everyday Ann

living the ordinary seeing the extraordinary

Welcome Summer!

Oh summer how we have waited so long for your arrival, suffering through months of endless cold and snow in what seemed like a never ending winter.

School is out and with a couple of days of 80 degrees we have packed in as much as possible trying to already squeeze every last drop out of these summer days. I have a feeling this summer will leave me feeling exhausted and refreshed all at the same time. Complete with lots of memories and carefree timelessness spent with the ones I love.

In just two days we have managed to play at a favorite park, enjoy a bike ride, sit out in the sun playing board games on the deck, run through the sprinkler, have a water fight, go out for ice cream and stay up late for an outdoor movie in the park. Hence the reason for a little exhaustion.

I usually create a bucket list for the summer and while the kids have mentioned a few things they would like to do my bucket list is going to be creating moments. Moments of time together, whether it be in our backyard, having a simple picnic at the park or playing games with the older boys while the little ones nap. Moments where I am present and not consumed by my to-do list, the basket of unfolded laundry or the layers of dust collecting on the dressers.

I know these beautiful summer days won’t last and we will not be in this season forever. These golden days will slip away all too quickly just as quickly as they all seem to be growing. In what seems like a blink of an eye school will be starting and we will be preparing for the arrival of number 5. Leaving us looking back once again wondering where the time has gone and wishing it would all slow down.

Easter Prep

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It is hard to believe that we are almost halfway through Holy Week and Easter will be upon us soon. My kids are counting down the days and Grace and Caden are practicing up their Alleluias!

I feel like so many efforts I wanted to work on during Lent didn’t all come to fruition, including making Lent more applicable for the little ones. So we are throwing everything into Holy Week.

I ordered Resurrection Eggs for the younger ones, although the older kids enjoy reading it as well. I debated about saving them for Grace’s Easter basket, but I am so glad I didn’t. These are perfect for Holy Week and telling the story of Christ’s Passion leading up to Easter. Grace asks to read the Jesus story before nap time instead of a book and we have gone through them at least twice a day since getting them in the mail last week. I highly recommend them for anyone with little ones.

We made it through Palm Sunday Mass without too much sweat, two long Triduum Masses to go. I wrote about taking our little ones to Mass a few weeks ago over at Catholic Mom in case you are in need of some encouragement before embarking on Mass during bedtime and naptime.

Ever since our first Easter with Kolbe and Ethan we have done the Risen Jesus search Easter morning. On Good Friday the kids will make a picture of Jesus on the cross. They will then put their picture in a tomb (decorated shoe box). Easter morning they will find the boxes open and empty and will need to go in search of the Risen Jesus. When they find Jesus they will also see another surprise, their Easter basket!!

Easter morning the kids wake up to the house transformed and full of bright color. I wait until they are asleep Saturday night to put up any Easter decorations or flowers and also set out a nice table setting for breakfast. Come Easter morning I always wake up insanely early to make a nice brunch and a pan of sweet pecan rolls for us all to sit down and enjoy before heading out to Easter Mass at 8:30am. This year I am going to add virgin mimosas to the early morning brunch menu, something I think the kids will really enjoy.

The following are true and tried family recipes that my Mom has made every Easter morning since I can remember. Since we won’t be traveling this year for Easter, but will actually be hosting some of Aaron’s family I will be making sure to keep the tradition alive.

Pecan Rolls
3 packages buttermilk biscuits (make sure to buy the regular size, otherwise they won’t turn out)
Pecans
Sugar
Cinnamon
1 cup Brown Sugar
1/3 cup Butter
1/3 cup Cream

  • Grease bundt pan and spread pecans on the bottom. Layer biscuits in pan. Sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon between each layer.
  • Mix brown sugar, butter and cream in saucepan. Bring to a light boil. Pour over pan.
  • Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes.

