A Look Back at the Tall Ships

Well, life hit all new levels of intensity these past few months. Olivia officially started high school with St. Thomas Aquinas, which has been, um, a bit of an adjustment for everyone. The littles are just as little and the older ones seem to need me more. Two more animals have joined the menagerie. There has been more driving into town for activities. More, more, more. My balls are flying around so fast some days that I forget to stay focused and drop one on my toes or, worse yet, drop them on a loved one's toe.

Thus, in an effort to look back and smile and remember all the good that has been lived over these last 2 months, I going to speed blog. That means lots of pictures and few words. Ready... set... go!

The Tall Ships in September

Our day started on a school bus with gun toting, feather flapping, ruffle wearing pirates sitting right behind us. Dominic was thrilled and terrified at the same time.

 The bird man captured everyones attention. Perhaps this was the beginning of Olivia's quest to own a lovebird. She would disagree, but maybe the seeds were planted on this day.

After climbing up and down over all the historic ships anchored in the bay, a little refreshment was required by all, especially the big Daddy man who hauled small people around in the hot sun.

Oh, this was a wonderful educational surprise! Can you tell by the girls' expressions that, maybe, mom thought this was way cooler than they did? I really thought dissecting squid would be a captivating experience. They thought it had to be tolerated in the same way that chores have to be tolerated- just buck up and do it. 

Buses, extravagant pirates, shoot outs on ships, squids, kettle corn, canons booming, and rows of sea-inspired knick-knacks for sale. What could be better on a warm September afternoon?

More Thanksgiving

We had two Thanksgivings this year: one at my parent's home and one at my home. It was a delicious and fun-filled celebration both times!

My mom and dad hosted our first Thanksgiving complete with standing prime rib roast (yum!) and creamed corn. The kids romped with my brother, swam in the spa, and watched a home-made movie.

Everyone went home sleepy and content in their jammies after a wonderful day.

A rare photo of Stephen and me. Doesn't he look handsome?

Thanksgiving #2 was on Saturday at my house. We had a traditional turkey cooked up by my other brother. He wrapped it in bacon and stuffed it with garlic, sausage, and fruit. 

Wow! It was truly delicious.

Our children ran and played and played some more. They only stopped long enough to eat before moving on to more exciting pursuits. The two little ones in the picture are only about a month apart but Madison knows that she is older and likes to play the mommy with Xavier. 

One quiet moment: Olivia taught everyone how to make origami boxes. She learned to make them during our time spent studying Japan. I love it when learning melds seamlessly with life.

Happy Thanksgiving 2010

Dear Lord:

Today we give thanks
For our many blessings
As we pray for those in need.

We give thanks
For our family and friends
As we pray for those who are lonely.

We give thanks for our freedoms
As we pray for those who are oppressed.

We give thanks for our good health
As we pray for those who are ill.

We give thanks for our comfort and prosperity
As we share our blessings with others. 

On this day of Thanksgiving,
May the love of God enfold us,
The peace of God dwell within us
And the joy of God uplift us.

Amen.

These little owls are so cute, even Stephen commented on them! They now grace our library shelves, keeping a careful eye on all the littles.

I can't find the link for the creative mom that thought of this first. I am so thankful for crafty moms!

The Mayflower will grace our dinner table this evening. She was a group effort by all the children. The little ones painted the ocean with shaving cream and finger paint and then glued blue paper napkin waves onto the plate. The elders manned the glue gun, creating the masts from twigs and the hull from a toilet paper tube. Sails were glued on by all, hence their backwardness, and the flags completed the details. I found the directions at The Crafty Crow.

Hand print turkeys: a favorite every year!

Autumn Leaves: A Photo Journal

Happy Martinmas

This year we had a celebration at the park with our homeschooling group complete with lanterns, an impromptu performance of Saint Martin's life, and a procession around the playground.

I was a little ambitious and decided to head up the crafting of lanterns at the park with 40+ children. The wind kicked up and we had tissue paper flying everywhere. The children didn't mind one bit though. They thoroughly enjoyed the messiness. And the results were lovely!

As dusk settled in, horse shoe shaped cookies were passed out and I began to tell Saint Martin's story. One of the fathers present acted out the exciting events in Martin's life. The children all laughed in appreciation. I handed him a cloak and he captured the children's imagination!

Finally, everyone lined up for a quick lantern lit procession around the park.

Saint Martin, Pray for Us!

ATC All Saints

I set up our little home altar with all our saints and books. The children drew pictures and made little table top saints from Ana Braga-Henebry's Journal.
It all looks quite festive!

A new addition to our celebration of the saints is participating in an Artist Trading Card (ATC) swap. Kimberlee, at Pondered in my Heart, is hosting the swap. On her blog she states,

"One of our greatest joys as parents is teaching our children about the saints who came before us - from the earliest history to modern times, rich and poor, young and old, from all walks of life, who fought the good fight and finished the course and are enjoying their eternity with God in heaven. We share their lives and their stories and we teach our children to make friends with the saints and call upon their intercession to assist us on our own journey towards salvation." 

I couldn't agree more. 

The children spent a lovely afternoon pouring over saint books, carefully drawing their favorites.

Here are a few of my favorites from each artist.

We are eagerly awaiting new cards of new saints from new friends.

Thank you Kimberlee!

All Saints' Day 2010

Every year the children attend a special Mass, procession and party for All Saints' Day. One brave homeschooling mom opens her home to all these saints in-training for the prayer and fun.

The children begin with a procession while everyone else recites the Litany of the Saints. This is followed by a beautiful and reverent outdoor Mass. And then on to round of "Who am I?" The children can earn prizes for best costume, best presentation, and most obscure saint. 

Saint Maximilian Kolbe- Winner of Best Saint Costume!

I was inspired by Dominic's Halloween costume for All Saints' Day too: he went as the Holy Spirit. However, in his mind, he will always be fire! Also, the idea of standing in front of a crowd was rather terrifying for him.

Olivia dressed as Saint Mary Mackillop, the first saint of Australia who was recently canonized this past October 17th. She was vying for most obscure but lost out to some other truly forgotten saints.

Gracie is the beautiful Saint Anne. She also found the crowd intimidating and bolted from the microphone as soon as she saw all the eager faces turned toward her. 

Collette dressed as Saint Colette. Who else? While her costume was very authentic, she chose the sit out the guessing too. Really, this is not a surprise as my energetic little girl is actually quite shy.

Xavier explored and explored and explored. He found everything fascinating except for All Saints' Day.