Christmas Memories

We've had a wonderful Christmas break.  We didn't waste a moment from the time Lily Grace got out of school and Matt left the office.  
We've had so much fun and enjoyed a lot of family time.  It truly has been a special Christmas this year. 

Gracie roped Matt into being her sous chef for macaron making.  I have to say, he wasn't half bad.  He is such a good dad.  Making macarons is quite time consuming.

We enjoyed a yummy brunch downtown on Christmas Eve.

Before Christmas Eve mass, Lily Grace and I worked on a chocolate cottage.  We had to melt chocolate, mold, build and decorate.  We actually liked it better than a regular gingerbread house. 

Even if we weren't the best at it...

With LG getting older, we actually slept in until about 9:00 this year before we heard her coming downstairs.  She was most excited to find the Apple AirPod Pro set she has been asking for as well as a personal bluetooth printer. Even I agree that the printer is so cute and cool.  

Before all the paper ripping got started

Lily Grace and Matt filled my stocking and I had to declare her the best stocking filler.  

I was responsible for her and Matt and I packed her full of Oreo's. All I ever hear is her making fun of me giving "healthy" snacks so this year I buried all the good stuff at the bottom of her stocking beneath all the individual Oreo packs.  

Matt got an updated set of Apple Air pods himself.  

With a new bear, she was set for the day and busy so we could open gifts. 

This beautiful crystal snowflake came on a pair of Tieks I had asked for.  Gracie wore it as a headband.  Too funny!

Lily Grace also got the Harry Potter Funkoverse game.  People, this game should come with a warning.  It can cause families to tear each other apart.  I thought I was going to have to put this game up as these two went at it while figuring it out.  It has turned in to quite the joke around here.  They've played several times since and actually really enjoy his game.  I'm happy to report, it's a lot more civil. ha! ha!

The Rise of Skywalker

We were among the excited fans last night who braved the cold and the crowds to see the premier of The Rise of Skywalker.  
The theater was filled with excitement and characters from the movie.  
We loved the movie and how it all came to an end.
What a fun start to the holiday season!  

Posing with Emperor Palpatine and the dark side...

...and Legendary Jedi Master Obi Wan Kenobi.

Happy Turkey Day!

We flew south for Thanksgiving this year.  Our first stop was in AL to visit my side of the family and then on to FL to visit Matt's side.  We stayed on the beach in Pensacola and soaked in the warm weather which is a far cry from November here in the midwest.  
Thanks so much to everyone for hosting us.  

Lily Grace couldn't wait to get to AL to visit cousins Wilder and Henry.  She adores these two boys.  

Henry was more about the chase and less about the picture.  

Gracie and I got in some corn hole out on the deck at the hotel our first night.   Corn Hole for the record, is more fun when you can hear the ocean crashing beside you. 

We spent the mornings on the beach walking and looking for sea shells for a couple of hours.  This was one of our favorite memories from our Thanksgiving this year. 

Gracie was a good sport and joined her younger FL cousins in Pie Face.

She also helped Owen and Emma decorate a gingerbread house.  She had so much fun doting on them.

These two proved they have skills.  I took this picture to remind them of that. Ha!

Happy Birthday to Me!

Today I'm celebrating my 48th birthday!  We started celebrating last night with dinner out. This morning we all woke bright and early and headed to Indy.  Lily Grace and I have been really trying to get into this croissant class at Sur La Table and today was our day.  We had so much fun learning to make French Croissants.  What a great way to spend your birthday.  Matt tagged along and acted as our chauffeur.  
Thank you to everyone for all the calls, texts and gifts.  You truly added to my day.  Thank you Matt and Gracie!  As always, you make me feel extra special on my birthday!

Making fresh homemade croissants is very labor intensive.  The amount of rolling is insane but oh so worth it.

Gracie experienced a flour explosion.  It was hilarious and gave us all a good laugh.  In her defense, we had a faulty mixer.  So much fun!

We had so much fun and learned so much.  Gracie taking all these classes together is a gift each and every time.  

We made chocolate filled croissants as well as ham and Swiss filled.  We also learned to make traditional crescent shaped croissants.  Look at all those layers of flaky goodness.  

High School Open House

Tonight Gracie and I visited the Bishop Dwenger Open House.  It's a chance for 8th graders and their parents to tour the school, learn about all the clubs and what the school has to offer.  
Lily Grace and I had a lot of fun completing the school treasure hunt we received on arrival and hearing about all the clubs.   
There are so many opportunities for Gracie and she is looking forward to high school.  I can't wait to see all that does.

