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May Basket Delivering! – SO FUN!

May 1, 2009 By Laura 6 Comments

Our May Basket Delivering Day was so fun! We wanted to share it all with you.

There was no schooling on our agenda today – just delivering our May baskets for May Day, and the kids could not have been more excited! But, first, I had to have some of my own fun, taking just a few more photos, as detailed memories.

Ok, now I was ready. So next the kids loudly debated about which May basket was ‘theirs’, based on the tag they made, and who was going to who’s door, ringing the doorbell, and running for their life. Once that was settled, they were very eagerly ready to go! But you know I’m getting a photo of them first, and they know it too.

I was so grateful that the light rain we had going on, went on hold for us once it was time to get down to business. I didn’t mind the gray overcast day—it’s actually better for the photo taking. : )

Our first stop was right at the end of our road……

This is the home of a lovely elderly couple who have nearly ancient history in our neighborhood. This home of their is new, but it is built right in front of the old and smaller home that they raised 11 children of their own in! They are so sweet. So {A} placed the basket on the porch, rang the doorbell and ran. We were ‘seen’…..their visiting daughter opened the door as she and I were climbing back into the van up the road some. Last year their visiting son saw us the same way. Now…our hopes are always that our intended receivers would come to open the door, because that would give us more ‘get-away’ time, if you know what I mean. ; )

Next stop was up the main road a bit……

{J} was up for his hit and run. lol. This is the home of Sr. Jeremy—the long time nun resident of our parish. She has done marvelous and wonderful things within our church family. We love her dearly…..and she loves children, DEARLY!! She is a HOOT, if you know what I mean, and she has no reservations about speaking her mind. Ever. My kind of Girl!

I was hiding behind a bush with my camera, and I couldn’t have been more tickled pink with getting this shot!! Look how his feet aren’t even touching the ground! He was hysterical, trying to run before the door opened. We got away in time, but did spy with our little eyes, Sister open the door, see the May basket, and look everywhere for the sneaky one. lol

Next stop was a little ride, and it was {S’s} turn…..

This is the home of a lovely older couple from church, who dig us. And we dig them. We always sit all together in 2 pews in front or behind each other. They adore our kids, and are smitten with their church behavior. They are probably in their late 70’s, and have great senses of humor.

Now, I have to tell you…THIS was a tricky one. And we got TOTALLY BUSTED! See, here’s the thing. We were pretty sure these Peeps were going to be home. The brick sidewalk leading to this door, is very windy. It actually does a zig, and then a zag. So sidewalk is actually shifted very much to the right side, walking towards the door, and then does a zig to straighten head on to the door. So as we are walking, we are looking RIGHT IN the big window door-right. And we see movement in there. Oh dear! So {S} puts the basket down, and tries to hurry ringing the door bell, which is of course door right….

…and as he rings, he finds himself face to face with Mrs. G….coming to the door. DAG NABBIT!! Do you see her? Need help?

Do you see her now?? No?? It’s ok…it’s ok…it happens to the best of us. (Well, not really….I just don’t want you to feel bad…)…look again…

Now?? Because that’s really all I can do to help you. lol

So anyway….she’s coming, {S} sees her, but he starts ringing the doorbell anyway, and again, and again, because really….he was NOT missing the opportunity to ring a doorbell like everyone else! (We don’t have one on our house…lol).

Mrs. G opened the door, and laughing she said “WHAT are you DOING?”…and {S} said “Happy May Day!“, and she replied with a big laugh, “Aren’t you just the sweetest thing!“….and he has been repeating that all day. I think he believes her! lol. No…he is. So anyway…I was laughing so hard, from the nerves and getting caught, I forgot to take photos of her standing there, pleased as punch with their surprise. Then we ran away, with her yelling after us…‘Thank youuuu!!!”

