Killian Confessions - Colorado through Charlottesville

Sunday, January 17, 2016

Threeeeeee!!!

A week before Matthew's birthday, we asked what he might want.

He was very clear. "A box...with money in it. Uh....two boxes!".

Birthday at school!

His poor wind-blown sign read, "PPY BIRTHDAY" by the time his friends arrived. Poor 3rd kid.

Snowflakes when we left church on his actual birthday!

"Uh, uh, sooo tough!"

Very sweetly listening to Andrew read his cards.

Later that night, and unrelated to the birthday celebration, Andrew told us he had written a song...

Saturday, January 16, 2016

Woodbrook does a wonderful job of celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. and what he managed to accomplish. Our Vice Mayor gave an inspirational speech to the entire school about working hard, not giving up, and the power in becoming a leader.

On the holiday itself, Woodbrook sponsors a community wide Walk for a Cause. The community meets on the track to walk for their cause of choice...bullying, racism, hunger, homelessness, etc. A food truck is provided and the news always comes to highlight the story. The rest of the school year, the students are encouraged to continue logging their miles (whether during recess or at home) and each grade's miles are compiled and announced the following year on MLK Day. What a fabulous tradition!

The rest of the school-wide assembly was presentation of the MLK, Jr. Leadership Award. Each teacher chose one child from their class and explained why that student was the recipient. Mrs. Milione selected Margaret and we could not have been more touched by what she said.

Though she doesn't look very excited in the picture, she was THRILLED to be seated on stage.

Friday, January 1, 2016

Happy New Year!

Here's to getting the family journal off to a better start in 2016... Another Polar Plunge means another family participant this year and he did great!

Shannon and Meghan (the mastermind behind the insanity)

Landon! Swim team buddies reunite in the winter.

The Killian-Hall cheering squad.

Kids outnumbered adults this year??

Thursday, December 31, 2015

Williamsburg:)

It only took six years for our first family trip to the 'burg, and it was worth the wait! We dodged the heavy rains and managed to tackle Colonial Williamsburg in the morning, Jamestown in the afternoon and William and Mary the following morning. Next year, we'll add Christmastown at Busch Gardens to the mix!

Andrew got a great lesson about dressing for how you "wish to be received". Would have thought Granddaddy was talking to him!

The folks that work in these stores are always SO kind and informative.

The Magazine----the next time, we'll have tix so we can go in and see the plethora guns.

We called it the coffee wreath.

Jamestown Settlement

The sleeping quarters of the ships in Jamestown.

An informative lesson about the origins of the word "lantern" from "lant-horn", originally made from horns.

The Wren Chapel - an organ recital

We snuck up to the 3rd floor to see a true, old fashioned classroom.

Andrew desperately wanted to ring the Wren bell----told him he had to study 4 long years to earn that honor.

We did NOT streak the Sunken Garden....stories for later!

Along with the massive Science Complex nearby, the Phoenix by Crim Dell is new in the last 15 years.

Daring each other to cross Crim Dell.

My first kiss on Crim Dell!

Pondering life...and how we are related to Swem, via Michael's family.

We had to sweet talk our way in the Hall as they readied for the afternoon's game. Go Tribe!

Friday, December 25, 2015

Christmas

Three-four years ago, we started staying home on Christmas for several reasons, one of which was so that the kids could participate in Meadows' pageant on Christmas Eve. Matthew's debut made it absolutely worth it! He did great and followed the Shepherd's (Andrew) exactly where/when he supposed to.

Shortly after this picture, things got a bit dicey during Tom's Homily as Matthew took his shoes off, then ripped off his socks with glee and I prayed, "Please, oh, please don't strip anything else off!".