School Send-Off

Even though my oldest two are (now) away at college, this mama still enjoys rejoicing with the start of a new school year...and I hope to continue to include all my children in one fun and simple tradition.

Little Women's Hospitality & Little Flowers Girls' Club

Joining Like Mother, Like Daughter for some pretty, happy, funny and real times...

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

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I am starting up a Little Women's Hospitality group, and I will be implementing all the virtues learned in the Little Flowers Girls Club.
The Little Flowers & Little Women's Hospitality Girls' Club:  Teaching young girls from the ages 5 and up, virtues through scripture and classic literature, using the Saints virtuous lives as an example, centered around the Catholic Faith.

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This has been on my heart for some time, and since my youngest daughter has just turned twelve, I am motivated to make it happen.  I thought I was done organizing or hosting any Girls' Club.  But, I was truly inspired by Jennifer over at Catholic Inspired, and after much prayer, I decided to give a another go.
I have found a lot of pretty crafts, and ideas for our meetings.  I cannot wait to share them!

We had our first meeting to discuss and plan, and I am happy to say that our group will officailly begin in 3 short weeks!

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The family helped my mom celebrate her 85th Birthday!
She requested a white cake with pineapple filling and whipped cream icing...
Butterfly created this yummy cake to specification.
I suggested she use crushed pineapple, lemon curd and whipped cream for the cake filling.  It was PERFECT!
HAPPY 85TH BIRTHDAY MOM!
I LOVE YOU!
Thank you for all that you have done for me and the family.
I hope to honor you always.

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Big brother finds little sisters creation...some mild teasing ensued...the glove-hen-head was popped shortly thereafter (and not by big brother).  I love Little Lamb's creativity.

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I have been doing a lot of research, planning and PINNING.  What ever did I do before Pinterest???...and I accompished so much more before Pinterest!!!  It can be a useful tool, or disadvantageous.  Anyway, so many great and wonderful ideas are being compiled for our Little Women's Hospitality group meetings.
I am going to be checking out this tool for teaching Communication Skills and Etiquette ideas.

Visit Like Mother, Like Daughter to find more contentment...

Sutter's Fort & Pioneers

Joining Like Mother, Like Daughter for some pretty, happy, funny and real family fun!

We have just completed two badges for American Heritage Girls:

The Cooking Badge (for another post) and an Our Heritage Badge through Sutter's Fort.

Sutter's Fort State Historic Park is located in Sacramento.  The girls (and parents) had fun learning about life as a pioneer in the 1800s.  It was a very fun and educational day, as we love to learn about our California history.

Everyone dressed the part...well, almost everyone.  I bailed out on my pioneer-wear at the very last minute.  Not that I did not want to participate, I just looked, well,...all wrong.  :o)  I felt like a party pooper, but it was much less uncomfortable for me.  :oP

There was about 70 girls from AHG joining us.  Our troop was one of four AHG troops.  It was fun to spend the morning with troop friends and to meet new friends!

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Games of pioneer-times

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The Kitchen station, I thought, was the most interesting.  Although, all five stations were excellent!

The pretty ornate block is actually tea that would last for years and years and years!

Mother/Daughter lunch & shops at Old Town Sacramento, O'Sacramento St. Patrick's Parade & Old Schoolhouse

The above picture was not taken at Sutter's Fort, but at Old Town Sacramento (another national historic landmark).  I had forgotten about the O'Sacramento St. Patrick's Parade, while thinking I could treat my Little Lamb to a fun and historic lunch.  It was the perfect afternoon.
We visited the Old Sacramento Schoolhouse Museum - very nice!  The ladies were excited to see her dressed in her pioneer costume (thinking she was a participant in the parade).
And I (almost) never leave without visiting my favorite chocolate store for a treat of a caramel apple.  The absolute best!

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I love the School Curriculum and  The Five Virtures

The Doll in glass case is the original doll belonging to Patty Reed

While browsing through Sutter's Fort Trade Store, I purchased the book Patty Reed's Doll - The Story of the Donner Party.  A group of pioneers were stranded by very heavy snow in the winter of 1846 while traveling from Illinois to California...many perished, an eight year old girl, Patty, survived.  The story is told/seen through the eyes of Patty's doll and the hardship and struggles they endured.  Little Lamb and I will read the book together and discuss the other historic and mortal dangers that occurred.  Real.

Visit Like Mother, Like Daughter to find more contentment...

D.C. & A.M.D.G

Washington Monument

A couple weeks ago, we were in Washington, D.C. enjoying an educational trip at our country's capital.  We had dreams of taking our children on this very trip, to see some of our country's most historical places...It was everything we had hoped.

