Random Acts of Summer

Good bye sweaters and snow boots, hello swimsuits and sunscreen. We've been winding down the school year and practicing for summer vacation with some fun stints around town.

Post rock out at the Spring Concert

Ben was invited to represent MDA at a local fund raiser. Participants are "locked up" and are released when they've posted bail, or met their monetary goal. Ben did a fine job of thanking the donors and explaining the benefits he has received directly. The photographer sent us some snapshots.

Better be his only mugshot

Ready for the History Museum

1904 World's Fair Map.

Mooning over Moon Cars

Best seat in Forest Park

My boys went out seeking adventure. They were not disappointed. They rented a canoe and some poles at a local lake. While casting their reels, a large carp leaped from the water, smacked Ben in the face, and fell into the bottom of the boat. Ben managed to keep his cool and used his oar to scoot the fish back to Jason who scooped it up and over. I'm told it was THIS big.

Fishing at Creve Coeur Lake

Caught one!

Alex ran around shoeless in the backyard, because he, "likes to feel nature with his skin." He was cruelly reminded that nature is sometimes harsh when a piece of log injected itself into his foot. We were able to extract a significant splinter and thought we'd gotten it all out, but he ended up with an infection and the rest was removed by the pediatrician a week later. It was THIS big.
 

Thankful for Tetanus shots, tweezers, and antibiotics

More fun in the yard

Popsicles Please!

New Lace

On the thirteenth day of the month in the thirteenth year of the millennium we celebrated our thirteenth wedding anniversary. Our marriage has become a teenager. We'll be on the lookout for the need for deep talks or stricter curfews and react accordingly, but so far this being happily married business has been pretty easy. I must have chosen the right guy.

This year's traditional gift was lace. We discovered with alarm that there is no suggested gift listed for years 16-19. From fifteen on out the list is reduced to every five years and ends with 60 (which is diamond).  Looks like we'll have to get creative.  Tatting is not something either of us felt called to attempt so to satisfy the lace requirement, Jason gave me a store bought tablecloth. There were other gifts that were racy lacy.

 We began our celebration at the Boathouse with the intention of renting a row boat. Sadly, we were told they've all been stolen. So we settled for a paddle boat. Paddle boats and short skirts don't mix. We paddled out into Forest Park's basin for a bit and I read aloud our previous year's entries from our anniversary journal.

Then we ate dinner on the shore and watched the movie, The Quartet. It was a little slow, but very enjoyable and touching, especially if you care for classical music. We realized it's the second time in as many anniversaries that we watched a foreign film about retirement homes. Maggie Smith needed a new hip in both.

We returned home to dance to our wedding song, and toast each other with our wedding flutes but not before dealing with the kids who had acted out for the baby-sitter. Such is the life of a marriage steeped in adolescence.  

We will Dance Together for the Rest of our Lives

I'm thankful for the gift of matrimony that has shaped my faith and family. I fondly remember our toddler days of wonder and discovery. I'm so glad I found a steadfast husband to share life's ups and downs and look forward to our teens.

Newborn Marriage

Mother's Way

My eleventh Mother's Day as honoree was an exercise in pure joy from sleeping in to dinner out and all the trimmings in between. Best of all, I got to share the day with my own mother.

Crepes and coffee for lunch

Ben was recently instructed to write about a relative at school. Here is the unedited result:

One of my favorite relatives is my mom. I love my mom because she is kind and understanding. when I feel down or think that the worlds unfair she says things like "life isn't fair."  Another thing that I love about my mom is her cooking. She goes to Time for Dinner and makes delicious meals like chicken pot-pie. A third thing I love is her always looking out for me, she eliminates every bit of inappropriateness in my life. This includes me not playing with toy guns and her not letting me watch "The Avengers" at a friends birthday party. This is why I love my mom.

See? Kids crave limits. Ahem.

Ben's composition inspired me to write about my mom too.

One of my favorite relatives is my mom. Mom taught me the very definition of love.  As I grew she was comfort, she was guidance, and she was home.  Mom's obvious love for me and my siblings highlighted the value of life. We are all worthy of love and capable of delighting even if it is in small ways.

Before I went to school and it was just us two, I was her eager tag along and helper for tasks and errands (unless she was going to Roots department store where I risked having to confront the escalator). I remember being very young and snuggling with her in a lawn chair at a family picnic and loving the sound of her voice resonating through her chest. I remember her reading aloud to us, especially, The Boxcar Children. My mom taught me that there is greatness in mothering, that vinegar and dryer sheets can fix most household woes, and that quality and a job done well are worth the extra effort.

Mom and I share a lot more in common than our middle names. We stay up too late, twiddle our thumbs, and have an unnatural affinity towards luggage and travel paraphernalia.  We love coffee and books, taking walks, and describing floor plans. We cry easily, describe ourselves as shy, and think our greatest accomplishments are our kids. Teens never want to grow up to be like their mothers, but now I'm proud to have similarities with a great lady.

Mom's example of putting God first is one I strive to emulate as well. We give and forgive even when it hurts. We say thanks and our prayers. And when we've looked everywhere else, we ask St. Anthony for help.

