A smile costs nothing, but gives much.
Thanks to my friend Aubrey's ingenuity, we've been able to get some GodTeen groups from around town together for a night at the movies. We rent out the whole locally owned theater, fill it up with highschoolers, stuff them with popcorn, & enjoy a flick together. We had a fabulous turnout this year & our kids really got a kick out of it. Here's hoping we can do it again!
We were reading "Baby's First Nativity Story" the other night. Teresa initially wanted me to read, but then wasn't really into it. So, I was asking her to identify the animals on the pages. Without hesitation she identified a kitty, puppy, & mouse. Then I changed gears & pointed to Angel Gabriel. She wasn't getting it, so I traced his wings with my fingers. She looked at me quizzically & asked, "Duck?
While perusing the Kohl's clearance section, Teresa spotted a purse that she just loved. It's complete with lace, pinkness, Cinderella, & a castle on the front. Since it was only $1 (& because it kept her IN the cart without squealing for the rest of the trip) we brought it home. Now she sticks random treasures in there: her "tiny baby" fetal model, Little People, kleenex, & the occasional dirty sock. She's a little mixed up on the vocab though, because when she can't find it, she asks, "Where my princess PERSON?" Pretty close to purse, I guess.
We saw these Turkey Pops in the last issue of Family Fun & just had to make them for a Mom's group snack. They looked so cute & easy. Cute, yes. Easy, NO. Start with warm Rice Krispie balls, cool them, heat them up again when you dip in hot chocolate so they fall apart, insert candy corns into chocolate while still hot but Rice Krispie is already in pieces, cool again, then insert popsicle stick to make it once again break in half. Argh! Turns out I'm really glad we had a small showing for Mom's group that day... there were 10 left over so that Rebecca can still bring them for her preschool snack (which I promised preemptively) without having to go through that again!
While packing for my brother Doug's wedding, Rebecca decided that she wanted to draw a picture for him & Diane. But, she's only ever been to 3 or 4 weddings, so we did a little internet browsing to find some pictures to look at for inspiration. She decided that this one was perfect both because bears are cute & because they were wearing PINK. 
I think her rendition turned out pretty well! She decided not to color in the dress so that Diane could do that for fun. ;)
I found this note Andrew wrote so that he could remember what he would like for Christmas the other day. I wasn't surprised at the first three, but I laughed out loud at tape & ranch! They may just have to make it under the tree. But then I guess I couldn't get upset with him for wasting HIS tape or using too much of HIS ranch!
While we were browsing through a Shutterfly catalog the other day at all the smiling faces, Rebecca came to a stop on a Christmas card with a Korean family. Then she quietly asked me,
After a taste of snow that so quickly melted, we are eager to enjoy every chance at dry sunshine we can get.
Rebecca may have taken it too far... Easter Bunny on a bike? Really?
Andrew is excited to kick anything you put in front of him. This volleyball has become our norm for soccer... guess we could get a soccer ball? I can't believe that never crossed my mind until now.
When did he get so HUGE?
Because strolling with her puppy outside wasn't nearly thrilling enough, Teresa had to add a little roller skating action. She really only wiped out twice! However, I'M not planning to try it anytime soon. At 2 that girl has more coordination than I do at 32.
Rebecca was scheduled to bring snack for preschool the day after All Saints Day, so we decided to make some of these fun sugar cookies. At the top is St. Anne with baby Mary, then Joseph, & Mary with baby Jesus. They were more challenging than expected, but turned out pretty cute. :) Maybe we'll try some more Holy Family ones on Christmas. Thanks, Nikki, for lending me the cookie cutters!
Andrew said he needed a haircut because he was starting to look like him. He's even on the front cover of a book in the Scholastic book order for this month, so how can we escape? I really don't know much about him either. (I could be the one saying, "What's a Bieber?" on that commercial.) Things like that crack me up every time. Have any good ones to share?