Chocolate Pudding Torte
1 1/2 cups Flour
1 1/2 sticks Butter
2/3 cup Chopped Pecans
8 oz. Cream Cheese
1 cup Powdered Sugar
1 large Jello Instant Chocolate Pudding
3 cups Milk
12 oz. Cool Whip

  • Combine flour, melted butter and pecans. Press mixture into 9×13 pan. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes.
  • Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar and half of cool whip until smooth. Spread over cooled crust.
  • Combine pudding mix with 3 cups milk and beat until thick. Pour over cream cheese layer.
  • Spread remaining cool whip on top and refrigerate.
  • Garnish with chopped pecans.

I would love to hear some of your Easter traditions! This is the holiest week of the year and we are about to embark on the greatest moment in history of all time, Christ’s Resurrection!!

Christmastide!

The Christmas music has stopped playing in the stores and trees are out on the curb, so posting this may look like I have missed the deadline. It may seem like we are late to the party, but we are still celebrating Christmas in this crazy house until the Epiphany.

The wise men have been journeying through our house and the children love to wake up to find which room they made their way to. Always a little conversation before bed over whose room they will show up in next.

At the beginning of the Christmas season we had a wonderful time staying with my family and seeing extended family, some which I haven’t seen in years. Lots of laughter, memories and time together. Of course late nights and a sick kiddo were part of it too. All which required a couple days of some down time when we returned home, so we could re-energize to keep the celebration alive.

In addition to the birth of Christ, we also find ourselves celebrating Kolbe and Ethan’s adoption day, my birthday and Grace’s birthday all within a weeks time.

An image is worth a thousand words, so I thought I would share our Christmas week through pictures.

Despite not feeling well she insisted on “trying out” Christmas Eve Mass. She fell asleep in my arms the moment we walked in.
Packer fan win or lose, I may have jumped off the wagon after this season.
And now he is asking for a hockey rink in our backyard.

We have been sledding down this hill every Christmas since we were little. Some things never change even though there wasn’t really snow and we are now a little older, well the impact at the bottom seemed to hurt a bit more than I remember. Cousins!
A quick picture before bedtime after celebrating four years together with my boys, the greatest birthday gift I have ever received having them finally in my arms!

The Things They Say

G: We don’t eat poop?
Me: Oh no!! We don’t ever want to eat poop we would get really, really sick!
(A couple hours later at the doctor with Caden who isn’t feeling well.)
G: I do not need to go to the doctor because I am not sick because I do not eat poop.

Grace was helping me put some towels in the wash machine I walk away forgetting to start it. Grace walks out behind me.
G: I started it mom. You don’t need to, it’s already started.

Walking by the bathroom and seeing Kolbe put soap on his toothbrush.
Me: What are you doing?
K: Just washing my toothbrush. I do it every couple of days to keep it clean and help get rid of the germs. I tried to encourage Ethan to do it as well.

After Kolbe was done switching songs on the CD player.
E: This is the best song, it’s called peace and quiet.

Opening up my prayer book.
G: Once upon a time…Jesus went to Church.

Saying her night prayers.
G: Thank you Jesus for this day, the sunshine and the Eucharist.

K: I am kind of acting like a new student this year.
Me: Oh, how is that?
K: You know, I am not acting all goofy and silly, but much more mature like a third grader should act.

Grace meeting Caden in the hallway, turning around and proceeding to run after him.
G: Caden, stop!
Me: What is he doing? He is not doing anything to you.
G: Yes he is! He’s lyin’!!

In a bit of panic mode realizing that Grace is quiet.
Me: Grace, where are you?
G: I am at confession! In the laundry room going to confession, mom.

Asking the children to share at dinner what brings them joy. After everyone responds with a temporal good it is Grace’s turn.
G: Baby Jesus!

Advent: Learning to Wait Well

We have officially begun the season of Advent. I am not good at waiting, at all and this season is no different. Our family is filled with excitement as we look forward to traditions, visits with family and most importantly the celebration of the birth of our Savior. I always want to bottle up this time of year as it is a season that brings our family closer together.

Sharing my thoughts at Catholic Mom today reflecting on waiting, Advent and ways to live out the Advent season with your children and in your family.