Yesterday was a busy day. I was gone all day on a staff retreat.
Which was lovely really.
Then came home and got ready because last night was the Vespers service in Honor of our almost new Bishop. (Installation is today so stay tuned.)
Weirdly, M and I went. And M is probably the least interested one in our family so you might be thinking... huh? Well, M's very holy and reverent best friend turned 10 yesterday!
And she wants to be a Sister some day and wanted to spend her birthday praying for the new Bishop.
We got rock star seats!
Afterward, we had some treats!
Then went to meet the new almost Bish.
When we introduced the girls and explained it was her 10th birthday and she has aspirations to be a sister, he called over some of his friends from Ohio. (That's where we got this guy from!)
These lovely sisters were FULL of personality and they thought V was the cutest. When they asked M if she wanted to be a sister too, she firmly said "No! I want to be a mom!" And God love these ladies for affirming to her that God loves Moms too.
And another lady from Ohio overheard the conversation, she told V that when her son was 10 he wanted to be a priest so she told him to pray about it and now he's in seminary. He was there too! But then also told M that the world needs strong and faithful moms and how lucky M was to have a best friend who could also be a great Godmother some day.
It was really lovely. And I am so glad we went!
While we were gone, C was working on getting his bake sale things ready.
Today is the first 6th grade bake sale and his class is in charge. I hope it is wildly successful for him!
We had lunch at a downtown restaurant, met my parents at the hotel, checked in, got settled, and then Husband and I headed out.
We lucky two got to go to my friend's daughter's wedding. My parents and the kids were just going to hang out in La Crosse. And mostly that meant swimming at the hotel and playing iPad. But I can't complain because it was a nice getaway for everyone.
The bride and groom followed the new trend where the cocktail hour is before the ceremony. The bar opened at 3:00. Husband and I got on the first shuttle from the hotel to the venue. Mostly because I didn't want to be late.
We took a picture together in the mostly empty room. This was a delightful choice as it turns out. The photographer also took a picture of us early. (Yay!)
So the wedding was in the outdoor courtyard. And was supposed to be at 4:30 but then they decided to push it up to 4:15 because of rain. Well moving 250 guests isn't the easiest job and by the time we got outside it started raining so we all went back in.
They started passing appetizers. Everyone had another drink. Chatting abounded. And then they hustled us all back outside. Everyone got seated and it started to rain. Like really rain.
So the venue handed out ponchos. And it was hilarious. I have NEVER laughed so hard at a wedding ceremony as I did putting on my poncho.
They announced that they were going to go for it but that viewing the wedding was now optional. Me and my group sat right back down in our ponchos. We were definite C-level guests. As friends of the bride's mom we were not going to make a fuss or complicate anything.
As our friend got walked down the aisle it was raining steadily and the friends of the couple were whooping. It was a hoot. I've never "woooooed" at a wedding before but I am glad to have had that memory.
All the bridesmaids and groomsmen came down the aisle in the rain. The absolute moment the bride walked outside it stopped raining. And stayed rain-free for the whole ceremony. Which was lovely and special and full of joy. And a whole host of guests in ponchos.
Please note the wine glass my friend Barb is holding. That's for me you see. I had seen this trend to collect rain for rainy-day brides. So we did. And it's sitting on my counter right now--it's been filtered and now it's disinfecting with sunlight. I am going to have our priest bless it and they can use rain water from their wedding to baptize their babies.
Here is Barb, Linda and I after the ceremony but pre all the way dry.
The rest of the wedding was incredible and joyful as well. During the Daddy-Daughter dance, she had her sisters and mom join her for the second verse. Honoring the little family of 5 she came from and it was the most special moment to witness.
We did spend the rest of the night protecting the rainwater-filled coffee cup with our lives. Never wanting it to be cleared by the staff. It was an adventure.
Back at the hotel everything was fine.
My mom liked the doors in the bathroom.
After we left La Crosse we headed out to Husband's hometown for a special pizza lunch. Because we are grown-ups and we can if we want.
Then stopped by the orchard to hang with the family for the afternoon. It was delightful. I hope there is always a wedding in La Crosse so we can have an orchard weekend without spending all weekend there.
It also doesn't hurt that on the very first day of Fall the weather finally decided to play along!
Our drive home was also lovely. We started in Wisconsin. Drove through Minnesota. Most of the day in Iowa. We considered crossing the bridge quick to claim 4 states in one day but decided against it.
Oh, but the Dyersville (Where the Field of Dreams is) McDonald's had the Croc both M and I wanted. (We have M names.) Those are now on our backpacks delightfully.
And that was our weekend adventure. It was so much fun. The kids saw all 3 of their grandparents in one day plus two of their great-grandmas! How nice is that?
We got apples. We went to a wedding. We smiled and laughed. We saw family.
It was a million degrees hot yesterday. But this gal still had soccer practice.
This guy had gym the last part of the day and when he got to my office after school I am not exaggerating that I have never ever seen his face that red before! It was awfully hot to be outside playing gym football.
To add insult to injury, the football unit is probably his least favorite unit of all time. He enjoyed cooling off at home.
We are 19 days into September now, and it's been a busy, busy month with little to show for it.
