Pinewood Derby!

Before we weighed his car.  :)

His first race!

He looked so serious!

Cullen receiving his 2nd place medal!

Finn really enjoyed watching the races!

The pack after the races.

Some of the cars...

Cullen racing for an overall place.

Cullen's fast green car!

We have our first Pinewood Derby race under our belts.  I'm happy to report Cullen got 2nd Place in his Den.  He lost to the overall winner, also a Cub Scout.  It was really fun and all the boys had a great time!

Indian Food

Friday night we went to dinner at another MBA Family's house.  They are from India and we were excited to try their authentic Indian food.  Swetha's mom was in town and helped her make the meal.  It was really good!  The rice had eggplant and some nuts and chickpeas in it.  The round ball reminds me of a hush puppy, but made of lentils and had a big kick to it! The red dish with peas and homemade (cottage) cheese cubes was my favorite!  It was delicious!  Most of the food was spicy, but they told us it was very bland to them.  Ha!  They boys didn't eat much, it was too spicy for them.  They did put yogurt on the table too, to help bring down the spiciness. 

Swetha loves ice cream, and told me at playgroup that she has been eating a ton of it here in the states because it's so accessible and cheap here.  In India a small Ben and Jerry's is about $30 and it's hard to find and they have very few flavors.  Since I knew how much they love ice cream I told them I would bring homemade ice cream for dessert.  They loved it and asked many questions on how to make it.  Swetha's mom made the comment that it's nice people still make their own ice cream.  She has a sister that lives in NJ and rarely makes it.

It was a really fun night!  I was worried it would be hard to understand them.  Swetha's mom spoke amazing English and made lots of conversation.  The boys had a hard time being good... we went to their house straight after Cullen's soccer practice, so we got there at 7:45pm- their bedtime.  Ohh well. 

One awkward moment... it came up that Swetha got married at 22.  I told her I did too... she said their 3rd anniversary was coming up on April 26th.  I said ours is too.... on the 26th of April but we've been married 11 years.  She said that her husband is from central India and she was from the coast.  I asked how they met and she said it was an arranged marriage.  Oh! I forgot some places still did that!

out of the mouths of babes...

I love preschool artwork!

Finn has said a few funny things lately, I don't want to forget them.  :)  Swim lessons have started back up at the Knute Rockne Memorial.  As we were leaving the boys were curious about Knute's bronze bust that we always walk by...  Cullen asked if he was dead, I told him yes they built this building after he died and named it after him.  Cullen asked how he died.  I told him he was killed in a plane crash in Kansas.  Then Cullen asked if he broke into pieces.  ???  To which Finn was quick to answer- "Yeah Cullen, look at him... he doesn't have any arms."  Ha.

Yesterday, I was busy working on upcoming events for the FLC and Finn came in and climbed onto my lap.  He told me (for the 3rd time recently) that he wants to marry me when he grows up.  My little sweetheart.  :)  I told him I'm already married to his daddy and he will marry a nice girl someday when he grows up... a long time from now.  He didn't seem happy with my response.

Christ has died, but He is risen!

We had a wonderful Easter, our last here in South Bend. The boys were up early hunting for their Easter baskets. We went to the 10 am (2nd of 3 Masses) Mass at the Basilica. It was standing room only! We got incredibly lucky and got 2nd row seats, as they opened some reserved pews just where we were standing. It was a beautiful Mass. As we left there were loooong lines waiting to get a seat at the noon Mass.

We walked straight over to the South Dining Hall for their famous Easter Brunch. Food was great, atmosphere was perfect, and it beats preparing a huge meal for four!

On our walk back to the car, we stopped at my beloved Grotto to light a few candles and pray.

I hope the boys share my special memories of these blessed days!

Good Friday

Stations of the Cross.  Beautiful Golden Dome in the background!

What a beautiful day to do the outdoor Stations of the Cross around Lake Saint Joseph!  Not a cloud in the sky.  The little boys were angels... they did so good.  Cullen enjoyed following along in his own book.

My friends for the rosary!  I'll miss them!

After Stations of the Cross, I asked my rosary friends for a picture, to remember them by.  Since our time is winding down here.  They suggested we walk back to the Grotto, since that's where we all met.  Perfect.  I love the sunbeams coming down by the Blessed Mother.

(L to R) Mark, Simone (Frieda's youngest grand-daughter), Adam, Frieda, me and Martha (Adam's mom)

March is over... already??

Finn at the FLC egg hunt.

 A funny Finn story-  A few nights ago, I couldn't get Finn to go to bed.  He kept coming out of his room to ask questions.  I've decided he's got a busy mind. or has some good bedtime stall tactic questions stored up there...  He said- "Mom, what do they do with port-a-potties when they're all done?  I think they take them to the guys house and they flush them down there."

Sean has ordered his cap and gown and class ring.... won't be long.

Oldie, but a goodie

After saying our Guardian Angel prayer last night, Cullen told me all about Saint Michael.  He told me there was a big battle in Heaven and the angels had to fight against the devil.  It was hard, but the angels won.  And that Saint Michael was the greatest fighter.  They kicked the devil out and now he has to live in Hell.  I was surprised that he knew so much about it and asked him where he learned it.  I asked him if it was the Atrium.  He never did answer.  I asked the Atrium teacher today, while I was volunteering for Finn's class.  She said that Cullen has been interested in the Saint's book in Atrium lately and he read it all for himself there.  :)

After leaving Atrium, Finn and I walked through the Gym, where Cullen was having lunch.  We went by to say hi to him.  He was quiet and didn't have much to say.  We told him good-bye and were leaving when he came running up to me and gave me a big hug.  So sweet!  Won't be long and my biggest boy won't want to hug me in front of his friends anymore.  My sweet Cullen... I love those moments!

Grandma & Papa visit!

Enjoying cotton candy at the carnival. (Celebrating the end of basketball.)

We were able to visit baby Grace.

 There were a few swans swimming behind Grace's tree

 on the other side of the lake.

Cullen working on his Pinewood Derby car.

Working hard.

We were glad Papa could help, he's done a few Pinewood Derby cars!

Grandma and Papa with their soccer star.

Grandma and Papa with their basketball star.

We had a great visit with Grandma and Papa!  Due to some bad snowstorms moving through Kansas and Missouri, we were have to have them an extra day!  We did a lot: swimming the the hotel pool, Finn's soccer game, Cullen's last basketball game, a work day for Cullen's 1st Pinewood Derby car for Scouts, Palm Sunday Mass at the Basilica, pizza dinner at Rocco's, a walk to visit Grace by Lake Saint Mary, Carnival, Rosary at the Grotto and Sunday Evening Vespers.  Whew!  It was fun!

They will be back soon for Sean's graduation!  It's coming so fast!  :(