No Admittance Except on Party Business

... we have a 13th Birthday to celebrate! 

(You can click back to see pictures from the day after he was born, and other past birthdays here. How can he possibly be a teenager already?!  What an incredible blessing to have him for a son.)

Happy Birthday Captain! 

Altar Boy Resources

As promised last year, my husband did write a post on Altar Boy Resources!  

You can find it over on his personal blog, Unam Ecclesiam.

You can also see all the pictures from our Second Latin Mass on Facebook.

We Have A Pope! :: Lego Edition

by Rascal (11) and Captain (12)

Are the boys creative, or what?!  The Clear Doors and Railing for "St. Peter's Balcony" are from the Seaside House, a Coat of Arms from a Knight's Shield, and the umbrella is the wheel from Captain's Sopwith Camel!   The Cardinal's Biretta's were "stolen" from the rooftop of Flo's Cafe... And they even were able to come up with a microphone from the gate of their Police Forest Station!  I love legos!!!

Almost Wordless Wednesday {Christmas 2004}

*It looks like it was 2004!  We had so much fun looking through old photos trying to figure it out. 

{This Moment}

Réquiem ætérnam dona eis Dómine; et lux perpétua lúceat eis.

 Requiéscant in pace. Amen.

My Daybook :: Oct 30, 2012

Outside my window... 
I hear the leaf blower as my husband cleans up the yard for our party tomorrow night!

I am thinking...        
about everything that still needs to be done... So much (that I'd like) to do and so little time!   (And yet here I am sitting at the computer... Everyone needs a break every once in awhile, right?)

I am thankful... 
that we were able to squeeze in a trip to the pumpkin patch this past weekend.   It was a whirlwind of activities all weekend long, but we had a blast!

Learning all the time & Celebrating the liturgical year... We have a light school week this week, as we wrap up our first quarter, so we can focus on celebrating the liturgical year.  We'll be learning lots about the saints, attending mass on Thursday for the feast of All Saints, and the boys will be serving Mass at the Cemetery as always for the Feast of All Souls.

From the kitchen... 
dinner is simmering in the crock pot, Chicken with Marinara and Artichoke Hearts to serve over spaghetti with Parmesan Cheese, Dinner Rolls, and Salad.   After dinner I am going to start the Pumpkin Cupcakes for tomorrow!

I am working on... 
carving this year's Saint-O-Lanterns!  After going to the Pumpkin Patch on Sunday with four of my siblings, aunt, uncle, sister-in-law, and niece, we headed over to my brother Brian's house to eat dinner and carve pumpkins!   Since we weren't at home, and there were aunts and uncles to visit with, my kids weren't nearly as focused on carving this year so we only completed three. I have one more all ready to carve and Snuggles and I are hoping to finish it tonight after dinner.

While we were working on our Saint-O-Lanterns my brother cracked me up with his "Pumpkin Head Tiki Torch!"  While the tiki torch pumpkin was totally creepy, I loved his carving of a candle for his daughter!  I'll be back to post pictures of our completed carvings later. 

I am creating... 
a couple games and a banner for our All Hallows' Eve / All Saints' Party!

I am going... 
to try and get back to answering emails soon!   It has been awhile and I am really really behind (some have been waiting a year or more).   I do read every email, but it is impossible for me to respond to them all, as much as I do try.   (Often times I am reading on my cellphone and have to wait until I'm on the computer to respond.)  FYI:  I usually work on answering comments on the blog first, followed by Facebook, emails from friends and family, and then other emails are usually last.

I am hoping... 
for the Hadley's! We attended the 5th Annual Harvest of Hope Dinner, an annual fundraiser for the Hadley Hope Fund, this past Saturday night.  Here is an update on their beautiful family and a few pictures from the dinner.

2012 Hadley Hope Dinner © Marc Salvatore

Bud, me and my sister-in-law Meagan (You can also see my Dad just over Meagan's shoulder)   © Marc Salvatore

Kristin & Ann-Marie (dear friends that I grew up with, Kristin was my Confirmation sponsor and is Rascal's Godmother and Ann-Marie was one of my bridesmaids), Amy (who is losing weight like crazy and looking amazing) and Me (not looking my best!) :)
© Marc Salvatore 

I am praying... 
for those affected by Hurricane Sandy, for the soul of Barbara Curtis, for my sister-in-law Melissa who will be delivering another baby soon, for my little sister Jamie Jo who just celebrated her anniversary and birthday yesterday and the day before, and for Emily!  Oh, and that it doesn't rain here tomorrow night!