We had ONE more stop, and it was {O’s} turn……

This is the home of our friend, Dr. Ann. She is a veterinarian, and she has become quite attached to our kids too. (And us, her.) We also know her from church, and we also sit near her. (She saved a pew for us on Sunday morning, because we were running late, and it was JAM PACKED because it was a First Communion Mass….bless her soul!! We were so thankful!) Anyway, she calls the kids ‘The Children‘….and if you heard her voice. LOVE her voice. She’s a lector too…which is so lovely hearing her read Sunday readings to us…and she is also a singer. (She got us all tickets to her concert this Sunday!) Anyway….she knows all of he kids names, but she always says to the kids “So how are THE CHILDREN today??!! HmmMM??”….and they all giggle, and say, “Gooood.” She’s a doll.

We knew she wasn’t home, because her car was not there, and she works long hours at her business in town, her own Veterinary Hospital. But…the kids enjoyed the fact that her cats were in the window watching us. lol. So at least SOMEONE saw her in her cool hot pink slicker, even if they did have fur!

That was the last of our May basket deliveries! Met with BIG groans and sighs by ‘the children’.

As we all climbed out of the van in our driveway, they were still talking about how they wish we had more homes to go to. They had SO much fun. WE ALL did. We just LOVE doing these kinds of things. Especially for other people. The whole process….planning surprises for others, shopping, making and baking things, and just having fun making someone’s day.

Here they all with mission accomplished: Basket-less!

Later on tonight, we got a call from the old woman at the end of our road. She left the sweetest message on our machine, expressing how wonderful that May Day gift basket made her feel, and the memories it brought back to her of the May Pole at school when she was a little girl. If you heard her sweet, sincere and shaky little voice, well….

That’s what it’s all about.

We can hardly wait until next year. I’ve heard the kids talking, and I can see this getting WAY out of hand next time.

But who cares??!!

Hope you all had a wonderful May Day!

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Making May Baskets for May Day Deliveries

April 30, 2009 By Laura 6 Comments

Last year we spontaneously decided to throw some May Baskets together for May Day, secretly deliver them, and hope they make someone feel thought of, and smile. The kids had fun putting them together, and even MORE fun delivering them. We only did 2 baskets last year, but this year we thought of 4 recipients that would be more than delighted with such an unexpected surprise, on a seemingly ordinary Friday. Now that the kids learned last year what fun it is, <click link see last year) they’ve been VERY excited this year/week to do it again.

So all week we’ve been picking up the little things we needed, and today we got it all together and made our May Baskets, to deliver for May Day.

I stamped 4 tags, and each of the kids colored them, and wrote Happy May Day! on them. That’s {J} trying to write slowly and neatly. (He prefers to ‘whip it out’.)

On the inside, I did have them sign them the R Children….because in this day and age, I fear no one would dare eat goods left on their doorstep from ‘Lord knows who’. Especially older folks, who have especially truly witnessed the deterioration of society. But this is a CHEERY HAPPY post, so I won’t even bring that up. lol

We baked some blueberry bread loaves, and wrapped those up once they were cooled enough. The house smelled so darned good, it was hard not to eat them ourselves! But, then we’d have to start all over baking again, and there was no time for that! (And who knows if we’d give in again! lol) We also picked up some tea cookies.

{A} got the tags tied on with a pretty little bowed ribbon.

They all made some baggies of sugar free candies, and {O} matched nicely. (This pleases her.) We know at least one of our recipients is a diabetic, and as far as the rest….well, sugar-free candy never hurt anybody. : ) Right? They are pretty good too. Yes, I tried them. One of each color, just to be sure. Got it covered.

{S} got a bunch of decaf tea bags out of our kitchen jar, to throw a handful of those in too.

