costume party at school

Can you guess who this maniacal angel might be?!


The costume parade through the school

Frances X. Cabrini

Her feastday is not until November 13, but I must take this time to testify to the special affection I feel for Mother Cabrini. Please take a few minutes to read about her remarkable life--there are many short bios about her on the internet.
My first connection with Mother Cabrini occurred when we were living in Denver during the 1980's and visited her shrine west of Denver. I remember climbing the hillside of her outdoor shrine, and seeing the white rocks she herself had arranged into the shape of a heart in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (these rocks are now under plexiglass for protection). Many years passed before I thought of Mother Cabrini again. It was January of 2002, and I had just discovered I was expecting a baby at the age of 45. My next youngest child was 10, and I was excited and more than a little shocked and worried. A couple days later, I decided to clean out some boxes of old correspondence and found a letter dated 1993 from a priest friend of mine who had died several years earlier. I had forgotten that Fr. Griese had ever written me and opened his note with curiosity. It read: Dear Betty, I am sorry to hear of your recent miscarriage. If and when you get pregnant again, entrust the pregnancy to St. Frances X. Cabrini. I enclose 2 holy cards, one for you and Bill. I have great confidence in her intercession, and I will join you in your prayers.
I felt a chill when I realized that this was my first pregnancy since that miscarriage, and that somehow the note came into my hands within days of finding out. Needless to say, my husband and I prayed to her earnestly through the pregnancy and beyond. I know in my heart that I owe so much to this dear saint. Get to know her, you'll love her too!

latest from school

Today I received this email from Lucy's teacher:
Hi there,

I just needed to tell you a funny story about Lucy today. She was helping me run some errands and we stopped to talk to Ms. Peters. She told Ms. Peters that she was not a good girl last week and that she was not a good friend to Mrs. Turner and I. She then went on to tell her that because she was a bad girl you made her clean the ROOF! We said, "Your room?" And she said, "NO! The roof!" - while she was waving her hand above her head. We both agreed that you must have some tough discipline at your house! :o)



My response:
That is so funny! I wish I had an explanation, but this beats all! (although there have been times when I wish I could have sent various children to the roof, or at least gone up there by myself for some peace and quiet!)
Bill will be home tomorrow and was hoping to visit the classroom sometime between 1 and 2 if possible. He could hide in one of the closets, but after what happened with Sutter's parents it might be better if he just visited rather than observed. Please let us know if that will work via email as we will be running errands in the morning.
thanks!
Betty

thought for the day

I saw this on a plaque yesterday:

Give thanks for unknown blessings, already on their way.

This is a good thought for those expectant parents who find their baby has special needs--because there are blessings to come!

Lucy's first Catholic craft

My friend Sally has started a little religious ed class for Lucy and her daughter, and this was their first craft!

the canary in the mine

Lucy's teacher told me that the parents of one of Lucy's classmates wanted to observe their son in class from a hidden location, so the teacher stationed them in one of the closets with the door slightly ajar. Their plans were foiled once class began, for dear Lucy noticed them and, pointing, announced loudly to the class: "People hiding! People hiding!"

riddle answer

nothing!

riddle

What is greater than God, more evil than the devil, the rich need it, the poor have it, and if you eat it you die?

Heartwarming!

Lucy's picnic offerings

Somehow irresistible in spite of being indigestible!

The family spent the day in gorgeous Shenandoah

Yep, they're carrots.

School issues

Well school has been going quite well overall for Lucy, until this past Tuesday. We got the dread letter in the folder that described very naughty kindergarten behavior: squirting water on fellow students at lunch and (much worse) purposefully kicking other students at recess. I told Lucy that she would have no dessert or starfall time, and gave her a "timeout" while I was making dinner, so she had to just sit and watch me (and help set the table etc) rather than play with her toys. She very solemnly promised that she would be better the next day. On Wednesday, I kept in touch with her teacher through the day, and was happy to hear that Lucy was back to her normal, nice self. Apparently Lucy also thought she was much improved, because when she arrived home she pulled out her folder and the school newsletter that was inside, held it in front of her as if reading it, and said, "Lucy very good today. Can have dessert and watch videos!"