Picture Perfect

We were so blessed for the opportunity to experience all that we did:
Lincoln's Memorial, the Capitol, the Washington Monument, the National Mall, the Smithsonian Castle & Museums - especially the National Air and Space Museum, and the White House were several of the many points of interest that we visited.  Additionally, and more excitedly, we attended Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.  An extra special blessing was having my son serve at the Mass.

Serving at The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
Conductor (middle server) - looking sharp!

Lincoln's Memorial & National Air & Space Museum

St. John Paul II National Shrine:  Where we were able to venerate a First Class Relic of Saint John Paul II. The Knights of Columbus were entrusted with the relic which was presented by His Eminence Stanislaw Cardinal Dziwisz, the Archbishop of Krakow, back in 2011.
  

St. John Paul II National Shrine

While in town, we attended a reception for the Archdiocese for The Military Services, USA, hosted at the St. John Paul II National Shrine.  We learned more about the work of this "global archdiocese" and those that serve...the motto is:  Serving those who Serve.  This Archdiocese was created, in 1985, by Pope John Paul II.  

We received a pin with the Coat of Arms.  The pin is colored red, white, and blue to recall the colors of the U.S. Flag.  It also has a Miter (indicating a Catholic Diocese), the Bald eagle with an olive branch (Americans bearing peace), a Silver cross in front of the earth (proclaiming Christ throughout the world) and the Gold and Silver crossed Keys of Saint Peter (the Church's mission to offer healing through the forgiveness of sins).  It was a very special evening which my children and hubby & I will never forget.

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception was so amazing!  I knew that it was going to be beautiful...it exceeded my expectations.  The various places of religious artifacts, the chapels and the art on display were breathtaking.  I definitely want to return...

The National Mall & Memorials

We were blessed with perfect weather and there were still some beautiful autumn foliage on the trees.  Being from California, I welcomed the coldness and was happy to finally make use of my coat, gloves and scarves.  I LOVE the Autumn!  I loved D.C.!

me

This is me, on our last day in D.C., after enjoying a very nice lunch.
When the picture is fuzzy and in black & white, I can tolerate viewing a pic of myself.  lol.  

We found some really tasty and fun places to dine.  This Pizza Pi place was such a great find!  The Occidental Grill was another gem of a place.  The Hamilton was a favorite and was worth a return visit...classic American with a great menu and great tasting food and most importantly, very family friendly.

great pi & beer served here

Visiting the campus of The Catholic University of America was another major item on the "To Do" list.  Nice.  Very, very nice.

The Catholic University of America

We visited the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum as well as several other museums.  While on one of our walks, we found this church which was "erected about 1792".  

St. Patrick's Church 

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

Well, these are just a few highlights from our amazing D.C. trip...we covered a lot of ground, saw a lot of points of interest, visited many museums, and indulged in several delicious food establishments...everyone had a great experience - definitely a successful trip!

I believe my favorite highlights included the evening reception for the Archdiocese of Military Services at the impressive St. John Paul II National Shrine and Sunday Mass at the wondrous Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.  

+ Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam +

Sharing my Family Journey over at Catholic Bloggers Network

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Prayer of the Archdiocese for the Military Services

Won't you join me...

Almighty God and Father, look with love upon our men and women in uniform and protect them in their time of need.  Give them health and stability and allow them to return to their loved ones whole and unshaken.  Be with their families and sustain them in these uncertain times.

Grant strength and peace of mind to the Veterans who have given their best for the country they love.  Support them in infirmity and in the fragility of old age.  Teach us to remember their sacrifices and to express our gratitude.

Manifest your tender care to those in the Military Academies who prepare for future service and to those who serve our Nation for from home.  Teach us to remember the sacrifices of those whose efforts contribute to ensuring our way of life.

Bless and multiply the priests who minister to the faithful of the Archdiocese for the Military Services.  Reward their generosity and keep them faithful.

Hear us as we present our prayers to You through Christ our Lord.

~ Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA

www.milarch.org

~ Light Bulb Moments ~

Ah-ha!  This week, Little Lamb has had a few "light bulb moments"  - where things become concrete...I love being there to share these little steps on the never ending staircase of knowledge...
In Science we had studied about energy, forces & motion; her comments to all this new information was "no wonder it's so hard to walk up a hill; because gravity is pulling you down!"  (big smile, wide eyes, slight tilt to the head).
And her matter-of-fact comment to addition problems "Anything plus zero is like bouncing into a rubber mirror - it stays the same number."

~ Experiments ~



Making Rainbows...



Dry Ice with...mystery concoction

Chemical Reactions...

Volcano

 

 Also, results from "National Doughnut Day"...delish!

Butterfly's home-made donuts with glaze