A Picture for Today: Summer Reading Program Days

Well, as you may or may not know, our kids LOVE books. But, this time of year is special in that we actually get tons of different books from the library every day or so. It is the summer reading program time, so we don't read books out of our massive collection, but instead only read those that we check out. So, the kids are even more excited about looking through all of the new books. Therefore, yesterday I came from putting Patrick down for a nap and entered a VERY quiet downstairs. I was confused for a moment as to where the other two were, but then I heard pages turning. Aha! THAT is what they were up to...

Hope you are enjoying some good reads this summer!

Love, Us.

A Picture for Today: Wishing We Were This Close Today...

Have a Great Time in MI! 

Just a quick favor to ask of you: Eat some Superman ice cream, get tons of parade candy, take a day trip or two, get a sunburn or two, climb log slide, eat Superman ice cream, make s'mores, find some fossils, play at the wooden park, take long walks on the beach, eat Superman ice cream, do craft projects, wake up early to pounding kid feet in the loft, go to that sad and really pathetic zoo, stay up late talking shop, eat Superman ice cream, spend some good time picking on dad and mom, go out to supper at Marley's, bury the guys in the sand, and discuss the colorful results of eating Superman ice cream for us, would ya? Thanks!

Love, Us.

A Picture for Today: Kool-Aid Play Dough!

My kids have been SO patient to get new play dough. They played 100% of the life out of the last batch of dough they had. When Thérèse came to me a few days ago and asked me to try and help her make some "noodles" with her play dough using one of her play dough tools and the poor thing was literally breaking before squeezing noodles through from the rock hard clay, we knew the time had come (a long time ago). So, we held a little science class and whipped up some new dough. T picked grape flavored and D picked orange. Thanks, Aunt Ruth, for introducing us to Kool-Aid play dough a couple years ago. We'll never go back to the real stuff!

On a side note, we are going through the stage that about 50% of all kids need to go through... learning how to smile. Dave has NOT mastered the art. 

Example A:

Love, Us.

Some Pictures for Today: Fr. Ash's New Clothes

Our wonderful Opah helped one of my dorky homeschool mom ideas become a reality! A few weeks ago I recieved two "Father Ash's" in the mail! Yay! 

Isn't he cute?

So, why did I want two, let alone one, Fr. Ash? Well, everyday in school the kids and I read about the daily saint and then discuss what color Father will wear at Mass that day depending on whether or not he celebrates the saint of the day. Up until now, we have just had a little question on the board: "What is Today's Liturgical Color(s)?". But NOW, we can actually get Father dressed! Don't you love being Catholic and using all your senses when talking about the faith! Woo-hoo!

So... I had to get out my scrap fabric (and take a quick trip to Joann's remnant bin) and whip out my oh-so-handy-dandy Janome sewing machine so that we could properly dress Father for all possible occasions in the Church year!

First of all, he needed clerics (or at least a Collar to create the illusion of them). 

Tada!

And then for his first Mass vestment, the Amice to cover up the collar...

Tada!

And his Alb...

Tada!

And Cincture...

Tada!

Yesterday was the feast of St. Josemaria Escriva (our school's patron saint!), so he put on his white Stole...

Tada!

And to complete the ensemble, his white Chasuble...

Tada!

Aren't they the best? Hey, but why is that Father on the right not celebrating Josemaria? I guess I might need to make two of each color so that they can properly celebrate, huh?!

Oh... I just thought of something awesome! I should make different colored Zucchettos! Then we could decide who is celebrating Mass that day: simply a priest, or a bishop, maybe a monsignor, a cardinal, or the Pope! Yes... have to do that!

Thanks for humoring me!

Love, Us.

A Picture for Today: K of C Installation

This past Sunday the Knights here at Fort Bliss had their officer installation. Joe was elected as their Advocate, due to his Law background. It was a very nice ceremony, despite me almost getting the jewel I was supposed to put around his neck caught on his nose AND the first gal starting the tradition of kissing your husband on the lips after placing the jewel on his neck (something that Joe and I just don't feel so comfortable doing in front of a large expectant audience) - we survived! Hey, and I even got Joe to actually smile in the picture, not put on his "I'm a really serious Army Officer and could never possibly show any amount of joy in public" look! Yay! Congrats, Joe!

