40 years and counting....

In the last post, I mentioned "big fall events" that keep our family busy. Well, folks, this November had a doosie! My parents celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary and we, the six kids, gave them a party to remember!

It began at 3pm with a private wedding Mass. Mom and Dad picked out their readings, music, and everyone involved. A lot of prayer and planning went into keeping it sacramental. Each of us kids brought up something during the offertory. The actual crucifix from their wedding day was brought up, our family's consecration to the Sacred Heart, a rosary, a flag, baby items to represent their work in the pro-life arena, food for the poor, and the gifts of bread and wine. I had the supreme honor of being the cantor and singing on this special day.

Afterwards, we all headed a few miles away to a private party at a local German restaurant. My uncle was waiting with his superior karaoke equipment and so was the scrumptious buffet. Everyone started off with homemade goulash soup and bread. Then we about trampled each other to get to the rouladen, schnitzel, brats, spatzle, fried potatoes, kraut, red cabbage, and apple strudel and vanilla ice cream. Even though we weren't going for gluttony, we topped it all off with beer, coffee, and an anniversary cake.

Luckily, there was plenty of dancing to burn those calories!
As a small gift, my older brother, Rick, wrote a pledge to our parents and to each other that in summary states our intentions to carry on the legacy of love that they both started.
We had it framed and every kid and grandkid signed it.

Here I am trying to keep a very busy Sweetness from getting underfoot.

The six of us. Top left: Mike, me, Rick Bottom left: Steve, Tina, and Tom. My how we've all grown.
It's a shame that we haven't grown up.

The beautiful Bubbles all dressed up and having a blast.
Prez and that infectious laugh.
Sweetness in all her sweety, sweetness.
Prost! To what they started and keep going. Yeah mom and dad.

It has been decided, I think, that for the 50th, we'll go bigger and better or else send them on a pilgrimage or a cruise. Either way, we have 10 years to save for it!

Is it too late to say Happy New Year?

I'm embarrassed that it has been since October that I have last posted. It seems that in our family, the fall is one huge event after another. I'm never one to wish away time and I certainly enjoyed every minute of Advent and Christmas, but I'm thankful to be in January. A month of minor obligations and warm days insisting you stay cuddled up with a good book. Below is a quick peak at our celebration of the Feast of Ephiphany. The kiddos receive one last gift under the tree and then it all came down...the tree, the decorations, and the kids (after their sugar high).

Bubbles has taken off with her crochet and these two new colors are just what she needed for her latest project.

Prez has finally graduated to the "harder" football. He was still playing with the stuffed one he loved as a baby. Boy, does he love to make it spiral.

Sweetness loves manipulating the coins and the levers, but what she really relishes is the attention she gets with the older two helping her. Two's company, right?

Thankin' God for the Simple Life

We shall not waste our time in looking for extraordinary experiences in our life,

but live by pure faith, ever watchful and ready for his coming

by doing our day-to-day duties with extraordinary love and devotion.~Mother Teresa

Just doing a little braggin'

After an afternoon of studying the great artist, Van Gogh, the kids put their art supplies to the test with their rendition of Starry Night.

I had a few copies of Van Gogh paintings, but none of them were this one. So, I found an image on the Internet and let them study that. With over 800 paintings to his name, we will have more than a few weeks of material to emulate if we want.

Here Prez was using short, thick coats of acryllic and then grew weary of the process. He kept complimenting his sister though, which we thought was cute.

Okay, I'll quit boasting. I was just SO proud of them!

Batty for Bats

Even though our Science lessons have us studying the Sun, Prez stumbled upon a book on bats (go figure with Halloween around the corner) and has decided it's not fair that he hasn't personally seen one. So, with his enthusiasm up, I opened up a mini-unit book from the schoolroom on bats.

So far, we have learned why bats are not birds and why they are not rodents. This particular book also has scattered throughout, some great folktales and myths on why bats have crooked knees, short legs, and night vision. It has been fun.
The black construction bat was just a quick throw together idea that let him run around the house with his new pet. It also kept Sweetness entertained as the wings floated up and down. That is until Prez left it on the floor and she took it upon herself to dismantle the thing and figure it out. Luckily, she didn't try to eat it. He should have remembered that bats like to hang upside, hidden, and preferably out of reach. With all the extra fall season energy, I think I might be going batty!

Sweetness goes to the Doctor in honor of the feast of St. Luke

Today was the feast of St. Luke, the writer of two books of the Bible: the gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. He was a convert of Paul and never encountered Jesus directly. In order to write and share of God's greatness, Luke went about getting testimonies from those who had contact with Christ. He is believed to have been a doctor.

Although it was purely "God-cidence" that our appointment was today, it was, nonetheless, a tie-in to this great saint.

Now, why in the world were we at the doctor's office? Sweetness was getting her 12 month check-up! What? A whole year has gone by? Did I miss the post about her birthday celebration? The answer is, "yes" and "no". It's hard to believe that time has flown by, but harder still to believe is that I didn't have my camera for her birthday! What kind of a mother am I? ? ?

It was a low-key celebration with family and my sister-n-law (no pressure, Aunt Jamie) is going to send me the pictures she took as soon as she can. Below are some pictures I have managed to collect of our precious angel!

This girl is definitely a tinkerer. She's determined to figure things out.
Oh yes, she's also the great imitator!
This is my idea of a pet! :0
There she goes again, figuring things out.
Enjoying the ceremonial bath in grandma's sink! Sweetness makes grandchild number eight bathed in that sink!
Keeping up with the big kids in their playtime. Poor thing. Oh the stuff she puts up with because of Prez. She is such a trooper!

Her appointment went well except for her weight. Even though she continues to gain weight, her weight gain is not significant enough to even land her on the growth chart curve. Everyone, even the doctor, swears she is the epitome of health, but numbers don't lie and she's just burning up too many calories or I'm not giving her enough. I've tried to convince myself that it is because she is walking, and often time sprinting away from Prez, or because the majority of her diet is fruits and vegetables, which fill you up, but don't have high caloric value.

So, my task is to load my fridge with ice cream, butter, mayo, sour cream, cream cheese, etc. and begin loading this girl with the good stuff. Naturally, I'm on the lookout for healthy ways to use these foods and my first attempt tonight was homemade rice pudding. She loved it and so did I. With whole milk, eggs, butter, and rice, I'm thinking it aught to put some meat on her bones.

Any suggestions other than peanut butter milkshakes, or any milkshake for that matter, is welcomed! Thanks!

Bubbles gets ready for Fall

Does the thought of rotten apples crawling with worms make you sick? What if the apples were really frozen cider and the worms were sour gummies? What now? Well, for us, we couldn't stop ingesting it. That's right...we devoured rotten apple cider!
Bubbles was so thrilled to discover that my cake plate transforms into a punch bowl. I can't blame her for getting giddy. I was the same way when I found out!

While looking for costume ideas, she stumbled upon these crafty treats. Thanks to her generous spirit, we all enjoyed an afternoon of fun and food!
Witches' brooms of pretzels and fruit leather.
Candy pumpkins made of circus peanuts and DOTS candy.
Creepy fingers consisting of string cheese and bell peppers.

If you were guessing, which do you think was the favorite, besides the cider?

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If you guessed pumpkins, you were wrong. :) My kids DO NOT like candy circus peanuts, go figure. They did inhale the brooms though. It was so much fun. Thanks, Bubbles!

Almost forgot my disclaimer....these ideas came from here.