Play Ball!

The big 3 and I spent our morning in Redfield at the Play Ball! Minnesota Youth Baseball Clinic.  Coaches from the Minnesota Twins worked with the approximately 90 kids on fielding, throwing, batting, and working hard to achieve their goals.  

We all had a great time--despite having to be indoors because of a downpour!

Holy Heroes

Last spring, I came across a special promotion from Holy Heroes and their Glory Stories series.  

I decided to give one a try, since we have a half-hour drive to Religious Ed every Wednesday night, and really, everywhere we drive is at least 20 minutes.  I figured we might as well use our drive time for something worthwhile, besides the usual things kids like to do on car rides (like drive mom CRAZY).  And, if the kids didn't like it, I wasn't out all that much.  

As it turned out, they all loved the introductory CD on Blessed Imelda and St. Juan Diego (Our Lady of Guadelupe)!  Following that, I ordered the CD on Saint Pope John Paul II and just recently received this one on St. Anthony of Padua and St. Joan of Arc. Nathan told me yesterday he wants me to get them all!

Each story is a reader's theater of that saint's life.  I also love that world history is brought in, telling about what wars, etc. were happening at the time. It also helps the kids place in the saint in history. For example, in following John Paul II, Nathan could connect how John Paul II compared in age with his great grandparents and that he died the same year Nathan was born.

We're halfway through swimming lessons now (20 minutes away) and Glory Stories have helped me out once again.  If there's any qualms about getting in the van now, I just mention that they can listen to a Glory Story and everyone jumps in!  Really.  It's true! Praise God--I never would have guessed they would love these this much.

Visit www.holyheroes.com for Glory Stories and more Catholic educational materials.

  

Happy 4th of July!

Our 4th of July was spent in Faulkton with the extended Melius family.  We started off with the parade in the morning, filled in the rest of the day with yummy food, swimming, golf for the guys, more yummy food, and "Old Timers" baseball game (I really don't like that I am only 5 years younger than the "oldies"), and ended with the traditional fireworks.

We went to another party at our friends' house last night and once again came home sticky, dirty, smelling of bug spray, and very happy.

We are truly blessed to live in this country with all of the freedoms we enjoy and often take for granted.

73

Today was the PERFECT day.  With NO WIND!  That NEVER happens in South Dakota.
I knew it would be a great day early this morning when KELO predicted a high of 73--my FAVORITE temperature.  I had thought about changing my favorite temperature to 80, but David says there's no changing a favorite temperature once you have one.  :)  So, 73 it remains.  Above 80 is great for all sorts of things, but 73 with no wind is perfect for playing in the yard and enjoying the day without dirt in my teeth. 

I had been waiting for David to clean all of the winter gunk out of the grill, but then in a moment of clarity and girl power, realized I could do that myself.  After I had the grill all clean and was planning on burgers for supper, I realized I was missing one major component.  FIRE.  We had used up the last of our matches.  I didn't learn how to make fire in Girl Scouts and I've seen enough episodes of Survivor to know that it's not easily done.  Thankfully, our neighbor Camille came to the rescue with a box of matches!  The little things can make such a big difference.  Our burgers were a most delicious end to a PERFECTLY good day.

Just a thought . . .

Only a mom would start the vacuum cleaner for a little "peace and quiet."  :)