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! 

Happy Justin Timberlake Day

To be clear. I was 100% a BSB girl. 

But once a year, I celebrate Justin Timberlake as is right and just. 

Here are a few other things that happened this April I don't want to forget before May gets here. 

C had his choir concert on Saturday. 

Having him join this choir was truly one of the best decisions we made this year. I was proud of him for trying something new and starting an activity where he knew no one. He really enjoyed it too and is planning on it for next year. 

We finished the STEM Fair Project and turned it in! 

The actual fair is next week, but I am so glad to have the thing out of the house! 

Sunday we did a meal packing service project with the parish and I am so glad for that chance to serve in a fun and meaningful way. 

Packing mac and cheese meals that go directly to families in our area who have food insecurity is such a gift. 

And last night we went to see the Carlo Acutis movie with a big group from school! 

It was absolutely amazing. I am looking forward to getting ourselves a pope so we can reschedule that canonization!! 

I even grabbed some friends for a post-movie selfie. 

Funny story, the movie playing in the theater AFTER our showing was "Sinners." I mean... You kinda can't make that up. 

April was good. Next time I write... it's Gonna Be May!! 

Oh Hey Abe!

C has always loved Presidents and Abraham Lincoln. Does anyone remember when he was 4 and was Abe for Halloween? 

Well, the 6th grade field trip to Springfield for the Abraham Lincoln extravaganza was yesterday and there wasn't any way I was going to miss it! 

We had to be at school by 6:45. We were on the road by 7:00. And the bus ride to Springfield was mostly uneventful. 

We first stopped at Lincoln's House. The kids went wild at the gift shop. 

We had to break our group up into 3 smaller groups. Our smaller group was the first tour of Lincoln's House. 

It's crazy to me that the actual house that Abraham Lincoln lived in exists with his actual furniture. I couldn't get over how the famously tall Lincoln had such tiny furniture. 

His bed was the only one in the house without a footboard. Which makes sense, doesn't it? 

We lucked out with some truly great tour guides throughout the day. Our small group's guide of the house was excellent, and the other small groups did not have such a pleasant experience! 

We ate our lunch on the bus and got ready to go to the Lincoln Museum. 

It cracked me up that the Lincoln boys were notoriously naughty. 

Here's what I will say: it was a really great museum and I definitely need to go back there because, truly, we didn't have enough time. C and I museum differently from some of his classmates. 

There were two kids in particular I was willing to sell to the circus, who I am convinced had never been to a museum before. READ A SIGN! SLOW DOWN! Oh... the madness. 

But C and I really loved it! 

Then we got back on the bus and headed to Lincoln's tomb. Which was also very large and impressive.

People rub Abe's nose for good luck. Here's a picture from inside the tomb in the first room. 

And the man of the hour himself. 

Most of his loved ones are just across from him. 

And Robert has a memorial in the next room but he is in Arlington. 

I didn't realize that Abraham Lincoln has no living descendants. That's so sad. I mean it makes sense with 3 of his boys dying so young and only one who went on to have kids of his own. But it's sad. 

Here is proof the rest of the kids were there too. It was a good day. 

I am very glad I was able to go and I look forward to going back very soon!! We got back to school about 5:30 so it was a long day but a fun one! 

Happy Miss Congeniality Day

 

It truly is the perfect date. 

This week has been both short and long. Though there hasn't been enough sleep! (For me at least.) 

Last night was the piano recital. 

Both of my pianists played well, and their duet was darling. 

The Easter bunny hopped on by late to bring M her sparkly purple Owala. 

Here's the thing: when I saw that Color Drop I knew it was the water bottle of her dreams. Girl loves her some purple. In fact, I never actually liked the other Owala she has. I think the red and the hot pink look weird together. Purple on sparkly purple though, well I can get behind that. 

I am so excited for this weekend! You don't even know! Hope your day is Perfect!