1st Days of School

 We had two 1st days at our house this year.  From youngest to oldest: Mary began 4th grade and Cecilia began 7th grade at St. Pats.

They had to do some goofy ones.

George started 10th grade and seems to love the second year of high school as much as the first.

Are we done yet Mom?

And finally, Becca began her senior year of high school. 

These birthday buddies have really become good friends over the past year.

 

I took this yesterday after a long hot Friday in an non-air conditioned building.  I won't be surprised if she is several inches taller in the next few weeks.

Patrick is still around the house for the next week but I will try to take and add a picture of him.  Good luck to all the scholars and teacher starting another school year.

Becca's Eagle Court of Honor

 This past weekend, Becca received the rank of Eagle Scout in the BSA.  She has worked very hard and a lot to make this happen and we are very proud of her.  First I will share pictures of her accomplishment table.  She also included her vest from AHG to show all her merit badges.

Cecilia was the Master of Ceremony.

She wanted to do the ceremony outside and the weather was perfect.  She also asked her dad to do something like the glowing Bobcat he does with the Cub Scouts since she never had the chance.  So he designed and built  "Trail to Eagle" steps.  

And he had to check if she had Scout spirit with each step.

A Scout explained each leave of Scouting has to be achieved in order to get to Eagle.  I didn't get a picture of the Scout Rank but here are the rest.

Finally, her Scout Master Mr. Craig, conferred on her the rank of Eagle and charged her to always uphold the Scout and Eagle Scout oath.

We rapped up with a lovely speech from Becca in which she reminded us that Scouting is not about earning something for yourself, but to serve others.

Becca and her lodge buddies doing a cheer.

All the grandparents were able to make it!

And she had to have a picture with her dad...

...and her favorite sister.

The whole family.  Patrick is not in uniform because he is not an active Scout.  

Here is what was left of Becca's glowing Trail to Eagle Sunday morning.  Congratulations Becca, we are very proud of you, as always.

Midsummer Update

 
We are about half way through the summer so I thought I should update the blog before back to school gets into full swing.  Mary softball team is playing in the season tournament this week.

Cecilia really enjoys calling her father "shorty" and when she found this book at the library, she needs a picture.

Then she went off to summer camp with the Scout troop.

George, Patrick and I made the short drive over to visit as Mike and Mary had Cub Scout things to do that evening.

She was a little tired.

The staff marched in for flags after dinner.

Like most boys his age, George was in desperate need of a hair cut.  I talked him into it before his backpacking trip.

Don't forget about summer swim.  Mary decided to join Becca in competing at some of the meets this year.  Cecilia had to go with me last night and took this pictures on my phone.

It has been a busy summer for sure.  Mike was away for 13 days in June in Australia for work and just returned from a week backpacking trip with George.  Patrick is away being a camp counselor at Eagle Eye taking a break from the many jobs he's doing.  Becca, besides lifeguarding and teaching lessons at our local pool, was a counselor at IL Wesleyan for ILS and will be returning to staff NYLT for BSA soon.  I already mentions Cecilia's summer camp and Mary got to go to resident camp with Mike for a long weekend as well.  And I got increasing arthritis pain in my lower back so its been a new adventure for us all!