I am (still) reading... 
the saint quotes and short paragraphs that my children have come up with to share with everyone tomorrow evening.   I will have an extra treat for any of the children that come dressed as a saint or biblical character and have something to share with everyone.   (A short paragraph, quote, or even just a coloring page for the little ones.)

Pondering these words...
spoken by St. Joan of Arc, which Chiquita found (all on her own) in her copy of The Pocket Daring Book for Girls and is planning on sharing at our party tomorrow:

"One life is all we have and we live it as we believe in living it. But to sacrifice what you are and to live without belief, that is a fate more terrible than dying."

I am listening...  
to Prince Caspian, as we continue working our way through the 7 Volume Unabridged Audio Set of The Chronicles of Narnia.

Around the house... 
I've done over 20 loads of laundry yesterday and today and am almost caught up!  I've also sorted through half the kids clothing, boxing up everything that is too small and pulling out all the summer clothes.  What was I thinking starting this project before our All Hallows' Eve party?

One of my favorite things...  
pictures at the Pumpkin Patch! I will be posting this year's soon.

This week's plans...

• Lego Robotics Classes for the older boys (Tues & Thurs)
• All Hallows' Eve Party
• Mass on All Saints Day, Tutor in the Afternoon
• Annual Mass at the Cemetery for the Feast of All Souls 

A little peek at my day...

Captain lost his very last baby tooth last night! {sniff, sniff} Considering that his orthodontist wanted to have it pulled if it didn't fall out within a month, the tooth fairy left an extra fun surprise for all his extra work on getting it out {6 lego mini figures packages}... Apparently "the tooth fairy is much better than mom at picking out mini figures!!" We had a very excited boy this morning!

My Daybook :: October 15, 2012

Outside my window...it's raining... it's pouring... We finally had rain for the first time this weekend, since Captain's birthday in July. It had been one of the ten driest periods in our area's recorded history!

I am thinking...        
that it was really ironic to drive Hubby to the airport and watch him fly off to another fire assignment in the rain early Saturday morning.   He is in Estes Park, Colorado at the moment, though it looks like this fire will be turned over to a smaller management team and he will either be coming home this week, or assigned to another fire.   We'll see!

I am thankful... 
that the colds that the kids have had never turned into more than runny noses.  As for the poison oak on the back of my leg, that is another story...  I guess I am just thankful I have plenty of intentions for which to "offer it up!"  ;)

Learning all the time... 
We begin the letter "C" today Along the Alphabet Path!   I have so many more pictures to share for "B" and hope to start on those soon - these Alphabet Posts are a lot of work to pull together!  This week we will be reading more about the Election Process for History and the big kids are all moving on from Whales to start learning about Seals & Sea Cows for Science.

Celebrating the liturgical year... 
This coming Sunday, October 21st,  is the Canonization of Blessed Kateri!  (How perfect for the letter C!)  We will be using these lesson plans, along with picture books about Blessed Kateri.  I already had planned to tie in (Indian) Corn, and hopefully we will be able to watch the canonization online.

From the kitchen... 
Pan de Santa Teresa for breakfast, in honor of today's feast of St. Teresa of Avila!

I am working on... 
checking off all the orange boxes in my binder as we get close to completing our first semester this school year!   I did go back and upload my modifiable documents for all of you who asked for them, and anyone else that would like to save a little time making your own.

I am creating... 
that craft I mentioned last week turned out so cute!  I've decided to make more to give away as Christmas gifts, which means I will have to wait to share pictures.  Still, I'm dying to show it to all of you!  It will be a good lesson in patience.  ;)

I am going... 
to need to order some more Craft Parts.

I am hoping... 
that Rose's hair grows quickly. She decided that she wanted to add "bangs" and "layers" on Friday, while I was at Bud's check-up.   She was very sad, since she "thought it would look pretty-uh!"  I'm blaming Hubby (who she caught cutting his hair earlier this week, even though he said "Don't YOU do this!") Hallie and Amy! How did Rose know that bangs are so trendy at the moment?!  ;)

My hairdresser told me to bring her on down and she blended it in as best as she could.  That, combined with a cute little owl clip, made Rose much happier!

