New Year's Eve Eve

Meggar hosted her 2nd annual New Year's Eve Eve party yesterday. The moms like it better when their teens are on the road one night early. Plus Dorito is in high school now so I encouraged him to invite some freshmen. There ended up being 32 guests, so I was glad we had enough food (10 pizzas) plus pop and snacks. Good fun with Guitar Heroes, Bubble Hockey, a new Ninja game, and "The Star of Bethlehem" which I have previously reviewed as a favorite movie of ours.

Feet in the Photo

In case you're wondering, my idea for our family Christmas photo came from Meggar--or really from Domitille. The first French phrase Domi taught her was "Feet on the Beach" when we arrived at the lake in Minnesota. "Pied sur la Plage" was easy to say and easy to remember. Then Meggar took lots of pictures of toes in the sand at the beach house in the south of France. Her own toes, Domi's, and the little cousin's. The photos were cute and a bit artsy. So I started brainstorming from there. It's been a year of Highs and Lows. The kind of year where you trudge on after mistakes with as much mercy as you can show. It's the kind of New Year when I should say "We're going to put our best foot forward." Happy New Year, everyone!

Trans-Siberian Orchestra & Science Project

We took Grandma to the Sprint Center for the Trans-Siberian Orchestra just before Christmas Eve. There was great music, electric violins, and an amazing laser show for the sold-out crowd. Captain said the drum pit looked as fun as a cockpit! Now we understand where his passions originated, and why he received a trap set for his 15th and 40th birthdays. This led Meggar and I to devise a scientific poll. (No standard deviation.) We found that 100% of the visitors to our basement will touch the drum set and nobody ever touches the three library shelves nearby. Amazing! Nobody says, "Look--they have The Chronicles of Narnia and Mr. Popper's Penguins and a stuffed Wilbur to go with Charlotte's Web." Why are the drums such a magnet? We will have to do some radioactive testing and publish our results in "Modern Electricity" or "Rolling Stones" magazine.

Icicles Were Hung by the Chimney with Care

Biggest icicles we've seen. More snow than St. Joseph usually gets for Christmas, too!

My Brother's Engagement

Today, my youngest brother proposed marriage to his Miss Kathryn--on the Feast of the Holy Family--and she accepted! His long-time bachelorhood will end on August 14 in Cleveland, we're told. CONGRATULATIONS and may God Bless!

Pope's Sentiments on Christmas Day

Our pastor quoted Pope Benedict's Christmas message saying, "We can conquer the world only through the innocence of a Child." I am not sure if it's meant to be a Capital C or small c in child-- but I like the sentiment either way.

Playing with Cousins

Playing and singing with all the cousins...
smiling... then more playing in the snow and in Grandpa's basement!

Mass on Christmas Day

Purple was the main color - although you cannot see Meggar's purple and platinum skirt. Even Captain wore a purple tie to match the twins.
The music was especially good. All three boys played violin for several of the Christmas carols from the choir loft.
The organist was photographed by Winger, too?!

Snowboarding

Enough cold weather to sneak in a trip to Snow Creek before Christmas. Meggar and Winger were the only two that I could catch in the lodge between runs on their snowboards. It was a good afternoon for me to write Christmas cards, too.

Picking Out the Tree

No time this year to chop one down ourselves. The twins chose the tallest Douglas Fir they could find.
And hoisted it over to Captain's vehicle.
Teamwork with the roof rack and straps. Let's hope it doesn't blow off this year!

Christmas Shoes

We broke the family rule that says nobody can buy anything after Halloween--so it can be "saved" as a Christmas present. But Dorito is growing too fast, and he needed some size 11 shoes. Under Armor, no less! Cool. There goes another gift swiped from under our tree.

