Celebrating Catholic Schools Week

Lose the 'Tude Kiddo

A child is a curly dimpled lunatic. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

He had a point.

My niece Kristyn tells the little ones to lose the 'tude when they're not, shall we say, in their best moods. But even when JoJo's copping a major one, she's still kind of smiley. She's not one of those kids who just stays mad. It's pretty easy to pull JoJo from the dark side.

...and before you know it, we're back to whirly, twirly girl.

One question...I wonder when she'll discover that she has a birthmark on her back? Should I tell her or let her find out for herself? I think it's cute! I wonder what she will think of it in years to come. I love her age now. So uninhibited and no self-consciousness about body image, clothing, and the like. Ahhhh...the freedom.

JoJo's Third Birthday

With Daddy at the dreaded...yes you guessed it...Chuck E. Cheese. Kids live for the place. Parents "offer it up" for their sake.

JoJo and Grace

At Great Uncle Vince Weiss' house. He wanted to show the kids his train that he sets up every year. It was given to him 75 years ago by his parents. It still chugs like a charm. Leave it to German engineering.

Uncle Vince reminded us that McKenna shares the same birthday with her Great-Great-Grandfather Andrew Balthazar Weissbecher. The year he was born, as with this year, January 6 fell on the Feast of the Epiphany. Hence, the name Balthazar--one of the three kings who presented Jesus with gifts shortly after his birth. Not sure if it was he or his son who dropped the "becher" in Weissbecher in years to come.

Ethan and Grace

Paul, Caitlin, and JoJo

The youngest five of 17 grandchildren. Millie and Pete recently received the news that they will be great-grandparents in July! Wow.