Tuesday, April 18, 2017

March and April Happenings

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Andrew's team had a great basketball season and our enthusiast was probably the leading scorer!  While they lost in the championship, we LOVED how the league handled it.  After the game, they wheeled out a table of trophies to hand the winners one by one while Andrew's team sat and watched.  With no preparation for this scenario at all, Andrew smiled and clapped for each player while other teammates were crying with their heads down or looking around for Mom and their snacks.  We could not have been more proud of his response.  

VABA Championship Intros


Andrew's Ode to Joy at the church Talent Show


Margaret's "Welcome to the Parade"---well done for the first time in front of an audience.  She will play it as a duet with Mrs. Anderson in the recital at PVCC in a few weeks.

Andrew's Random Acts of Kindness at School-Wide Morning Meeting.  Third grade "hosted" this meeting, so all third graders were given the opportunity to participate.  Andrew was the only kid in his class that chose to write something to share (as opposed to reading the lunch menu or announcing birthdays, etc.).  He was also one of the few children that you could actually understand speaking.  He's always done great with public speaking (Herb the Gardener, "The 'H' is silent, you know!") and I pray that continues forever!


Happy 50th, Steve! 
Feliz cumpleaƱos!

Matthew's rendition of The Wheels on the Bus book...

Apparently I reached hero status with Matthew's Easter present.  
Best $5 ever spent!

We have no idea. 

The best of friends have the best birthday evenings!

And always more fun when the men are along, too.  
Vitae Spirits Tour = a fascinating chemistry lesson.

Serving dinner again at the Ronald McDonald House with church friends.  The kids now LOVE Hannah and Jonah thanks to our waiting-for-the-quiche-to-cook Uno Tournament.

Lax practice is THAT way...
 ...no, THAT way!

I was lucky enough to be subbing at preschool when the Charlottesville Ballet came. 

It's always amazing how intrigued the kids are.  



First Grade Success Night - a success indeed!
 She chose a project on Seahorses, for JJ.


  FB memories kill me!

Over 90 years old, Warren still shows up for every Talent Show to play his harmonica for the kiddos.

The pledge of allegiance before the Oriels' Opening Day Game on spring break.  

Dying eggs with shaving cream???  Let's give it a shot!

Andrew's turn at goalie against STAB.  He actually made quite a few saves and enjoyed it!  Took me back to 8th grade.

 When I strapped on my newborn and took him to Michael's high school lax games in Denver (with Daisy and Molly along as team mascots), I didn't think about the day that they would BOTH be out on the field together.  Oh, my heart!

 

It was so hot waiting in line for their race bibs that Matthew threw up all over me, but he rallied and ran "Little Legs, Hidden Eggs" like a champ!  


 I think we were in the 2 and under section.  Oh well.  Get your 10 and let's move on with the day.  Parenting box checked---"Did egg hunt for youngest child".  




Yes.  In our yard.  Second one of the season after none (that we've seen) for 7 years.  Disgusting.  SOOO grateful the kids missed it.  
 Learning a few things from Granddaddy.
 Hasn't anyone taught this kid about a watched pot??

5 cent cone day on Tax Day!  Since the big kids get to walk to Kohr Brothers with their school, Mommy has to take Matthew for his cone....straight from the gym....oops!

 One never knows with this kid!  Apparently he needed Margaret's lax mask to go pick her up from school??
 Assuming this of the three nests under our deck is active given the Easter basket grass that Mom is using.

Digging into Andrew's bag at the end of practice...
 ...and now all dressed up with no place to go:-(

 You should see the OTHER guy!

Matthew' class at Open Gate Farm






 

 Margaret's colorful lax crew lead by the UVA team - what awesome encouragement those girls are for our youth.

 Mom checking LOTS of boxes in one afternoon...the wine was already chilled.



Sunday, April 16, 2017

Easter 2017

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As I sit listening to what sounds like 1,000 birds waking in the still of the calm, dark morning, I reflect on what happened yesterday.  The cost of the cross is something to consider in a different fashion than which egg hunts to attend, what the max jelly bean consumption/child should be, or what special wine to serve with Easter dinner.  But even the darkness of Good Friday gets overshadowed by our hustle and bustle of our culture's Hallmark focus on Easter.  

Holy Week began with our usual Palm Sunday Processional and...





..."All Glory, Laud and Honor"

Our season of mid-week Simple Suppers and Lenten Vespers services culminated with our beautiful and moving Maundy Thursday service.  The thorny crown visual and "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" lyrics can't help but move your heart to Good Friday and the inexplicable glory of Easter morning.

Jesus Christ is risen!  He is risen indeed...so that WE may have life eternally.  

Sunrise Service - Andrew specifically asked to attend the service again this year - awkward selfie beforehand:-)



Unfortunately, the flowers hadn't bloomed yet this year:-( It's stunning when they have!  But 65 folks still attended the service service and stayed for the Men's breakfast afterwards---a wonderful tradition!


Children's Choir waiting patiently to sing.

Sharing a bulletin for the opening songs before they went on stage.  So precious!


 "The Easter Song"

Oh, how we LOVE Miss Bekah!!!

 


Thanks to our new friend and small group member Hannah Hein for the wonderful pictures after church - our whole congregation was so grateful:-)  
 
  





Mom's amaryllis bloomed just in time for Easter and made the perfect centerpiece for our table!

 
 "Opening Day" game to cap off a beautiful afternoon. The pitching machine helps our numbers tremendously.