GFG – Page 7

Soccer Days

April 1, 2011 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: GFG, Picture Recap, Sparkles, Sports, Sweetie

Sweetie and Sparkles started their soccer season. They play for the same coach but on separate teams. Their first games were on March 12, after the Nun Run.

This was Sweetie’s first game, ever! She was a bit nervous at the start of the game. She plays on a co-ed team and holds her own. She plays with strength and sheer determination. Gotta love her wristband.

Sparkles was eager to join Coach E for a second year. He is great with the kids and respects our family priorities. Sparkles is the complete opposite of Sweetie (in many ways). In terms of soccer, she plays with grace and a smile. She loves to use her head. She’s been working on scoring with headers. She perfects every move I show her. Sparkles didn’t play with her wristband because it was too big for her tiny self.

Dragonfly was happy to be outdoors. Papi was exhausted from his 1 mile run/walk. Nana put him to bed while Papa kept company with Sparkles. Rose relaxed since her game was canceled. Dad enjoyed his seeds while he nursed his aching feet from the 10k. I was still pumped about running with Team ALL FOR!

Just for fun! This is me at the end of my soccer career. I hung up my dreams to serve my family. Deo gratias!

Pre-Lenten Recap

March 14, 2011 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: GFG, Lent, Mardis Gras, Picture Recap, Pre-Lent, Shrove Tuesday

3.1 – Dad and Dragonfly getting their pre-Lenten cleaning on.

3.1- Papi the beaver and the girls taking a break from cleaning. They’ll try anything to get out of cleaning.

3.8 – Shrove Tuesday

A dear friend helped us start this tradition. Several years ago, Tiffany coordinated a group of families to visit the elderly bearing Mardi Gras jewels and wearing silly hats, all to share our joy. We adopted the simple act of almsgiving and now make a regular visit to the elderly on Shrove Tuesday/Mardi Gras. It is a lovely way to enter the Lenten season.

It has to be experienced to be fully believed, but there is a great blessing on such a Carnival time, shared in a family. To have spent a good Carnival will finally prove to the greater honor and glory of God, in enabling us to spend a good Lent!

Activity Source: Around the Year with the Trapp Family by Maria Augusta Trapp, Pantheon Books Inc., New York, New York, 1955

We try to coordinate with other families but we’re not always able to gather a group. The morning starts with Mass and ends with a play date and feast in the park. This year, my nieces and Dragonfly’s Godmother and God-siblings were able to join us for Mass and the visit.

We had a blessed time. The residents were elated to see all the children. Many of the residents desired to place the beads on the children. They desired to put smiles on the children. It was beautiful to see such act of charity. After all, we were there to visit them and bring them a special offering. Somehow we managed to distribute over 100 necklaces and leis.

ALL FOR!

We visited a park on the way home. It was not in the best of shape but that didn’t seem to bother my kids.

We let the kids pick their lunch. Pizza, candy, pretzels, ranch & cucumbers. and soda.

They were thrilled with the day!

Bye-Bye February

March 1, 2011 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: GFG, Papi, Picture Recap

2.11 – rose has been the lil’ crafter of the house. she has designed headbands and is now in the production stage.

2.14 – St. Valentine’s art lesson. inspiration – we used rose’s kindergarten piece that she entered in an art exhibit at the local museum. this is now being displayed in their hallway art gallery.

2.15 – this was papi’s last bout with a week long illness. he put himself to sleep in my bed. dad gave him a treatment while he was sleeping.

2.16 – twins.

2.16 – ladybug’s birthday dinner. papi trying to blow out the flame.

2.26 – my stretching buddy.

9 months

February 24, 2011 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: Dragonfly, GFG

a sweet boy…..

with a silly side.

~~~

dragonfly has decided that food is not his thing. we’ll see how long he’ll hold out and mama will hold up.

he is quite but playful.

he enjoys his night time alone with mom and dad.

he his lovable but does have his threshold and will let you know when you’ve crossed it. just ask sweetie.

he can be rough and tough with the guys and oh so cuddly with mom and the girls.

he still prefers men to women and will leap out of my arms to go with any male, as long as it’s not feeding time, of course.

his hair is curly and wispy. rose likes to put bows in his hair when dad’s not looking. i’ve promised him that i will not take pictures of him with bows.

he loves his papa and is warming up to his nana.

he is monkey walking everywhere. he has even been spotted, on a couple of occasions, taking a quick step without hands. sparkles is certain that he will be just like her and walk by the end of 9 months.

we’re enjoying all dragonfly has to offer.

Deo gratias!

Candy Rosary

February 15, 2011 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: GFG, Papi, Rosary, St. Valentine's Day

We prayed our rosary today at 12 pm for the intentions of the unborn and innocent. We decided to use Sweethearts candies for the Hail Mary’s. Each child placed a candy in their dish upon the completion of a prayer.(sweetie and sparkles dressed themselves for school.)

WARNING: This candy rosary is not intended for children 3 and under.

Papi had ~~a meltdown~~ several meltdowns.

The children only received a candy when they were actively prayed. They were not allowed to eat the candies until the completion of the rosary. Papi did not think the rules were just. He did eventually recover. Praise be to God!

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