Graduation

On May 16th we hurried ourselves to get dressed and out of the door so we could wait at the Meyerhoff for Jim's Graduation ceremony. Jim was not really inclined to go but I insisted. Getting a college degree is the kind of accomplishment that should be marked in an official way. It shouldn't just be the freeing up of a schedule. He had worked for this degree for years and kept at it even when he really wanted to quit. Jim did it for himself but also for us. He stuck with it all of those nights and even through a newborn and ankle reconstruction. He did it!

The girls and I got pretty good seats, near the bathroom, and on the main level. When the graduates finally processed in, I was so relieved that Jim was on our side, and I was elated when he sat on the isle. Emma spotted him first and we all took turns trying to get his attention. I stood Megan up on the back of a chair and we finally we got his attention. Rep. Elijah Cummings was the Guest speaker. He was quite good and spoke with much emphasis but Megan kept asking why he was yelling. The girls struggled with the length but Bridget busied herself with 3 trips to the bathroom, snacks and the big girls kept busy with video games.

When Jim's name was called Emma yelled out, "We love you Papa!" She was loud and everyone heard it. Jim waved his diploma to us as he crossed the stage. They were so proud of him and so was I. We enjoyed the crush of happy family and graduates as we went to find Jim at the end and took pictures. Jim handed out his flower, "diploma", mortar board and stole to the girls to try on and pass around.

Afterward we went to Dimitri's for lunch and then we got ready for the party the next day. It was time to celebrate. We rented the Knights of Columbus hall, and got a caterer since to 70 plus crowd wouldn't fit well at our house nor did I want to clean for it.

MarySue came down with the kids on Sunday and helped me set up the hall. We had lots of friends come from way back that we don't see very often. I think Jim was really honored that so many people came. Our guests were almost half children so we had a corner of games set up for them, but really they loved the balloons the best. Jim spoke at the blessing and reflected what Elijah Cummings had said in his address, that this wasn't really about him but that it was about... and Megan who was laying on the floor says "Me?". Jim also thanked me very sweetly. We had a wonderful time and lots of leftovers. We even had friends stop by afterward who couldn't make it and helped us clean up.

Bridgie- Ready or Not

Our Little Bridgie is throwing down the gauntlet. All in one week she stretched her skills beyond what I am ready for. It started by her learning how to open the back door by herself. She let herself out while I was nearby. I am glad I'm aware of this skill as it has increased the mommy auditory sensors to hone in on the sound of the door. She is reluctant to slide through the open door for fear of getting squished as she tries to hold it open, but she is determined and I don't think a little fear will keep her in for long.

Also in the same week she learned how to climb out of her crib when the side is up and to open her bedroom door. I have yet to see her do this feat as she only does it when she is supposed to be napping. The first time I was in the basement vacuuming when I looked over to see Bridget standing, chest out, grinning from ear to ear. (eyes squinting from the size of the smile). She was so pleased with herself. It took me a moment to get over the shock and cuteness and put her back in bed. So then on days she just wasn't in the mood for a nap I put the baby gate across her door and I continually put her back in her crib. I leave the side down on these days in the hope of decreasing the risk of a fall. It took her many attempts to get her door open but now I hear the jiggling of the knob and out she comes. Luckily many days she conks out pretty fast for nap. Recently I have had her repeat "It is nap time and I will lay down" as I place her in the crib and this has prevented the climbing out for about 45 min -1 hour. If she is still up after that point we call it a good try and if she gets out nap is over. She still needs a nap but it may be an every other day thing.

And still in this same week Bridget started removing her clothes whenever she peed or needed to pee. The big girls thought this was hysterical and I think encouraged it by their laughter. I can't say I blame them as she is cute naked, but the cuteness wore off when she removed a poopy diaper in the dining room while I was cooking dinner. ugh! Dinner didn't turn out well that night. We took this as a huge sign that she is ready to potty train. We are sitting her on the potty regularly now but I have her in diapers. Anytime she does anything in her diaper (fart, pee, poop) she says "I pooped'd". I am not ready for the potty training commitment yet. With weather warming up and my schedule calming down soon I think it is time.

