Girl's Night!

With Myriah going to prom tomorrow, tonight became prep night. She wanted to do her nails, I needed to practice doing a few hair styles to find one she likes, and the other girls (including two neighbor girls) wanted to get in on the fun. So it turned into a girl's night.

I am still sitting here wondering how they talked me into putting on fake nails. But, I guess I have to admitt... doing it with my girls was fun. We'll see how long they last.

BEFORE!

AFTER!


After all the fun, the girls wanted to watch a "chick flick." So we all sat down and watched "Confessions of a Shopaholic"... cute show!

You may wonder where my boys were in all of this. Before you think we planned to exclude them, let me assure you we offered to let in on the fun. They, however, did not see any fun in our choice of activity. In fact, as quick as they could, they headed for the a neighbor's down the road. A neighbor with boys to play with. Can't say as I blame them!

Arts in Bloom

Last night, thanks to the public library, the kids and I were able to take a coach ride to the Minneapolis Institute of Arts to enjoy the Art in Bloom displays. I didn't have to drive into the city, the kids were exposed to the great art at the museum, my mother -in-law was able to join us, and we all had fun seeing how art could inspire a floral arrangement. It was an enjoyable (and educational) evening for us all!

You can click on any photo to enlarge it if you want a closer look at the floral arrangements.

This is Magdalene's favorite. Her home school group class is currently studying China. Magdalene has asked if we can try to make a replica of this out of artificial flowers for presentation day. Next week we will be heading to the craft store to see what artificial plants we can find.

I really liked these flowers. I had never seen Protea before. I think they are very different, intriguing and just plain fun.

This bunch I get to enjoiy at home everyday! Aren't they sweet!

They are home!

They had fun, but, I missed them! So good to have them home.

Learning Curve!!

All the interesting things I must now learn being single!! After spending most of the day in Eagan, driving home in crazy traffic (due to construction season.. ugh), shopping and running errands, and putting away groceries, I sat down this evening to look through my lawn mower's owner's manual hoping that it wouldn't require much to get it ready for mowing.

Recommended each season... new spark plugs, oil & filter change, an air
filter change and a few other things I can't remember at the moment.

I do enjoy learning new things, and once I have this down I'm sure it won't be so bad... but I am just not up to attempting my first oil change after every thing else today. And the owner's manual just doesn't have enough pictures in my opinion!! Besides I will need to go to the store first anyhow and get the things I need. Just too much for tonight! So instead I took a nice long walk, came home and had a banana split and am going to watch a movie with the kids. I'll learn something new later!!

More dancing!

Maybe not... I have been trying to post the two other videos I have of the kids dancing, but it just doesn't seem to want to work. :( So sorry! They are fun!

Swing Dancing

A group of youth from church wanted to get together and go swing dancing, again. They went about a month ago for the the first time and really enjoyed themselves. Yesterday a group got together and went out again. Quite a few of the kids have been taking dance lessons through home school group and really have fun dancing on a real dance floor with a live orchestra. And it is fun for us parents to see our teens dress up, watch our young men act like gentlemen when they ask a lady for a dance and escort her onto the dance floor, and see our young ladies twirl around a dance floor!

James and Myriah agreed to comply with their mother's request (ok, so it was more like pleading) to get a video clip of the two of them dancing together. Of course, we had to go off to the side! But at least I have them on film!! Actually, I think they kind of have fun dancing together. They danced a few dances together out on the dance floor and at home they will even dance in the living room!

I do have a couple other videos that for some reason are not downloading to blogger. I will try in another post, maybe tomorrow.

Christ is Risen!!

Truly He is risen! Alleluia!

HAPPY EASTER!

The Thorn

Today, thanks to my mother in law, my children and I (along with other family members) attened a wonderful performance telling the story of our Lord's passion and His resurrection. (The Thorn, put on by North Heights Lutheran Church) We went with a group of others through Gary Block Tours. If you ever have the opportunity to take one of their tours, I highly recommend it. There were games on the bus, a very tasty lunch, and we all enjoyed ourselves very much today. Thanks Mom!!

FIFTEEN!

My son turned 15 years old today! And what a wonderful young man he is becoming!

James, May you continue to grow in the grace of our heavenly Father. Know that you are loved beyond measure! Happy Birthday, my son. I hope you enjoyed your breakfast banana split :)

Divine Mercy

Just a reminder... the Divine Mercy Novena begins to day!

For the sake of His sorrowful passion,

have mercy on us and on the whole world.

Holy Thursday!

We celebrated the Passover with some friends this evening. We adapted the prayers of the Passover Seder meal, and we lit candles, ate unleavened bread, drank wine (ok, raspberry juice), and consumed the lamb.

After dinner we processed through the woods with Christ (the kids carried a large picture of Jesus) and candles to the "Garden of Gethsemane" to pray. Jennifer read the scripture account of Christ in His agony in the garden,

we prayed through the 1st mystery of the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary, and then Jesus was arrested and carried away.

We had a very pleasant evening!

The Passover

"Everyone of your families must procure for itself a lamb, one apiece for each household. If a family is too small for a whole lamb, it shall join the nearest household in procuring one and shall share in the lamb..." Exodus 12: 3-4

Ok, so my family would have no problem devouring this lamb on our own; however, we do intend to share it tonight with another household and although it is not roasted, nor is it without blemish (I am just not that skilled of a cake decorator) it will be enjoyed as we remember the Passover and our Lord's Last Supper.

May our Lord draw you into His passion as you await the joys of His resurrection.