An Honest Mistake

To the member of the M&Ms/Mars research team that suggested "Dark Chocolate M&Ms were a good idea":    You.  Were.  Wrong.  Mixing that delectable  candy coating with chocolate that tastes like it has too much cocoa powder is just not decent.

And that's just the beginning.  In addition, your company has decided to market said product in a deceptive packaging that looks like the regular, delicious, mouth-watering Milk Chocolate M&Ms.  Let's take a hypothetical situation and dissect it, shall we?

An innocent shopper is browsing the isles (with, let's say, 4 children clamoring from in, on and outside of the shopping cart) and catches a glimpse of the flashy holiday packaging with the cute M&M guy on the cover.  In such a frenzy fast-pace shopping environment with young children, a Mother may not look closely to inspect the packaging.  What's a girl to do?  Read the fine print that states "Dark Chocolate"?  The Mother may mistakingly grab your "Dark Chocolate M&Ms" only to get home and pop a few in her mouth...only to discover she's been cheated; wronged.

What's my solution now that the cat's out of the bag so to speak?  Well, M&Ms should simply make a slight modification to their packaging that would alert would-be shoppers that the bag contains said "Dark Chocolate".  Then, no Mother would mis-purchase these again.  Evah.

Note to the M&Ms research team:  Bitter is not a flavor many seek to obtain.

Reading Wrap-up

This week, at Holy Spirit Homeschool, we've been focused like a laser on reading.  One great reason for that is we've purchased a new reading book and the boys are rather excited about using it.  Here are some highlights from the week:

When Kolbe triumphantly finishes a sentence (and displays his inner-Yooper):

That's some good reading, eh, Mom?

Tonight, during prayer:

Mom:  Lord,  thank you for helping the boys as they begin to read!

Marcel:  Mom, I can't READ!

Mom:  I know Marcel, but soon you will.

Marcel:  Yeah.  When I'm a Daddy, I'll read.

Jozef, after being in bed about half-an-hour:

Mom,  I'm not ready for bed, I want to learn more!

Kolbe, after putting in a big day of reading practice:

Mom, soon, I'm gonna read as fast as you.  Probably by tomorrow! 

7 Quick Takes

-- 1 --

Kolbe is using workbooks for school this year.  That may sound like a casual, mundane statement, but, to me, it's more than that.  You see, I've really been trying use only Montessori activities for him.  After much research, I really came to believe that it was the best way to learn.  In addition, Maria Montessori created her method as something that was best for children rather than as a course of study that yielded a "proper" outcome.

What does all of this mean?  I guess Kolbe hasn't read the research.  And this Mom had to catch up with her 6 year-old.  My new motto:  Do what works, and what he enjoys.  How's he doing?  He's currently flying though the books I've given him.  He'll probably be on 2nd grade material by early Spring.  I'm learning to evolve as his needs do.

-- 2 --

Halloween was a bit of a personal tragedy for me.  Okay, tragedy is too strong of a word.  I planned to make two costumes this year.  However, life got in the way.  For a week and a half, I was sick followed by a few sick little guys.  Then, Nate was super-busy at work,  so at night, I had to take over more of his duties around the house.  Long story short, I only completed one costume.  I was so upset (and am embarrassed to admit it).  Sometimes it's difficult for me to admit that life here is crazy.  And my best laid plans sometimes (a lot of times) fail.  I needed to let go.  And move on.  Besides, I have all the materials for a great costume next year.

-- 3 --

I'm beginning my Christmas lists for the boys.  Buying toys is so hard at this stage.  There are toys they want and toys they might actually play with.  And, I need to always remember the "Marcel factor".  It goes something like this, "Mother, I realize these great toys have many pieces and parts that are meant to be kept together, however I believe in sharing what I have with the masses.  Therefore, I will spread a number of pieces though-out the house, chew on, or otherwise mutilate the rest.  And, remember, I love you."  With that in mind, Legos, K'nex and remote control anythings are "out".  Sorry boys.

-- 4 --

We had our family picture taken yesterday.  I was so glad that we had one that turned out great!  I'll post it here soon to share (as soon as I get to my scanner).

