Leap Day 2024

 Greetings to anyone who may stumble upon this; realize I haven't blogged here in over a year and likely no one is still following. However as Leap Day was approaching I decided I wanted to jot down another four year update for myself and anyone reading.

Elisabeth is days away from turning 16; a sophomore at a local Catholic girl's academy. She is thriving both academically and socially with a great group of friends.  Math, art and music are her main interests and primary focus.  Not in a great hurry to learn to drive, will likely put learning off to the summer. EPIC the musical, Percy Jackson, and Transformer fanfic are favorite modes of brain rest.

Liam is a 7th grader at our parish school. History and reading (Rick Riordan mostly) are his strengths, with Math occasionally having him on the struggle bus. Scouts and track keep him busy otherwise. Currently my height, I'm resigned to await for when he will shot up past and begin his quest to top his dad.

Caitlin is a 5th grade science buff! She also loves music which keeps her busy singing in the children's choir, and in the ensemble of the school musical.  My social butterfly; she is quick to make friends and invent games.  Bluey, and Good Luck, Charlie are favorite shows, along with watching D.is.ney Princess movies on the weekends while her older sibs sleep in.

Everyone has really gotten into cooking and baking in the last couple of years; and Saturday nights involve much cooking chaos in the kitchen.

Happy Leap Year 2024!

Liam at 10

   This weekend we celebrated Liam with Perkins take-out and a Black Forest Cake. The theme he chose for his birthday banner and balloon was Harry Potter.  His teacher last year read the class the first book, and Liam is interested in reading the next book in the series.

• He is still very much into the Pokemon universe and the strengths and weakness of many Pokemon ~ and has great patience with his mom who is not quite as knowledgable and therefore falls quickly behind in discussions of creating elite teams.
• Funny ~ having learned much in the last year about punning and what makes a good pun.  He enjoys laughing and making others laugh.
  
• Has a great circle of friends from school, soccer, and Cub Scouts which he can be very zany with; and then disappears into his room for some intense quiet time like a true introvert.
• Favorite food includes Bangers & Mash (sausage and mash potatoes), Shepard's Pie, ice cream, and fried eggs. He continues to be my best eater; though he is also the child to most worry about any stomach upset.
• Favorite subject in school is History or Science; he likes learning about people and how to make things work. Much more confident in reading and happy to be asked to read aloud.
• Currently wants to be a Carpenter.  Specifically a cabinet maker; opening a furniture shop with a friend. 
• Happy to be back in in-building school, he overall did well with all the upheaval with 'sheltering in place' and virtual learning. Already a bit of a germaphobe; he quickly adjusted to all the extra cleaning we started last spring.
• Affectionate, he checks in throughout the day and asks how my day is going; and recently requested a bedtime tradition with me because while Dad is still the tops ~ he wanted some Mom time at bedtime.

First Day 2020-21

     This first day had a mostly familiar feel with tinges of extra nerves and of course the addition of masks. The supply list a bit longer as art supplies will not be sharable.  Cautious optimism and curiousity how long in build learning will last seemed the emotions of the day. 

 2nd ~ 4th ~ 7th; ready, set, learn!!

Leap Day 2020

Four years ago for Leap Day I wrote a post to mark the moment ~ and here we are at another Leap Day and another snapshot memory post.

Lisbeth is days away from being 12; crazy about corgis by day and dragons by night.  A wonderful student, she recently performed a solo in the Variety Show. Minecraft and drawing are her favorite things to do with free-time, with Wings of Fire her go-to book series. Gymnastics and Math are faves sport and subject wise.  Has taken a break from biking to school for the winter but enjoys biking when the weather allows to meet up with friends at the local Rita.  Currently wants to be a math teacher career-wise.

Liam is 9 1/2; a foodie who loves Pokemon, BattleClaw, and BeyBlades.  Has a good circle of friends to make 3rd grade a bit more fun though would prefer a bit less handwriting. Still loves to run whenever possible, played soccer in the fall and is considering Little League for the spring.  As a Bear Cub he had fun competing in the Pine Box Derby and is looking forward to earning is pocket knife card.  Recently big into Duck Tales and Looney Tunes; treasuring the times when he and Dad can watch some videos together. Currently wants to be a carpenter (specifically cabinet builder) when he grows up.