She is so much fun and so verbal. Sometimes when I ask her a question her response starts "Well, actually...". I love to sing with her at bedtime because she sings along and makes requests. Her recent favorites go along with the Easter season. "Jesus remember me, when you come into your kingdom" and "The stone is rolled away". Many evenings she says "Jus one more, please." and she holds up her little finger. She exhausts me but she makes me smile.

First Holy Eucharist

May 2nd was Rachael's First Eucharist. She had been preparing for it over the past few months and was really getting excited as the big day approached. The week before Jim and Rachael went to the Communion Workshop and made her banner together. Rachael had drawn and cut out some shapes ahead of time including a sheep and crosses. The banner looked great. They also got a chance to practice receiving communion and tasted an unconsecrated host and wine. She thought that was great.

On May 1st, Jim's parents flew in from Colorado so all of the girls were excited. Megan kept asking how long they were staying and wanted them to change plane tickets so they wouldn't have to go back on Sunday. Friday night Rachael tried on the First Communion dress and veil. Megan was in awe and kept telling Rachael how pretty she looked and that she looked like a queen. Rachael enjoyed the flattery. Bridget was drawn to the veil and kept touching it. She said "I will get Jesus when I'm a big girl."

Emma got to see Paw Paw and Grandma Kate for a few moments before Grandma and I drove her down to spend the night on the USS Constellation in the Inner Harbor with girl scouts. Emma had a great time but not much sleep since she took a turn keeping night watch but was home in time for Rachael's Sacrament.

It was so special to have so much family at church to celebrate with Rachael. Rachael was assigned a pew pretty close to the front and her banner hung over the end. She also had the honor of carrying up the gifts as well. During the homily Fr. Whatley even had her raise her hand as he mentioned Grampa having the privilege of giving her First Communion. Rachael said it was hard to raise her arm because of the dress sleeves. Due to the of the swine flu they did not offer the Precious Blood, I was a little disappointed but I don't know that she was. This past weekend she did get to partake in the cup as the health restrictions were lifted.

Her First Communion Mass was wonderful and we stayed to take pictures with her Godparents the Murphys. Then we went back to the house for lunch. Everyone was starving so the munchies went fast, while Jim grilled. It had been very rainy all week and everything was muddy so we were inside most of the time but the sun was out and beautiful. Rachael stayed in her dress most of the day, she really looked lovely and I could tell she felt special. I hope that special feeling stays with her and I pray that she knows that God's true presence is with her.

Camping with Rachael

Rachael's Brownie troop planned a camping trip this year for April 25. We decided to just do one over-night because April weather can be iffy and it would be the first time camping for many of the girls. Plus Rachael had a 1st communion workshop Saturday morning so our plan was to leave Sat. afternoon and get back Sunday afternoon. In our meetings we practiced tying knots and folding bandannas. All of the girls worked together to create a menu that we adjusted only slightly.

Our date turned out to be unseasonably warm and beautiful. Originally we had 6 girls plus parents attending but at the last minute most canceled and it wound up only being Rachael, myself, my co-leader and her daughter Sadie, who came. We were disappointed but it gave us a lot of freedom. Rachael and Sadie were excited to be camping and were great helpers unloading the gear and hauling it to our tent site. It was in the 90's and very humid so we were sweaty in no time. The girls helped me set up our tent and had great fun with the poles. Rachael had the thing figured out in no time and with Sadie's help and mine it was up quickly. They gathered firewood and then we made foil packets of carrots, potatoes, and chicken. While our food cooked in the hot coals we went exploring. The girls struggled to stay on the path and avoid picking everything, but we did try to "Leave only a little trace behind." We found Gun Powder Falls at the bottom of a steep wooded hill and the girl's eyes lit up. They really wanted to get in but we had to get back to our campsite and get dinner. We promised we would be back tomorrow. The girls worked on earning requirements for Brownie Try-It badges scattered throughout our camping adventure.

