On the First Day of Summer...

... and the feast of St. Aloysius...

Happy 6th Birthday!

Our little 6 year old was so excited to wake up and discover his cake and other gifts early this morning before leaving for the final day of Golf Camp and their tournament.  The older boys had a 7:30 tee time and the other three teed off at 8:30.  Now that the Rose and Bud are awake we are going to head to the golf course to watch the last few holes and the award ceremony, before heading back home for a "Lone Ranger" themed party!  I hope you all have a lovely first day of summer!   St. Aloysius, patron of Catholic youth, pray for us!

{pretty, happy, funny, real}

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life. ~

{pretty}

Rose playing with her pretty pink kitchen while Bud napped and I cleaned their room.

{happy}

Last week I spent most of Monday sitting in waiting rooms.  Back when I was pregnant with Bud I had a mechanic look at the brakes on our Sienna since it would shake badly when I would use the brakes.  He said that the pads still had some life to them, but the rotors were warped.  He said we could get away with waiting a year to replace them. That was two years ago. We set aside some of our tax refund to finally fix the brakes and really needed to do so before any summer trips.  Despite the "one hour" wait (which turned into four followed by a trip to the tire store for new tires too, which were also needed "as soon as possible!") and a very cranky toddler, I was very happy to have them finally fixed. and can hardly believe the difference!  Now to see if we can still afford the gas for all these upcoming summer plans... 

{funny}

I just noticed that half of the pictures on my phone from the last week are of us all sleeping!  This photo is my favorite and was taken Sunday afternoon, on our way home from Catholic Family Camp, as we were trying to wake them up for the annual stop at Dairy Queen on Father's Day with all our friends.  I still can't believe that Snuggles can actually sleep like that... And Twinkle Toes' hands?! lol

{real}

We actually didn't plan to go to camp this year... It was a last minute decision after a generous scholarship was offered to our family at the last minute!  The kids were all so excited, but it left me scrambling last week, trying to squeeze in the car repairs on top of packing, grocery shopping for camp, rescheduling some prior appointments, and trying to find new shoes for some of the kids.  I was in town until about 10:30 on Wednesday night, and then had a conference (Teaching Writing with Structure and Style!) I was scheduled to attend starting at 8am Thursday morning.  Camp started Thursday night and I thought I could try and go to at least the first day of the conference.  I made it until noon and then headed home to finish packing.  (I was definitely sad that I missed the rest of the conference, but I do own it on DVD so hopefully I can finish it this summer.)  It was a good thing too, after seeing some of what had been (or had not been!) packed.  Since we had to take two cars anyways I decided to stay home with the two little ones and head to camp the next morning.   Oh, it was heavenly!  Rose and Bud both fell asleep by 7pm and slept until 8:30am!!!  They also napped most of the drive to camp!  Of course I can't say the same for that first night camping, but at least I had gotten some sleep the night before! ;)

I do hope to post some of the pictures from camp, and then get back to all the other posts that have been piling up in my draft folder as well as all the emails in my inbox, but we have golf camp every day this week, tomorrow is the kid's Golf Tournament and Snuggles' 6th birthday, then we have plans to meet up with friends at the coast this weekend!   The two little ones and I both came down with fevers last night, so please say a prayer that whatever this is passes quickly... We don't have time to be sick at the moment!   I really miss visiting with you all and hope to get back to blogging soon.

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Wordless Wednesday

{pretty, happy, funny, real} :: Christkindl

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life. ~

I recently posted that we were going to begin the Christkindl tradition in our home this year.  We drew names on the First Sunday of Advent after lighting our Advent Candles, updating our various Advent Calendars, hanging ornaments on our Jesse Trees, and unwrapping and reading the picture book for the  first night! It sounds like a lot, but went quickly and made for a beautiful start to Advent! 

{pretty}

Last month I ordered a sweet little Christkindl ornament on ebay (like this one - thank you Cheryl for the suggestion!) and placed her in the middle of a bowl with everyones names listed on a piece of paper.

{happy}

I folded Snuggles and Roses' names slightly different and they conveniently choose each other, and Bud will help me!  Sean* & I and the four oldest children all drew each others names and everyone is dying to find out who has who!   It was so fun to watch everyone's reactions!

(*Sean used his real name in the comments of his Twenty Favorite Movies post, so does that mean I can now too?  I'll have to ask him! ;)  I've always felt funny calling him "Hubby" and he hasn't liked it either, but it's hard to change nicknames on blogs... just ask Snuggles!  Speaking of him, maybe Slugger would be a good alternative as he gets older, and not so snuggly! lol) 

{funny}

When Snuggles asked his Dad to read his to him (Sean will help Snuggles and I will help Rose) his reaction was hysterical! He said "NOOO!! NO! NO! NOOO!!!!" before covering his mouth and dropping to the floor. Sean later figured out that he thought his NAME CHANGED to that persons for all of Advent and that HE HAD TO BE THEM until Christmas.. No, Snuggles, you just have to pray and do nice things for that person - which will be just as hard, considering that person is "sweet" little Rose! lol

{real}

After we drew names, we went back to the living room to open up the new Advent gifts for this year! Isn't the apron gorgeous!?  I {big puffy heart} love it!  I'm headed to the kitchen now to put it on and bake some St. Nicholas Cookies with the kids, using the recipe in the back of The Baker's Dozen, while we listen to our new favorite Advent CD.