Caitie is 7; having fun in first grade learning to spell all the words and read all the books.  Enjoying her ballet/tap class, she is also contemplating learning to ride her bike without training wheels this spring.  Loves painting, drawing and playing with Kinetic sand.  As a co-owner of a new iPad when it is her turn to watch she likes Youtube kids and short clips from a wide variety of shows from old favorites to new finds.  Career plans in flux, but largely focused around art and animals.

We have been in this house for a 5 1/2 years and are in the midst of construction of an addition adding a much needed first floor bathroom. While growing tired of the dust and confusion, am looking forward to an added bathroom hopefully before too long.

Happy Leap Day 2020!!

Quick Takes #260: Pretty flowers and fun books

1. Posting late ~ but still Friday! Crazy busy week with a Mother's Day Tea, observing the Ascension and preparing for an out-of-town guest.
2. Trees are blossoming and happily turning our front lawn pink. This is our third spring in this house and the first time I remember the tree dropping its blossoms in such a quick and pretty way.
3. Several book shout-outs to share; if you haven't read Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day and are looking for a fun fast read ~ this is a great option.  Currently reading and loving Jennifer Fulwiler's latest One Beautiful Dream.
4. As Lisbeth becomes a tween it has become harder to encourage her without her discounting the compliment so I got her this shirt in the hope she would better understand how I see her. She Loves It!! #small victories 
5. So excited to start Ponder this weekend. Praying the Rosary is something I've wanted to make a more frequent occurrence. Am hoping this is the just the encouragement I need.  Anyone else starting the study this weekend?
6. I opted not to get the Ponder for Kids as it seemed aimed at an older age than Caitlin and Lisbeth has a couple of big school projects she is in the middle of. That being said the school had a lovely Mary Crowning earlier this week and lot of good discussions about Our Holy Mother happening.  
7. Happy Mother's Day!! 

 Please head over to Kelly's for more 7QT's!

Quick Takes #249: Happy November!

1. It was a busy, but fun week with such much to celebrate and enjoy.  I think this October will go down in the books as one of crazy swings in weather but overall a good month.
2. Halloween went well with me pulling off the great parenting feat of attending nearly simultaneous costume parades at my kids two schools. The weather was chilly but the costumes were great and everyone had a good time. Trick or treating had Elisabeth heading off with friends for the first time and Liam & Caitlin working well together reaping a decent candy haul.
3. All Saints Day was largely a recovery day. We attended Mass, and Liam enjoyed a birthday lunch with G-ma but otherwise a nice down day after the business of Halloween.  Feast of All Souls had the kids back in school and us for the first time speaking more explicitly with the big 2 about praying for deceased family members.
4. We had fun watching the World Series this week despite the late night's especially since my MIL was visiting.  We lived in Houston during Charlie's residency and have many friends who still lived there so were thrilled with the ultimate champions but also the series of great games getting there.
5. Given the bad weather last weekend Liam's Cross Country Champ meet was moved to this coming weekend. Hoping for good weather and wrapping up this season with a good race!
6. This weekend will also include a hike with Liam's cub scout pack. 
7. Photo Feature;
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Please head over to Kelly's for more 7QT's

12 pictures of 2016

Linking up with Bobbi of Revolution of Love in a photo review of 2016

January 1, 2016 ~ starting a year by the ocean is a good start.

In January someone turned 3!

In February Elisabeth made her first Reconciliation.

In April received her First Holy Communion!

May found us all out on our bikes.

In July we gathered with my extended family on the Outer Banks; 

and in August went to Maine with Charlie's.

In September Liam turned 6 while trying to 'catch them all'!

Oktoberfest!!

Pilgrim in the school play.

Ended the year bidding farewell to a beloved car.

Please head over to Bobbi's  for more photo recaps!