LG and I enjoyed dinner out before going to the open house.  While waiting on our food, we had fun with the new (addictive) filter/video app Gracie recently got. 

We ran into friends from our middle school in one of the physics labs and had fun trying out the static electricity ball.  Needless to say, Gracie grabbed on and tried to transfer the fun to me by touching me.  And the chain reaction began as they tried to shock one another.

Oh the little things in life- Lily is so excited about getting a full length locker in high school vs the half locker she's had all through middle school. 

Part of the scavenger hunt involved selfies with different objects.  Here she was directed to take a selfie with an equation in one of the math rooms.  She went to geometry and yes, she could solve it.  She's actually taking 9th grade Algebra this year in order to skip to geometry her freshman year.  She loves math. 

On our hunt we ran into Tuffy, the Bishop Dwenger mascot.   Now you may be wondering about the eye patch and the black eye?  A lot of people including my own family have wondered about that black eye.  The eye patch is an easy one, tonight was a themed "Treasure Hunt" throughout the school.  Now, about that infamous black eye.  We are all sinners, even saints.  We often get knocked down by life and we all need help getting back up.  It's through the mercy of God that we are forgiven.  Through His mercy and forgiveness, we are able to get up again.  Life is hard and we need God and prayer to stay "tuff."  

Of course, she was very interested to see the library.  While it didn't quite live up to her expectations, to be honest, as much as this girl love to read, I don't know that she could ever be satisfied. 

The chapel is absolutely beautiful and I am so grateful that Christ is a part of her school life.

One of the clubs she talked with was, table tennis.  We have a table in our basement and she is pretty good.  She took on the representative and is thinking it could be pretty fun.

Shadowing High School

I can't believe that I dropped Lily Grace off to shadow a freshman for the day at the catholic HIGH SCHOOL we have decided on.  
She was excited and looking most forward to visiting Honors Math class.  She's also eating her FIRST, yep her first EVER school lunch.  I've always packed her lunch and it was strangely odd to send her to school without one.  She wanted to just blend in this first time so she insisted on buying.  She laughed if off and reminded me that one day of processed food wouldn't kill her.  ha!  

Of course I wasn't leaving without a pic of her first High School experience.  And of course she wasn't as into it as I was. 😁😁
We were barely even out of the parking lot.  I did manage to leave without any tears.  Now, come the first real day of high school next August.... I see a full blown ugly cry in my future.

  Here she comes...waiting in the office I was able to catch her walking in with the Amy, the sweet freshman she spent the day shadowing.  According to Gracie she really enjoyed the day and some of the perks that come with being in high school.  Oh! Her first school lunch was chicken strips, macaroni and slaw.  She says it wasn't bad.  I have certainly enjoyed hearing all about everything she experienced today.  

Slicing and Dicing

Lily Grace and I took a little "field trip" today.  Yes, we missed school to get a lesson in knives.  We visited Sur La Table for another cooking class.  This time we took the two hour knives class and learned all about cutting, chopping etc..  
As always, we had a lot of fun, learned a lot and can't wait to take another class.  

My Last Day of School

Today was my last day to help out in the school office.  I've really enjoyed getting to share in this with Lily Grace and  getting a glimpse into her day.  
This seven weeks has flown by and while I only helped out 3 hours each morning, I'm looking forward to getting back to my routine as a stay at home mom.  It truly is the best job I have ever had, or will have.  It is my blessing!  
God bless all working moms!  What you all do is so admirable and I have so much respect for you.
Thank you so much to everyone at the school. You have all been so kind!  Thank you for the delicious luncheon, gifts, kind words and thoughtful send off.  
Sarah, I enjoyed chatting with you when we traded off at 10:30.  You were a delight to "job share" with.

8th Grade Retreat

With this being her last year of middle school and confirmation approaching, Lily Grace is busy with retreats and prep activities.  
We've just returned from a three day team building retreat.  Yes, I said "we."  It was the full camp experience from bunk beds to sharing a bathroom with lots of girls.  
Gracie and I were both very ready to get home to our own beds and a home cooked meal.  

Gracie was the top bunk on the right and I was the one across from her.  This was the day we arrived.  Trust me this place looked quite different on the last day.

Lily Grace conquered the ropes and tire obstacle.

Of course she made some time for reading.

She made her friend Kate a mermaid tail on the "beach."