I am praying... 
for safe travels for my husband, the upcoming election, and our adorable little goddaughter who celebrates a name day today! 

I am reading... 
I love the books on parenting and celebrating the liturgical year that were written by Mary Reed Newland back in the 50s.   How to Raise Good Catholic Children (revised/edited edition) and The Year and Our Children have been on my bookshelf for years and were very instrumental in motivating me to begin celebrating the liturgical year in our home.   When I saw that We and Our Children: How to make a Catholic Home, a new reproduction of the work originally published in 1954, I had to order a copy!

Pondering these words...
on The Rosary from We and Our Children: How to make a Catholic Home:

"Long-term promises are wearying, and Our Lord warned us to beware of fretting too much over tomorrow.  "Sufficient unto the day...." One Rosary at a time, in other words. Then if a child remarks to you, as one of mine did recently, "You know, Mother, I don't always exactly like to say the Rosary, and sometimes I think that when I am grown up and don't have to mind you any more, I won't say it," you can laugh.  You can laugh and tell her with confidence that she needn't concern herself now about whether or not she will say it when she is grown.  If she will say it now, one day at a time, asking for the grace to love it and say it well, Our Lady will fill in what is lacking.  If we work hard to help them meditate its mysteries, and give them the sense of its real power, then we are teaching our children not only how to say, how to pray the Rosary - but, best of all, how to use it."

I am listening...  
to the sound of rain drops falling on the roof.  It's especially loud here in the schoolroom, as well as in the entry living room and boys bedroom, with the open wood beam ceilings.  We are enjoying the weather, but I am hoping it clears back up for our All Hallows' Eve Party at the end of the month!

Around the house... 
piles of clothing as I try to pack up the summer clothes and prepare for fall.

One of my favorite things...  
moments like this:

This week's plans...

Lego Robotics for the boys, Orthodontist Appointments, Tutor, and hopefully a trip to the Pumpkin Patch next weekend, if the weather is nice!

A little peek at my day...

The Big Day

Please tell me I'm not the only mother that cried when her children went in to get their braces put on their teeth...  I felt so silly!   Still, how are they possibly old enough for braces?   I'm not ready for them to grow up yet!  

Of course, I took pictures before, during, and after their appointment to share with you all.  Speaking of which, Twinkle Toes asked me which color rubber bands I had on my braces, when I first got them...  I couldn't remember and she commented that, "It's too bad your mom didn't have a blog when you were little, so you could go and check!"  So, for the record, Twinkle Toes opted for "Screaming Pink" and Captain choose "Midnight Blue."  :) 

Before:

During:

After: 

  Smoothies from the Orthodontist!

Curious Siblings...

Special Treats

During their appointment, while I was at the store stocking up on Ibuprofen and Mouth Wash, I decided to surprise Captain with a few new lego minifigures.  Twinkle Toes's surprise should be delivered by the UPS man any minute!  :)   

(I love it when I pre-order new books.  This one will also be arriving tomorrow!  I would have had it by now, but I ordered it so long ago I had to update my credit card information...)

Bud wasn't sure what to think...

... but he always has a smile for his mama!

Time for me to go mop the floors...  They just somehow looked clean in that video from the other day!   We've decided to cut back on the cleaning lady to (partially) help with all the extra dental expenses... (I'm sure I looked like Snuggles when we added up all the charges!)  I am sure going to miss having her help, even if she was only coming six hours a month!  Still, it will all be worth it, and it's such a blessing to be able to do this for our children.   God is good!

{this moment}

{pretty, happy, funny, real}

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life. ~


{pretty}

Can Legos be considered pretty? 

 It didn't take long for Captain and his friends to assemble his new lego set on Saturday morning, following the birthday party.  The boys thought it looked pretty cool all put together!  

{happy}

The birthday boy with his baby brother, who was very happy at the moment despite that brand new tooth.

{funny}

I was trying to take Captain's picture as he opened and discovered his newest Catan game... I didn't even notice the look on Snuggles face!   That boy is always making me laugh!! 

{real}

And speaking of Snuggles... He wasn't exactly happy about that one little piece of broccoli that his Dad put on his plate.

I'll be back soon to share a few pictures from yesterday and today's feast days!

Visit Like Mother, Like Daughter for more pictures of contentment

A Settlers of Catan Birthday Party and Game Night

This past Friday our oldest son turned 12 years old!   I still can't believe he will be a teenager next year... His childhood is going by way too quickly...  He is such a great son, and we are so proud of the wonderful young man he is becoming!