October Weekly 2: Finnegan Begin Again

Linking up with Bobbi of Revolution of Love for weekly writing this October. I had a blast with Write31 last year and am enjoying reading along with those participating this year but knew I didn't have it in me but did want to challenge myself this month so weekly it is.

 Guess what is for breakfast today? French Toast!

 Guess what I meant to have for breakfast last Saturday in honor of the feast day of St Therese of Lisieux and forgot? French toast.

 Guess who planned to pray a rosary (or part of one) with her kids yesterday on the feast of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary? Me. Which as you are likely figuring out by now did not happen.  I did talk about it with the kids and about how in October we celebrate the wonderful gift of the rosary.  Elisabeth suggested Halloween as a way to finish the month. Liam suggested the 30th and asked if we call that day Halloween Eve; (which I found funny since Halloween means All Hallows Eve ~ does an Eve get it own Eve?).

Hopefully we will not wait till the very end of the month to try again for a family rosary.  And the lesson of the day I will focus on as I enjoy my French Toast, telling anyone who asks that Saint Therese was born in France, is that things don't always come together on the perfect day and what is important is that we finnegan Begin again!


Please head over to Bobbi for more weekly writings.

Leap Day 2016

 I've seen suggested in a couple places the idea of a time capsule put away now with the idea that you dig it up at the next leap day which will be in 2020!! While that is not my thing I did like the idea of documenting a few things about us now to look back on the next time February 29th rolls around.

  Lisbeth is days away from being 8; crazy about dinosaurs and says that she wants to be a palentologists when she grows up. Legos and calico critters are her favorite things to play with. Gymnastics and basketball are her favorite sports; and Math her favorite subject.

Liam is 5 1/2; a foodie who loves superheros, Transformers, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Thriving in PreK he is moving from letter recognition to writing simple words and asking about reading.  No consistent plans for a future career.

Caitie is 3; speaks in crazy complex sentences and loves telling stories and being read to. Still in diapers but we have big plans for the spring. Content to sleep in her crib provided she has Amber & Sophia to cuddle and her seahorse to lull her to sleep.  Goes to Mother's Day Out two mornings a week and asks every morning if this is a school day.

We have been in this house for a little over a year and a half and ~ despite the fact that Liam and Lisbeth occasionally make special requests for the next time we move ~ are loving it.


Happy Leap Day 2016!!

Things to remember about when the Pope came to town

   By the time most of you read this Pope Francis will be home, and we will be returning to the day-to-day routine of the week -- in my case with a bit more hope and a renewed sense of purpose.  Attending the Festival of Families last Saturday was exhausting and amazing, as so many things are when you share your days with little people.

  Getting out the door, having checked and double-checked that we had what we would need and were using in the right size bag for security was just the first of many challenges to meet and overcome.  However as I watched the kids marvel at the bus and subway ride and the excitement of being in the city, my excitement also returned and set the tone for rest of the afternoon and evening.

  And as life would have it, that's exactly what Pope Francis spoke so movingly about at the end of the Festival. Family life is challenging, and exhausting at times, and so very worth it if we can see the fun that is to be had with each challenge met and tackled. For example, by the time we arrived at the Festival, they had closed the gate to the seats until the Pope's motorcade had passed (an hour or so later). Initially this seemed to be quite the set-back, but in fact allowed us more time with friends, and meant we got to watch and take pictures of the Pope going by in his pope-mobile.  Later, we were allowed in to find our seats, where we enjoyed the rest of the concert.

Taken by Lisbeth sitting on my shoulders.

  So this Monday finds me back in the car-line and catching up with the laundry, but as this post suggests, remembering to smile a bit more, treasuring my kids (especially when they walk miles without complaint and thank me for a soft pretzel as if it was the tastiest thing EVER!!), and recommitted to the ideal that Pope Francis suggested in his wonderful closing statement: at the end of the day, even with all its miscues and missteps, make peace with those you love and who love you back.

And so happy that the Pope came to town and shared his warmth and wisdom with us!

