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.

Blue-Gold Banquet

 This past weekend was Pack 168's Blue-Gold Banquet and it was awesome.  Like everything else for the year, we had to do some adjusting for Covid.  With a dog theme, we had Homer the mascot of the Peoria Chiefs visit us.  Inside the costume is the one and only Rebecca who charged us a Shamrock Shake.

Color Guard advance.

A couple of policemen from K-9 units in our county came and told us about their work with the dogs.

The Tiger den performed the timeless classic, "My Turtle".

In Cecilia's den's skit, she played the boss.  Talk about type-casting.

Cecilia has completed her Wolf rank requirements and is ready to move on to Bear.

Both George and Cecilia won 1st place in their den for Pinewood Trophy.

George also completed all the requirements for his rank, earning his Arrow of Light and crossing over to Boy Scouts.

Here are Troop 206 and 2206's newest members.

Tilly is not to be left out, even if she wants to be.

I don't have any pictures of the crossover because I was in it.  It was a good day to spend time with other Scout families, close but still distant.  George has already been to 3 BSA meeting and seems to be enjoying himself.  Next year Mary plans to join the ranks of Scouts as a Lion so there are many more years of Scouting events to come.

Mary is 5!

Today our sweet Mary turned 5-year-old.  It doesn't seem like that long ago she was barely bigger than my hand and hooked up to an apnea monitor.  Here she is at breakfast.

 

There was no school today at St. Pat's due to the drifting snow and cold temperatures so we opened presents early.  Grandma Sullivan went a little nuts and made a ton of doll clothes for Mary and Cecilia to share.

Mary also opened Grandma and pa Hattons gifts.  It didn't take long for the tea set to come out.

We can't forget Aunt Pat's gifts with lots of sparkles.

You may see a recurring theme in these gifts.  She told me she wanted Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, so that's what she got.

Its a little cold right now for this dress but it will come in handing this summer.

Finally, after a dinner of baked potatoes and topping, we had some chocolate cake with chocolate frosting.