Our foil pack dinners were fantastic and then I introduced the girls to the GS camping dish washing system. They jumped right in and did all of our mess kits and cooking utensils. dishes are so much more fun outside. The girls did shadow games when it got dark and played with flashlights. We enjoyed our campfire that evening and had a blast making smores while avoiding getting smoke in our eyes. Rachael liked catching her marshmallows on fire, I think it was so she could get to the eating part faster. We tried to sing camp songs but when I asked Rachael what song she wanted she asked if she could go to bed. It was 10 PM and she was exhausted so we hit the sleeping bags.

Morning brought the discovery of many hoof prints in our campsite. We got the fire going again and made pancakes and sausage. Rachael and Sadie took turns flipping pancakes. Then we set off for the water. Since it was only our 2 girls we decided to let them get in the river and just play. They enjoyed the cold water against the 90 degree air. Rachael was in her element. Being out in our neighborhood does not compare to the big outdoors. She was in her element. It was as if it made her calmer, happier, and more agreeable just by being there. She roamed and climbed trees and rocks, waded the river with Ms. Betsy, found shells and animals. I rolled up my pants put my feet in the water and just enjoyed being there. Three hours later we headed back for a snack and to pack up. By then my shins and feet were burnt to a crisp. I had put sunscreen on before we started but those parts weren't exposed at the time. 3 weeks later I am still peeling.

Rachael was such a joy and even extremely patient with Sadie who got over tired and hungry. I love spending time with her like this and it reminds me that we need to get to the outdoors more. She needs the space, freedom and tease of adventure.

Easter Blessings

I am a little late in posting my Easter Blog, it now being May, but happily the Easter Season lasts long enough for me to post before the season is over. The big girls had off during Holy week so we had the opportunity to enjoy some of the traditions of the Church. On Holy Thursday, Em, Rae, Meg and I attended Mass and they got to hear the Passover story and Gospel of the Lord's Supper and the washing of the feet. They were all disappointed that they didn't get to have their feet washed. Em and Rae followed along in the Magnifikids, while Megan spent most of her time coloring the stations of the cross book. Holy Thursday provided a nice opportunity to talk to Rachael about her 1st Communion.



On Good Friday Megan joined me at the Tenebrae Service, in which the church progressively gets darker as readings and song recall Jesus's death. Megan was the only one interested in going. I am not sure if it was being with me or being in church in the dark that appealed to her most.


Jim continues his tradition of going on dates with the girls and Holy Saturday was Megan's turn. They went to a movie "Monsters vs. Aliens", then shared dinner and some time shopping. At home I started the process of dying eggs. This was Bridget's first real experience with egg dying and she loved it. She sat in her booster seat eagerly placing and checking eggs until they achieved a very deep hue. Bridge was intrigued by the wire dipper and used it along with her fingers each time. Emma and Rachael didn't need any help with their eggs, except keeping track of how many they were allowed. Despite this help Rae wound up dying 2 extra eggs. Luckily I had time to hard boil 2 more for Megan before she got home.


Easter morning everyone piled into our bed until Bridget woke up. The excitement spreads fast and Bridget soon joined us in bed where we all sang "Jesus Christ is Risen Today". Then it was time for baskets. Bridget had the candy things down right away and opened any plastic egg she saw, looking for candy. They were really happy to get a 13 foot pool for this summer. Megan especially is anxious to put it up. As I prepared breakfast, Jim assisted all of the girls in building the new Lego sets they received. They are very good at reading the directions and assembling the Star War ships.


Sadly Church on Easter is hard to enjoy when crammed in the cry room. I am grateful we have the opportunity to celebrate Easter every Sunday. We went to my parents house for dinner, but before dinner we had our Easter egg hunt. Magaly and I, with the help of our kids, filled over 200 eggs. The dads scattered the eggs for the little ones in the grass and hid eggs for the bigger kids. All of the kids gathered on the front porch and were released to hunt in age order, youngest going first. Jim called the ages and worked his way to the big kids, when he called 8-9 year olds, Emma was left standing alone. Jim was grinning at her as she said "Hey!" and he ushered her out. It took them a nice long time to find all of the eggs, and the bigger cousins did a great job leaving the easy ones for the little cousins.



It is a blessing to be able to gather as a family and celebrate the gift of New Life and the Glory of Our Risen Lord. Alleluia.