A Bunch of Fun!

Friday night, my whole little family went to see Hanson! I was of course so excited, it was the kid's first time seeing them live. They live with me so they knew more songs than I think they expected to know. 

M was pumped! 

Not going to lie, I was very happy with our seats. Since I am a member I got presale tickets and we ended up in the third row on the Taylor side! 

It's pretty much dream seating. 

During the concert, Issac specifically talked to M which was super cool! And she was super popular because she was rocking out and dancing on her chair (so she could see) and having a ball! 

Here we are, the tip of my nose, M and all three brothers. 

At one point M had to use the restroom and I had Husband take her since I didn't want to miss anything. This turned out to be a good call because the song that they started introducing was "I Was Born" and that is one of my most favorites. It was actually kind of nice because it gave C and I a few minutes to have together just us. He also knows alllllll the words to that song so it was extra fun. 

I stuck him up on the chair for that song but he didn't want to be up there a ton. He mostly was disappointed that they didn't play one specific song and that there were no snacks. 

Anyway, M loves that song too and when they came back they didn't want to disturb our row so she was just dancing in the aisle. Well, some front-row people saw her, thought she was cute (because she was), and pulled her to the front to keep singing and jamming out. 

And then the stage crew thought she was so cute that they handed her a set list!! 

And one of the fans took these pictures and sent them to Husband. Isn't that the actual nicest?! 

Later both kids ended up with guitar picks too! So the great seats and being cute paid off! 

Saturday was M's last soccer game and the only pictures I took were of her on the bench. Because that's the kind of weirdo I am apparently. 

Sunday the weather was pretty darn near perfect and obviously, the only pictures I took of our afternoon spent outdoors is this charmer. 

The kids were making alphabet letters with their bodies and this was me I think proving to them that they did not look like the letter "E" because maybe only vaguely do they. 

This week has proceeded as normal mostly. I live-streamed my first Mass for a friend's funeral on Tuesday. Funerals are simultaneously the worst and the best right? Sending souls off to Jesus hopefully and rejoicing in the resurrection while still being totally sad. 

Art portfolios have come home. Here is my favorite, a whale drawn by M. 

Last night we went to see Mamma Mia as a family. We stayed up way too late for a school night and I don't even care because that's where I am at. 

And an outtake because it makes me laugh. 

So that's what's been going on with us!

More May Stuff

Well, we made it through another week. And though this weekend brings some fun around here, that's not for sharing today. Instead, let's look back at what's been going on. Admittedly, it is less than last week. Which... isn't terribly sad from where I am sitting. 

Monday was the second-grade folk dance festival. You may recall that C's class also had a folk dance festival last year. It's supposed to be second-grade curriculum, but the 2020/2021 school year had some big changes, due to a little virus that was going around at the time, so they didn't do that. Instead, last year they taught folk dance in both second and third grade. 

Now everything is right back on track to second grade!

It was fun to go and dance again with my best gal. 

Tuesday brought us to the last soccer practice. So spoiler alert: this weekend is the last game. 

Freeze pops to celebrate! And terrible sun in our eyes pictures. 

Here's the deal, I am not going to be really terribly sad that soccer is over. This has been a very half-hearted season for me. (M still likes it just fine.) Sports parents bug me. This is not a culture I grew up with. And the intensity some parents have for games played by 8-year-olds is honestly embarrassing for them. 

I don't know if we will continue with soccer or not. Depends on M. But I will not be sad to no longer have practices or games to attend! 

Wednesday night, instead of being the relaxing evening without RE for the first time in forever that I envisioned, turned into a bit of a mess. Remember that old Jen Hatmaker blog about being the worst end of school year mom? That was our house on Wednesday! 

C had been working on his Hoover Dam project for a few weeks. We were all pretty annoyed they had a May project to be fair. But he assured us he didn't need any help and had it under control. Well... obviously, that's not true. He made a game show for his oral report, and he wrote his written report what the kid didn't have was a visual aid. 

And we all discovered this at about 7:00 pm on Wednesday. It was due yesterday. Also, for reference, my kids go to sleep at 8:00. 

The visual aid options are: brochure, poster, powerpoint, video, or costume. Obviously, we went with costume since truly it's the easiest option when you need a visual aid 12 hours before a project is due. 

Thank God (truly) that Wal-Mart sells hard hats. And aprons. And that I got a Cricut for Christmas. 

Did you know that the Hoover Dam was the first United States construction site to require hard hats? We ran with that fun fact. 

Here is our Hoover Dam kid ready for the presentation. 

You cannot see the farm muck boots we also had him wear since tall mud boots were part of the worker's uniforms too. Please know that this is not iron-on vinyl and we were concerned that those letters were going to come popping off by the time he gave his report. 

He made it though. No idea how he did grade wise. I don't even care to be honest. Because he had something. 

We also told M that when she gets to 4th grade she should get Hoover Dam for her passport project because we already have the hard hat. (I am kidding a little bit. But not entirely.) 

So that's where we are at. And happy that it's Friday. I have been battling this weird allergy cold thing for over a week now and I am going to need that to stop here real soon because it's starting to bug me. It's funny, I don't actually feel bad at all. 

Except for today my eyes hurt pretty good. And I have this gross cough that I cannot shake. 

Anyway... that's our story. In all its last minute, limping to the finish line glory. 

 

All the May Things This Week

Well, you know May. 

It's a busy one. Not only did we do a coronation, derby, and first communion. 

Oh no. Why not tack the 4th-grade recorder concert into this week too?