Since Halloween fell on a Monday this year, we were able to celebrate at our library story time.
Besides the regular stories, songs, & activities, we also did a little Thriller conga line around the library. Cute but interesting song choice for 2 year olds! 
While Teresa napped we carved pumpkins. Bet you can't guess which one is Rebecca's? 
Then it was out for trick or treating. It was a beautiful night & all three of them were really into it. Andrew had me carrying his mask & cape before we were around the block. Teresa just flipped back her giraffe head & tromped right up behind them for her goodies. 
Rebecca was rather tickled about the whole experience. She surprised quite a few candy-giver-outers with one more last second, "Hope you have a nice Halloween! Trick or treat!" as we walked away. She was adorable. After over an hour we came home, had a piece or two of candy, & sent them off to bed...without any meltdowns! It was marvelous. Probably our best Halloween experience yet!
I can never pass up a good chance to visit my college roommates. Being with them brings such an instant joy to my heart! So, I just had to take Andrew & Rebecca out to the Superbowl of the Saints.
They broke into age groups to play games & do crafts with the Sisters at first. During that time all of the parents went to Chapel for a great little lesson on how to pray Lectio Divinae. Afterwards we went around to different stations with the kids to see short plays about the saints. Here the children are pretending to be ill in the streets during the story of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque.
St. Andrew got to deliver a letter for the play.
Blessed Mother Teresa decided just to watch from my side. 
At the end we all met back in Chapel for Adoration & Benediction. Beautiful. We came away with candy, devotionals, deeper understanding, & great smiles!
We've had a blast the last few years attending our parish Trunk or Treat. It's a fun way to get to see all of their classmates in costume, since we don't dress up at school, while raising money for the HSA. Attending were Darth Vader, a "pink" kitten, & an often headless giraffe. 
This was our first year having a trunk however. Our GodTeens had a competition among classes for the best trunk/costumes/treats. We tried for Noah's Ark. Unfortunately, we stood right in front of our car almost completely covering it, but I promise it was pretty cool.
The Super Freshmen 
The Disney-clad Juniors 
The Seniors "Up" display...they were the winners! The weather was gorgeous considering it's Nebraska & we had over 500 kids!!! Great turnout, great fundraiser, great time. You should join us next year!
We've been revelling in every single beautiful fall day that God is giving us! This day was just so gorgeous outside. We decided to relax in the backyard. But, Teresa being the workaholic that she is, decided to tend the garden. It got pretty intense... hence the helmet.
While Rebecca was celebrating at preschool, 
Teresa & I joined Andrew's class (& the kindergarteners & the 2nd graders) for their Halloween skating party.
Andrew took off & was doing awesome after about the first two laps around the rink. Though it was her first time skating, Teresa only held my hand for a little while & then decided she was too big for that. Once again, she surprised me with her independence! 
We skated, colored pumpkins, limboed, & ate lots of goodies. It was a fun time & another great chance to get to see Andrew interact with his buddies. I'm so glad we were able to go! 
Last Friday Andrew read for the first time at Mass. He was super excited. The older kids still did the actual readings, but for the week the 1st graders were all over the petitions. 
It also happened to be the last day of school before All Saints Day, so the 6th graders all dressed up as a saint. This picture is terrible, but you get the idea.
That also means it was the same day as the Halloween parties, so the kids all were out of uniform. Andrew was so excited to wear his skeleton shirt, but decided it would be best not to wear it while reading at Mass... I agreed! He did a really good job. It was funny to hear him over the microphone, though. Those four missing front teeth sure change his little voice!
I'm so glad that he loves Mass. I'm so glad that he gets excited about taking up the Offertory or reading the petitions. I'm so glad we are able to send him to a Catholic school where he can go everyday. Though we're still working on the how-he-treats-his-sisters application, it's amazing all the knowledge & love he takes away from each Mass. Thank you, Jesus!
Teresa keeps looking out the window on this crazy weather morning & singing...
