Sunday for Divine Mercy

Our family likes to pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, so today's feast day is most welcomed! Started by Pope John Paul II, Divine Mercy Sunday occurs on the octave of Easter to remind us that Jesus' salvation of souls is his greatest act of mercy. Father Benjamin gave a great homily about the Titanic. Exactly 101 years ago, on the Sunday after Easter, a converted Englishman who was a priest said mass on board the ship with his portable altar and sacred vessels. When the ship later collided with an iceberg, he went down to the 3rd class cabins and began giving blessings on the foreheads of the children. He remained on deck throughout the ordeal, praying the Rosary with Catholics, Protestants, Jews, and all men alike. The meaning of bravery is most clearly understood with our eyes fixed on mercy.

Prom Date Looks Dazzling

Dorito is headed to Hamilton High School for McKenzie's prom. Her champagne-colored dress is matched by his vest and tie! Very cute.

Going to the Blues Game

We were gifted with tickets to the St. Louis Blues home game, and picked up Meggar and Spencer on our way there! How great to spend some time with them *plus* have hockey for entertainment. The game wasn't nearly as exciting as Thursday night (overtime with the BlackHawks) but the twins and Dorito were glued to the action on the ice. 

Afterwards, we are headed over to Spencer's house to meet his parents for the first time. Meggar said she is not nervous: "They already like me!"

Disappointment

Our wish was for Dorito and Captain to go to The Masters next week as a graduation trip. We have been monitoring ticket prices and flights for months. The two obstacles were college classes and work schedules. Just when it looked like Captain could get the time off, one of Dorito's PreCalc professors put an exam on next Thursday (altered because of snow days in MARCH from his original schedule). He will not allow it to be taken early either. Plus the ticket prices for Augusta were going to crazy heights as the time got closer. We will move on to Plan B. As soon as we figure out what that is....

Taking a Look at Weekends

We had a fun weekend while Meggar was here: movie at the Cinemark on the Plaza and dinner at "The Melting Pot." She told us about her classes and professors. She played some of her piano pieces. She showed us one of the papers she's written lately: a fictional meeting between authors and their main characters. She chose Edith Wharton to meet Lily from "The House of Mirth" and Kate Chopin to meet Edna from "The Awakening" at a cafe for afternoon tea. She is working on a paper about modern piano performers next.
We also looked at her AGD photos from Date Party. The attendance at the party last semester was disappointing, so Meggar stepped in early by helping plan the venue, the Jungle theme, and generating more publicity among her sorority sisters. She and Spencer dressed as a koala bear and jungle tree! (I think the koala hat from eBay was the impetus toward cuteness.) She said attendance doubled, and the dance was really fun. "The more, the merrier!"

Euro-Style

We did a little shopping at H&M over the Easter weekend. Dorito and Meggar have talked about that store since their summer trips to Europe, so the twins were curious. Meggar was the fashion consultant and spent the least amount of money! The boys like their new styles (and the shock value).

Prairie School Days

The twins and I are leading another group at 1860s Pony School today from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. We had 34 in our group on Thursday, and we are expecting 36 students today. I am dressing up for my role as the School Marm (and covering all six subjects). The twins are in charge of chores and recess. They will help the boys chop wood, saw logs, plus pump water for the basin and pitcher. They will lead potato sack races, hoop rolling, stick horse races, and drop the hankie game. Later, they also play their fiddles for the after-lunch entertainment.
Last class, we had one little boy who couldn't get his britches zipped up. And another little boy scared up a couple of baby bunnies from their burrow. This was the highlight of the afternoon, especially when Polar Bear had to keep everyone from chasing the bunny into the traffic on Mitchell Street. He rescued the bunny too.
Here's a photo of the butter churning session: The girls are jumping and running to shake their little jar of cream into butter (because it takes longer than you think!) and then we went outside to eat with with lunch from our pails.