We Are So Busy!

We are coming up on the end of the school year which means lots of activity.  Mary and I had one night when everyone else was camping.  So we rode our bikes to the park to play and mcDonald's for at 4:30 as requested.

Mike took some pictures of the Pathways camp out.  He and Lia were with the pack while the other three were with their troops.

Mary also had her frist t-ball practice that weekend.  It was interesting to say the least.

Last week, the high school was finally allowed to hold a choir concert.  His little choir of 14 or 15 did three short selections.  One was made up of these three Mark Twain quotes.  They all made me think of George.

We came to find a full rainbow visible in our back yard.

Mary also had her frist t-ball game last Sunday.  Lucky girl got to have all her grandparents present.  She was quick to chase after the ball and play in the dirt.

Patrick made a bet with a friend to stay in their church clothes all day.

Time to hit.

George has been busy as well.  He earned Scout rank in Boy Scouts and is darn close to finishing up his Tenderfoot.

Cecilia's 1st Commuion

Last Sunday our sassy little Cecilia received her first Holy Communion.  With Covid, the church couldn't have one Mass for all the kids so they signed up for a Sunday.  We kept tradition alive and picked the first weekend of May.

Cecilia was joined by her classmate Rosie and a kid from the CCD class.

Cecilia was excited to have Father Thaddeus give her her 1st Communion.

Some family photo's in front of St. Patrick's statue.  Mary was not feeling it by this point.

To answer your question, no Patrick does not smile often.

Another tradition is to take some pictures with some plants.  Lia picked the lillac bush.

These kids are growing up way too fast for me!  Mike and I are very proud of Cecilia and pray she continues on her journey of faith.  I will post some more pictures very soon.

Half way Through April

There has been a lot going on but not a lot of pictures taken.  Awhile back, Mike took the big Scouts camping so I took the little girls out to eat.  

Two weeks ago George had 8 teeth pulled from his mouth.  I'm the mom that annoys her kids with pre-medical processor pictures.  Normally you'd see a big cheesy grin on me but you have to use your imagination with the masks on.

Here he is all ready to go.  I didn't get to stay with him during the extraction (I had to sit in the van).  He was not a fan of how the drugs made him feel but once they wore off, he was all set.  A few days of chilling and not eating pretzel sticks and he was ready to go.

He told me not to share this so I am.

The surgery was on Holy Thursday.  This is the family on Easter Sunday.

This week was the first soccer games of the season, Mary's first ever! She had a lot of fun and scored 4 goals.

We are keeping ourselves busy as always.  Becca got the week off of basketball due to some players families getting Covid.  So she went to a track meet on Monday and long jumped 11ft 3in, not bad with practice and not having competed for 2 years.  She also completed the Scholastic Bowl season and competed (virtually) in the State Lego League competition just a few minutes ago.

George has been suffering through standardized testing this week.  He received a glowing report for the allergist this morning.  Dr. Schlack was amused with his witty repartee.

Patrick attended his 2nd football game as a band student this evening.  He also had his first behind-the-wheel driver's ed class this morning.  The teacher told him he needs to relax more.  Good luck with that.

Cecilia is two weeks away from receiving her 1st Communion.   Her teacher told me of her bravery when a hornet landed on her glasses earlier this week.  She remained still so while the teacher took off the glasses and shooed the insect out the window.  She had her first soccer game of the the season.

As I said, Mary had her first soccer game and, just like her sister Rebecca, she is tenacious and goes for the ball.  It helps that she was a year older than everyone else of her team.  

This evening, Mike has just left with Becca and Patrick to join George and the rest of their troop on a campout.  Mike will return tonight to coach soccer in the morning.  Then he will then take Lia to the same camp site so they can join the Pack, leaving Mary and I home alone for about 24 hours.  See, busy. 

We hope you are all well and Covid free.  I heard today that our area is having a bit of on uptick in cases right now but we seems to be keeping it at bay.  Mike has been vaccinated but I feel like I should allow those who truly need the extra protection to go before me.  I'll get there soon enough.

March is Moving Fast

 You would think with five kids, life would always be busy but it has been rather a quiet winter at our house.  Stupid pandemic!  George's school did a spring picture day and he LOVES having his picture taken.  I don't know about you, but I love it!

There was no parade for St. Patrick's Day this year but we still celebrated.  Here I'm rocking my awesome shamrock pants and Notre Dame plaid hat, complete with Irish Girl fabric mask.  And yes, that is a plate of soda bread next to me feet.

Mary's version of double masking.

We had a rare Saturday night with nothing on the calendar so I asked Mike out on a date.  George decided to hold a "gun" to my head and take a picture.

Ready for our hot date.

Becca just finished up a short volleyball season which leaves her only 5 after school actives.  Here are the pictures taken by a professional.

Mary brought home some bunny ears today as her class celebrated Easter.

We continue to be in good health and fairly good humor.  Things are starting to open up again around here.  Mike and the oldest three are going on a camp out this weekend for Scouts.  George is scheduled to have 8 teeth removed next Thursday so we will be staying here for Spring Break.  We hope he'll be up for Mass on Easter morning.  We love you all and pray you're all in good health.

More Scouts and Other things.

Blue-Gold isn't the only Scouting things going on around here.  Last summer I lead 6 Scouts in earning the Ad Altare Dei award.  That means "to the Altar of God" in case you were wondering.  Every three weeks or so, we would gather at our kitchen table or virtually and discuss the seven Sacraments.  Here's a great shot by George of me announcing the Scouts at Mass on February 14th. 

George did he best but the other parents kept getting in the way.

Here are the 6 Scouts, including Patrick and Rebecca.  We are very gratefully that our parish let us award this metal at Mass.

In other news, Becca allowed a friend to do make-up on her for an art project.  

Mary wanted to show off her present for Aunt Pat, matching pjs for her doll and herself.

And her Lego set from her Godmother.

After a few weeks of sub-zero temperatures, this spring-like weather is much enjoyed.  Becca's shortened volleyball season is winding down with basketball starting up soon.  She just finished Lego League competition and it looks as if her team will make state this year.  She is also involved in the school Scholastic Bowl.  Patrick's Sco Bo season just ended but pep-band will be starting soon.  He's also been singing lots of sea shanties for Solo and Assumable Choir.  Soccer for Cecilia and Mary should happen this spring and George is still begging to play football, La-Cross, or rugby.