-- 5 --

We raked our back yard this past Tuesday.  It's Friday and we need to rake it again.  Yard work is something I don't enjoy anymore.  Not because I dislike it, but because it takes 4x as long to do with 4 boys. Between requests for bikes and yard toys, to bathroom breaks and nap times, the time needed to complete any task in the yard is greatly increased.  My poor neighbors.  Our yard looks a bit...unkept.  But then again, that aptly describes our lives right now.

-- 6 --

We've still been enjoyed a movie here and there via Netflix.  Nate caved to the marketing hype and rented Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen.  My recommendation:  Just don't.  Too much skin, too little story, too little true courage, too much inane dialogue, too much adult language for a movie marketed to kids.  I wouldn't allow my 13-year old to watch this PG-13 movie.  Skip this one.  Better yet, maybe rent the old cartoons.

Sunshine Cleaning was another renter.  I have to admit that I fell in love with Amy Adams after Enchanted.  She is quite talented--her facial expressions in that movie alone are amazing not to mention her voice (even though her really-toothy smile is kind of too much...but I digress).  Then, I researched her a bit to see what other roles she's played.  Most of the movies were borderline offensive so I'd have to be careful about the other Adams movies I'd rent.  However, Sunshine Cleaning was one that I thought would be okay.  The idea behind Sunshine Cleaning is good, the writing is about par.  She lives a "normal" life and hits some really hard times.  But her odd family (Dad and sister) work to help her though.  Bottom line--if you like Juno, you'd like Sunshine Cleaning.  **There was one scene that we simply skipped due to the graphic nature.  Just FYI.

-- 7 --

I am looking forward to the weekend!  It's supposed to be 60 degrees both days!  How often does that happen in November?

Peace be with you!

An Inconvenient Analogy

In an article at Catholic New York Online, Archbishop Timothy Dolan compares the atrocity of abortion to slavery.  It is a comparison that few want to be made (due to the obvious retrospective reprehensibility of slavery). However, the analogy is more than just that.  The two are identical in quite a few ways:


-each had the support of the Supreme Court


-each had the country split 50/50 regarding whether it was morally acceptable


-each had Catholics on either side of the issue (those that were/are for slavery/abortion were, of course, personally opposed, but didn't feel they could impose their morality on others)


-each allowed one person to control the fate of another


Some day, I pray, we'll look back on abortion with sadness and joy.  Sadness that it went on for so long, and joy that it is no longer supported or legal.


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For more information regarding the Catholic perspective on the health care debate, visit the USCCB's website.  Please be sure to email your representatives, as well.   It just takes a minute.
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h/t MommyLife

Scout's Honor

When talking about his brother's behavior yesterday:

Kolbe:  That's not very cub scout-y!

That's one well-versed scout we have.

He Thinks He Can

As I watch him pick himself up, for the 100th time, and see perseverance in action, I marvel. Jerzy is walking. And it's taken him only 3-4 weeks to master it. He takes a step, wobbles, falls. Then, he tries for two steps. Soon, he's walking across the room independently. He wavers and sometimes falls, but he always gets up; moves forward.

When I get defeated, I stay down. I certainly don't pick myself up and move on. I wallow. I complain. I ask God, "Why?" I want to lay in bed all day (not that I have a chance to around here, however).

No wonder Jesus said we are to become like little children. We all struggle, falter and fall--in relationships, in projects, at work and home. Like children, we need only pick ourselves up and try again. God is right here with us, like I'm here with my little guy--watching and cheering him on, not causing his falls.

The key is to become like little children, and try again. However, I am quite confident that we can skip the drooling part.

A Halloween...In A Galaxy Far, Far Away

Marcel :: Yoda

Jozef :: Clone

Kolbe :: Luke Skywalker (Episode VI)

We came, we froze, we "treated", we whined, we conquered.

Mission :: Accomplished!

One-derfully Beautiful

Jozef loves to squeeze him (sometimes a little too much).  Kolbe enjoys carrying him around.  Marcel likes to "guide" Jerzy into trouble.  Daddy loves the way he squawks and crawls rapidly towards him as he enters the door at the end of his work day.  And Mommy loves his baby cuddles.

Thank you, Jesus, for the blessing of Jerzy on our family, as he turns one-year-old.

