Thanks for being born!

Ollie turned six today!

Six!

He's getting so old! 

Last week he had a gymnastics party at the Y.

The kids got to run all over the place and wear themselves out.

It was super fun--and easy!  It's my new favorite kind of party!!  

For his actual birthday day, he requested a trip to the Salt Museum.

It's been on our to-do list for a long time, so we were all pretty excited about his request!

We went all out with a train AND a tram ride!  Nothing but the best for our birthday boy!

We had an excellent time!  Everyone got to pick out a salt rock to take home!

Bonus!

Other treats of the day included a large soda from McDonald's and a malt from Bogey's in Hutch!

He's easy to please!

He also requested waffles for his birthday meal.  Sadly, I didn't make that happen. 

I have, however, promised to make them tomorrow.  

Who doesn't want an extra long birthday anyway?!

Join Us For A Game!

I'm not much of a sports girl.

I always adding various games to our to-do list throughout the year, not because I love them, but  because it seems like something we should do with the boys.  (I usually pray that Ben will take them on his own!) 

Sports just don't hold my attention. 

I keep trying, though!

A month or so ago, Gretchen invited us to a hockey game.  I wasn't feeling great, and I debated on not going, but in the spirit of making memories as a family, I went.  

I usually make it about 15 or 20 minutes before I start getting antsy to leave.  This time, though, I actually watched the whole game, AND it wasn't bad!  

I could have done without the "You Suck" chant--I made Josh cover his ears each time that one started--but otherwise it was fun!

I was really glad that I went!

A week or two later, Amy invited us to a KU women's basketball game.

After the hockey game, I was a little more opened minded about that game.  Plus, how could I turn it down.  It was a big outing for the boys!

I've never understood the rules to that game, but after a quick rundown by Amy, I was able to follow along.  In the end, I got pretty into the game!

It was exciting!

I don't think I will ever be able to get into football--Luke really wants to play so in the end I may have no choice but to love it--but at least I'm making progress with other sports!

This summer I'm going to try out camping.  I feel like once I can handle sports and camping I will have arrived as full fledged boys mom!

We'll see how it goes!

Welcoming Pope Francis

On Wednesday I went with Luke on a field trip to a youth rally for some of the Catholic school kids in the Dioceses.

As terrible as it may sound, I really dreaded going.

It took up the entire school day and I could only imagine what a nightmare it was going to be keeping everyone corralled.  Plus I had a long list of things to get done around the house. 

Luke wanted me to go, though, and since I feel like I’m on the verge of going to the “uncool” side of things, I figured I better snatch up any opportunity I had to hang out with him and his friends.

I told myself to be optimistic. 

In the end it turned out be a HUGE blessing.

Word came that a new pope and been selected just before Bishop Jackels started Mass, and just as communion was finished up, the T.V. monitors alongside the altar went live to Rome where he was about to make his first appearance.

Everyone started cheering and chanting! 

It was so exciting and the timing of it all was amazing!

There was no other place that I would have wanted to be at that moment!

The whole day itself was actually pretty fun!  I was really glad I went!

--By the way, when I went to Luke’s school to volunteer the next day I found out that nearly all the teachers and parents involved were dreading that field trip.  It made me feel like a less crappy mom for not wanting the go!