For this birthday he requested a party based on one of his favorite games:  The Settlers of Catan!   We decided to have a game night and invite a few friends to join us.   He does have the extension games for Cities & Knights and Seafarers, but for the party (since some of our guests would be playing for the first time) we decided to just play the original version of the game with the 5-6 player extension.   We set up one game at the dining room table and another (my brother brought his game for us to use too) at the coffee table.   It was such a fun birthday party... "The best birthday!"  as my kids tend to say every. single. year!  ;)

.:  Catan Decorations & Games :.

I had all sorts of plans that I had hoped to pull together for decorations, but my time was extra limited this past week between doctors appointments and babysitting my niece.  I made his "cake" the night before, and then the morning of the birthday/party (while the boys were at Mass with their Dad and the birthday boy received a birthday blessing from Father!) I scrambled to pull a couple things together starting with a "Happy Birthday Banner!"

Normally I use my Cricut to make banners, but I needed something extra quick and easy, so I created the banner using reddish marble hexagons with the font Garamond MT (adding black lines to the edges and gradient color) in yellow.  I printed it onto white card stock, cut them out, and punched a couple small holes in the corners for the ribbon.   You can download my document here.

As much as I loved this idea to decorate plates (and even purchased clear disposable plates) I ran out of time and just went with red plates and napkins.   I did pull out all of my wicker serving baskets and trays, made up labels for our resource card inspired appetizers, and also decorated with all of our Catan game boxes.

.: Catan Party Foods :.

Oceanside/Harbor Drinks:   Pacific Cooler, Coastal Cooler, and Surfer Cooler Capri Suns

Forest/Lumber Terrain: Broccoli Forrest with Dip and Pretzel Logs

Mountains/Ore Terrain:  Oreo Cookies or Donut Holes

Hills/Bricks Terrain: Twizzler Cherry Bites and Cheddar Cheese Cubes

Pasture/Sheep Terrain: Popcorn/Sheep in a Sheepfold and a Sheep Butter Mold

Fields/Wheat Terrain: Wheat Stalk Rolls & Wheat Cookies

Longest Road:  Rocky Road Ice Cream

We also served Pizza and Brown Rice Vegetable Casserole.

.: Game Time :.

Captain choose his brother, his uncle (my youngest brother), and three more of his friends to play at his table. 

The girls and the adults (my brother, sister-in-law, husband, and a couple friends) all played at the other game table.   

And Snuggles kept us all entertained, as usual!  ;) 

For prizes, I had a basket full of mini candy bars to hand out, one for every Victory point that was earned, throughout the game... 

... and the winner at each table also won a KING sized candy bar as well! 

.: Birthday Cake :.

Instead of an actual cake this year, we decided to make individual cupcakes representing the various hexes that make up the Settlers of Catan board game.   Here is the link to the post about our "Cupcakes of Catan."

.: Birthday Gifts :.

Captain was blessed with so many gifts from his friends and family, including such thoughtful and loving birthday cards (and an extra funny one from Uncle Brian, of course, who is always so much fun at Captain's birthday parties!), Nerf Super Soakers, Gift Cards, and Playmobil toys!

Bud was so cute to watch as he crawled around checking out all of the gifts and playing with the wrapping paper.

   Along with illustrating some beautiful cards for their brother, I loved that a few of his siblings had been saving up their tickets all summer to purchase him gifts!  Twinkle Toes redeemed 25 of her Summer Bingo Tickets to purchase him the new Lord of the Rings Gandalf Arrives Lego Set, Rascal redeemed his tickets to get his favorite big brother a new model airplane kit, and even Chiquita picked a stick of beef jerkey (Captain's favorite) from the prize box, instead of something for herself!  :)

Hubby and I surprised Captain with the City Police Forest Station, a tennis racket, and one more expansion to his Settlers of Catan game series Traders and Barbarians.  

.: Birthday Campout :.



We rarely have sleepovers, but we decided to let Captain ask his friends to stay and "campout" in the backyard!



It was nearly midnight when I finally sent them to bed the tent... I think they would have stayed up all night, had I let them!   You would have thought they'd sleep in, but sure enough they were all up at the crack of dawn assembling that new lego set!

Happy 12th Birthday Captain!