Friday, August 13, 2010

Morningstar Camp & the Benedictine Abbey & Modest Swimwear!

WARNING:
This post is a mess
and I don't have the energy to figure out how to fix it...
it IS similar to a 7 quick takes, but I don't have
the umph to link up there, either...


The last few weeks have been pretty interesting...
Scooter planned all year to go
to Morningstar Camp in New Hampshire
with her best friend...The camp is run by
the Sisters Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary...
in FULL Habit. 
They are amazing.
She developed a cough in the week before camp started...
it wasn't too bad...
until I dropped her off on Sunday : (
Thankfully we were staying at
a Benedictine Abbey in Still River, Mass-
just two hour south of camp...
Tuesday night I had to drive up and pick her up.
She loved the camp and wants to go back next year.
hmmmm.

Not sure Mom has the energy for a repeat...


"Chewba Grabowski" in the Kelty backpack ....
He loves ridin' high!

Tilly and Snorkie at the Lake in Harvard, Massachusetts.
Lovey weather ALL week...only needed the AC two days.
Spent Tuesday afternoon at the lake.

I made it to evening prayer several times
and morning Mass Mon, Wed, and Fri...
Chewba is a high energy guy...
it is like wrestling a baby crocodile during Mass-
trying to keep him quiet!
Compline was easier because he would nurse
and the Monks chanted the prayers so I didn't need
to worry about following along...
The Monks were SO gracious...
I'll be going back again, I'm sure.



Louisa May Alcott's house in Concord, Mass.
The fee was WAY too high to tour the inside
with four small children and two adults,
it would have cost $35.00....eeek.
It sure was pretty on the outside : )

Minute Man Statue at the Old North Bridge...
The "shot heard 'round the world"
was fired here...
Good thing we are all studying American History this year...
we actually got a field trip done in July!




I could not have gone a week away from my husband
without my friend "J".
Chewba just loves her and she made it possible
for me to actually EAT a meal once in a while.
This is Chewby visiting with a gal named "L" who lives
at the Abbey.  They had SOOOOOO much fun
making faces at each other!
I have to send a copy of this photo to her!
As soon as we got home Chewba started crawling "for real"
He had been scootching around and cruising a little,
but now he is officially ON THE GO!

And away he goes...
LOCK UP THE VALUABLES!!!


Both Scooter and Tilly needed new swim dresses...
I got these put together the week before we left.

They are comfy, cute and easy to swim in...
the dresses each have a full swimsuit sewn inside
so that they wont fly up over their heads in the water.
The leggings stay down because they are cut very slim.
If I wasn't nursing, I'd make one like this for myself!
Actually, I AM going to make a swim skort for myself
out of the blue floral fabric : )

The first night that we arrived at the Abbey
we made it to evening prayer before dinner
in the guest dining room.
It had been threatening rain for hours...
as the kids and I headed back to our rooms,
this sight greeted  us...
It was so big, I couldn't get the whole rainbow in one photo!

Blessings, all!

Friday, July 16, 2010

Seven Quick Takes Friday


I have been meaning to link up to
 Seven Quick Takes Friday 
for quite a while...
We'll see how it goes!

1
We handed in our Homeschooling portfolios on June 29th...
you'd think I would have gotten them picked up by now : (
Too many activities going on...
Play Dates for instance...

2
Went to see Despicable Me with the kids and a friend
on Wednesday...I really enjoyed it..
I loved the accents and critical Mamma's change of heart...
It looked very PIXAR-ish to me...
Very sweet story in a "fractured fairytale" way.
The Minions are hysterical! He He He...

3
We have to start baby-proofing again...
Lumpy is ready to go...
This week he pulled himself up at the ottoman
and took a "cruising" step...
He also crawled a bit and
can scootch himself around pretty well.
Add the LONG ARM of the BABY and we are in TROUBLE

4
The biggest trouble is the fact that my house is covered with these

and these...
Also those adorable little erasers in many shapes..
not to mention marbles and action figures...ugh!
All choking hazzards to a baby who
puts EVERYTHING in his mouth!

5
I missed doing anything for the
Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel...
I should get to the local
Carmelite Monastery for Mass,
but probably won't...
I have lost my momentum lately in my prayer life...
By the Grace of God I can get back
on track SOON...

6
Scooter and her best friend are going to
a camp in New Hampshire the last week in July...
so much to do to prepare...
It is called Morning Star Camp &
 is run by the Sisters Slaves of the immaculate Heart of Mary...
They have Latin Mass every morning and must wear
modest clothing and swimwear!
(I have one more swim dress
to make for Scooter before she leaves)
While there, her best friend's mom & I
plus the rest of my little ones
will be staying @ two hours south at the
St Benedict Abbey in Still River, Mass...
I have been wanting a retreat forever...
just not sure how the little ones will do...
Pray for us Please!

7
Lumpy O'Toole has acquired another nick name...
He makes these hilarious noises that sound just like
Chewbacca from Star Wars...
and he CHEWS EVERYTHING...
Plus he grabs anything he can from your hands,
so his Father has dubbed him:
Chewba Grabowski

He just Devours books!

Sometimes he DOES go to sleep...just not very often...
Chewba really liked his babysitter at VBS this year!
Can you believe he will be EIGHT months old next week???

Pax Christi to you all!

Thursday, July 15, 2010

I've Got to STOP watching Ace of Cakes

The Last Day of Vacation Bible School....
The Theme was Son Quest Rainforest...

Our DRE retired several days before, but
graciously stayed with us 'till the last day.

She and her husband
(one of our Deacons)
were in charge of RCIA
when my husband came into the Church.



I wanted to do something special for her...


The kids and I had a great time...
Snorkie made the lizzard and aligator...
Tilly made the Jaguar and Ant Eater...


Scooter made the flowers
and painted them with food dye details
She also made the Toucans and one Parrot...


This thing weighed a TON.
Luckily I have a lazy susan just the right size.
It was Brownie on the bottom,
yellow cake in the middle
and carrot cake on top....whew!