"Nuffin"

Me:  "Zoe Marie!  What have you been doing?"

Zoe (with a very large smile):  "Nuffin".

Well, obviously she had been doing something.  Anyway, my kids never do "nuffin".  I just couldn't find the evidence-until yesterday morning of course.  Finally, I unearthed the dark blue marker tucked between the couch cushions...without the cap...with the ink being absorbed by the cushion...all night long.  

I was pretty bummed.  Thankfully the people over at Crayola plan for such catastrophic moments in every mother's career and create accordingly.  I got a rag with water and dish soap and it came right off.  Thank you Crayola!  

Memories, old and new

When we were in the N.W. this summer, Fr. Justin spent some time on his family's undeveloped property.  He and his father and brother enjoyed time there together clearing out overgrowth, thinking about the future and reminiscing about the past.  Fr. was telling me that he used to go there with his grandfather and spend time on the property, which he remembers fondly.

As it was with his grandfather, Papa wanted to take his girls for a visit there and make a fire and cook hotdogs.  Katherine was very interested in hiking around on the 20 acres and looking to see what could be found on the forrest floor, the beaver dam in the creek, the slimy snells, the interesting greenery and trees with moss.  Thea and Zoe are still a bit young to fully enjoy that kind of adventure, but they still liked cooking the dogs.  

The one pic is of the view of the Sound from the property, which sits upon a hill.  The other pic is of Fr. starting a fire for the hotdogs.  I love this picture because it looks like his arm is in the middle of the fire.  Kinda fun.  And then, of course, there is the main course.

Good morning sunshine!

I've known about this little furry friend for a long time.  Someone gave him to Katherine when she was a toddler, then Thea played with him, now Zoe drags him around.  I must say that Zoe has shown the most interest in this little fellow.  She called him a hedgehog for the longest, completely scandalizing Katherine who was always quick to correct her.  "He's an armadillo Zoe, not a hedgehog!"

Anyhow, Zoe loves on him all day and sleeps with him at night.  So, I find him in my bed quite often.  However, this morning when I was making my bed, for some reason I was quite startled to throw my sheets back and see him staring at me.  

Perhaps it was the lack of coffee, who knows, but when I saw those beady little eyes staring at me I let out a little yelp.  I quickly realized that it was just "Dillo".  

Kids...they either keep you young or make you old, I'm not sure yet.  More coffee please.

Time for a new chapter

Well, we are seeing summer begin  to wind down here in the south.  It will be hot down here for awhile longer, but outdoor festivities are slowly coming to a close.  Kids are hot, tired and tan.  

We met my goddaughter and her kids at their community pool for a few hours this morning and we had the run of the place.  It was great!  We splashed, partied and ate until sleep became a must.

I still have a few more things up my sleeve before we close our own chapter on summer fun.  I will say, though, I am so ready for school to start.  The girls, too, are ready for a change and ready for a routine.  Tonight during dinner I asked Katherine what her goal for this year is, or rather what she wanted to learn about and she said history.  I asked what she was most interested in studying:  Texas, U.S. or world history and she said church history.  Thank you Lord!

Thea said "Well I just want to learn about everything!"  All-righty, I'll see if I can accommodate.

As for me, I just want a regular routine in place ASAP.  This will be tough with the renovation of our little pad down the street.   But, hopefully even with that project we can maintain a good schedule.  

A blessed school year to you all!  

Sticker Shock

I am a home body.  I have never denied that for one minute.  The challenge is that I homeschool three little girls and at least one of them would go 24/7 if I let her.  So, when Katherine mentioned to me the other day that we had not really done much outside the home this summer (in addition to our vacation to the N.W.) I knew she was speaking the truth.  In fact, I had just been having this conversation with Fr. Justin.  

 So, I quickly realized we needed to fit a couple of fun things in before we start school again.   I decided we should get to the water park a few more times; go to "Build a Bear", Thea's godmother graciously gave each of the girls a gift card there for Christmas, and a few other things.  A friend recently recommended that we go see the new movie "Ponyo".  So, with Fr. Justin at the monastery this week I thought a matinee would be a good idea for us girls.

I should back up and tell you that I don't remember that last movie I saw.  I don't have anything against going to the movies, but I just find most films total garbage.  Fr. and I stopped renting movies long ago.  I'm sure there are plenty of good films to see out there, we just haven't made the effort. 

