Week in Review

A quick photo recap of the week:

My brother and sister-in-law hosted us for a fun football/September birthday party last Saturday.  The kids had a ball playing with their cousins.  I love watching their friendships grow every time we get together.  Aren't they so lucky to have so many cousins?!

Harry and Sam

Jane and Lucy

Sunday afternoon, we attended my sister's parish festival.  What a great event!  It was so well-organized, and they had a bunch of fun activities to choose from.

Jane was starstruck when she met some of the Husker cheerleaders and got to hold their pons

Jane and Walt both had a ball riding this adorable train around the parish parking lot

Philip took Walt to preschool on Tuesday, and he snapped this adorable shot.  

Walt loves to bolt out of the car and find the nearest "big friend" to help him open the door since he can't do it yet himself.  "Can you please help me open the door?!"

Philip walked to school with Harry to pick Walt up.  It was sprinkling, so he brought his huge golf umbrella along.  It kept the little guys dry for the walk home!

Harry had a check-up this week.  While I hung out with Harry during his check-up, Walt got to play cars with Daddy in his office.  

He loves going to Daddy's office!

Our family prayer time has migrated to our bedroom floor.  We sit in a circle on the floor, each family member shares their favorite part of the day, we say our prayers (Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, Guardian Angel prayer, and "God bless _____" every member of the family), then we do big hugs. Here are the kids doing their wrestle/hug time.  

Harry is thrilled to finally be able to roughhouse with the big kids!

To my dismay, Mr. Harry mastered opening and emptying drawers this week.  Babyproofing more drawers got bumped up on the weekend to-do list.  The little stinker is just like Jane and Walt were at that age.  All of our children adore going from one drawer to the next as quickly as they can, removing and throwing whatever they can find as quickly as possible. 

At least he's adorable.  Just *look* at him on those tippy toes!

On Wednesday (October 1, the feast of St. Thérèse of Lisieux), Jane brought home this drawing.    

"It's me and my sister."

"What are you doing in the picture?

"Thérèse and I are holding hands under a rainbow in heaven."  

Jane didn't know it was St. Thérèse's Feast Day, so it made this little drawing even sweeter.  Jane loves talking about Thérèse and prays for another baby sister all the time

 We had another sweet surprise on Wednesday:

Philip found this outside when he came home from work.  "You are being prayed for today!"  Someone knew we were  missing our own "ittle bitty Little Flower" on the Feast of St. Thérèse.  How sweet and thoughtful!  Whoever you are, thank you!

While Walt was at preschool and Harry had his morning nap on Thursday, I gave Jane a little manicure at the kitchen table.  She requested pink with a coat of sparkles on top.  The girl was in heaven, and she proudly showed her fingers to her teacher at preschool pick-up.   

Look what greeted me when I brought Jane and Walt home from gymnastics--a candlelit dinner!  

While Jane, Walt, and I were at gymnastics, Philip was busy entertaining Harry and making a gourmet dinner.  He grilled some delicious ribs and asparagus and served them with fresh strawberries.  He even lit some taper candles to add to the fun.  What a guy!    

Big hugs for Daddy as he left for work this morning

"Bye, bye, Daddy!"

It was a chilly fall today, but we had to get outside and soak in the sun before nap time. 

What are you up to this weekend?  Any exciting plans?

Here's what's on our docket: a date night, a trip to get a new family pet (details to come!), serious baby-proofing, a possible outing for donuts pending the kids' good behavior for their babysitter (C'mon, kids!  Mama wants donuts!), watching the Huskers, the 3rd Annual Mel Invitational (9-hole golf tournament with my family, named for Grandpa Mel), and getting Philip ready for his Pediatric Board exams on Monday.  It should be a fun weekend!  Please keep Philip in your prayers as he prepared for boards.