Five Boys Happy Home

So far this season has been relaxing for everyone. Who (except school age children) doesn't like a nap? These two look comfy!  I hope that all of you had a great Christmas. I think it's the first time in years I was not totally stressed out! For the last six years we have been going to the children's Mass on Christmas Eve at 4:00 or 4:30. It is always quite crowded and I get really stressed out in huge crowds. Last year our parish started a 6pm service and we tried it. It was less crowded (because it was only advertised verbally) but the boys were so tired that their behavior was, shall we say, imperfect.  This year the parish cancelled the 4:30 service. So not only would the 4:00 be crowded but the 6:00 also! Yuck!! So this year we tried something new. Our kids wake up by 6:45 usually so we finished gifts (leisurely) and went to the 10:30 Christmas Day Mass. We got there early, but didn't need to! It was a tad more crowded than our typical 7:30 Mass, but the pews in fr...

Okay, so technically there's no need for a Snow Day when you are homeschooled. However, when Waste Management calls to say that there's no pickup today then I think a Snow Day is appropriate.  Poor Scott still went to work. I'm glad he's only a few minutes away!  We are using this opportunity to bake! Jack is baking his entry into the Annual Pack 625 cake contest. He's doing almost all of the work himself.  We're also baking cookies that I promised Scott's friend at work who cut some lumber for our countertops.  But I did make one perfect cookie: Then some time out in the snow. It was a lot to shovel. Scott and I both had a turn. Brr!! 

Already three months old! Just in time for the holidays. I thought I would get a bit of the tree in the picture.  He is doing really well and I may have to upgrade from 0-3 month outfits to the 3-6 month size. He's so tall! Everyone else is also doing well. We are getting excited for sharing this first Christmas with Duncan. Until next time...

So, I read this article that was both sad and awesome. I will paste the link at the end of this post. The sad news: the founder of Nutella (and Ferrero Rocher delicious confections) has passed away.  So this article talks about how the founder had a devotion to OL of Lourdes and that he went every year and arranged a pilgrimage for employees too.  Nutella reminds me of Scott's stories about his trip to Europe and the (horrid) absence of Peanut Butter. The story always makes me laugh.  So, both those facts, plus the fact that he went on the trip with his best friend who was instrumental in his conversion makes it a really cool...thing? Idea? Coincidence?  It made sense in my head, LOL.  Regardless, a cool story worth reading.  http://aleteia.org/2015/02/17/nutella-founder-dies-said-secret-of-success-was-our-lady-of-lourdes/?utm_content=buffer1be18&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer Until next time...

Wait, will this let me write in purple?  I'm going to try... Hello, is this thing on? Oh, it is! Happy Advent everyone! We have been busy busy busy so far this season. I am *trying* to get it all done early so that I can not worry, and just relax the week or so before Christmas. I think my plan may actually work out this  year. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at our house. Music is (usually) playing, although sometimes it mysteriously changes to "Songs from Minecraft" !  The kids had a lot of fun putting up the tree - especially Spencer who really didn't remember much about the holidays from last year.  I also changed up the pajamas tradition.  Typically I had given them out on Christmas Eve to be worn to bed.  However, I thought it would be more fun to wear them the whole season, so I handed them out on the 1st Sunday of Advent, and they kids enjoyed wearing them during dinner and watching Santa Claus is Coming to Town .  Hope yo...