Pi day

Happy Pi Day!

We started our Pi day party on the official pi day start time: 3.14 (March 14th) 1:59 p.m. (the next three digits of pi). Cian asked me when all the people were to arrive, I guess I didn't tell him it was our own party, lol. Maybe next year we'll have to invite some friends over!

We started with some worksheets about circles and talked a little bit about what pi means.
 Then we of course ate some PIE!

Raspberry pie -YUM!

After pie, the kids watched the episode of the Magic School Bus where they get baked in a cake. (I had thought they were baked in a pie which is why I picked it, but at least it was a round cake!)

And for dinner, a PIZZA PIE!
Nothing fancy, just a frozen pizza- but still good!

Habemus Papam!

Habemus Papam! We have a Pope!

Cardinal Bergoglio is chosen to guide and lead the Catholic Church and chooses the name Pope Francis.

After hearing there was white smoke coming out of the Sistine Chapel chimney, Grace, Cian, Zoe and I sat watching excitedly awaiting the announcement of who was chosen to be the new Pope today. Since we homeschool, we turned on the t.v. in the living room and we sat as a family awaiting the announcement. I hope they will remember this special time and how we witnessed it together as a family.

I had just begun Monday teaching them about the College of Cardinals, which Cardinals would be in the  Papal Conclave, and how the election of the Pope would take place. They enjoyed learning more about our Church and Cian has decided he wants to be a Cardinal. (Must be the cool red robes! Lol!) The Conclave began yesterday and today: Habemus Papam!!

Reasons I am excited for our new Pope-

I love that Pope Francis is from Latin America. I pray he will bring great witness and focus to the real issues of our Church and needs of our world. I believe he will be a witness for the poor and marginalized. This is from his first words as the Pope today to the people gathered and those watching all over the world, "And now let us begin this journey, the Bishop and people, this journey of the Church of Rome which presides in charity over all the Churches, a journey of brotherhood in love, of mutual trust. Let us always pray for one another. Let us pray for the whole world that there might be a great sense of brotherhood . "

I love that Pope Francis began with prayer, recited prayers with the people, and asked for our collective prayers to our Lord for him as our new Pope. "And now I would like to give the blessing, but first I want to ask you a favour. Before the bishop blesses the people I ask that you would pray to the Lord to bless me – the prayer of the people for their Bishop. Let us say this prayer – your prayer for me – in silence. "

I love that Pope Francis chose his name to be Pope Francis. In days to come, I am sure we will hear more about a Jesuit choosing Francis! I have great admiration of St. Francis. His call to repair the Church. His care for all of God's creation. His leaving riches behind. I think his name choice speaks about Pope Francis.
My FAVORITE quote of all time is from St. Francis (in fact I think I should add it on my blog!). "Preach the Gospel always, when necessary, use words. " - St. Francis of Assisi

I love that Pope Francis shows great humility. Hearing and reading the stories today about how Cardinal Bergoglio would take the bus to work. That he chose not live in a fancy house rather an apartment and take the bus instead of being driven by a chauffeur.

What an exciting day!

 Thank you Holy Spirit for guiding the cardinals in selecting our new Pope, Pope Francis.

Valentine's Love

Okay, I know, it's March... and this blog post is about Valentine's Day. It's in February, I know. I really planned to write this in February and my busy life got in the way, lol.

So Valentine's Day. Well, Ellie had the stomach flu the weekend prior. I had the stomach flu 4 days prior and Brian had it on Valentine's Day. However, it was a very special day as I received a gift that brought me to tears....

No, it was not a dozen roses. Yes, I did get them (the hints must have worked, lol!) and even before Valentine's Day instead of the day after! They were beautiful, but it was not them that brought me tears.

It was a simple Hallmark card. Not surprising as I bawl like a baby during their movies and commercials (the only commercials I can actually stand!)

Brian bought me a card for the kids to sign and color in and it said, "For my Teacher: Roses are Red, Violets are Purple, I've got the Very Best Teacher Ever."

So simple, so beautiful, so treasured. I love homeschooling the kids. It has been such a great joy and blessing for us all.

S-N-O-W

Snowsuits- finally used!

The kids have been waiting all winter for a snow that stayed long enough to get out and enjoy it. After schooling this morning, they finally got their chance. After rounding up their snowsuits (that had yet to be used this year!), their boots, then finding their coats, mittens and hats we went out to PLAY!

