Beach Days

For the last eighteen years, my children and I have been going to the beach with friends, or just as a family, once a week during the summer. 

When we first moved to the city in which we live, I thought that beach and park days would provide an easy way to get to know other homeschooling families.

Last year and this, I have come to realize that beach days provided us with more than just an opportunity to make lasting friendships.

Going to the beach each week has helped to foster friendships between my children.

It has given them something that they like doing together.

Although we still head to the beach together once a week, my older children will occasionally get home from work and ask, “Can I go to the beach?” They will follow their request by asking brothers and/or sisters if they want to go with them. 

Recently, as three of our children headed to the beach, I told my husband, “I did something right.” He said, “What was that?” I responded facetiously, “I taught our children to like the beach.” 

More importantly than teaching our children to like the beach, I inadvertently fostered loving relationships between our children.

I hope that they always find joy in spending time with each other.

Camp St. Joan of Arc

Last month, Bernadette and Theresa got to participate in the wonderful girls' camp that they have attended for the past couple of years.

Our favorite seminarian lead this year's camp.

He did a fantastic job.

So did the other seminarians.

The girls were happy to be woken on a couple of mornings by the sound of bagpipes being played by Fr. Nolan.

He is a talented piper.

My friend's youngest son joined the campers.

There's nothing quite like trying to get a piece of gum out of a pan full of whipped cream without using your hands.

The campers asked the seminarians to use the hula hoops. It looks like they enjoyed showing off their hula hoop skills.

Snack Time

Beautiful Scenery

Rifle Instruction

Dodge Ball

Singing a Repeat-After-Me Song

Theresa was happy to have a cute toddler around.

Fr. Gordon's and Fr. Nolan's talks were both invaluable and memorable.

The theme for this year's camp was "Know Your Bible & You'll Know Your Faith".

May God bless the priests, seminarians, and volunteers who helped to make the camp such a success!

Photos courtesy of Theresa

Camp St. Cecilia

Last month, my older children were blessed to be able to participate in our parish's camps. Our assistant pastor did a great job organizing the camp. Patrick came home excited to share that he knew the Eight Beatitudes. He and Theresa are still having fun quizzing each other on various things they learned like the theological and cardinal virtues. 

My husband and I put together this slideshow of Camp St. Cecilia.  We are so thankful to our priests, the seminarians, and the volunteers. It was a great camp.

My Nature Girl

This daughter of mine has always been fascinated with bugs, sea creatures, and animals of all sorts. Last week, she collected a bunch of clams and we enjoyed clam chowder for dinner thanks to her. She wanted to catch a bunch of crabs, but I told her that we would wait for her Uncle Kevin and Aunt Lynda to give us some crabs from their crab pots. She was disappointed, but happy that I told her she could collect the clams. Surprisingly, she couldn't bring herself to eat a single clam. She ate clam chowder with all of the clams picked out of it.

Wordless Wednesday: Beach Day

{this moment}

{this moment} ~ A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, please visit Amanda

2013 A Year in Review

Last year, I posted a year in review a couple of days early. This year, it's better late than never... 

In January, we celebrated some birthdays and Baptism anniversaries with family and friends.

I also continued to take a lot of photos of our little boy.

February saw our little boy crawling and pulling himself to a stand. It also saw us making crafts and cupcakes.

Naps, painting, and Legos kept us busy too.

In March, the children and I watched as our new pope was elected.  Brendan went skim boarding for the first time. We made Easter cookies.

Best of all, we celebrated Easter. It is hard to believe that this year Lent only begins in March.

The children were happy to take care of Mr. B.'s (my husband's college friend and best man) dog in April while Mr. B. and his family went on vacation. The children really miss our dog. The boys got as much playtime as they could in with their friends who are living in Monterey for the year. We can't wait for our friends to move back up here.

In May, we celebrated a birthday and built a new playset.

The recipient of the playset is still terrified of using the baby swing.

June was a busy month. It began with Kieran receiving his first haircut. Popsicles are invaluable when it comes to giving little boys haircuts.

We went to the beach with some friends.

We also went to the park with friends and said "goodbye" to our assistant pastor.

Birthdays were celebrated with family and friends in July. 

Two of our children participated in our local community center's swim team. While they swam, Bernadette helped out at home meets, and I played outside with our youngest. Kieran also started to walk in July.

In August, our four oldest children went to wonderful Catholic camps. My two youngest and I were happy to visit one of my sisters and her family. This sister was my best friend growing up. We share many memories.

In September, we continued with our studies.

We enjoyed our annual parish picnic.

I had my third or fourth ultrasound.

I finally felt well enough in October to invite our new assistant pastor over for dinner. The children enjoyed playing badminton and checkers with him. Our two oldest boys went hiking with the Knights of the Sacred Heart. 

Brendan carved a Celtic knot pumpkin.

November saw our pastor coming over for dinner and playing Stratego with Patrick. We celebrated birthdays with family and friends again. Somehow, I failed to take any photos on Thanksgiving.

I had a 30-week (one day shy of 31 weeks) ultrasound in December which included this 3D picture of our baby. I can't wait to hold him/her in my arms. 

Theresa received the Sacrament of Confirmation. 

We celebrated Christ's birth by going to Midnight Mass which Brendan and Patrick had the privilege of serving. Our two oldest girls sang in the choir. Our youngest son remained awake until the very end of Mass when he finally drifted off to sleep in my arms. Elizabeth was happy to visit Baby Jesus after Mass with her daddy.

My husband's father and brother visited and our assistant pastor came for dinner which was made by my brother-in-law and Catherine.

We are truly blessed to have wonderful priests, family, and friends.

I hope that everyone's 2014 is filled with

love and joy.