Love, Us.

A Picture for Today: I actually LIKE the humidity of the Midwest, but...

... I do appreciate the dryness here when this is a typical sight on the car's dashboard in the early evening of a pleasant day.

And yes, today IS another beautiful day in El Paso! I LIKE the humidity of the Midwest, but I REALLY LIKE air conditioning!

Love, Us.

A Picture for Today: It's Official - Chubby Legs Make GREAT Pillows!

... enough said.

Love, Us.

A Picture for Today: I'm Ready for School, Mom!

The bigger two had a fun time getting Patrick ready for our school day to begin in Friday. He looks pretty excited, doesn't he? School is fun!

Happy Sunday!

Love, Us.

A Picture for Today: Little Beasts

I've been meaning to post these pics for a while, but the videos and other cute pictures have kept me from it. Thérèse started Crossfit Kids a couple weeks ago, so she is offically now a "Little Beast"!  She LOVES it, and Joe and I are also very much excited about it. She goes three times a week right now (I admit, a bit too soccer-mommy for me, but I see the benefit, so right now I am OK with it). Her teachers are great, and it is definitely some of the high points of her week. I know that Joe has probably talked most of your ears off about CrossFit at some point or another, and I won't do that again here, but it IS really great, so I am excited for Thérèse to be able to take part in it this early. 

To preface, sorry about the bad quality pictures.

Waiting in line for the high-jump.

The skill of the month is currently jumping (all sorts) - here she is with her teachers, mid-jump.

One of her favorite parts is running... here she is in the middle of the Workout of the Day (WOD).

We are so proud of you, T!

Love, Us.

A Picture for Today: A Kid-Inspired Picture

I was bustling about the house yesterday and I heard this: "Mom, come take a picture! We look really cute!" I couldn't agree more!

Love, Us.

A Movie for Today: Patrick's New Trick!

Thérèse was so anxious that I share this video today. She is SO excited for Patrick! Enjoy!

Love, Us.

A Movie for Today: Long After Bedtime Last Night

 We had a bit of a long night last night. Patrick has been dealing with a bad diaper rash, which has made him more finicky than normal. On top of that, he is REALLY into not wanting to be out of sight of mom. The combination led to a child who WOULD NOT calm down and go to sleep in his crib after I left the room. I would have just let him cry it out, but he was keeping all 3 kids up, so I turned to drastic measures. Joe was divinely inspired with the idea of simply using his separation anxiety to wear him down so that he was so tired when he hit the crib that he wouldn't have the energy to cry. This video is the plan in action (which worked, just FYI). This was, I think (although it is a bit foggy - I was quite tired), about 10pm (REALLY late for us!) and about our 10th time around the circle...

Love, Us.

A Picture for Today: An Awesome Park!

I did a bit of research on things to do in Las Cruces before we left, and on their park and recreation site I saw a picture of what looked like a decently cool wooden park. Well, I got the address and we checked it out after Sunday Mass and breakfast. IT WAS AWESOME! If you put these three picture together, they are a panoramic view of HALF of the park. Talk about the best hide-and-go-seek park EVER! The kids had a blast, had a much-needed energy burn-off before spending 3+ hours at a book store, and mom and dad got some ideas for any future time when we may be called upon to design an amazing park! Unfortunately, the wood wouldn't last nearly as long in the midwest...

Love, Us.

A Picture for Today: Chuck E Cheese

We had been given a gift certificate to Chuck E Cheese for the kids on Easter, and our little trip to Las Cruces gave us an opportunity to use it. I admit, both Joe and I were more than a bit leery. Neither of us had been to a CEC since childhood, and weren't quite sure what to expect. However, it was actually quite pleasant, the food was more than acceptable, and even though the worker gave me a quizzical look when I asked to buy 10 tokens (not 10 dollars worth), very fun for us and the kids! Not that we will become frequent visitors, but if ever given another gift card, we won't be shy to use it. A really fun time, overall!