Anyways, as I was taking this picture, Sean snuck up behind me and gave me a hug... The kids all immediately yelled "DAD HAS MOM!!! DAD HAS MOM!!!" Hmmm? Maybe he does have me?! (Snuggles yelled "Dad's MOM!! DAD IS MOM!!!" He still doesn't quite get it! ;)



I'm also really impressed with the progress that has been made on the new puzzle this year.  I might have to take it apart when they are finished and start over so that I can have a chance to work on some of it! :)

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(I'll update the link once they have the post up tomorrow.)

Precious Moments :: Adding the First Ornaments...

... to our Jesse Trees on the First Sunday of Advent!

Precious Moments :: On the Feast of Bl. Miguel Pro

To be Christ's page at the altar, to serve Him freely there,

Where even the angels falter, bowed low in reverent prayer.

To touch the throne most holy, to hand the gifts for the feast,

To see Him meekly, lowly, descend at the word of a priest.

To hear man's poor petition, to sound the silver bell,

When He in sweet submission, comes down with us to dwell.

No grander mission surely could saints or men enjoy;

No heart should love more purely than yours, my altar boy.

God bless you, lad, forever, and keep you in His care,
And guard you that you never belie the robes you wear.
For white bespeaks untainted a heart both tried and true;
And red tells love the sainted and holy martyrs knew.

Throughout life, then, endeavor God's graces to employ;

And be in heart forever a holy altar boy.

*This morning Snuggles served his very first Mass, alongside his older brothers!  We have been very blessed with a dear retired priest in our area who has allowed our boys to start serving Mass for him, on Friday mornings, at the age of five! 

St. Michael the Archangel...

...defend us in battle.

Be our protection against the wickedness 

and snares of the devil.

May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;

and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host -

by the Divine Power of God -

cast into hell, satan and all the evil spirits,

who roam throughout the world 

seeking the ruin of souls.

Amen.

{This Moment}

St. Nicholas (aka Snuggles) and Blessed John Paul II (aka our Pastor!)

These two were the first place winners for each category (11 & under and 12 & up) at our Parish's All Saints Costume Contest last night!   I'll be back with more pictures soon.  We had such a great time!

Wordless Wednesday

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!

{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!

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{this moment}

At first I was speechless, after returning to the dinner table the other night to discover the little ones giving themselves facials with greek yogurt!   Completely frustrated I said, "Oh, Rose, you even got it in your hair!!!"  Snuggles quietly replied, "I didn't get any in my hair..."  lol, sigh...  Those little stinkers!

{pretty, happy, funny, real}

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life. ~

{pretty}




It was absolutely gorgeous at the golf course this morning!  It's a long drive each morning and afternoon, but the kids are all really enjoying their 2nd week of summer golf camp.


{happy}

Snuggles was extremely happy to be able to join the big kids for this week's golf camp, which was open to 5 year olds as well.  He is the smallest guy out there and is so fun to watch!   I am pretty sure just about every coach came up to me today to tell me just how cute he is.  I couldn't agree more!

{funny}

Today was "Team Day" and all the kids were ask to come dressed in support of their favorite instate college team.   It was at last year's golf camp where my kids learned of the state teams (and the rivalry between them) and choose favorites.  At that time our kids were split down the middle, half for one team and half for the other.  It cracked my husband & I up, especially since we don't really watch any sports (other than NHL online).   However, this year, a few of the kids changed their minds on their favorite team, and all have the same... I'm thinking it might have something to do with their aunt attending one of the schools in the fall, or the fact that their uncle will be attending in 2013 on a full athletic scholarship?   We went shopping for a few new clothing items yesterday afternoon.  Even Rose had to dress up and bring along the baby's new (rejected) pacifier her accessories! They all really stuck out (what else is new?! lol) in their bright orange and black amidst all the green and yellow (apparently the other team is much more popular in our area)...  It was great!   The coach cracked me up when he said he was "happy to see all the black and orange!  And if anyone happens to be wearing green, I can't see you... You just blend in with the grass!"  

{real}

Every day the head coach announces the winners in various categories.   Each day this week one of our kids has won a prize!  On Monday Rascal won a prize for the "best greeter", Tuesday Twinkle Toes won a prize for "hardest worker," and yesterday Captain won a prize for "best listener." Snuggles started thinking he was "just too little" to win a prize, and you should have seen him jump up, totally excited, when they announced that he had won today's prize for "best listener."   He was one very proud little boy with his big box of candy! 

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