This and that and Flight Museum

We've had a great school week and gotten a lot done.  I have to keep saying- Charlie is the best little student.  He is so diligent.  He gets out his math book and gets straight to work.  Then he moves his little bookmark.   He keeps going from subject to subject.  It's so precious to watch. 

He and Tucker still love puzzles and crafts.  I hate to make them stop their puzzling in the morning, but we have other work to do!

Tucker made a "solar system kite."  He said, "I picture the sun as a firey kite while the planets follow on its tail through the universe..."

They are loving their gymnastics class.  They did the parallel bars on Wednesday.  They were excited because we had just read "Sir Cumference and the Great Knight of Angleland" this week and they learned more about parallels.  I love all the Sir Cumference books.

Here are a few pictures from hiking through the woods by our home after a basketball game. 

And Charlie is always snuggling up to someone- if Mommy and Daddy aren't available he goes to a sibling-

By the way, Daddy was in Dallas the past two weeks and got to go to the grassy knoll.  He ran into some conspiracy theorists who explained how it all "really" went down.   :)

Fashionista Holly and her family came and spent the night last night to break their vacation journey.  We had a great time staying up talking and having a donut birthday celebration with their little 8-year-old this morning!

Today we had the best field trip at the Southern Museum of Flight.  We are members there and have been a million times, but we'd never had an official tour.  It made a huge difference.  Our docent was extremely knowledgeable and interesting. 

We started with the Wright Brothers and worked our way through the past century of air travel. 

One of the original Delta crop dusters. 

We learned all about the Tuskegee airmen-

After our thorough tour we went and made model airplanes-

Then we ran around outside flying them-

We ended the day with the older children doing a flight simulator activity on computers with joysticks.  Marc and Julia especially LOVED this and would have stayed all day.  Tucker, Charlie and I and other littles played in the playroom during that time. 

Such a wonderful day- we learned a lot!

Oh, and finally a few quotes to remember:

Marc was out of town on Sunday evening, and I took the children to a Mexican restaurant for dinner. I didn't realize I would be there right when the half time show for the Super Bowl was on with Lady Gaga. 

Charlie:  Mommy!  You can see that girl's bewwy button!!!  She wooks wike she's wearing her underwear!

Tucker waving his hand:  This whole thing is just ridiculous.  :)

Picking them up from their co-op classes-

Mommy:  Charlie, was everyone good for the teachers?

Charlie:  Well, "Buddy" got in trouble because he was just too concerned about Mario. 

Mommy:  How about you- did you get in trouble?

Charlie:  Just a wittle bit.

Mommy:  What did you do?

Charlie:  (Big Sigh...) Oh, it's just a long story.  :) 

Marc's Confirmation

Today our sweet Marc received the sacrament of Confirmation.  It was a precious day with our boy.

We bought him his first suit ever!  He looked very handsome.  (I wish his hair wasn't wet!).  :)

The children went forward and knelt before the bishop who made the sign of the cross on their foreheads with holy chrism oil while saying in Latin, "I sign thee with the cross, and I confirm thee with the chrism of salvation in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."  Then he gives them a little slap on the cheek "symbolizing that the Christian is now a soldier for Christ and must endure suffering and the persecution that comes from conflict with the world."

Each child had a sponsor that they chose who is a role model and helps the child along.  Marc chose our friend Patrick, but I don't have a picture of them- the professional photographer took some.  Our young friend chose Marc Sr. to be his sponsor.  He was honored to be asked.

There was a luncheon reception afterwards.  I had to get a pic of the grey suit/red tie gang.  :)

We are so proud of you, Marky and so happy for you having received this special sacrament.  God bless you, sweet boy!

Candlemas and such

Yesterday was the Feast of the Purification, also called Candlemas.  It's when Mary and Joseph presented Jesus in the temple 40 days after his birth and met Simeon and Anna who had long awaited the Savior's birth.  Marc and I both especially love this story.  The idea of old Simeon waiting and waiting and then he sees Jesus and says....

“Sovereign Lord, as You have promised,

you may now dismiss your servant in peace.

For my eyes have seen Your salvation,

which You have prepared in the sight of all nations:

a light for revelation to the Gentiles,

and the glory of Your people Israel.”

And then he turns to Mary and says,

“This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

Such a bittersweet moment for the Blessed Mother. 

On this day the church blessed the candles used for the year.  We went to Mass but didn't get our candles on the table in time for the blessing.  So Father met us in the sacristy afterwards and blessed them. 

At home, I read a blurb about the story from this book-

And then we colored pictures and did a crossword-

It's interesting- Candlemas is always on Groundhog's Day.   There is a German saying, "If Candlemas is mild and pure,  Winter will be long for sure." :) 

The children were delighted when we made candle cookies to celebrate the LIGHT of Christ!

I got the idea here.  (Although I just used frosting to attach the marshmallow flame because I am not able to melt white chocolate well).  :)

We've had a busy week.  Daddy has been gone the entire week for a trial out of state.  He was supposed to come home for good on Saturday, but the case went over and he has to go back next week too.  I sent him this picture when he told me the news. :)  Because I'm supportive.  :)

Tucker had his zoo science class on animal adaptations this week.  When I picked him up he said, "can just you and I have lunch here?"  So we did.  Such a sweet time listening to my sugarbear tell his stories. 

All three boys got haircuts this week- (Notice how two do what they are told and the other is.....different.)

Charliebear was telling me about this fort he made for "Supersheep, who wears a wocketpack on his back so he can fly."  

I said, "what are you doing?"  He said, "I'm just weading about how mountains are made."  :)