Love, Us.

A Picture for Today: Happy Father's Day!

We just got back from a great trip to Las Cruces, NM. It was very fun and enjoyable. It was also very fitting that it fell on Father's Day weekend. Joe was able to have some very fun times with the kiddos (even Chuck E Cheese - pictures to come!). But, for today, just a couple from the trip of him and the littlest man.

I love you, Joseph! You are an awesome dad.

Love, Us.

Some Pictures for Today: Zoo!

We went to the zoo today - taking advantage of a very brief (I'd say about 15 second) rain shower this morning that brought in some clouds (for a moment) and kept the overall temperature down to around 98 today! Yay! We did a "Mammal Hunt", since we recently learned about mammals in school, splashed in the splash park, constantly chugged water, and had an overall blast!

We always visit our little friends, the meerkats. They are our favorite!

David LOVES Llama Llama, so he had to have a photo op.

Goofing around...

Cooling off at the Splash Park!

Patrick was GREAT the whole time. What a sport! FYI - that is water from the kids' hands on his head, not sweat. He actually stayed very nice and cool under his stroller hood all day and was a good little water drinker.

And to close for today... a silly monkey video:

Love, Us.

A Picture for Today: So you think YOU can dance?

You have already seen the video relating to this picture, but I felt compelled to share this picture with all of you today. Although it is fuzzy and unfocused, the personalities in these two are just HILARIOUS! David is in the midst of a really rockin' beat of a hip-hop dance and Thérèse is just in the middle of a being a princess at a ball. And they are dancing to the SAME song! I LOVE these kids!

Love, Us.

A Picture for Today: A Summertime Requirement

With the thermometer constantly well above 100 degrees, there is no denying that icee time is upon us!

Yay!

An additional FYI for today: David has become a pretty basic guy. For about a month now, he has just been rotating between two outfits: Army (above) one day and Spiderman the next. That is pretty much it. Hey, he is a boy who knows what he likes and sticks with it!

Love, Us.

A Picture for Today: I LOVE this stage!

You know... that time period in every kid's life where they seem to be able to fall asleep in the most random positions and places - the highchair mid-bite, the shopping cart while chewing the bag of noodles, etc. Well, this one was just too sweet not to share - holding little Aana's hand for his morning nap on the living room floor. And even after 5+ years, those Fuzzi Bunz still add an additional cuteness factor!

Love, Us.

A Picture for Today: Getting Bad Guys - A Work in Progress

So... David really likes the thought of getting bad guys. The other day, his most common bad guy stand-in (dad) agreed to let him practice his hog tying skills on him.

It was looking like a pretty decent job until the good guy got distracted for a moment with the "pretty" on the end of the rope.

Better keep practicing, D!

Love, Us.

A Picture for Today: He is Armed and Willing!

Due to the immense amounts of watering that automatically takes place in our back square of grass, it was turning in to a forest. So, yesterday we bought a weed eater. Joe was a little excited to use it!

Love, Us.

Some Videos for Today: Thérèse and David in Action

A few enjoyable moments to brighten your Sunday...

Love, Us.

A Picture for Today: A Special Feast Day Treat for Tea time

Yummy... This will definitely become a tradition in our little domestic church! Especially since their is chocolate mousse under the whipped topping!

Immaculate Heart of Mary, Intercede with Jesus for us.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Have Mercy on us.

Hope you all are doing something special for the Feasts!

Love, Us.

A Picture for Today: Happy Feasts of the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts!

I was blessed to be able to attend a Mother's Retreat last night put on by some wonderful moms in the area. It was wonderful! Thanks, Joe, for watching the kids (including putting a breast-fed baby to sleep - wow)!

Love, Us.

A Picture for Today: First Splash Park Visit of the Season

While the kiddos (and Joe, actually - he got off early and has a softball game tonight) are napping, I thought I'd put up pictures from what we just got back from - the Splash Park! Yay!

Love, Us.