Anyone for Tea?

My sister gave Josephine the cutest tea set for her birthday, and she loves it!!! One Sunday morning, we sat out on the deck and had tea with Jo. She set the table & poured "tea" into our cups. I gave her water in the teapot & crackers for their snack. As a kid, I spent more time in the "kitchen" downstairs in our basement with crackers & water or playing "office" with stuff my dad gave me from his work. It was so cute to see them doing the same thing.

They had so much fun that morning with Josephine. I read my book, drank coffee & they had their fun. What a glorious morning!!!

End of the School Year

The end of this school year was sad yet exciting. Our pastor of 15 years, Fr. Bernie Wilkins, is retiring. We are excited to get a new pastor who is an alum of St. MM!!! I can't wait to meet Monsignor Gene Morris - it is a new era at St. MM (the parish & the school).

At the end of school Mass, we gave Fr. Bernie a video (two 8th grade boys made it) of important times at St. MM. Fr. Bernie did all of our video stuff, and he is REALLY good at it. He was head of the video club & taught these boys all he knew. Everyone told me it was an amazing video, so I know Fr. Bernie will love it. He asked to not make a big deal about his retirement because he did not want to cry in front of everyone - he really does not like a big fuss made about him. In Fr. Bernie's style, he opened his present, thanked everyone & walked off. He is so funny!

After Mass, awards were presented. Rosie & Anna both got the Presidential Physical Fitness Awards. Rosie was also awarded for her academics. Students who maintained an A average all year received it. She works hard, and we are very proud of both of them. Anna doesn't technically get a Kindergarten grade (more pass/fail stuff but I know she passes with flying colors - she's my go-getter).

Rosie is so excited for 4th grade as I am. Mrs. Jorcke is one of the best (aka toughest) teachers in the school. She seems fair yet very challenging, and we are ready for her! She does so many cool projects with them - the main one being Prairie Days which Rosie is so excited about it.

Anna has a new teacher for 1st grade. She is moving from Boston, finished her Masters degree from Boston College & is excited to start with us. She has a strong focus on reading & phonics which is perfect for this age. I was not enamored with the old 1st grade teacher, so I have high hopes for this new teacher. Anna is my writer and is constantly asking me how to spell the longest words (we are working on getting her to use the dictionary vs. Mom & Dad).

Kindergarten class (now 1st grade class) at St. MM

Rosie & her classmates receiving their awards.

Look, I dressed myself Mom!

Josephine loves putting on her sister's stuff - shoes, jackets, gloves or even goggles. Quite a mixture this time and you could not get it off her. She would say "NO - ON!"

Sisterly Love

Sometimes they fight, sometimes they play, sometimes they are goofy & sometimes they are like this....

My favorite garden

I've worked on this garden for many years, and I finally have something blooming at all times of the summer. My Mary statue is right in the middle - Pete gave it to me on my 1st Mother's Day. I'm positive that's the reason for the the wonderful plants. All of the plants came from my mom or my neighbors too. It's fun, but I need to do the same for other parts of my house! All in time....

School Spirit

Before the start of the picnic on Saturday, the classes lined up for the Picnic Walk. It was a perfect weekend for the picnic too! The kids wore themselves out!

Mrs. King & a few of her students
Ms. Greschner & a few of her students (Rosie won the hat the night before & wore it all day!)

The Screaming Eagle? Not Quite

The St. Mary Magdalen Parish was this week-end, and we had fun riding the crazy rides! Here's Josephine wanting to be a big girl but slightly scared out of her mind. Pete also snapped some good ones of Rosie & Anna on the same ride. Anna rode all the rides a million times - nothing affected her stomach. Now, Rosie had to sit down in the afternoon & drink some Sprite. She suddenly turned white on me.... Poor thing!