Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Along the Alphabet Path ~ B is for Bugle Flower and St. Bernadette
We are traveling along the Alphabet Path with Seany (4) and Ev (3) and anyone else who would like to join in! Last week we focused on the letter B. B is for Bugle Flower and St. Bernadette!
We read A Brave Sentinel: A Letter B Story while listening to this CD!Picture Book Science: B is for Birds
Some of the books we read were:
We studied Thomas Eakins' The Champion Single Sculls. B is for BOAT! The boys sketched it with markers.
Faith:
We read through Bernadette: Our Lady's Little Servant.
h/t: Jessica
Many of the coloring pages we did this week I got from Jessica's blog Shower of Roses.
Author Study: B is for Jan Brett and Boot!
Finally, it wouldn't be B week without a Birthday celebration, or Two!
Friday, September 24, 2010
13
Dear Rayzor,
Happy Birthday! We love you so much. I can't believe you are a teenager. You are the first child, first grandchild, and first great-grandchild on Pop's side. That is a lot to carry on your shoulders, and you carry it well, with a gracefulness that anyone would envy. Daddy and I had no idea what was in store for us 13 years ago. Somehow we both had Faith, thankfully taught to us by our parents, that everything would be fine. This was our plan, and 2 became 3 so easily. I look back on your birthday with fondness. All of the people we love surrounding us in a beautiful family cocoon. Their presence saying that we are here for you forever. Your grandparents, your Aunt Moeme, your aunts and uncle, my friend A. I was so scared and yet the family cocoon kept me safe. Geema was my rock, but she was a mess, crying because her baby girl was scared and in pain. The phone call from my Aunt P, with her expertise in labor and delivery, just at the right moment, telling me it was ok, get the epidural at 4. My future mother-in-law telling me I had to relax or else this baby was never going to come out. Thinking back on that makes me laugh now.
And then you came out. The OB declared you were a MOOSE! And when I looked at you, my heart swelled so much that I thought I was going to die. Daddy and I were crying, tears of joy at our baby son, I remember Daddy kissing me on the forehead. No words said, but none had to come. The moment was joyful. Then came the family comparisons. You were a perfect combination of Daddy and I, but mostly Daddy! So many people touched by your birth into this world.
Know that you are loved by all of those people and so many more now, especially your brothers and sisters who think you are perfect. Remember that.
Daddy just wrote me an email and he said to me: "I love you and I am glad we
got this crazy-but-awesome kid-train rolling all those years ago.Love you madly."
You are our Ray of Sunshine.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Saint Pio of Pietrelcina
Today is Saint Pio's Feast Day! My grandmother (Gam) has always had a special devotion to him, and now my son Rayzor does as well.From Universalis: He was born in the small village of Pietrelcina in southern Italy, and joined the Capuchin friars at the age of 16. He became a priest seven years later, and spent fifty years at the monastery of San Giovanni Rotondo, where he was very much sought after as a spiritual advisor, confessor, and intercessor. Many miracles were popularly ascribed to him during his lifetime. He died a few days after the fiftieth anniversary of his receiving the stigmata, and over 100,000 people attended his funeral.
Think: "In all the events of life, you must recognize the divine will. Adore and bless it, especially in the things which are the hardest for you." ~ St. Padre Pio
Pray: Lord, I give you all of me today - especially the parts where I am weak and tempted to give up. Help me to see these weaknesses not as failures but as opportunities to grow in grace.
Act: Tonight, don't rush through bedtime routines. Give baths, read books, say prayers, sing, and snuggle. If your children are older, spend time praying with them and talking about their day.
For more inspiring stories about St. Pio, please read Elizabeth's post here, and Mallu Mom's post here.
"I want to be only a poor Friar who prays...Pray, hope and don't worry. Worry is useless. God is merciful and will hear your prayer...Prayer is the best weapon we have; it is the key to God's heart. You must speak to Jesus not only with your lips but with your heart. In fact on certain occasions you should speak to Him only with your heart..."
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
Along the Alphabet Path ~ A is for Apple Blossom, St. Anne, and the Angel of God
We are traveling Along the Alphabet Path with Seany (4)and Ev (3) and anyone else who would like to join in! Last week we focused on the letter A. A is for Apple Blossom, St. Anne, and the Angel of God! I tried to do this last year with only Seany, but puttered out shortly after starting. I am hoping to continue with this almost every week. So far, we are having a very fun time!
We studied Paul Cezanne's Apples and the boys finger-painted their own versions
h/t Jessica
A is for Apple Pie
Childhood Favorites:
2
Happy Birthday Benny! Wow! What a difference a year makes!
Dear Benny,
Daddy and I love you so much. So do Way, Wo, Ba, Nonny, Eh, and BABY! We all love it when you talk and communicate with us with your words. You have such a funny sense of humor, especially when you talk using your different voices. Or when you do your Chris Farley impression. I love how social you are, so different than your brothers! You seem to be a mini B-Rad. You will dance, laugh, and play with your friends (especially your sweet N!) You are a little bit of a trouble maker, and you have added some gray hairs to this momma's head of hair, for sure. You are certainly adventurous. I can see that you may be the one that your brothers are always trying to bail out of trouble. Or you may be the one who is defending your brothers! Either way, the 4 of you have an incredible bond. I can't wait to see what is ahead for you, my baby boy, my baby Ben.
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