Gunner

We visited Catigny with Johnny and Kelly today. Sam could not get enough of the gun on the top of this tank (while Charlie spent a long time perusing the museum)~

He loved climbing out on this~

Even asking me to videotape him~

Catigny is another one of those places I always mean to get to more often~

Sam Saves the Day

Tonight after the hockey game, Sam read the book grandpa made for him, aloud~
It's all about how Sam played in one of Charlie's games when he was about 4. The team was short, and the coach called him in! True story :)

The Blackhawk Cup

Scott and the boys (along with Charlie's friend Charlie) saw St. Rita in the state championship tonight. They played at the United Center~
St. Rita won!

Uncle Dan and Jack were there, too. It was so much fun, they plan on going every year, even if St. Rita isn't in it~

Way to go, Mustangs~

Pins and Puzzles

We went bowling again, this time Mary had a friend along~
It can get pretty boring for the 3 and under set, but they are good sports~

This time we brought a 300 piece puzzle~

And were able to complete it!

This one was a beautiful picture of St. Basil's cathedral. The nice thing about jigsaw puzzles is they cause you to look very closely at an image. This cathedral is amazing!

Opa!

Tonight, as a reward for, and in celebration of, Charlie finishing up Here in the Gates, we took him to dinner at The Odyssey. A couple of weeks ago Charlie happened to spot it as we were driving. It was the best place to wind up his studies of the ancient world~

AWANA Games

While Charlie was doing his second performance of Here, In the Gates, Sam was competing in the AWANA games!
He was fired up~

And had a blast~

Sam is a fun-loving, super competitor. He a blast today, and can't wait until next year. AWANA has been awesome for both boys :)

Upward Awards

The boys had their Upward Awards tonight. It is always a fun time, with a great performance, and awesome prizes. Sam won a scholarship for next year!!

Sam asked me to paint his face for the festivities. His team was the Cobras, so the blob on his cheek was my attempt at the coiled snake. I foresee a lot of over-the-top fanfare in Sam's future (I can't find any pictures, but Sam will find any excuse to decorate his face)...

Here, In the Gates

"Without a home in a barren wasteland, five orphaned sisters receive a merciful gift. A thousand years later, their legend inspires a remnant of exiled Jews. Spies threaten the lives of the sisters’ descendants and their ancient home. Will fear unravel their desires?"
Charlie played Hananiah in the Greenhouse play tonight. It was a very big role, and he nailed it~

Of course he's a natural - it runs in the family. Prince Baccarratti, of Space Patrol fame, is his maternal great-grandfather. ~

I am so proud of him~

Charlie is also subbing for a student who is overwhelmed for a second performance. He is giving up participating in the AWANA games to do so. It is a very generous gift of himself to the Greenhouse and the other student. But he's doing so happily and with a humble spirit~

He is a loving brother, and an excellent role model~

All photos, except the last one, are courtesy of Jean F.

Both Fish and Fowl

Charlie didn't have Greenhouse today, because his play performance is this evening. We relaxed, and took a walk to the nearby retention pond~
Sam and Mary are so lucky to have Charlie as their big brother - he's the one who handles all the fishing stuff~

I was actually able to sit and read my book for a few minutes!

We really need to get over here more often. They didn't catch anything, but had fun trying (and watching the ducks). Today Charlie used lures, but once the rains come, they might have better luck with worms.

I don't deserve him...

Yesterday, I asked Charlie to take Sam and Mary for a walk, while I fixed dinner. When they returned, Mary handed me a bouquet of tulips! Charlie had walked them up to the florist at the end of the street, and used his own money to buy me more flowers - he said he knew how much I enjoyed the ones he gave me for Valentine's, but they had died. The flowers are beautiful - and in full bloom~
The supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved - loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in spite of ourselves. ~Victor Hugo

Charlie is so sweet. I told him recently I was sorry - that Scott and I had made all our mistakes with him :( And yet, he is so forgiving.

DuPage County Animal Shelter

We visited these animals today with a group of homeschoolers. The shelter is home to a huge variety, including guinea pigs, rabbits, turtles, mice, hamsters, birds, cats and dogs. They are all available for adoption~

The kids were able to explore the center and learn a little bit about what goes into the care of the residents. The director also shared information on volunteering. Sam was hugely disappointed to learn he's not quite old enough. Next year, though!