So let's do a quick dump post shall we?
Soccer started. The first week was perfect weather. Last week I got completely sunburnt. We aren't actually going to the game this weekend because we have a wedding!
We had a Confirmation Retreat. It was a long tiring day with a ton of planning. The highlight for me was the escape room I created. I think the candidates and their sponsors enjoyed it too.
Football started. And you love to see it. It being the Packers on the bottom and Vikings on the top.
I declared that the Vikings might actually make the Super Bowl this year because you could not pay me to visit New Orleans and I have less than zero interest in Kendrick Lamar's halftime show.
This made me laugh this month.
The first half of the month was kind of crazy with a lot to do and to happen. I felt like everything was behind schedule. Obviously, it was because I needed to be older and wiser.
Last weekend was life giving. I spent time with my bestie and we went to see Beetlejuice Beetlejuice on Friday night. Then Saturday we hit Mass, then had dinner and went to see A Streetcar Named Desire together. I needed this time.
The movie was delightful. If you like the first one, you'll appreciate this one. Definitely worth the PG-13 and I am glad I didn't bring the kids with me this time.
The show was also pretty darn good for the depressing dark show that is Tenessee Williams.
M made art. If you are unfamiliar with this localish pizza chain, just know she did a really nice job.
Football continues and you still love to see it!!!!!
In about 45 minutes I am going to a funeral. A sweet baby passed away in utero. His big sister made me this bracelet when they came to baptism class and I have been wearing it all week. Pray for all of the family's broken hearts.
My brother sent me this and I laughed out loud.
And in case you were wondering if I forgot I had kids, I haven't. C wanted to see a side-by-side of him with and without glasses.
He prefers his glasses right now. A lot of kids in his class are getting contacts but he isn't quite ready for that.
M is my selfie taker and I found this on my phone.
I have taken no actual good pictures of them but that's okay. September has been busy but good.
So since M is in 4th grade she now has a gym uniform.
And then last week when it was so crazy hot (we don't have air conditioning in the school) they were told to wear gym uniforms all week.
So today on the 8th day of school I sent both my kids to school in actual uniform.
Wednesdays are actually the only day they both wear non-gym clothes so I had to grab a picture.
And this gal was genuinely so thrilled to wear a jumper again after all summer and 7 days. I honestly can't believe we're winding down on jumpers with fewer years ahead of us than behind us. What in the actual heck?
I'm going to hold on to these days while I can. Skirts are coming. But for now, let her stay little please.
Labor Day weekend. When August turns to September and we hope the weather finally cools down. Spoiler: it's been okay weather wise but not actually cool yet.
It's also generally speaking my birthday weekend. And so it was. The plan had been for months and months to go to MN and head to the State Fair. I love the MN State Fair and my kids have never been so that's what we planned.
But due to reasons outside our control, we weren't able to go. (A little virus that rhymes with Movid. This first bit of September here is quite busy for me and I just don't have time to knowingly go spend time around said virus.)
So we were home. And had no real plans.
We went to Texas Roadhouse for lunch and I took one picture and it wasn't of me. C has finally discovered how he likes his steak after some trial and error.
We went to pick up a Target order and this guy in his boot and definitely NOT using his crutches because he was on his phone made me laugh out loud. Crutches are annoying, for sure. But then just don't get them out of the car!
We celebrated by having pink squirrels for those over 21 and strawberry shakes for those under 21.
I LOVE a pink squirrel. And when it was official on Wednesday night we wouldn't be going to MN the only thing I wanted and could think of was just once and for all getting the things to make one at home. Creme de Noyeau or Creme de Almond is more complicated to get than I expected but we got it and the Creme de Cacoa.
This scene may or not be responsible for my love of Pink Squirrels and my love of the bossa nova.
And they were delicious. What a fantastic little treat to celebrate being 38.
Sunday we took a little trip to the Sawmill Museum about an hour away.
This was the animatronic lumbar baron show and I thought it would be more like the Stars Hallow Museum Diorama but it was particularly well done and informative. I am glad I didn't make fun of it before it started except in my head.
It was genuinely more interesting and educational than I was expecting. I don't know that I have any real need to return to the museum but I am glad we went.
Afterward, we went to dinner at a restaurant famous for their Chicken George aka chicken tenders.
And they were pretty good and we had a nice time there too before heading home.
Labor Day was fine. There honestly isn't much to report. And not a single picture was taken.
The low point was I tried to make popovers and they were little pucks of awfulness. Par for the course for the weekend really... getting all excited about things that ultimately disappoint you. Having no expectations is really the way to go. Too bad I love popovers, have a popover pan, and somehow cannot make a dang popover. (If you're good at making popovers please come make me some!)
But it wasn't all a bust. Here's what was accomplished: laundry, mowed the lawn, weed whacked, trimmed the bushes, practiced piano/choir music, spelling words, played a family board game, had dinner and lunch together, made sure backpacks and everything were packed for the week.
I know the 4-day school week is controversial but I would be all for it personally. 4 days on, 3 days off is my best operating schedule and I believe my kids thrive in that phase as well.
So we are poised and ready for the next 4 days. Wish us luck!
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