on how I'm not dead, and field trips

Hello, I'm still alive. Sorry, I am a slacker blogger. Between all the usual hoopla and fighting others for the computer, it can be hard to find time to blog. It takes motivation, and that waxes and wanes a bit. :)

I have a lot of catching up to do, so here goes...

I use my blog to upload worthwhile "sending to the grandparents" pictures, so I have to get all the goodies on here...

From a field trip to a local artists colony...really neat place!!! Statue gardens, labyrinths, all kinds of fun stuff...this place is one of my favorites in the area, just very enjoyable...though it was pretty darn cold! Way too many pics of this, bear with me...



































All Saint's Day...This year's theme was "use what mom has available because she doesn't want to sew anything". Maria was St. Winifred. We turned up the costume at a local thrift store, and so I brought it home and said, "Pick a princess or something." She will kill me for posting this picture because she hates it. The dress all ballooned up in the front and makes her look like she has this big belly. Whatever. My blog, kid. My rules.

Kain was St. George...anything with a weapon is a plus for Kain. I had this armor and such to use, so that worked out.

Jack was St. Florian, patron Saint of fire fighters. Yes, I have two complete sets of armor. Jack refused to wear most of it. The red cape is a turtleneck, ha!


Kain's first confession...


Followed by celebratory stop for donuts....


I'm not a big fan of this "reconcilliation service" thing. I'm old school, I want a box and a curtain to hide behind, I want anonymity. None of this nansy pansy music, community prayer, getting up on the altar stuff for me! But, it was a nice ceremony anyway.

Other random pics...

skating rink...



The little girl here is the sister of a boy who's slice of head you can just kinda see behind Maria. They absolutely do NOT like each other. NOT. Even though they both skating together the whole time we were there, and even though they sat together at the snack bar while his friends rolled by snickering and her friends rolled by giggling at them, they do NOT like each other. Ew, Mom. Gross.

Jack is learning how to spell. Seriously.



Tess is using a cup...kind of...there's just water in there.

And teething on a baby carrot...this was great. Her first time with any food, though she didn't actually eat it, just gummed it. She kept holding it in her fist and turning it over and over between bites, thinking, "How long have they been holding this stuff out on me? Awesome."


In other news, I am way behind on everything around here, including computer stuff. I managed to catch up my email today, and tomorrow I will work on catching up on *your* blogs via my backed up google reader. Coming Monday,,,homeschooling and housework, a post in progress. My husband, and anyone who has ever visited my house, will laugh. I'm no role model here. But I've been questioned about this several times lately, and I do know what helps, and I definitely know what *doesn't* work! So, I will share my acquired wisdom, for whatever it's worth!