A Field Trip.

This week has been long. It's also been unseasonably hot. We jumped right from coats and jeans to full-on 90+ degree heat and I am not excited about it. It's supposed to cool off this weekend and I really hope it does because I am trying to not turn my AC on but I am about to cave. 

Yesterday I accompanied the 4th and 5th grade to Des Moines to the Science Center and the Capitol. 

It was a really good day. A long one though. M and I were tired. We again had to be at school at 6:00 am and the buses didn't roll in until about 6:10 pm back at school. 

But you know what? These kids are so lucky to get to go on cool adventures like this. I am so glad I was able to go with. 

I am also so glad it is Friday, and our weekend looks to be a fairly good one. 

A Mother's Day Weekend.

Oh what a busy and full weekend we had. 

Friday night I went to trivia with friends. This was the only picture I took. That's okay. 

We were solidly in the middle of the pack. The categories were horrible. Now, this was a marching band fundraiser so the categories with the ** by it, I will give to them as they're on theme. 

• Money
• Periodic Table
• Automobiles
• Technology
• Celebrities' Instruments**
• Netflix
• Will Farrell Quotes
• Professional Athletes
• Famous Marching Bands**
• Davenport Central High School History -- I understand that's the high school but the questions were so niche. "What year did the current pool open?" "How many head band directors have they had since the school opened in 1904?" Who knew those answers? Alumni and parents alike were scratching their heads. 

So because the categories were so rough it made it a lot less fun but I liked my table. 

Saturday was BUSY BUSY. 

We started out at the Putnam Palooza! Husband was busy busy busy! 

C got to try this cool new "touch an artifact" thing. 

The kids learned how to tie their own balloon animals.

The foam pit was a big hit! 

Then we went to soccer. 

It was a hot and tiring game. We had to borrow two players and we had no one on the bench at all so everyone played the whole time. But they won! 

After a quick jaunt at home to get shower off and eat some macaroni and cheese, three of us went to Mass. And then back to the Palooza where M stayed with her dad. 

While C and I went to see Chicago together. 

Everyone had a really great time. 

Yesterday, Husband woke up and went to Mass the brought home my traditional Mother's Day breakfast pizza. 

Then we loaded up and drove a ways to see Riverdance! 

And to be very clear we had permission to take pics/videos during the encore. So I did. 

I would definitely not have taken this picture if I wasn't supposed to I promise! 

After we went to Trader Joe's since when we get that direction we like to stock up on some things. And we also had a little linner at a BBQ place. M was a little loopy waiting for food which was funny! 

Then I had to write my review of Chicago and get that sent off. All in all it was a great weekend with my people and while it was zero percent restful, sometimes the busy fun filled adventures are just as good for the soul. 

It's Back. A Pope. Friday.

Let's just bring you all into the sage you're not invested in. 

The van came back. It came back. And I am going to cry. Though it isn't currently in my spot, which is something. 

We have a Pope! 

Let me tell you a story. See in my office and in my life, I am known as the person who knows things. Every personality test or strengths finder or any of those tests agree: I like to learn things and then I remember them so can spout off details to people. If I don't know an answer,  I will look it up. 

I am sure it's annoying to some people. I am also 100% certain that some people in my life use me as a resource. So it balances out. 

Anyway, all day Wednesday I was on chimney watch. 

I set my alarm yesterday for 3:30 to check. I checked again at like 5:00 to see the black smoke. 

And then I went to work and it was our work retreat day. To the Deacon's cabin in the middle of nowhere. I was terribly annoyed, not thrilled that I wouldn't be able to live stream the chimney all day but I had a plan. My lovely and retired father would watch and text me immediately with updates. 

And as I was snuggling the sweetest baby. (My co-worker came from maternity leave with her beautiful 3 1/2 week baby) and supposed to be meditating on what my soul wanted to say to God... I got a text that said White Smoke! 

Well I quickly broke the meditative silence, called out to people, and everyone came running back from outside or downstairs or wherever they were. 

