Classically Catholic

Wrapping up the school year, moving college kids out of the dorm, standardized testing, attending baseball/softball games, travelling to hockey tournaments..... Yes, I'd say our schedule is a little out of balance. Too much of this..... And, *ugh!*  This.... And eating like this...... And not enough of this..... Or this..... Or especially this....  And we all started feeling like this.... So, I made the executive decision to call my nine year old son to the sidelines, after two hours of baseball practice, and told him to gather his gear. We were going home. The coach and other parents were bewildered to say the least.  "Where are you going when practice isn't over yet?" HOME, to have dinner with my family and to resume our regularly scheduled life. "Do you mean there is life outside of baseball?" There is at my house. My husband and my dinner are waiting. See you at the game. Maybe. Or  Maybe Not.... .

I love seeing my kids on the ball field /hockey rink, enjoying time with the other children and learning to give their best. Nothing can beat the team building experience and character building potential that sports offer.  It is admirable that the coaches volunteer their time and talents for the kids, especially after a long day at work. Case in point: Dear daughter has the best coaches in the softball league (in my not-so-humble opinion). These guys have extreme patience, self-control and a nack for motivating flighty,whimsical, highly emotional 12 year old girls.My twirly-whirly ballerina/drama queen has learned more than how to swing a bat from these two gentlemen. She loves her team, loves the sport, and has more confidence than ever. I have learned a thing or two about being a more effective, more positive parent from their example. It would be an understatement to say that I am grateful for their contribution to youth sports in our community. I honestly appr...

We were quite the socialites this weekend. Friday night we enjoyed the Out of Africa event at La Maison Gautier. Then on Saturday evening we watched  Uncle Nick make his debut as a duke at the Starlight Ball. He especially enjoyed the limo ride to the ballroom.  The King and Queen were quite pleased with their court. Everyone received a boutonniere/corsage  at the door. Local dentists escorted the maids and dukes to the stage. Even our family dentist participated. And my friend from Winn Dixie was there with bells on. Isn't he a cutie? He is friendly and helpful at the supermarket, too. Supervisor Darlene thinks Uncle Nick needs to come out of his shell. I don't know.  What do you think? He boogied on the town till they shut it down. A night to remember.

Friday Night we attended the Out of Africa fundraiser at La Maison Gautier,  where we dined on grilled tuna, Swahili shrimp , and a New Orleans favorite, Bananas Foster .  The silent auction was great fun. Dear Husband and I were high bidders on a number of interesting items, including these handmade crafts from Kenya.... And a quilted bag sewn by refugees from the Rwandan genocide . Sewing Sowing Peace is the mission of women who quilt side by side with those who were once their mortal enemies. The beauty of this bag exceeds the colorful patterns, because it was stitched together with heroic love. I will remember their testimony every time I use it. Lord change my hardened heart to  love enough to join them when we pray, "As we forgive those who trespass against us." The most unique purchase was this Nativity Set made from banana leaves. Isn't is fabulous? It may remain on display throughout the liturgical year. I can't stop admiring the handiwork...

A few months ago, my son-in-law brought this big boy home specifically for the biology students. I wrapped him (the shark, that is) in plastic, and tossed him in the freezer to save for Lab 17, Chapter 19: Bony and Cartilaginous Fish . Imagine Dear Husband's joy when I began defrosting last night. This bull was not going to fit into the 5 gallon bucket I had originally chosen for an all night soak. DH did not appreciate my second brilliant idea:  The MASTER BATH, of course!  It made perfect sense to me. Am I the only one who thinks he was being totally unreasonable?  Apparently so.  Plan C: A makeshift garden tub fit for a bull shark, kept safely in the garage (away from the cat, raccoons, and other neighborhood critters). He re-hydrated beautifully. Say Cheese! The girls were totally into it. The boys, not so much. Go figure.  Miss Pre-Med was in town for Spring Break. She skipped a trip to Pensacola with her friends i...

After this dissection, the kids are ready for anything!   Did you ever think they would be smiling this much?   Scientists in the making, everyone of them. If you would prefer a virtual dissection, this site is excellent. There is even an online quiz for follow up. We loaded the site onto the big screen and used it as a lab manual. Tried to follow the lesson step by step, beginning with anatomical regions .But we did have a bit of trouble with the wireless mouse, so there was a frustrating delay. The kids were troupers as they waited patiently for the moms to  float around the room with hard copy dissection plans to help them identify the organs of digestion.But we worked out the technical difficulties in time for the respiratory and nervous systems. It was the most informative lesson, so far. I don't know how the remaining labs will measure up (star fish, earthworm, grasshopper, clam, etc....). Maybe the shark will catch their interest.

Friday lab was fabulous. We continued with the dissection labs (Kidneys this week) and added to our paper models from The Body Book . Now I know my model looks a bit anorexic, and she seems to have a touch of osteoporosis. It was mentioned that she could benefit from some lamination therapy. Can you imagine the surprise when my dear friend and lab partner showed up for Friday's class with this special gift in hand?!   A laminated skeleton model complete with moving joints. And that is not all. She even labeled and colored various body systems which can be layered and attached to the main frame with velcro. How cool is that?! Circulatory System Digestive System Respiratory System Let's put it all together. What do you think? Is this not the coolest model any homeschooling mom ever owned? And it even comes with a handy dandy storage system.... I cannot thank you enough,  Kimberly@ Saint's Faith, Hope, and Charity,  for this lab...