Ethnic Christmas

Our field trip today was to the Strawberry Hill Museum in Kansas City to see their 32 Nativity sets on display. (This beautiful photo is courtesy of Polar Bear!) Each immigrant group also has a display room and we enjoyed the Polish treasures and Christmas customs the best -- they even have the TWA artifacts from Pope John Paul II's flights to America in a separate locked glass case. The twins were surprised there was no poviticia bread for sale. Captain has ordered some for the holidays to be mailed to our home. Meggar and I decided it would be worthwhile to come back on a weekend when the Tea Room was open.

Only One More Week...until

Until the 12 Days of Christmas! One of the reasons, I love being Catholic is we don't start celebrating Christmas until Christmas. So I can procrastinate the Christmas List until about now. I ignored the first Christmas offers which started appearing in the mail after Halloween because I was busy finishing Meggar's transcript with Kolbe Academy (everything just so). And I tried not to spy the Christmas Decor popping up around Thanksgiving because I was helping Meggar complete the multiple essays for college applications. Then we crammed in a few scholarship forms, and now I need a breather from the paperwork shuffle! Pardon me while I brake for Christmas.

Jane Austen's Birthday

Jane Austen was born on this day in 1775 at Steventon Rectory...
"The month's delay in her arrival inspired her father to make a small joke about how he and his wife had 'in old age grown such bad reckoners;' he was forty-four. The child came in the evening, he said, without much warning. There was no need for a doctor; it was rare to call one for something as routine as childbirth, and the nearest, in Basingstoke, was seven miles away over bad roads. In any case, 'everything was soon happily over.' They were pleased to have a second daughter, 'a present plaything for her sister Cassy and a future companion. She is to be Jenny'..."

Last night, our book club met and voted on 11 selections for the coming year. Read on and celebrate responsibly, Janeites! Go easy on the claret and Colin Firth.

Post Thanksgiving Blessings

The weekend after Thanksgiving, we gathered with more relatives to celebrate and eat more turkey. Grandpa Don and Dorothy had a lovely spread at their house, and the grandchildren all played "Trouble" with cousin Elijah. There was also fiddle music and jingle bells.

Hockey Championship Trophy

The twins and their team brought home another championship trophy this weekend--from Owatonna. Those Minnesota players said they were afraid any team that would travel all the way from Kansas City must be really good. Their team is still ranked 15th in the nation. Each player received a commemorative puck, too. Can never have too many of those on the trophy shelf at home. (Nice change to wear their red jerseys for the final game photo.)

New Referee Pants

Dorito got the chance to try-out his new referee pants, purchased with his 8th Grade Graduation money. They should last for many season, even if he grows to be as tall as Captain. He is so particular on the ice. It was fun to watch him ref Finne's little sister today! (Then he went to Youth Group just 3 blocks away at the Engel's.)

Jingle Bells on the Desktop

Beside our computer is my second most favorite ornament--a Peanuts hockey rink! Whenever I need a smile, I just wind it up. Lucy starts twirling, while Charlie Brown and Snoopy already have their sticks taped. Woodstock runs the Zamboni in circles to "Jingle Bells." The popular jazz piano piece written by Vince Guaraldi makes me feel like a kid again waiting for the Charlie Brown Christmas Special on TV.

A Christmas Quiz

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A Christmas Quiz
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? BOTH
2. Real tree or artificial? Real tree that we get at the last possible minute
3. When do you put up the tree? Dec. 23 or 24
4. When do you take the tree down? After Jan 6 (Epiphany) when the 3 Wise Men arrive
5. Do you like eggnog? I have to fight the kids to get any myself. Dale and I like to spike it with Fra Angelico (Hazelnut liqueur).
6. Favorite gift received as a child? Fancy new coat each year from my godmother.
7. Hardest person to buy for? The ones we mail overseas so they will be light-weight yet meaningful.
8. Easiest person to buy for? Megan, who likes girly things.
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes, it has wooden figurines handmade in Bethlehem which are only varnished (not painted) so little hands can touch them as much as they want.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail with photo, usually last possible minute
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Holly Hobby Doll when I was “too old.”
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Miracle at Moreaux (children during WWII)
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I keep an idea folder all year long; try to create homemade gifts.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? To another hockey player.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? My mom’s Skillet Cookies and my Cranberry Cake.
16. Lights on the tree? Yes, and candle lights in each window.
17. Favorite Christmas song? "O Holy Night" played by my own “Fiddlers Three”
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Travel, and Captain is usually travelling with us.
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? Yes, it's required for school teachers.
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Pi Phi Angel.
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas Eve after Mass, then Santa's gifts on Christmas morning
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Anti-Christian holiday wishes
23. Favorite ornament, theme, or color? Jane Austen mini book
24. What do you want for Christmas this year? Sarah Palin's book, and jobs for my unemployed friends
25. Who is most likely to respond? email friends