Anyhow, so this morning the girls and I have our toast and coffee and I decide at the last minute that a 10:45 matinee and lunch out would be a nice surprise.  So, we rush out the door and get there just in time.  We hit the bathroom, and file in line to get popcorn.  Several people had come running in behind us and everyone was anxious to get their goodies and settle in to see the film.  I tell the kid behind the counter "I need four small popcorns, the little ones there."  

Kid:  "That will be $19.50 please."

Me:  Staring at him, thinking he was talking to someone else.

Kid:  "That will be $19.50 please."

Me:  "Oh, I just ordered four small popcorns."

Kid:  "Yeah, I know, that will be $19.50 please."  

At this point everyone in the line is getting antsy.  I could not wrap my head around four tiny bags of popcorn being $19.50!!  I was in shock to say the least.  

In fact, I was in such shock that I shelled out $19.50 for four small bags of popcorn!  If I had been of sound mind, I would have said "That is insane, we'll share one bag."  But I was so shocked and of course everyone was staring at me at this point including my own three puzzled girls.  

I walked away and said to myself  "O my gosh, Papa is going to flip out."  (Mind you, he really won't flip out, he'll probably be just as shocked as I was.)  The look on my face must have been funny because Katherine said "Mommy, are you OK?"  "Yes, honey, I'm fine, just a little surprised by something."  (Thankfully I remembered to pack the water bottles and graham crackers!)

So, I stumble to my seat and begin to think of all the things $20.00 would buy.  Like the lunch we were going to have after the movie, or a few new cabinet pulls for our new house we are about to work on...

Now, I don't regret spending the money on the girls.  They had a blast.  We never go to the movie theater, so this was a huge treat for them.  And you know, this is just the way I want it to be for them.  I don't want them seeing these types of outings as something else to do.  Hopefully, they will have a greater appreciation for the little extra things we do for them.  Say, for example, $19.50 worth of popcorn!  ;)

A blessed feast to you all!

 A blessed feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos to you all!

"In giving birth, you preserved your virginity! 

In falling asleep you did not forsake the world, O Theotokos!

You were translated to life, O Mother of LIfe, 

and by your prayers you deliver our souls from death!"

Did I happen to mention...

Did I happen to mention that while we were on vacation my little angel, Thea, turned five!  Yep, my little girl is growing up on me, despite my pleas to slow down!  

Check out the adorable cake Grandma Ocean made for her.  This cake was made exactly according to Thea's specifications:  double layer, blue and white frosting and a beautiful princess on top!  You can't beat that.  

Thea was thrilled and I even got a picture of a local area priest wearing a tiara.  Sorry dear, I just had to.  It's just too darn cute.  :)

Give rest to thy Servant!

Give rest, O Lord, to thy servant Nicholas who has fallen asleep!

I ask your prayers for a dear parishoner, Nicholas, who fell asleep in the Lord last night.  Please also keep his wife, the handmaiden Galena and their children in your prayers.  

Once upon a time, there lived three little princesses

I will be the first to admit that my kids have too many toys.  We are about to make a move and I am determined to move with less than we have now.  One of the biggest areas that I plan to trim the fat is in my children's rooms.  

Having said that, I will say one thing:  my girls have always, and continue, to love their dress up box.  We have a huge tub filled with all sorts of dress up clothes and they play dress up almost daily.  This box, and it's many treasures, has made the cut and will move with us.  

Here in the pictures are the girls in one of their many performances.  The story was about three princesses, one who was a cowgirl angel.  I didn't really get much more of the story, as it was a ballet and so their wasn't much talking going on-just grande sweeps and dramatic gestures.  

Another lovely performance.

So long, farewell!

Our friends the B. family just moved out of Texas.  They are on to greener pastures in the N.E.  We will surely miss them!  May they be blessed in their new home!  

Many Years!

Last Friday my mom and dad celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary!   I can't imagine being married for 50 years, but I hope I get find out what it's like.  

My mom's advice:  talk, talk, talk and listen to each other.

They chose mexican food for the evening.  My two brothers and their families met us and we all celebrated together.  

Here is my mom and dad with the girls and Katherine with her favorite cousin, Maddison.