soccer birthday party

Singing Happy Birthday.

What a nice group of boys!

Opening presents.

Skylanders!

We had Cullen's birthday party this morning at Soccer Zone.  He had a great time playing soccer with all his friends!  These are such a nice group of boys... we'll miss them next year.  That said, whew... I'm glad birthday parties are only once a year.  EXHAUSTING!

Happy 7th Birthday to CULLEN!

Opening presents!

7 candles already?

Testing out the new toys!

I cannot believe Cullen is already 7!  He is such a neat kid.  He brings us so much laughter, fun, and only a few gray hairs.  ;)  We are blessed to have a healthy, happy boy!  He truly, never ceases to amaze us... with what he says, how good he is at school, how kind he is to everyone... We are very proud of our biggest boy. 

Next up: a scoccer birthday party with lots of busy, little boys!

On a side note, Cullen had his 7 year old check up today... and he continues to be a square!  Last year he was 45" and 45 lbs... this year he is 47" and 47 lbs.  Too funny!

Belf sightings...

Belf brought Cullen balloons for his birthday.

Finn had brunch with Santa for the FLC Playgroup.

Belf hanging out with the new ornaments Saint Nicholas left the boys on his feast day.

 The boys wanted Belf to ask Santa if he could bring an early gift...

Both letters say the same thing. :)

 Snowball (marshmallow) fight with Hulk!

 

Tire Swing!

 

 

Belf got locked out!

 

 

Some of our elf fun!  The boys LOVE to find him every morning. :)

 



Rosary memories

A Quiet Moment by Timothy P. Schmalz

 Jesus, Mary and Joseph portrayed in perfect harmony, love and peace. 

A celebration of the purity of love.

I made it to my weekly rosary Thursday night.  I love going to the rosary this time of year... it's so beautiful, all lit up in the dark... with all the candles going.  My favorite place on campus, next to the serene walks around the lake with the boys.  It was a small crowd- Steve, Freida, Father O'Connor, Brother John, and Brother Richard.  Father O'Connor said a special blessing over me before it started.

After the rosary and enjoying hearing Brother John (from Kansas City) next to me, belt out Salve Regina- he's a great singer.  Then Brother Richard handed me a chaplet.  He told me the next time I go to communion, to bless it myself with the host.  I asked if I could do that, and he said "Why not? Jesus is there with us at Mass."

Freida and I walked to our cars and Brother Richard walked with us.  When we got to our cars Brother asked if I had a minute, he wanted to show me a statue.  I said sure.  So we walked up to Columbia Hall on the hill, where 65 retired Brothers live.  He said it is the second oldest building on campus.  We went inside and I saw huge, beautiful poinsettias and a Christmas tree lit up.

We went directly into the room on the left.  There was this large sized statue- A Quiet Moment.  It was quiet beautiful.  Brother had bought it about five years ago for $500.  He gave me a slip of paper with the information on it- artist, address, phone number, website.  I noticed all the old artwork of Jesus on the walls too.  I thanked him for sharing it with me.  As I was leaving he asked me the question he always does- "What's the name of our grandparents?"  This time I knew.... Anna and Joachim.

Night at Compton Arena

My little leprechauns with the ND leprechaun!

Finn made this sign to cheer on the Irish Hockey players. :)

 We got tickets to watch Saturday nights hockey game.  The boys had a great time!  I wish I could say the same for the older lady directly in front of us.  She threw up all of the floor.  Poor thing, how embarrassing!  Lucky for everyone, Cullen didn't see it.  There would have been another mess to clean.  Finn noticed and told me "It makes me want to throw up too, but I can hold it."  Thank goodness.

Sean watching ND Basketball beat Kentucky.

The students rushed the court after the game. :)

Last Christmas in South Bend...

Time to decorate the tree!

All 3 boys love the fire going in the fireplace.

Belf's first night back...  The boys loved it!

 The boys enjoyed learning Belf is buddies with Batman and Hulk.

Belf spelled everyone's name out with cereal another morning...

The boys made their ornaments this year!

 Finn surprised me with how well me followed the directions.

thankful for Cullen

The cutest Tiger Cub Scout ever.  :)

Cullen had his second Cub Scout meeting last night.  He loves it!  He looks so grown up in his BSOA outfit.... what happened, where did the time go??

Cullen's Thankful list.  No help at all.

God, Mary, Video Games, Quinn, me, mom, dad, Jesus, I like teacher, the sun.

I love his list!  Still wondering why Finn was beat out by the sun.... ;)  We had a great Thanksgiving!  We went to the Wilson's house.  It was a beautiful day in the upper 60's, so the kids bounced on the trampoline while the men fried the turkey outside.  Jan and I enjoyed the quiet and stayed inside to gab.

While we are on the thankful topic... I am so thankful for these two years at Notre Dame, they are better than I could have possibly imagined!  It will be so incredibly hard to leave this special place.  I am also thankful my husband went for the Fort Leavenworth, ILE option... even though it may set him back on the Army's timeline.  And my two beautiful, ornery little boys, I am so thankful for them! 

We had Cullen's conference at school last week.  Let me say, I am SO thankful that he had a perfect report from his teacher!  She told me immediately that I should be very proud of him.  He is smart, respectful, nice to everyone, and has good self-control.  (MY Cullen, self-control?  What!?!)  She said he is right on target with everything and very strong in science and math.  She said Cullen is amazing because he really listens to what she is teaching, and then perfectly executes it on his own work.  She said the only thing that she has to watch him on, is talking with this buddies.  :)  But once he's reminded, he stops and minds.  Praise the Lord!  This boy tests EVERY limit we've ever given him, but he is ideal at school.  I'll take it!  I am so proud and thankful for Cullen!

Sean and I were so thrilled, we let him eat out at a restaurant of his choice (McDonalds) and then we went out for ice cream afterwards.  :)

So much to be thankful for.