Newest Suzuki Student

Edmund is a natural at the violin, and performed well at his first Suzuki concert this week. We can't get enough of the the Schiebers, so they came over for a soup supper afterwards.

Violin Concert and Gift Exchange

Don't you love to give the perfect gift?
Don't you love to get the perfect gift?
Tonight's Suzuki violin Christmas concert was lovely, and followed by a FUN gift exchange. Both teen-age girls liked the Starbucks gift-cards-on-a-keychain we gave them. And my boys loved the airsoft BBs they received! Large quart size... 3 of them for a total of 23,00. Should last through several wars. Ammo for Christmas?! of course.

Magazine Interview with Mavericks

Dorito finished his hockey article, and it finally appeared in the iTeen magazine!! We drove to Independence and got extra copies of the December issue. You can view it on page 10-11 at this link http://www.iteenkc.com/online_digital_magazine/index.php to see the photos on the ice and in the stands with his twin brothers and Bantam teammates.
Mavericks Move into Independence
by Reid Schmidling
I interviewed Andrew Davis, #27, on Thursday, after their first practice at the new rink. Davis has played hockey since he was four years old. He said his best hockey memory is of his dad coaching him during his younger years. I met his parents, Richard and Jane Davis, before the game. Jane’s father played for the Boston Bruins farm team before World War II.
Davis has played professional hockey for two years. The last team he played for was the Wichita Thunder.P rior to that, he played in East Germany and Norway. When he played in Germany, Davis said there were no seats in the stands, so everybody stood up and they could fit more spectators in. There was no music either. Davis said he liked it how the fans in Germany would just sing between periods and time-outs. Before that Davis played Juniors and also had a scholarship to play four years of college hockey in Canada. He tried out for the Missouri Mavericks team because he had played with Coach Hillman in
prior years.
The Mavericks practice for 2 hours every day, plus 1 hour of practice on game days. Besides practice, Davis said the players work-out at the gym, do yoga, and try to eat healthy food. The team is sponsored by Sherwood so players get all their sticks provided. Today, Davis broke two of his sticks during practice. They also get to pick out their skates, helmet, and other pads. The players do not tell their salary, and they are also paid for their room, cable TV, and meals when travelling.
I got to visit the locker room, where each player has a place to put their gear. They have one person who sharpens skates for the whole team. Davis showed us the bag where they carry all the sticks when they have to travel. The bag holds 200 sticks. There is also an iPod stereo system, flat screen TVs, and a dental chair in the locker room.
Davis said his worst memory was three years ago when he got a puck to the mouth, and all his bottom teeth were knocked out. He had them wired back in and said he could only have soup and not much food at all for six months.
Davis still dreams about playing in the NHL, and he likes when he can travel out of the country to play hockey. He hopes the Mavericks keep winning!

French Final

Meggar's French grade is 89 percent so she has to take the final. There are two additional requirements: write a brochure in French for a student coming to college and have a French conversation with the professor. She went for her appointment today, but it was changed by the instructor! Rescheduled for Friday afternoon...