We gathered. We rejoice. I cried. I told that sweet baby that we had a Pope. (To be born on Holy Monday and already be on your second Pope...) We prayed a decade of the rosary together for whoever He may be. We moved up our lunch so we wouldn't waste retreat time. 

We saw Pope Leo XIV and I started learning some details before the Wikipedia page was updated. 

And it was a really special moment. 

A principal, a priest, and two deacons sat on a couch... there's a joke there somewhere. 

My mom is tickled that she guessed Leo as the Pope name. I knew with CERTAINTY that it would happen while we were on this retreat. 

Several people in the above picture told me that I didn't need to worry because it wasn't going to be until Friday. But I knew it. I just knew it. And not that I would ever taunt them with the fact that I was right... but I was and we all know it. 

I am genuinely so glad we have a Pope. I think Pope Leo has very kind eyes and I think it's awesome he's from Chicago. Though I love that he didn't speak in English. I am willing to bet somewhere in the Archdiocese of Chicago they're suddenly finding the funds to revamp the vacant church where our Pope grew up at. (Building still exists but it not an active parish.) 

This made me laugh out loud today. 

And this picture makes me so completely happy. 

This morning was also May crowning. Always a treat! 

Happy Friday! 

Good News. A Conclave. And STEM Fair.

Good news, everyone! Good news! 

There are leaves on the tree. But you can still see the far two parking spots. And what isn't there?! The VAN!! 

I know I am ridiculous. But the joy that this brings me cannot be underestimated. True joy. 

In other news... we are all working very hard today. Admittedly, I believe one of the perks of working for the Catholic Church is the ability to watch all Conclave coverage and not feel bad at all. 

May the Holy Spirit guide these men well! 

And Monday was officially the STEM Fair. M did a great job and got a good grade on her project. 

And in case you were wondering which brand of cookie you should be buying, let me tell you.  

Benton's (Aldi) has the most chocolate-to-cookie ratio. 

And Benton's gives you the best deal per gram of chocolate.

But Chips Ahoy has the most overall chocolate per cookie. (But not by a whole lot. And remember this is 4th grade science.) 

So there's the science. And the data. Go ahead and feel good about buying the Aldi brand friends. 

Monday Monday

First Communion is (mostly) over! 

I have one more kiddo next weekend. And her first communion is going to be epic because it is also her little sister's birthday, her baby brother's baptism AND Mother's Day. 

Here is proof that all three Masses happened. 

Now, the parish and the first communicant families almost certainly say everything went perfectly. After all, all those beautiful kiddos received Jesus in the Eucharist, and isn't that amazing? 

Now, the rule follower and planner in me is annoyed at how people can't follow instructions and why they gotta be like that! But nevertheless. It is over.

Other interesting things from the weekend: 

I live-streamed a wedding on Saturday before First Communion, and oh gosh. While I have pictures, I don't feel right showing them to you but... I think they may have been the ugliest bridesmaids' dresses I have ever seen. 

Husband got me this cute wallet from Aldi for $6.99! I am so excited! I knew the Disney line was coming and I showed him a picture but figured it would be all sold out. I am so glad it wasn't! 

And that's what I know on this Monday! 

Art and Prayers

This week has been the fine arts week at school. 

Admittedly, it's also First Communion week so I'm busy. But I did get to go look at the art. 

And before I helped the second graders bake bread, I got a sneak peek at the 4th grade recorder concert. 

I sent Husband to the actual recorder concert because I was in a staff meeting. He didn't take any pictures. 

C uninvited us from the 6th grade choir concert because "no one is taking it seriously and it's a waste of time." He sang us the songs at home and told us that since we had heard him there was no reason to come. Husband could only go to one of the events, and I was still in my staff meeting during his performance slot, so I was glad for the out. 

I think we are all set for the weekend. 

My last big thing today was setting out the chalices. 

And First Communion is a go. Pray for these kiddos!! See you on the other side!