Then M's class led Mass. I always go to school Mass anyway, so this wasn't an inconvenience or anything. But still, another thing. 

M read one of the petitions and she did very well. She is becoming a very poised and articulate speaker. 

The second-grade ducks hatched. It wasn't what we'd call a banner year. Of the 28 eggs only 7 ducks hatched total. And one died in the incubator poor friend. 

Then this morning was May crowning. 

This isn't the GREAT picture of all of the second grade. But it's an okay one for now. 

My sweet girl processing in. 

And when she processed out with her prayer buddy. 

All of second grade again. 

M with her teacher. 

And her sweet student teacher whose last day is today! 

This gal is a phenomenal teacher and I am so thankful for her and the time she invested in these kids. She came to every first communion Mass this past weekend even though she didn't have to. On senior weekend! (Which is the big partying kind of weekend for the graduating seniors.) 

I kind of hope she gets hired on for next year just saying. 

Then they got to hold the ducks and watch them swim before they go home this weekend. 

Anyway... I am glad it's Friday. Don't you worry, there are plenty more May things coming next week. 

First Communion

A weekend for the history books. A coronation. (I absolutely did wake up at 4 to watch.) A derby in which yet again C picked the winning horse. (How?!)

And three special Masses, my first First Communion Masses in my role at St. Paul's. Each was a beautiful and special occasion.

But oh that final Mass. When I took off my "staff" hat and put on my "parent" one. I am so proud of my sweet girl and also so glad we did a photoshoot weeks ago since I didn't have time yesterday. I cried the happiest tears as she received Jesus for the first time and it was made even more special because of the dear and faithful men of God who gave it to her. Oh and the friends who surrounded her as well. What a fantastic community we have.

Then to follow it up with time with people who love her including her great grandma just was the cherry on top. God bless you, M! May you always love and serve the Lord in whatever way you're called.

Here is the whole group ready to go up for their processional. 

Later last night, we had some special time just the two of us watching a storm from a covered porch outside. It was the best. 

And as we drove home, we saw a DOUBLE rainbow and it was so cool. A perfect ending to a practically perfect weekend! 

 

A Weekend Preview

This weekend is going to be jammed packed. We (okay I) have the coronation tomorrow morning. 

Then a soccer game. Plus cleaning the house. 

And then I have the privilege of attending all three Masses at our parish this weekend to help a group of 42 second graders receive their first Eucharist. (We prepped 45 kids, 2 are next weekend due to scheduling conflicts and 1 is receiving in Washington DC this weekend at an ordination Mass.) 

The actual highlight will be the final Mass on Sunday because I get to take off my "staff" hat and put on my "parent" hat. Here are two of the sneak peek pictures taken at her photo shoot. So spoiler alert, this is what it will look like this weekend! 

I am so thankful we took these pictures. I am sort've hoping for a picture with her teacher and father on Sunday but they'll be busy and I will get over it if it doesn't happen. 

It's going to be a beautiful weekend and I am so excited! (And my excitement is nothing compared to the second graders, M especially.) We have a final rehearsal today to practice the processions. "Fingers pointed to Jesus!" 

Even still, someone will sprint down the aisle but it will be adorable and sweet anyway. 

Pray for them! That they never lose the joy of the Eucharist and always remember what a gift it is. 

Field Trip!

On Tuesday, I was lucky enough to get to accompany C and the rest of the 4th and 5th graders to visit the science center and state capitol! We had to be at school by 6:00 am for the kids to get on the coach buses. (It's a 2.5 hour drive for us, bathrooms are essential.) 

We first hit the science center and that was a lot of fun! I had a group of six kids including C in my group. This first yellow room was the only room that wasn't super crowded because we were the first ones in there!

The science center was cool. But it was crowded. Apparently, they only allow field trips on Tuesdays. And also apparently they don't have any idea how to limit the number of kids on a field trip because it was wall-to-wall kids. I was so glad our kids were in uniform because it truly made it so much easier to spot them! 

It was also very clear how academically adept they were. We had a show with a scientist teaching us about fire. And she was a bit flummoxed because for the most part, any time she asked a question the kids knew the answer. For example, she had them all rub their hands together and one kid shouted out "Friction!" They also knew the three elements of fire are heat, fuel, and oxygen. 

After a lunch break, we headed to the capitol. I didn't grow up in Iowa so I had never been there. It was actually really cool and I learned a lot. 

We had a really fun time and I am so glad I was able to attend! Again, the kids looked so darling in their uniforms walking through the building. The neon shirts and activewear of the public school groups felt nearly out of place with all the suits and ties. 

We got back to school at 5:30 so it was a long day, but a fun and educational one! 

Beauty and the Beast

This past weekend was the kid's performances of Beauty and the Beast. They did such a great job. I am so very proud of them!

C was Maurice, Belle's dad. And he was just fantastic. I am not just saying that because he's my kid. The role worked well for him and all his little quirks and people were coming up to him to tell him how great he was. It was actually too much for him and he burst into tears on Saturday night because he was a combination of overtired, happy, proud, and overwhelmed. (He's a total introvert so strangers coming to talk to him is his personal nightmare.) 

He had wanted to be Cogsworth. I do truly think he would have been a good Cogsworth and would have even done a better job than the person who played the role, but he really was an excellent Maurice! 

M rocked her little bits and the chorus role beautifully. She's a real hoot to see on stage. 

There were nine friends from school in the show and we took a group picture on Sunday. These sweet kids did such a nice job and I am so happy for them to have had that experience together!