White Snow on Our Lady's Feast Day

Several inches of pure white snow fell overnight, a perfect greeting for Our Lady on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. The main roads are clear, and Captain delivered us safely to the front doors. I was so pleased when Dorito and Meggar played "Ave Maria" after Communion. Then, we gathered with other homeschoolers for brunch and a co-op art class. Father and all four nuns were able to join us--to the delight of the children. And the children seem to behave better when the nuns are around, to the delight of their parents. Our art class featured 20 slides from the National Gallery of Art showing masterpieces of the Christmas story. At the conclusion, I asked each student to copy the Madonna and Child from "The Rest on the Flight to Egypt" by Gerard David in 1510.

Scouting is Challenging Everywhere

Tonight is the Boy Scout quarterly potluck but I didn't get any photos of Adam's Eagle Court of Honor, so I am blogging about the Boy Scout booth at NCYC last month. This was a delightful surprise to find in the midst of the ReignForest Theme Park! The Scouts had created a challenge game for teams of 4 teens. Within the 5-minute time limit,

you tried to hook objects and put them in the treasure basket using only ropes and cooperation. Dorito said later this would be a good activity for his Troop or a Camporee.
Austin is trying to see his next move.

NCYC Give-aways

I am finally getting to post a picture of the Swap Items we made to trade with other youth during NCYC last month. The Monster sticker is adhered to a film cannister (free from the photo labs) that is full of air-soft BBs. The boys agreed this would be every boy's dream freebie! The label we made says "You only have One Shot at Heaven!" which Wife coined. I am also quite proud of the Starbucks Coffee Sleeves we created. Other groups gave away hats, sunglasses, necklaces, and of course glow-in-the-dark yo-yos. We got 100 sleeves donated by our friend Brenda, who works at Starbucks! Meggar thought of the quote bubble which says: "Pray a Latte!" which everyone at the Conference loved. I brainstormed with Mrs. April to create the other clever phrases--"Espresso Your Faith!" and "Don't be a Half-Cath!" and "Heaven is a Tall Order!" Wish we could market this joint creativity!

Holiday Music

Two little helpers came and played the jingle bells during our Christmas Concert with "The Fiddlers Three" at the Andrew County Museum tonight. My boys don't know it yet, but I'm planning to have them play two songs at Mass tomorrow, too! It's my every-other-Sunday turn to play the organ, and they don't have any hockey games to interfere. It will be a first for their quartet to play at St. James Church, and I hope there will be many more occasions for liturgical music.

K-6 Chess Tournament

The twins had a Saturday without hockey-shocking-so they entered the Oakhill Chess Tourna- ment in Kansas City. We carpooled with Jonathan and Jackson, which was fun in itself. The St. Joseph Homeschool Team won the 1st place trophy! Individual medals included: Winger (6th place) and PolarBear (2nd place tie). PolarBear beat the boy who defeated Tommy earlier, and laughed off the offer of bribe money midway through their 5th round game. Good competition!

End of the Era for "Monk"

Our obsession with "Monk" will probably not taper off for a few years. The final episode of the final season was gratifying in its flashbacks and plot twists. The biggest surprise was that Disher was going to marry Sharonna. We don't really watch TV - so we went to the airport lounge to "use" their cable TV. In exchange for that privilege, the kids helped me decorate the Chief Pilot's office. It is our tradition to decorate when they are gone on a trip. "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas..."

MVP earned his award

I forgot to mention that Ben won the MVP award in the semi-final game at the last tournament. He would have had a hat trick, except two shots hit the crossbar! His two goals helped put the team up by one point, which allowed them to advance to the Championship game. Hope this doesn't go to his head because Winger has been playing center on a different line and trying his hardest, too. It's not just the goals that count in our family.

Campus Visit

Meggar is flying to Dallas today for an interview with the French Department at U.D. She is hoping to be selected for a Special Award Scholarship. Please pray for her.

Duplicity quote

"I mean, who writes with a fountain pen anymore?!" says the CEO in Duplicity while reading a handwritten memo from a rival company. For myself, I have always loved fountain pens! My eighth grade English teacher used one so elegantly. My parents gave me a Waterman for college graduation, and I still use it. Maybe even for signing the Christmas letter this year...