This year it occurred to me that, perhaps it would be a good idea to include a little history on May Day Baskets. I assume most people know about this age-old tradition, but, you know….maybe not. We don’t want to look crazy or anything. I mean, that’s our little secret. lol

The kids packed up the baskets with all of the goods, and everything fit just right. Huh. We’ve got fresh flowers to stick in in the morning, and we’ll be good to go! With 4 houses to go to, we’ve got some driving around town to do, and each of the kids will take a house. Let us all pray (that means you, too) that no one gets injured trying to boogie back to the van after ringing the doorbell, before they get caught! That’s my fear. Seriously. (That’s normal for a Mama, right?) Weather said this morning that there was a 70% chance of rain tomorrow. But later this evening it’s down to a 50% chance. Maybe SOMEONE is pulling for us. Huh huh? But if not, {O} has got her hot pink raincoat ready, and since the boys do not have one, they are deciding if they want to wear one bad enough to wear {O’s} pink one, when it is their turn to deliver a basket. Because wearing a raincoat is a VERY exciting thing, you know. Just ask our 6 year olds! I can only imagine how they would contain themselves if they knew about the galoshes out there in the world, in all colors! (Please….we can’t keep up with the shoes and boots as it is! Footwear is sucking up our $ and our floor space.)

Soooo….Wish us luck! Wish us SUN! Wish us a band-aid free day!!

We’ll be reporting back to the blog about it all.

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Earth Day – Taking care of His Creation

April 22, 2009 By Laura 3 Comments

Last year on Earth Day, our family started the tradition of going out and cleaning up our neighborhood roadsides and beach, to help care for God’s Creation in our own teeny tiny corner of the world. We actually do this other times of the year as well, but it’s a plan on Earth Day, if the weather permits. Thankfully, today it did. So instead of our formal school work, we headed out and got to work!

I HONESTLY helped clean up trash too, but I was also very busy taking photos, as usual. Last year, Michael made all of our kids trash poker sticks, so they won’t ever be using their hands. I would take issue with using their hands, big time. They work pretty hard, and have a lot of discussion about what a horrible and inconsiderate habit littering is. Teachable moments, are all over Earth Days.

Unclogging the street drains….

For ME?… <blush>…..

–

Patheticism, at it’s best!…..

(Now WHY is that word underlined in red?? That’s a word, isn’t it??)

I’m telling you, People, this one is a real worker. Always.

You should see the cars slow down, and the people look at us sometimes, as we parade through the neighborhood….completely confused about what in the world we are doing, or WHY? (The kids love to yell ‘Happy Earth Day!’ to them. lol) But once in awhile a ‘quick’ one comes along, and not only knows what we are doing, but WHY we are doing it on THIS day. We hope all people who happen to see us, catch on, and become inspired. If not to clean up, at least not to litter, if they do.

Part of our Earth Day, is not only helping take care of this GIFT of Creation God has given us, but appreciating the beauty of it everywhere! These are the little stops I call ‘pick-me-ups’, because I seriously need one as I watch our barrel fill up with the disgusting abundance of trash we found on the ground. So I hope it picks you up too, because there is more photos of trash coming…lol…

She likes butter.

How do you think we did?!

Heading home after a good couple hours of work. Showers are sounding good right about now. YUCK!

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THANK YOU FOR NOT LITTERING GOD’S GLORIOUS CREATION!!

So…..did you happen to do anything for Earth Day today? Big or small, chats or actions, we’d love for you to share with us what Earth Day was like for you.

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Creative Coloring Easter Eggs – Photos

April 13, 2009 By Laura 6 Comments

Just sharing with you today some photos from our creative coloring of Easter eggs tradition. Our family here LOVES to color and decorate eggs. Do you? We could do it every day. It’s also one of my favorite things to photograph. We do hope you all had a lovely and blessed Easter! Our entire Triduum was so focused and beautiful. We especially enjoyed the services and Masses at our church throughout the Holy days, and our quiet Easter celebration together was pleasant and relaxing.

