.  George will be attending St. Pat's for religion first thing in the morning, then spend the rest of the day at Central where he can get the help he needs with reading.  He's not been too thrilled about the idea all summer but I think he's warmed up to it.  If he works hard, and everything clicks, he should be back full-time at St. Pat's in a year or two.

Hanging Around

It feels like summer is coming to a close already but there's still a summer fun to be had.  Mary allowed me to pull her hair up one morning.  It only lasted about a half an hour but it was still adorable.

Patrick and Becca had their last swim meet last week.  Here's some pictures.

Go Becca!

Go Pat!

It was HOT last week so we played in the sprinklers one evening.

Last week was also the end of swim team and lessons.  Here is our last morning of sitting poolside while everyone else gets to go in.

Becca is trying to read a book in the sunlight.

We rounded up our week with a trip to Iowa for my 20th high school reunion.  I didn't take many pictures but you can see that the kids had fun.

The 3 big kids are off at Totus Tuus learning to love the Lord this week while Mary and Lia stay home with me.  Mary is working very hard to say words that we can understand as well as learning body parts and animal sounds.  Of course, most animals just pant like a dog right now, but she's getting the hang of it.

This Week at Home

While Patrick was having a great time at camp, we kept ourselves busy here at home.  Lia came upstairs dressed like this for some reason.

We have been replacing all the carpet in our house with LVP.  This is the last

piece of carpet to go!  More on that when its all finished.

Mike and I took an over-night trip to Chicago for a concert.  Thanks to my parents for driving all the way here to stay with the kids.  Here's our room on the 20th floor.  Yeah, I got a little vertigo looking out.

We went for a walk in the park and saw the big bean thing. 

On the El.

We went to Belly-Up Smokehouse and Salon for dinner.  The food was fabulous.

Then we headed out passed the aquirium for the concert,  When we went through the gate, they informed us that we had "be relocated".  To the 10th row center.  Upgrade!

Here's a few pictures of what we saw.

Mike and I had a great time and the kids had fun with G&G Sullivan.  We are headed out to see them next weekend and celebrate my 20th high school reunion.

Scout Camp 2017

Patrick went off the Scout Camp last Sunday.  It's been weird around here without his noise (not that its quiet) and general craziness.  There was a lot of stuff he had to take with him.

And he had to carry it all himself.

There was no way he was going without a public hug from his siblings.

I think he kinda liked it.

Family shot.

Troop 163 all ready to go.

The following were shared by someone else on the Facebook page.

And today, an hour early even, Patrick returned home!  George really, really really missed his roommate.

After we put all the dirty stuff in the washing machine, but before cleaning out the tent, it was time to eat.  He picked little powdered donuts and toaster waffles.

He managed to earn his Totin' chip and Fireman chit, is pretty sure he earned his swimming and kayaking merit badges, but is unsure about archery, and finished up his Tenderfoot rank and did some work on second and first class ranks.  All in all, I would call that a productive week!  Now he's gonna sit on his butt and watch some TV with his siblings.