This was Ellison's FIRST time going out to play in the snow! She wasn't really sure what to think of it. She did laugh out loud lots watching the kids chase each other, throw snowballs at Daddy, and roll big snowballs.

Snow angels, snow forts and snowball fights. Classic snow fun!

Grace makes a snow angel

Zoe's turn

The kiddos and I in their snow fort

FAT TUESDAY and the FLU

MARDI GRAS!!!

KID STYLE!!!

Well, as you know with kids, things often have a way of not going the way you planned. The flu has been taking people out left and right and we had been very lucky that it hadn't gotten us yet! Well, the Friday before Mardi Gras Ellison got the stomach flu. So not awesome. I've been very lucky that she is the first one we had get it that young (she's 1.5 yrs). She's at that age where she is too old to make them stay put and too young to get them to aim at anything when getting sick if you know what I mean. As I said, not awesome. Brian came home from work as early as he could Friday, but had to be out of town for soccer all weekend so I was in the trenches with Ellie.

So, anyhow, come Sunday night I think it was (it's all a bad blur now!) she was better and big shocker, I got it. Thanks Love Bug! It came at a not so great time as we had big events that week: Mardi Gras, Ash Wednesday, a Valentine's Day party that was actually on Ash Wednesday and then Valentine's Day.

I did manage to take a few photos of the kids doing their Mardi Gras crafts:

Cian making his mask.

Zoe makes a crown and a mask. 

 Grace's mask

 Ellison's crown

I did talk to the kids a little about Mardi Gras. That the season begins on Epiphany (hence the crowns of the Three Wise Men) and goes until the day before Lent begins called Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday. We talked about how people used to get rid of all the items they would fast from and have a big feast on Fat Tuesday. I also told them about the King's Cake I had in New Orleans that we have made a new tradition for our family. Last year I made one, this year I was sick! Luckily a friend told me of a local store that made them so my mom went and got one for us! SOO sweet!

(She also hooked me up with some flu meds and my FAV ice cream!!!)

Enjoying the King's Cake:

100th Day!

Today was our 100th day of homeschooling! Ever!

I wanted to make it a very fun day for the kids so we eliminated most of our textbook work and did some hands-on learning today at a children's museum.

We even snuck in a little MATH...........

and GEOGRAPHY....

 

PHYSICS.............

and BIOLOGY!

FOREIGN LANGUAGE IMMERSION.... okay, we just had a craving for Mexican food! 

And to finish the day- a cool treat for my little STARS!!!

 

Stop and Smell the Roses

Weird huh, second title with roses... maybe a subconscious hint to my hubby for Valentine's Day, lol!

I picked that as my title as I need to! I have come to the conclusion that some people just like to be on the go. I think I might be one of them. Is there a support group for that? ;-)

I am always going here and there and thought I am busier now than I was before we homeschooled, but really I think I have always been this way. In college I was in a ton of clubs, the first few years of traditional school my kids were in lots of extra-curriculars and now that we are homeschooling our schedule is just more flexible to be busy. So we are.

I have a friend that bought some girl scout cookies from Grace (thank you!) and I am trying to coordinate getting them to her as we live about 30 minutes from each other. You would think it would be super simple, but when I looked at my upcoming week we have AT LEAST one thing every day.

Cian soccer practice
Grace soccer practice
Zoe soccer practice
Zoe soccer game
Cian soccer game
Grace soccer game
Mass on Sunday
Tumbling for Zoe, Cian and Grace
Art Class for Grace and Cian
Swim lessons for Grace, Cian and Zoe
Nature homeschool class
Orthodontist appointment Grace
Dance class Zoe
2 dance classes for Grace - at least they are back to back!

Phew! I am tired and the week hasn't even begun! Throw in a 1 1/2 year old and there you go.

So...
I decided a couple weeks ago that something had to give. I decided that I need 1 day a week that we don't go anywhere and another day a week that we are normally home. I leave that second day of the week for the monthly orthodontic appointments or field trips. In order to have one day of homeschooling that we don't leave the house during the "school day" I had to quit a local group I had joined. I always feel bad when you can't do everything, but that's just it. Nobody can do everything.

I also decided to drop out of a homeschool group. When I first moved and started homeschooling this summer I joined the 3 that are near me. They all have great events and super nice people, but you can't do everything. I have totally clicked with one group and have made some AMAZING new friends. It was a no-brainer for me. That's my group. I hate disappointing people and even more so, hate hurting anyone's feelings. But sometimes you just have to stop and smell the roses. (Even if I do have to pencil it in to my schedule, lol!)