We will have more Easter photos to share tomorrow or the next day, but have a heavier than usual work week, so we just may not be so chatty until later on in the week, if we are disciplined. ; ) But we’ve got a long list of blog posts and plans on hand-so stick around! And Enjoy!

white-eggs-ready-to-dye

cups-of-dyeing-easter-eggs

white-eggs-ready-to-dye
cups-coloring-easter-eggs

cups-coloring-easter-eggs cups-of-dyeing-easter-eggs

Hope you enjoyed this fun photo collection of our family memories!
Thanks so much for visiting.

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Tea Time for Our Lady of Sorrows Feast Day

September 15, 2008 By Laura Leave a Comment

Today is Our Lady of Sorrows Feast Day, so I’m be sharing a little special something I did with the kids, to learn a bit about it, and acknowledge it. Over the weekend, we decided to look around in The Christmas Tree Shops. If you don’t have one of those near you, I feel bad for you. It’s such a great, affordable place, and I always come out with more than I planned on getting. So I try not to go in often. : ) But this time we all went in – and being the season to sell autumn decorations and goods, I had to control myself with every turn. However…..we did let the kids each choose a mini loaf ceramic pan, with the intention of letting them bake some mini loaves on Sunday.

Sunday got away in terms of baking. So then it got pushed to Monday…which is today. This morning, somehow we went way off track of our usual school morning routine. We got into helping the kids put finishing touches on some paper crafts they had started yesterday ( I’ll be blogging about that soon), and then we had to clean up the mess made in a flurry of creativity. By the time we were done, we realized we really needed to get the kids to their schoolwork, so we decided to move family devotion to the afternoon (usually done first in the day). Since we were going to do that, and it was the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, we decided to whip up some Quick Bread first and let the mini loaves bake while we did our school work, and plan on having an afternoon ‘tea’ together, and discuss the Feast Day, after school and lunch.

Boy did the house smell good while school work was getting done. Banana bread – one of our favorites. Soon the timer went off, and it was time for them to come out of the oven and cool for a bit.

The kids we so excited to have their own loaf (not to be eaten ALL at once) that they ate lunch a bit faster.

So we gathered in the sun room for Devotion, and discussion of the Feast Day while having a ‘tea’. We have had a ‘tea’ time a time or 2 before, but it was hot cocoa or something for them in the past. We just called it tea, for the sake of a tea time. But this time they tried some real tea. It was apple cinnamon decaf, and the little ones were pretty excited to try it – even though {A} tried to let them know they may not care for it, since she had tried it before. But she too was willing to try it again. Turns out, she still didn’t like it, 2 others didn’t think they did either. and the last thought it was ‘ok he guessed’. They sipped here and there as we chatted about the Blessed Mother, but not quite like they do hot cocoa. Their own little banana bread loaves, however, they were really enjoying.

For our discussion, first, we asked the kids how many times they could think of off the top of their head, when Mary, the mother of Jesus, might have experienced deep sorrow. Naturally, they all guessed his crucifixion, and death on the cross. {A} also named the time when Mary searched for three days in Jerusalem for her son, who was missing, and later found Him in the temple, teaching. Once they were done throwing out their thoughts, we taught them the 7 times Mary experienced great suffering in her life. We talked quite a bit about it, and how hard many of those times must have been. We can only try and imagine. (And as a mother, I don’t even want to. But I must, to truly begin to appreciate her sacrifice, and reasoning for it.)

It was a lovely tea time, even if the tea itself wasn’t the hit they hoped. There will be others, no doubt. Probably many in the coming cold season. We just leave the table with a warmer feeling inside. Perhaps it’s the tea. Perhaps it’s feeling a bit more in touch with our faith than when we sat. Or maybe it’s just the time together. In any case, we find tea time is good for the soul.

On a somewhat unrelated note, we might mention how Sunday ‘got away’. At some point, either while we were at mass, or picking up lumber at Home Depot, our little friend ‘Webington Ringaling’ broke free in the house…and we still haven’t found him.

Hope you all had a wonderful May Day!

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