We couldn't imagine life without him!

An Almost Victory

Mr. Clean Heavy Duty Eraser Pad v. Marcel

Tally ::

Marker on Wall :: Check

Paint on Wall :: Check

Pencil on Toilet Seat Lid :: Check

Marker on Door :: Check

Pen on Laptop :: Um...still there

-----------------------------------

Results ::

Mr Clean Heavy Duty Erase Pad - 4

Marcel - 1

-----------------------------------

Conclusion ::

Markers are to be put away for a veerry long time. Mommy lives to fight another day (with Mr. Clean Pad in hand).

As of Late

It's been a rough two weeks.  The boys and I have all been struck with colds!  Fortunately, Nate has been unscathed.  Whenever I am sick, it reminds me how blessed I am to have good health, with no permanent ailments.  Without health, much of life is difficult or impossible.

Before our 'bout with colds, we had been very busy.  Here are a few highlights:

We visited a local orchard and canned over 30 quarts of applesauce!

October is Fire Safety Month.  The boys enjoyed checking out the fire trucks and "throwing some water" at the local fire station.

 And, Jerzy has been becoming more heroic in his exploits, taking steps between strongholds and generally getting into trouble.

We pray that soon our troop will be on the other side of these colds.  Until then, I think a trip to the doctor may be in order this afternoon...

Retreat!

During my high school years, I had many opportunities to attend retreats--probably 3 each year!  I am sure the graces from those experiences helped me develop my faith and love for God, as well as helped to guide me to my husband.

These days, I can barely squeeze in time for prayer, unless I physically leave the house!  It's not that the boys won't let me be for a bit, they just have an ardent zeal to pray with their Mom (well, that's what I tell myself anyway).

Beginning tomorrow, Relevant Radio is putting on a 2-day retreat.  Finally a retreat that meats me where I'm at--in the car or the kitchen!

The retreat takes place Thursday and Friday (Oct 1-2 for those of you that may read this at a later date).  The theme is In Our Lady's Hands.

I encourage you to listen a bit online.  We can all use a retreat, and this one is at a laptop near you.

*If you'd like to listen to the retreat at a later time, visit the audio archives on RelevantRadio.com

An Orange Day

Lovable, Enjoyable, Beautiful - Jerzy

Love Letter

Dear Mom and Dad,

Love, Marcel

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Dear Marcel,

Some things are better left unsaid.

Love,

Mom and Dad

The Last Sin

I remember sitting in mass one Wednesday night at the Cathedral in Marquette, Michigan a number of years ago when the Irish priest proclaimed, "The last sin in the world is smoking!" He was right. Cities around the world were banning smoking in all public places and in a frenzy over smokers. It seemed the worst thing a person could do was smoke. As a priest, and a smoker, he differed.

Lately, it seems as though the last sin in the world is having children. Afterall, we have a planet to save. My question, then, is, "To save for whom?"

I have pointed this out a few times, but which family can afford multiple vehicles, expensive vacations, designer coffee, leased vehicles, a second home, the newest gadgets and an endless supply of toys for their children: the family with two children or the family with many? I'm thinking it doesn't take a scientist or a poll-ster to see which family is emitting more carbon. Does it?

Thankfully, Europe has state-run health care so they can best decide which babies deserve to live anyway. It's a good thing the state is willing to think about these things so we can all go on emitting carbon.

To all of my Christian readers, I'd like them to acknowledge the number of bible passages that go something like this, "Blessed are those that emit the least amount of carbon and have few children, for their reward in heaven will be an iPhone. 3G."

Oh, that's right. There are none.

Our Decade

"Is this a game?"

"Am I winning?"

"Can we do it again?"

Who knew there would be so much fuss over my Montessori-esque decade of the Rosary with the boys this afternoon.

For the first time in, well, ever(!), they requested that we say another decade before bed.

The first day of school was not all calm and collected, but it was grace filled. Jesus, I trust in you.

Crumbs

Car ride to Green Bay? Check!

Meet up with friends and play at the park? Check!

Request a snack for good behavior? Check!

Devour ice cream sandwich? Check!

Nap?

Check!

One successful day.