November birthdays

November 3rd is a twice blessed day in this house.  This year Becca turned 13(!) and Cecilia turned 8.  We officially  have two teenagers in the house, although Becca has been one for a couple of years now.

All my girls.

This year we had homemade pumpkin pie for dessert.  The candles look so cool on top of pie.

Let's open some presents!

Becca has picked Saint Maria Goretti as her confirmation saint so I got her a book on her.

Cecilia also got this crystal unicorn head for her birthday.  We first grew the crystals over night then she got to paint it.  I think it turned out pretty well.

We do have other kids.  A random picture of George in the van.

Patrick' Cross Country picture.

I don't know why I took this but we were waiting to pick at school.

A school picture in which George is smiling!  Inconceivable!

A few day ago, Mary sat down next to me at the kitchen table and read these two books.  Not just reciting the words she's heard a million times, but actually sounding out the words.  I did have to teach her "are" and "you" but she did extremely well.  I guess I don't have to worry about her having dyslexia, huh?

We are now doing remote learning with 3 out of the 5 kids but have the feeling we'll all be home after Thanksgiving.  We are all trying our best to be patient and kind with each other, I keep thanking them for it.  Our poor internet is already working overtime.  We continue to pray for all of you, all those who are sick with or without Covid, and for our country and world at large.  God loves us and wants us to come back to Him.

Halloween

Happy 2020 Halloween.  We started our celebrations with a socially distanct preschool parade.  I couldn't see the picture I was taking so you get what you get.  Mary is a knight.

We also carved some jack-o-lanterns.

In case you can't tell, Becca did a Hamilton pumpkin.

Now for some trick or treating.  I started out with these three yahoos.  Mary and Cecilia are knights and George is a character from the "The Last Kids on Earth" book series.

Patrick is now too cool for such nonsense.

Becca ran off with her friends who all dressed like pandas.

George ran off as well to hang with his buddies.

I think Mike had the most fun.  He set up a trebuchet to throw candy at kids in keep socially distant.

Our neighborhood really stepped it up to maintain distance.

This sign says "Welcome to our candy patch!  Pick one!"

What's a trebuchet without a fire?

And lights.

That's it for Halloween.   The kids came home with way too much candy (most of which was donated to Sohia's Kitchen) but with happy hearts.

 

Random Fun with Tilly

The kids found my phone and took some pictures.

And of course they took some pictures of Tilly.

George has told me several times that is a dog and that he is going to marry Tilly.  Logic does not damped his resolve.

"Why is Tilly afraid of me?"

Me and two of my girls.

Smile!

Mike and Tilly were in need of some bonding time.  

Mary wanted to take her flip doll from Grandma to school pick up.  She is not calling the doll Grandma.

This weekend was the sectionals race for the St. Pat's XC team.  It was hot in the early afternoon but they kids did their best.

In the end, the race was too much for Cecilia. 

That's it for now.  October is half over already and the XC season is winding down but we always have Scouts to keep us busy.  

School part 3

School started for Miss Mary after Labor Day.  She was very excited to begin PreK 4.

A little sass from our girl.

Cecilia was not be be left out.

George also started school after Labor day.  He was less excited than his sister.

I love this picture.

 

I'm sorry it took my so long to post these pictures.  School seems to be going well for everyone and I have figured out a drop-off/pick-up schedule and nobody has been late to school yet.