Beaver's Bend Family Vacation

We took a family trip to Beaver's Bend... What a fabulous way to start summer vacation!!

This was the view from our cabin...

 

Our first hike...

Our second hike, IN THE RAIN!

While waiting for the rain to clear, Ella had little pow-wow...

Sweeping the floor at the 100 year old post office!

And, making a leg for the table...

Another hike...

THROUGH the river...

 



 

Roasting marshmallows...

Fishing...

 



 

 

 

And, drawing pictures in the morning....

What a GREAT vacation!!

First Communion

Today was your First Communion at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Ada, Oklahoma.  You have been preparing for this day since last August when we began classes for your First Reconciliation.  We learned about ways of showing love for others, how to follow our conscience, and about forgiveness when we make mistakes.  We ended our class by participating in the Right of Reconciliation.  You each had your own idea about which priest you were going to talk to and it caused me much anxiety because I did not know which child to stay with!  I ended up taking care of myself and you each took care of yourselves and it ended up being a wonderful celebration of love and forgiveness... and, independence!  

 

In January, we started First  Communion classes, where we were reminded of Jesus' love for us.  We learned many things about the Catholic Church and how we celebrate His love in our religious faith.  Although there were many Wednesday nights we did NOT want to spend an evening at church, we did it!  In the end, it was another wonderful experience.  We became closer as a family, and you tried wine (and decided you did NOT like it)!

 

I am so proud of you, my girls, and looking forward to watching you grow in your faith and spirituality. 

 

 

Lighting a candle...

Waiting for mass to begin...

 

Outside, ready to walk in and for the service to begin...

 

Photo ops with the family....

 

Granddadd and Grandma were both there to celebrate, but some how Grandma managed to NOT get in the picture!

 

 

 

 

Afterwards, the church held a very nice luncheon in your honor...

 

 

 

 

 

Little Notes

I was sorting through some papers and found this little note in Katie's journal.... made me smile...

Louisiana Eats

It was a "A Taste of Louisiana" Day in your class, Ella, and you had a taste testing of Louisiana foods.  I brought jambalaya (GiGi's recipe), but there was also gumbo, Zapp's potato chips, roast beef po' boys, and beignets. It was fun for me to be a part of your school activities and I was so proud of how seriously you took the taste testing -- you tried everything and discovered you LOVE roast beef po' boys (your Aunt Bonnie's favorite New Orleans food too)!

Ella seriously eating.

Ella's table-mates. 

(The boy in the foreground is her first boy crush.)

Ms Gigi, Ella's teacher, conducting a survey of the kids' favorites.  Each person gets only ONE vote!

Roast Beef Po' Boy was the winner!

After the taste testing, it was an in-class birthday celebration for one of the kids.  I snapped a few pictures of Ella's friends.... this is the little girl we carpool.

Ella checking out all the balloons.

Another favorite classmate -- she hangs out with us after school at the tree.

Mommy's Helpers

In a burst of helpfulness, Katie helps unload the groceries from the car.

And Ella "watches" Butterscotch (who likes to be in the front yard, but cannot be trusted to stay close).

Thank you, My Sweeties.... You are such good helpers!

100 Days of Kindergarten

Wow -- 100 days of Kindergarten!  It feels like just yesterday that you were starting "real" school.  And now we are quickly approaching the end of your first year of Kindergarten.  Katie, you informed me the other morning (at 4:45 a.m. when you woke me up to ask me, "what number is the 1 and the 5 again?") "...you have 15 weeks until you are a 'grader'!"   OH MY, says Mommy! 

In honor of your 100th day of Kindergarten, here is a sampling of some of your work...

The sign you made, Katie, commemorating the big day!

Ella made a collage with Mardi Gras beads -- 100 beads in total!

Ella

Katie

Katie's picture of her birthday party

3 of Katie's friends, Marion, Kaya, and Harley

Ella drew this dog in computer class

Ella's picture of Frida

Katie's Frida

A lunch box

Ella's picture of our trip to the pumpkin patch

It says "I love rainbows" in symbols.

Ella's book report -- something about a duck.

Katie's hand

A design by Katie

The Penbo Katie wanted from Santa this year.  It "sings", "walks", "talks", and "dances".

Katie, you showed me that your name has the most letters in it (and you make your 5s backwards, just like your momma did when I was your age).

Ella's picture of one of the Farmer and duck books -- you can see that the Farmer is very upset with the mischievous duck!

Ella's Louisiana made out of rice and beans.