a gypsy caravan

annie's kindergarten graduation

Some of our children are homeschooled and some attend traditional school.  Annie recently graduated from kindergarten at our parish parochial school.  She had a wonderful schoolyear and is looking forward to starting first grade in the fall. Her graduation ceremony was lovely and she received an award for being a peaceful presence in the classroom. Here she is with her school principal. 

We are so proud of you Annie! 

nine

{my beautiful girl}

you are kind and funny, brave and strong.  you have a way of making everything beautiful.

:: creative, adventurous and forgiving ::

a friend anyone would be glad to have on their side  

:: loving and faithful through thick and thin ::

happy birthday to my eldest daughter and dear friend. 

God keep you always. xoxo

birthday greetings-snort snort

Today is my 41st birthday. Ben woke me early, before going to school, to make me a french toast breakfast, sweet fellow that he is. Then I shamelessly went back to bed since everyone was still asleep, only to be awoken two hours later by Christopher who had made pancakes. I sure have thoughtful boys. I am full to the gills with angel food cake, strawberries and whipped cream.  I also had a nice serving of Haagen Dazs "Five" ice cream (lemon).  All of these desserts my mother brought after treating us to Chinese carryout for dinner. So. Very. Stuffed.

I know, I know. It is Lent.  I am apparently weak and sentimental about celebratory foods and bad at saying "no" to well meaning relatives. :) Honestly, it feels as though all I did today was eat.  Which might explain part of the 25 lbs. that I have packed on since Tess' birth.  Here is a recent photo of me as proof.  

Heading to barn bed now.  Goodnight all!

knitted rucksack

My little Annie recently turned five years old.  For one of her birthday presents, I made the heart rucksack from Little Badger Knitwear.

I am so pleased with how it knitted up.  Annie was all smiles when I gave it to her.  :)

teresa mae (tess)

was born July 26 weighing 8 lbs 10 oz and 20 1/2 inches long.

 

 

 

 

 Welcome to the world, beautiful blessing!

May Crowning and First Holy Communion

We have had quite a lovely, though busy, past few weeks.  Our homeschooling group had its annual May Crowning late in the month.  I have written about it in the past.   This year was quite special for our family as Christopher was a First Communicant and was able to wear his FHC clothing along with the other boys and girls who were receiving this year. 

Here he is holding his new rosary made by Kimberlee.  (Shameless plug: Kimberlee's work is absolutely gorgeous.  You will not be disappointed by anything you order from her.)  After Mass, we have a rosary procession to the statue of Our Lady which is up the hill, in the woods.  Christopher led the first decade for our group.  It was just so very sweet. 

Every year one of the first communicants is chosen randomly to crown Our Lady.  Chris had been hoping to be able to have the honor and he was delighted when he came up with the long straw.

My mom and Mary

All the flowers left by the children

Christopher's First Holy Communion went so beautifully.  It really was a perfect day.  He woke much earlier than I did and when I asked him why, hetold me that he was too excited to sleep.  He said his rosary while waiting for the rest of us to awaken.  After Mass, we had a party at the beach with a few families of friends and his grandparents.  The weather held up nicely and all the children had such a fun time.  I always make far too much food for these types of events so we had plenty of meat, salad and vegetables to last us through the rest of the week.  :)

We have been working on his FHC notebook for several months, a page every so often.  It was completed and we brought it to the party for his guests to see.   I hope to post photos of it in the sidebar as soon as I get a chance.

We are so proud of and happy for you, Christopher!

God Bless Christopher

He makes his First Holy Communion this weekend. :)

Happy Birthday Mary Kathryn!

Our little girl has turned five years old!  I can't help but feel a bit melancholy because, in my mind,  five is the turning point from babyhood to childhood.  Makes me want to hug her a little tighter. :)

Here are some of Mary's birthday highlights...

For the past four years, Mary has gone to Kiddie Park on her birthday.  Kiddie Park has been a lovely little place for children to play since 1952.   I have many fond memories of it from my own childhood. 

Happy Birthday Sweet Mary!