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!

7 Quick Take #293: Seven things that happened while I was away

 

 Happy May! Long time no post ~ how about a bit of catch-up?

1. Slightly out of order thanks to an uncooperative computer:
   
   
   
   May 1st brought some Lily of the Valley and
   
   
   Caitlin's First Communion!
   
   
   Was able to return to my favorite Longwood Garden during tulip peak!
   
   
   Caitlin got glasses
   
   
   

   
   Dr. Dad and I celebrated our birthdays
   
   
   
   Liam got glasses, making for a full set!
   
   
   And back in April, we celebrate Easter!

2020: A Year in Pictures

Happy New Year's Eve! Wishing you all many blessings and all good things as the calendar turns and the new year starts. But first a quick look back at the year that was by way of photos. 

This princess enjoyed her tent as she turned 7

In February we went ice skating ~ Caitlin for the first time!

In March we completed our new bathroom just in time to shelter in place!

April meant a different and lovely Easter

In May the teachers drove by to congratulate the kids on a job well done!

Pool visits and trips to Rita marked some normalcy in June.

In July we carefully visited our VA family

In August we hit the waves in Maine!

Back to School looked a little different this year.

I had helpers building leaf piles this year!

In November we gave thanks for many things, including Confirmation!

We ended the year in Maine looking for the Christmas star.

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!!

Where I'm From

Have noticed a few new followers (welcome) and thought I would repost this piece from 2011.

Where I'm From

I am from metal swing sets, from Tupperware cups and Kool-aid to drink.

I am from the best driveway to roller skate down, watching for deers out the back window, European elegance and American Craftsmanship.

I am from the Christmas cactus growing inside, and  tomatoes and lily of the valley growing outside

I am from leaving my shoe out for St. Nicholas and talking at the table after dinner, from Milou  and Pierre, Roland and Hazel.

I am from bring a stack of books home from the library, pancakes on the weekend and jumping into the leave pile.

From 'get your hair out of your face' and "What are We Men!".

I am from Amazing Grace, One Bread One Body, from sacraments of grace, and men of good will seeking tolerance and understanding

I’m from Providence, Galilee Beach, and Loon Mountain by way of Belgium, from lobsters, clam cakes, and fighting for the piece of chocolate with the elephant.

From the Bon Papa who wanted grandchildren, the Apple Girl, and the URI graduate.

I am from many, many albums kept in the dresser, color pictures under clear plastic covers and black & white held by the corners. from slide shows late at night, from stories told and re-told, cherished and honored.

Vacation Thoughts ~ 2017

   As I sit down to write another vacation recap I am again very grateful that we were this year again blessed with largely good weather and am remembering all the delicious food I got to eat (Scoop Deck ice cream x 4) but am also wanting to reflect on what was new and distinct about this year's vacation.

    The most obvious difference being this year began with me heading over to New Hampshire to remember with my family and her friends my aunt's wonderful life and legacy. My uncle and cousins had intended it to be a celebration of a life well lived and they succeeded! While the day's events had that 'empty seat at the table' sense, it was overall a wonderful day of sharing stories and memories.  The day also gave me the chance to catch-up in person with my older brother and cousins from California.


 Of the week+ in Maine the memories I will most cherish are:

• Elisabeth and my niece boogie boarding with great enthusiasm and improving skill.
• Liam appearing to be impervious to the cold and he rushed in time and again to the ocean.
• Caitlin's first time staying up late to make s'mores.
• Everyone working hard despite the rain to build a rock wall border.
• Shared Minecraft worlds for the BFFC's
• Caitlin wanting me nearby but NOT holding her hand while she jumped waves.
• Liam and Caitlin's first time playing mini-golf. BTW 18 holes is about 10 too many with a four year old.
• The maturity Lisbeth showed when despite coming down with a painful ear inflection she rested on a bench and let the rest of us outlet shop for a bit.
• Putting Moana on for the kids to watch and having the teenagers appear and stay.
• Massive splash fights in pool between Dr Daddy and the big girls.
• The kids setting up the yard for an eclipse watching party and then each drifting back into the house during until it was only the grown-ups watching.

  Familiar places and vacation traditions lend the structure but the kids changing interest and growing abilities gives each year it's distinct moments and memories.

