All four Shecklets planted various seeds last spring and we had varying results. Strawberries didn’t make it, zinnias bloomed in late summer, carrots are TBD and watermelons grew vines, but we didn’t see any fruit. That is, until Jake went to pull out the plants. This is what he found:
They weren’t edible, (white inside, not pink) but it was exciting to find out that they did, in fact, grow!
We had mass as a family in a very special chapel this morning, with our friend presiding. The boys read the readings and assisted as servers. As a mom, it was an awesome experience to watch. And I hope they realize just how special it was for them to be part of it.
After mass, we ate breakfast and went to what I can only describe as one of the craziest places I have ever been – the City Museum. We had been told wearing pants was smarter than wearing shorts and that you could spend an entire day at the place. Both statements are true. We spent all afternoon there (again closing the place down) and still didn’t see it all. The photos we took don’t do the place justice, but they do give you an idea as to how unreal it is.
After one final side, we headed to the house of our friend’s friends, on The Hill. There was a bike race going on and they were hosting a pig roast. They kindly invited us to join them. Afterward, we went out for frown custard at Ted Drewes. Yummy stuff! (The boys played “Statue of Liberty” with the dry ice that was keeping the custard cold.)
We hit Missouri on Friday afternoon and about an hour from our destination, I took the wheel. Apparently I take driving very seriously. (And Jake documented how empty the roads were AFTER we had passed a crash on the interstate.😜)
We finally reunited with our dear friend about 5:30 in the afternoon. We stayed in the visitor’s apartment at Mount Grace Convent. It was so kind of the sisters to allow us to stay!
After getting situated, we went out to dinner at Kemoll’s and had the most amazing view of the Arch from the 40th floor.
Shecklet #4 got to spend some time with Nana today – solo. Their project for the afternoon was making applesauce. Yum!
We had celebratory cupcakes for dessert tonight in honor of Shecklet #3’s first day of kindergarten. The color was so bold, it stained lips, tongues and fingers!
This was Shecklet #4 in her pink tractor cart earlier in the day when we she selected the cupcakes. (We met Nana for breakfast at Hy-Vee after sending the other three Shecklets off to school.)
My brother and sister-in-law and niece are adding a new baby to their family this fall! We found out what they are having after biting into cupcakes at the splash pad today.
Frozen yogurt tradition on the last day of school for the boys. Off to 3rd and 4th grade in August with Shecklet #3 joining them in kindergarten.
Nana stopped over today and delivered some tasty treats, milk, and spaghetti sauce that Papa had made. She came from BSF and was heading to an exercise appointment, so she made a wardrobe change before leaving our house. When she reappeared from the bathroom, Shecklet #3 immediately noticed that they matched!
Lots of laughs and fun memories made today. It was our niece’s first Xmas, which made it even more special.
Shecklet #4 received pink “sheeters” just like Nana. Her big sister also received a purple pair. Papa had to work hard to get the lenses out of the frames! The girls had a lot of fun helping everyone else open their gifts. And the boys waited very patiently as we took turns pulling surprises out of our gift bags.
My parents joined us for Christmas Eve mass and dinner afterward.
Note to self for next year – arriving 30 minutes before mass starts is not advised if 8 people would like to sit in the same pew. Thankfully, we were able to find 8 folding chair spots with unobstructed views. The church was packed – which is an awesome thing! So happy to see joy and excitement in people – especially in the faces of the little ones.