I'm so proud of Mom's response to the loss of her companion and earthly mate. Her grief has been a tribute to the memory of my father. She has pushed through her burden and sought out the next purpose in her journey because life, though unfair, is beautiful.

Backyard Blitz

 While not a real cowboy, though he did once envision himself a Dallas Cowboy cheerleader, my guy is a rootin tootin handy and resourceful fella to have around. After moving into our newest domicile, it became evident despite last year's drought that our backyard must have been a lake in another era and won't accept any degree less than marsh.

So my better half scoped out where he wanted the water to flow, cross referencing with where it most wanted to be, extracted the sod, dug a trench, distributed the clay earth to build up the land where it was receding, coated the trench with ground cloth, buried fenestrated piping and gravel, and relaid the sod like nothing ever happened. In short, I think that's called a French drain. It was all rather impressive at the time. Though still saturated from all this rain, we hope to be able to set foot in the back yard this summer without sound effects.

This water pooled up from the ground shortly after the trench was dug. It had not rained in days.

A seamless seque to Gigi's first haircut goes here. I had wanted to take all three kids someplace for a real cut before First Communion but it wasn't feasible with Ben's illness. So I took them out back and did it myself. Well, Jason helped. Boy cuts are easier and when I mess up I can always just buzz it shorter.

Give me a Rachel, Mom.

Pixie is nice too, I guess.

Thursday's Child Has Far to Go

Ben's New Tree

It was nice of Ben's school to take his eleventh birthday off to go on a field trip and invite along his brother's grade so family could come too. That's not exactly as it happened. But the end result was a pretty spectacular birthday with no homework. The two collaborative grades went bowling and then to a food bank to help distribute goods. The expected foul weather even held off until evening.

After school we had cake and presents. Grandparents attended via video chat. Ben was given a camping backpack. Funny how an empty green canvas pack can be bursting with hope and wonder. It's pretty incredible to one who has been there from the beginning, to see all the abilities our warrior has attained in his eleven years. Even more amazing is the way he approaches obstacles. Over, through, around, under, step back and try again, but always onward and with a happy heart willing to accept the perilous road, the cliff hangers, and the knowledge that some mountains are best enjoyed from a distance.

Breakfast in Bed

Dinner Out, Kid's Menu Out Grown

It has been a real treat watching my Bennigan begin again and again. He has shown me strength I didn't know I possessed. He taught me about grace and patience and the real value of human life. I like to speculate that Ben has some great task to accomplish in this world as a doctor or teacher or scientist. No matter what he becomes, he is already one terrific kid. 

2nd Holy Communion Dogwood Photo

Alex's First Communion

Mother/Catechist and Son

 The damp and dreary weather didn't diminish the spirit of First Holy Eucharist today. Alex was so excited to process with us to the altar with his hands outstretched to receive the real presence of Christ instead of arms crossed over his chest for a blessing. He's been asking for months if today was the day, and the answer was finally, "Yes!"

Once again, we felt the embrace of my late father in a particular hymn that always seems to be unknowingly selected by the music ministers when my family is gathered together for a special occasion. After Mass I asked Alex if he felt different. He said, "Well, I'm even happier than usual and I'm always happy." We were so touched that Alex's second grade teacher came to witness many of her pupils receive the sacrament.  Tomorrow Alex gets to dress in his finery again for his second Holy Communion and we'll receive the traveling chalice which will remind us to pray for religious vocations. Maybe it will be sunny enough for a traditional dogwood picture, ice cream stains and all.

Posing With His Banner

Godfather Joe

Cousin Twins Together Again

Gigi Provided Party Music

"Alexandrite" Rosary (An alternative birthstone for June)

A letter I wrote to Alex for today:

Dear Alexander,                                                                                                        April 27, 2013

The day you eat at God’s table for the first time has finally arrived! Your fancy clothes and tie are hanging on the door. Your banner is complete and hanging on the church wall.  The feast is prepared. There are gifts and a banner on the fireplace. Gramma Dori, your Godfather Joe, and cousin Maddie will be here too.  But most of all, you are ready and waiting to receive Jesus. We know you will do your best to receive Jesus respectfully and reverently.

Mom has really enjoyed being a part of your sacramental preparation as both your religion teacher and your mother.  We are proud of the hard work you’ve done to get ready for this day.  You are growing into a fine young man that is learning right from wrong. We’ve enjoyed our conversations about what this means for our faith and our family. We can’t wait to witness you taking part in the sacred mystery of the Eucharist.

We’re happy you are so hungry to become a part of the Body of Christ.  Hang on to these joy filled days of connection with God. Draw on them when life is hard and God seems far away.  Remember the happy feeling in your heart this day. That is God’s presence in your life. It will always be there, but sometimes you’ll need reminders to feel it. He will never forget you.  He’ll always be in your heart room waiting for you to visit.  

Happy First Holy Communion Day, Alexander and welcome to the table of plenty.

                                                                                                         Love,
                                                                                                      Mom and Dad