Halloween 2016

Happy Halloween from my Delta Commader, my Dunkin Donut, and my sorority girl!  Ah, Halloween.  A tough "holiday" for those of us without a neighborhood to trick or treat in, but someone always manages to save the day for us!  This year was a little different with Kate off at a party with friends (this will likely be the case from now on) and Claire soon to follow with plans of her own.  In any case - this was my first year NOT to have a picture of all three together.  We still managed to carve pumpkins.  I'm not sure I'll ever let them off the hook for that one! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Fall Break 2016

I've always kind of dismissed fall break.  Fall break??  For what?  We just started school a mere month and a half ago!  Until this year.  Haven't we been in school for 6 months already?!  I think this may be our busiest fall ever.  Maybe I've said that before.  I don't know.  All I know is we needed it this year.  It was a quick drive, beautiful weather, and fun time spent with my favorite people. We hit Eureka Springs, Table Rock lake area, Branson, Silver Dollar City (of course).  I would like to say that Will hung in there with us on our 6 mile bike ride through Dogwood Canyon, but it was more like I hung in there with him.  I'm not sure if he was trying to see just how fast he could do those 6 miles or what, but I know this:  Mom struggled to keep up.  Leisurely bike ride for me, it was not!

What a nice getaway.  Any getaway these days is a gift.  I'll take whatever we can get! 



Mystery Reader, my very last one

One of the big treats, for both parents and kids, during the 1st grade year at Monte Cassino is MYSTERY reader day!  Parents sign up with the teacher for a specific day, send her five clues about themselves and then show up to surprise the kids after they've tried incredibly hard to guess who is coming based on the clues...so fun!  I couldn't wait to do it for Will.  This would be my last "mystery reader" day EVER.  Ever.  Maybe I'd bring a fun snack that coordinated with the book, read TWO books instead of just one if Mrs. Schloss allowed it.  I was making big plans.  Until....the request. 

"I want Claire to come be my mystery reader". 

Me, "Okay." Just a tad heartbroken and just a tad touched that he wanted his sister to come.  Kate even tried to get in the game.  "I'll come be your mystery reader!"  "NO.  I want Claire".

I relented (as did Kate) and gave up my spot as mystery reader.  I helped her come up with some clues about herself and that's how this very last MYSTERY READER day of mine went down.

Truth be told, it was worth it.  The smile on his face when he saw her appear from behind the door - so worth it.  Not the way I envisioned my very last mystery reader day, but absolutely perfect. 

That's kind of how life goes, right? 



I'm a Christian

A few nights ago, Bill was putting Will to bed and I popped my head in to give him a hug and say goodnight.  He was holding his rosary that he made in art class.  It had just been blessed by Father Brian O'Brien earlier that week.  He was pleading with Bill to pray the rosary, pretty adamantly.  Now, it's after 9:00 p.m. already and praying the entire rosary takes some time.  I asked if he'd be happy to just say Our Father with us.  No.  He wouldn't be happy to do that.  He'd like to pray the rosary.  I asked if he'd just like to pray Hail Mary.  Yes.  He would accept that.  Great. 

EXCEPT THAT...no judging please....I'm not completely certain I can say Hail Mary from memory.  I'm a cradle Episcopalian.  It's the only church I've ever been a part of.  I am an Episcopalian.  We do not typically pray Hail Mary, at least within the walls of the two churches I have attended my entire life.  I am married to a Methodist, turned Catholic.  Whew, at least Dad can pray Hail Mary with him without stumbling!  Almost.  My Methodist, turned Catholic, now attends the Episcopal church with us and doesn't get to the Catholic services as often as he used to.  Anyway - we make it through Hail Mary in a manner that is sufficiently pleasing to my 6 year old even though he throws me a look here and there for not knowing it flawlessly.  This begins a conversation about how I am Episcopalian.  What's that?  That's the denomination of our church, St. Patrick's.  Dad is Catholic.  Why?  He chose to become Catholic in his early 20's and connects strongly with the Catholic faith.  What church does he go to?
He goes with us to St. Patrick's because he loves our church too and we all enjoy going as a family.   Is Kate Catholic?  She went through First Communion and she's exploring Catholicism and she also attends St. Patrick's with us so she is learning about what it means to be an Episcopalian too.  Is Claire Catholic?  Same for Claire, she went through First Communion classes and is learning about the Catholic faith but attends St. Patrick's with us. 

                                                  *******LONG PAUSE********

Well, I am a Christian. 


Wow.  Yes, Will, you are.  Brought a little tear to my eye - not gonna lie.  All the Methodist, Catholic, Episcopal talk can be confusing and tiring for a little one or even a big one.  Loved that he processed the whole conversation and arrived at that one meaningful thing. 

Nice job, Monte Cassino.  You are teaching Christianity.
Nice job, St. Patrick's. You are teaching Christianity. 

Many of the rules and rituals divide us, the big picture is what does and should bring us together.  We enjoyed a Pentecost service this past weekend with a sermon delivered by the Bishop, discussing this very thing.  I love that Will just might already get this.

 

 

Will, holding up his rosary.