Book Club is Enchanting

Our discussions of "The Enchanted April" at book club were light and easy--like the novel. It is my favorite thing to read this time of year. It's particularly good during a rainy spell, as Elizabeth van Arnim tells the sotry of four British women who rent a castle in Italy for the month of April to escape the horrid weather and their dreary lives. Soon enough, the sunny landscape works its magic and warms their hearts. Witty and full of wafts from the wisteria. Winning all the way through. That's the power of Love. National Review says it "is a book about two unselfish women with a great sense of humor and two selfish women with no sense of humor." Quite right.

Let's hope for more sunshine here in St. Joseph, too. I put myself in Rose Arbuthnot's character, a bit too controlling and prone to talking in her head. And Meggar likes to quote Lady Caroline Dester: "You don't take your clothes to a party--they take you." This weekend, we will try to have our annual viewing of the movie version.

Senioritis

Not saying Meggar has a case of senioritis--but perhaps her mother does. Having a senior in high school is like having a newborn—middle of the night feedings, clumsy bumps and bruises, howls, buying a hundred gadgets and outfits… Except there's no collection of sippy cups about the house. Instead, I'm forever finding water bottles and coffee cups in various rooms and in every car's cup holders.

Boy Scout Camporee

Dorito didn't hang out long with his patrol today as he was busy helping with the Regional Camporee. Our theme was "Wild, Wild West" and included pioneering skills, whittling, furs, footprints, and Pony Express re-enactors. I helped by bringing a table of artifacts from 1860s for Show-and-Tell. There was also a Pioneer Trivia Contest at my table, where the top five winners were awarded Buffalo Beef Jerky. It included a campfire popcorn popper, brick of tea, quilts, and a jar full of antique buttons. This evening will include a Mic-o-Say dance which qualifies "Northern Spirit" to earn his blue coup. Only he and Alexander have ever earned the blue coup in their first year as a Brave! Good job.

Grand Finale

It was the last performance for Homeschool Seniors at our Enrichment Class "Grand Finale." Meggar looked especially smart in her black dress for the Band and Choir performances. We are fortunate to have co-op teachers for these classes all through the years. The twins wanted to videotape since Captain was out of town. Our traditional stop for ice cream afterwards made it a sweet deal for everyone!

Royal Weather

Would you believe I had already blown through $40 by the third inning? Meggar got cheese fries, Dorito picked a frozen lemonade, Polar Bear got peanuts to shell with Grandpa Gerald, and Winger wanted a chocolate malt. My kids are so predictable! The front row seats at Royals Stadium meant we REALLY enjoyed the spring sunshine :-) Too bad the team fell apart in the end. I think KC always loses to Detroit.

Easter Sunday Meal

The Zacher's family joined us for an Easter feast around our carved
"Last Supper" statue. They came into the Catholic Church four years ago at Easter. Good conversations followed by a beautiful English Trifle that Lynette made for dessert. Later, we had an exhausting game of Family Ultimate Frisbee in the empty lot. A true sabbath celebration.

Easter Sunday Alleluia!

He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Faithful blog readers will notice this is my second year online, and I changed the profile picture to reflect my Easter joy.