S'more sampling

Eclipse Watching

First Day ~ Last Day: 2016 ~ 2017

Another school year done:

Elisabeth ~ 3rd Grade

Liam ~ Kindergarten

Caitlin ~ Preschool

Quick Takes #233: Thoughts about School

1. Today marks the end of the school year in the Bailey house. Liam and Caitie actually finished last Friday but since Lisbeth still had school this week we still have been slightly in school mode.  
2. Kindergarten went well and Liam seemed to really enjoy it. Not nearly as talkative as his sisters he didn't share many details day to day but overall he enjoyed the work, the specials, his classmates and the whole school experience.  
3. My take: Over the year I saw him meet each new challenge with ease and needing very little additional instruction.  The pace of the work seemed to keep him interested but was never a source of stress. Am curious to read more with him this summer and hopefully get him set for an equally good year in first grade.
4. Caitlin had a good year in preschool and I think gained a lot of useful social skills as far as listening and sitting attentively.  She made several friends and in the end I'm equally glad we decided to have her attend preschool where her brother and sister did; and that she is attending a more academically challenging program for Pre-K.
5. We were warned that there is a jump in the workload come 3rd grade and while occasionally cranky about it Elisabeth met the challenge and excelled. She enjoyed more time to explore science and social studies; tackled learning her multiplication tables and basic fractions, and learned so much about different types of literature and author's purpose.  While writing continues to give her some troubles, reading no longer does and has become a source of enjoyment.
6. We marked the end of the year with a trip to Build-a-Bear where Caitlin made a Lalaloopsy doll, Liam ~ Sonic the hedgehog (not liking any of the Pokemon offered) and Elisabeth made a horse.  I'm sure that this end of year tradition will evolve over time but given Lisbeth's love for stuffed animals she may not be the first one to insisted that they have aged out of this particular treat!!
7. Have a good weekend and Happy Father's Day to all those celebrating!!

First Day ~ Last Day post

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

Quick Takes #213: Maine Livin

1. Incredibly blessed this year to manage two beach weeks. In addition to managing to get time to go to the Outer Banks with my family we were also able to get up to Maine to spend some time with Charlie's side.
2. Traveling with a newly trained toddler means extra potty stops and traffic was worse than usual but the kids managed to keep the grumps to the minimum and the welcome was wonderfully warm.
3. Water fun! As always the community pool at G-ma's was a hit and the boogie boards we bought earlier this summer were put to good use. Both Lisbeth and Liam have made great strides this summer and having a blast!
4. Food as usual played a central role with Dr Daddy and his mom and sister having a lot of fun in the kitchen and all of us enjoying the amazing meals that resulted. We also went to our favorite ice cream place a few times and tried out a new one.  Local seafood one night and making s'mores another were two other highlights!
5. One evening we drove to near by Kennebunk and visited St Ann Episcopal a lovely stone church dating from 1887 and it's beautiful outdoor chapel; an amazing place to watch a sunset. 
6. Most importantly time with family.  The kids with their cousins and all of us together in the evenings watching the Olympics.
7. Photo Dump!!

 Please head over to Kelly's for more 7QTs

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Outer Banks 2016: the recap

   Outer Banks 2016 is in the books and a great time was had by all!

The trip there is just as long as I remember and we opted to make it a bit longer by stopping along the way for a vigil Mass. Aside TheCatholicDirectory.com is an amazing site which tells what churches are close to your location and their Mass times. Another highlight of the trip was getting pizza for dinner; not the best car food but Dr Daddy and Elisabeth did a great job tearing the box into mini plates. So while we arrived in the dark we were so happy to be there and so was the rest of our family.

   The rest of the week consisted of swimming in the pool; the two biggest on their own and Caitie doing amazing in her vest. During a couple of night swims Elisabeth was introduced to Marco Polo and held her own with her big cousins.  We were a 5-10 minute walk from the beach and so visited everyday sometimes a couple times a day.  Most mornings I enjoyed a walk with my mom and a sister and often late afternoon found us there for a quick swim before dinner.  The waves were best mid-day and so twice we braved primetime sun and let the kids get some practice boogie boarding.  Both times we saw dolphins in the distance and one time my middle sister's father-in-law taught the kids to net fish with decent results.  He and my sister Kim also saw to the renting of bikes which also added to the outside fun of the week.

Many hands indeed made light what with the adults all taking a turn with cooking dinner and enough grown-ups and bigger cousins available that I was even able to sneak out to a wine tasting one afternoon.

Amazing food ~ wonderful wine and best of all a lot of time to play and be together with each other and some extended family.

We came ~ we saw ~ we swam!!