Linking up with the ladies of CWBN; please visit and enjoy other reflections on the Pope's visit.

Quick Takes #188 Vacation Days

Sharing 7 things I don't want to forget about our vacation this year.

1. Dr Daddy was able to leave a bit early on Friday and so our plan to split the trip over two days actually came to be. The kids seem to appreciate the shorter drives and it allowed us to spend the afternoon with my aunt and uncle in New Hampshire and still make it to Maine by Saturday evening.  The kids had great fun playing in their yard and pool and the grown-ups really enjoyed catching up after not seeing each other in a few years ~ as in this was their first time meeting Caitlin.
2. We discovered when we got to G-ma's that Caitlin was not going to fit in the Pack&Play up there and so with crossed fingers and a quiet prayer to her guardian angel we tucked her in with Liam in a queen size bed which while lovely is also quite high up.  She did great and tugged at my heart strings night after night as she went to bed with her sister and brother in a Big Kid bed!!
3. As hoped the big kids had a blast swimming and performed amazing feats of swimming underwater, doing flips, and in Liam case by the end of the week taking giant leaps off the edge into the water.
4. As various family members scattered to different activities Lisbeth and I had the change to go miniature golfing. Always so much fun to get one-on-one time with one of them and be able to really focus and listen to their ideas. 
5. The ocean always soothes my soul and brings me back to myself and this year was no different. It was also during our time at the ocean I was able to quiet the noise and really just be as I watched the kids. Liam in particular as he laughed and raced in and out of the waves seemed to turn 5 (actually in a couple weeks) right before my eyes.
6. The food was delish; Charlie outdid himself and cooked brunch most mornings and many a morning I was able to sit out on the screened porch with my mother & sister-in-law with our tea or coffees, talk and watch the hummingbirds. At our favorite ice cream place the flavors of the year according to the kids were Dino Crunch and Strawberry Lemonade.  The kids also really enjoyed the night we made s'mores and I will cherish the night I got to indulge on a yummy lobster while I watched the kids go to town with clam strips.
7. And now the photo dump :)

Now please head over to Kelly's for more 7QT's

Answer Me This: July 12th

1. At what temperature do you keep the thermostat set? Summer, winter, day, night?
     Currently in the summer the thermostat is set at 75 F day & night; during the winter it is set a 68F during the day and 65f at night.

2. What is your favorite frozen beverage?
    With alcohol a Frozen Margarita ~ without a Coffee Milkshake.

3. Where do you keep your keys?
    We have a key hook by the door though in the winter they usually come to rest in a coat pocket.

4. Have you ever really been lost?

      Our house for much of my growing up (9-18) backed a nature preserve which we all explored to some extent. One time my exploring went very wrong with me getting very lost.  I somehow managed to wander back out of the woods miles from my house and was happy to find someone to give me a ride home.  Looking back as an adult I'm beyond grateful that the stranger was a Good Samaritan and actually drove me home.

5. What is the last movie you saw in the theaters?
     Julie/Julia! It's been a while!

Now please head over to Kendra's for more takes on these questions.

First Day ~ Last Day 2014-15

First Day of First Grade

 Last Day ~ June 12, 2015

First Day of 4 day Preschool

Last Day ~ June 12, 2015

A Day at Longwood

   Last Saturday Dr Daddy unfortunately had hospital duty, so wanting to do something nice for the kids and knowing from emails from the garden that the tulips were in bloom I loaded everyone up and we headed about an hour south to Longwood Gardens.

   First we went to the the Flower Walk were I try and take in as much flower beauty as is possible without losing track of any of the littles who head through this area much quicker than I do.

Then we visited two of the three tree houses.

Next per Liam's request we went to see the banana trees in the Conservatory

 Next we played in the Children's Castle, a favorite filled with fountains to play in and alcoves to explore. Unfortunately no pictures as it was very crowded and Caitlin was very interested in splashing in all of the fountains.

Next a game or two of hide-and-seek in the Topiary Garden

And then it was time to head home, as I hash-tagged on my Instagram 

#exhausted but worth it