Twelve Photo Round-up for 2021

 Continuing with my catch-up posts: I know I have also missed the official link-up for this traditions but I really appreciate how picking 12 or so photos helps put the year into focus for me.

Lisbeth's submission for a scholarship

Easter

Easter

Last day of 2nd

Last day of 4th

Last day of 7th

Elisabeth at 13

  As I write this I'm not sure which is stranger to me; that Elisabeth is a teenager or that it has been almost a year of Covid living.   A year ago when we celebrated her birthday we were in a state of watchful waiting; the pottery place where we had her party was still open and we were not yet wearing masks.  All that changed a week later.  So as I write this 'birthday update' the unknowable question is how much living through this pandemic has affected her growth and change over the past year.   I will be fascinated in the future to someday ask my kids what this year (or possibly two) was like for them.

  Elisabeth at 13 is:

1. Very creative; she loves sketching and will sometimes spend her recess time drawing this for her fellow students or teachers.  She also has a couple of drawing apps on her iPad she enjoys using.  She is interested in animations and wondering if that might be a career future for her.
2. She is becoming more adventurous with food and while she definitely still has her favorites now eats a wide range of things. Current favorites include Chai in the morning, corndogs for dinner, and Mochi for dessert.  Bonne Mamy introduced her to iced green tea much to great effect.  
3. She still loves Wings of Fire but is reading other series ~ currently Percy Jackson.  Mostly on the page or online, she loves dragons, Minecraft, and art.
4. Favorite shows include the new Netflix She-Ra, In the Deep, and Voltron.  Still not much for live-action shows, she is happy to join a family watch of the Great British Bake-Off.
5. When her school shifted to Distance Learning last March the kids stayed home for the rest of that school year but did reopen in September with social distancing and mask-wearing.  This was good news for Lisbeth who of my 3 most missed the structure of being in the classroom.  She is also starting to look at local high schools, thinking about where she might want to go once she finishes 8th grade next year.
6. She has definitely missed being able to easily see her friends and was very disappointed that her gymnastic gym closed permanently; overall she has weathered this very strange and stressful year very well. 

Cate is 8!!

 

1. Caitlin at 8 is a unicorn loving, artist; who loves drawing & coloring, and playing with kinetic sand.  Having learned to ride her bike without training wheels this fall, after school she is often out and about visiting neighborhood friends.  However, Skye and her light-up seahorse Bubbles, are still essential at bedtime.
2. Favorite shows include Spirit Riding Free, Ryan's Mystery Playdate, Bluey, and when watching with Liam, Pokemon.  Jake, & the Neverland Pirates, Elena of Avalor, and Sophia the First still make the cut. In our house at eight years old, you can begin playing Minecraft Creative Version.  In preparation, Caitlin has also been watching Gamer Girl videos.
3. She is enjoying school; doing well in all her subjects. Her reading skills are getting stronger and stronger. She has begun reading chapter books such as Billie Brown mysteries, and Princess in Black.  Currently virtual for a couple of weeks, she is very much looking forward to being back in the classroom with her friends.
4. Favorite foods include lasagna, Shepherd's Pie, and pizza. Mostly she like cookies and milk. 
5. She was really enjoying her gymnastics class, unfortunately, that gym has recently closed.  Due to the Covid virus, swimming lessons were not possible last summer. However, we are holding out hope for the coming summer.
6. Her chosen theme for balloon and banner is Descendants, with Frozen a close second. She chose cupcakes with blue &purple frosting and donut rings for her birthday dessert.
7. She is so very much the youngest; eager to rush ahead to catch up with her older siblings, and at the end of the day such the goofy cuddle bug.  Enjoys attempting phone conversations in french with Bonne Mamy, yet still resorts to baby talk when in trouble. 
8. pictures. 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

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 ~ Last Day 2019-20

First two trimesters spent in the brick & mortar and the last spent remote learning from home!!

Liam ~ 3rd Grade

Caitlin ~ 1st grade

 Elisabeth ~ 6th grade

Quick Takes #286: Some things about Elisabeth as a tween

   This has been the most wonderful year; she is the most perfect combination of elegant and goofy.

She re-discovered a love for gymnastics as well as exploring different types of music. 

All about Art and Math. Stuffies forever ~ llamas and corgis especially!!

1. Very creative; she loves sketching and will sometimes spend her recess time drawing things for other students including her sister's 1st grade classmates.  We have added a couple small cork boards to her room for mini creations.
2. She is becoming more adventurous with food and while she definitely still has her favorites now eats a wide range of things. Current favorites include Chai in the morning, corndogs for dinner and Mochi for dessert.  Bonne Mamy introduced her to iced green tea much to great effect.  
3. She still loves Wings of Fire but is reading other series (in part to prepare for Reading Olympics).  Mostly in the page or online she loves dragons, Minecraft, and art.
4. Stuffies: She continues to add her collection and while she has passed several forward I occasionally wonder how there is space for her in her loft bed; especially after she claimed a body pillow her dad had been gifted as her own.
5. The school she attends continues to eighth grade but many students did leave to attend other local middle schools. Those remaining seem committed to helping everyone have a great year. While her bestie is likely still her twin cousin; there have been a lot of texting about classes and music this year.  She decided to perform a solo at the school 's Variety Show to great support from her classmates. 
6. As she enters her last year as a tween, I'm so curious to see where it takes her. I'm aware that hormones will eventually add an unpredictability and angst to moods, until then I'm enjoying these days of learning, laughing and watching as she grows and matures.

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

9 Fun Facts

  This weekend we had the great fun of celebrating Liam and all the wonderfulness he has brought into the lives of his friends and family; and so I thought I would share some fun facts about him.

• He has an extensive knowledge about the Pokemon universe and the strengths and weakness of many Pokemon ~ and great patience with his mom who is not quite as knowledgable and therefore falls quickly behind in discussions of creating elite teams.
• He is a deep thinker and will pondering many things during the day and while he is running ~ and will remember his many deep thoughts and questions for us ~ about ten minutes after tuck-in for the night.
• 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 include Bangers & Mash (sausage and mash potatoes), Shepard's Pie, ice cream, and fried eggs. The last one often requested for breakfast has greatly improved my technique.
• Favorite subject in school is Math; still hesitant about reading out-loud but has great fun reading Pokemon Manga's on my Kindle app.
• Currently wants to be either a Veterinarian or a Carpenter.
• Currently obsessed with old dances and therefore often asks 'Alexa' to play the Macarena song or if anyone in the house wants to Conga!
• 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 tops ~ he wanted some Mom time at bedtime.

Happy Birthday Liam! Nine looks good on you!!

First Day ~ Last Day 2018-19

Looking forward to a great summer!

Then 6th, 3rd and 1st Grade here we come!!

Special Days of Sacraments

     Last Saturday to our great pleasure Liam received his First Communion! Looking very handsome in his new suit; he was nervous but excited.  The Mass was beautiful and lets be honest there is nothing like watching children all dressed up and excited to meet Jesus in such amazing way.

The weather while threatening all week turned out wonderful and our friends and family who came to celebrate with us were also able to enjoy our new patio furniture and we were able to grill as planned.  In addition to being very happy for her brother; Lisbeth was also thrilled to visit with her twin cousin.  Caitlin was happy to party in her Easter dress and was the last of the kids to ask to change.

       Then on Sunday we went to Mass in the city at the University parish where Liam was baptized and he received his 2nd Communion.  

Earlier this week I made a quick trip to Richmond to attend the celebration of my niece's Confirmation.  A beautiful Mass and such an honor to included on her special day.

May the Sacramental Graces fall abundantly on them and all their classmates!