The Packers are coming, the packers are coming!!

Tomorrow!!! Yikes... I am so not ready. That's why I'm here. Yep, I'm trying to make my life just that much more interesting by procrastinating even more... yeah, that's right.. Live dangerously, I always say.

Wha...?? Did that gibberish even make any sense? See, I just want to blog this crazy moment in time to be able to appreciate everything when 'our life in boxes' reaches our new destination safely and all I have to worry about is unpacking it. I'd much rather do that (I think..... I'll let you know in about two weeks) than prepare for the P A C K E R S. I hate readying for the move. It's the worst. And I'm starting to twitch just thinking of the smell of cardboard and the sounds of tape running across it: thunk, streeeetch, rip! thunk, streeeeeetch, rip!. I was spared this lovely rhythm only once and it was because our packer used his teeth. Niiice....

My heart is just breaking...

for Steven Curtis Chapman and his family.  Such a tragedy.   Please keep the Chapman family in your prayers. 

Author Fiesta

We are so excited that Cay has put this together.  All of us around here simply adore good, well written/illustrated picture books.  

First author is Patricia Polacco.  

We plan on hitting the library once more before the move to check out some of these great titles.  After the move, I plan to set up a side bar  with the current author and titles for the month.  

So go check out Author Fiesta!  

Wordless Wednesday

Mumbling Monday

Boy, I'm so wiped from the weekend, all I can do is put up a picture from the park today...

Childhood classic

Nothing screams classic childhood fun more to me than bubbles and sidewalk chalk. I've never come across a kid that didn't love 'em both.

The Princess made her first ever on-her-own purchase from Target yesterday-- sidewalk chalk and paint. The Princess, Three and Four were having a great time.

One favorite activity with the chalk is to trace each other.

I don't know why I love this last photo so much. For some reason it just warms my heart. Maybe because it perfectly captures an innocent time of life and two brothers

Slugs, Grubs.... whatever

**PLEASE REMEMBER WHEN READING THIS POST, I HAVE FIVE BOYS**

Dh came home not too long ago and decided to educate the monkeys on a certain protocol that is practiced in his office (of all places.....).  The protocol is this:  If one should happen to share a part of themselves in a gaseous way, instead of the normal "Excuse me.";   "No slugs." is said.   I am of the understanding that most, if not all are male (let's hope so) in the office.  "No slugs"  is said in an effort to avoid a direct hit for insulting the quality of air that was previously being shared in the room.  

As you can imagine, the monkeys took this lesson to heart and that evening followed by the next morning, calls of "No slugs!" could be heard throughout the house.  Later that day, one faint cry broke the dead of silence with, "No grubs!"  I guess at some point, dh will have to correct the Princess on her usage of gaseous pentagon protocol.... 

Wordless Wednesday

Morning coffee and afternoon friends..

I knew I was in trouble when I reached for the hazelnut creamer. All eyes were watching when I put it in my cuppa joe. Did you hear me? ALL eyes...(that's like 452!)  I couldn't resist. I let them each have a little bit. They loved it so much I'm gonna have to buy some of that decaf junk (blech!) and make a special pot for them every once in a while.

Hey, who's baby is that on the table!??!? (Yes, I know-- Bad mommy!..... caffine aaaannd baby on table)

It was nice though, sharing my coffee this morning...

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Then this afternoon the weather was glorious! Glorious, I tell you!! We've had 5, 321 (read:5) straight days of rain. Well, with not a cloud in sight today and nuthin' but beautiful skies abounding, the neighborhood was bustling with kiddos out enjoying the big yellow orb in the sky.

Ah, fiddle.  We're gonna miss it here....

Our Lady of Fatima

Pray for us..

Hair Lamenting

To be sung to the tune of "Oh, Where Oh Where Has My Little Dog Gone" by the Monkeys

Oh where, Oh where has my sister's hair gone,

Oh where, oh where can it be?

Things just aren't the same with her hair cut short

Oh, please grow it baaack for me....

Bobble-head Lacrosse

I have to say that watching U-9 lax is one of the most entertaining things I've ever seen. I mean these kids (mine especially included) are barely big enough to keep their helmets balanced on their wee little heads, not to mention trying to coordinate everything else....

However, every once in a while, these mighty mites are just that... MIGHTY-- as evidenced by these pictures. Poor little red bobble-head player got sandwiched in between Two and Three and one other team member. Two is #60 and Three is #96

Look out there little red bobble-head....

Uh, oh..

Ouch!...

"And then there was one" (um, I mean two... Actually Three and Two)

Second, Third, Fourth .......look at FHC

We had a great day, and weekend for that matter. The whole thing was a little surreal. I am still in afterglow and/or shock from it all. What a wonderful time for our family. After Mass, dh heard Two say, "I can breathe better after receiving Christ."

The morning started off well. Two and Three were beaming with excitement. Bellies full, they headed out early with dh who had volunteered to help with herding the cats keeping the children focused. The rest of us at the house were excited that this day had finally arrived and we were all dressed and ready to go--early even; when I told One to go out and start the car. He came back in with a panicked look on his face saying that the suburban would not start. Whaaat!!???! "Mom, did you hear me? The sub is just clicking... not starting!" Fab-U-lous! Of all days... Heart pounding, and stress sweating begin.... Thankfully Lolo and GS had come up for the celebration so there was a sane and calm voice in the crowd that suggested we all pile on top of each other into their rental car and blast. Oh, yeah, good idea--thanks.. We weren't really late, just too late to sit up front, or sit anywhere for that matter, until we spied a familiar and kind face in the crowd that motioned to us to their pew where they made room for us. (Thanks again, friends..) My heart was calmed and sweat gone (aren't you glad to know??)

We were blessed that One was able to serve at the FHC Mass. (As an aside, let me just say right here and RIGHT now, I love, love, love seeing altar boys in cassocks, as opposed to those robe like things.)

The Mass was beautiful and the homily excellent. I wish we could have sat closer to actually see the boys receive Jesus -Body,Blood, Soul and Divinity-- but I was truthfully just thankful we were there and not banging on our neighbor's door in a heart pounding, stress induced sweaty panic lookin' for a ride.

Here are a few shots from the day.. and let me just preface this by saying that my boys DO NOT enjoy having their pictures taken unless it involves a certain level of goofiness as seen below:

What up with the looks here??!!? We decided that maybe fresh air might help the situation, so we headed for the grotto outside...

See what threats and bribery a little fresh air will do?
Okay, well, I tried.....

First look at FHC

Today was a busy one, tomorrow will be as well as we continue our celebration here of a most wonderful event for our family. Both Two and Three made their First Holy Communion today and what a blessed day it was. More to come, but I wanted to get out a quick couple of pictures before hitting the hay.

Here are Two and Three with Father M. (actually, looking left to right, it's Three and Two)

and with a fellow homeschooled friend:

Blessed eve to all...

Month of Mary

HAIL, O Queen of Heav'n enthron'd,

Hail, by angels Mistress own'd

Root of Jesse, Gate of morn,

Whence the world's true light was born.

Glorious Virgin, joy to thee,

Lovliest whom in Heaven they see,

Fairest thou where all are fair!

Plead with Christ our sins to spare.

Ave Regina Caelorum