Packing

Inventory of a teenager's suitcase:  32 shirts, 25 pairs of shorts, 7 church outfits, 11 pjs....you get the idea.  "But Mom, Dad, I need choices."  Hmmm....this conversation should sound familiar to you, Dad.  Sorry about that.  Some things never change though--you should see the number of shoes I packed.  Good thing Chris is my miracle logistics guy.  Please say some prayers for an easy, safe and peaceful trip.  

We Have a Winner

We were overwhelmed by all the submissions to my birthday contest.  They came via email, phone and even our 

new Frodo Seven hotline 1-800-hpyhbit.  After tallying the scores and ruling on disputed answers, we have a winner!

My BIL KJD got the high score of 9 out of 12.  For his effort, he wins a gourmet meal for 12 at Casa Doyle complete with smurf glasses (Ceci will get the coveted Smurfette) along with a copy of John Denver's greatest hits.  Before I turn over the second prize, we will have a heart t0 heart on the merits and fine points of country music.

Congratulations Kevin!

Mud Bugs on Crocodile Dock Part I

The muddiest bug of them all

Way back in the spring, a friend of mine asked me to be her sidekick working with the preschool class at St. Martha's VBS.  I hadn't thought about whether or not we wanted to participate but it sounded like fun so I made a command decision and signed us all up.  Even Barbara had a job--I didn't want to leave Ella in the nursery so Barbara came over every afternoon to play with her.  (Thank you!)  Little did I know that the week of VBS would be incredibly busy and that Madeleine would come down with pink eye.  We rolled with it all, muddled through and had a great time.

After my first day with the Mud Bugs, I told Chris that I definitely had not missed my calling to be a preschool teacher.  It wasn't that I hated it--I just prefer teaching cooperative adults who do what I say or, if they don't, it's really not my problem.  By the end of the week though, I began to appreciate time spent with a gaggle of 3 and 4 year olds.  And of course for me, there was the additional reward of being with Doyle Princess #4.  

The highlight of my week may have been when one mother told me what her wee daughter had shared with her.  "Mommy, I love Mrs. Doyle.  She makes me want to wave at her."  What could be better than that?

We did crafts

Ate yummy snacks

Played with blocks

Made Easter cookies

They're hollow inside like the empty tomb and are super yummy!

"Skeeter" was the star of the week.  The kids loved him both onstage and off and Grace even asked if she could invite him to her birthday party--the greatest honor she can think to bestow.

Sophie and Marcela were fast friends.  In fact, Marcela spent much of the week 

carrying Sophie around and doing her bidding.  She and the other volunteers put up with 

my blond tyrant because, "she's sooo cute"! 

(that's a direct quote but, as her very prejudiced Mama, I have to agree)

Friends--part of what VBS is all about

Grace and friend

"What big teeth you have."

One of the highlights of the day for the girls was finding each other 

at the Firefly Finale just before going home.

"I get down and He lifts me up"

Fr. Linh busts a move

Happy Birthday to me!

I am what I am

That's a great thing to be

If I say so myself, 

Happy Birthday to me!

Dr. Seuss

How well do you know me?  Take my quiz to find out.  ¡Buena suerte!

1)  When I was little, I wanted to be:

a.  a Marine

b.  an actress

c.  a teacher

d.  a doctor

e.  a school bus

2)  The name "Alice" means:

a.  tall tower

b.  pearl

c.  truthful

d.  torch

e.  happy hobbit mama

3)  Of all the places I've visited, my favorite is:

a.  Mallorca, the Balearic Islands

b.  Paris, France

c.  Costa Rica

d.  Santiago de Compostela, Spain

e.  Southern Ireland

4)  My preferred drink is:

a.  Shiner Bock

b.  sangría

c.  red wine

d.  margarita, frozen, sin sal

e.  my brother-in-law's raspberry martinis

f.  miller lite

5)  My favorite color is:

a.  blue

b.  pink

c.  purple

d.  rainbow

e.  crimson

6)  If I had a theme song it would probably be:

a.  Hey Girl--OAR

b.  Margaritaville--Jimmy Buffett

c.  Over My Head--The Fray

d.  Too Much--Dave Matthews

e.  Talk Dirty To Me--Poison

f.  Country Roads--John Denver

7)  I probably have more ________________ than anyone you know.

a.  shoes

b.  children

c.  patience

d.  candles

e.  bad habbits

8)  My (secret) life motto is:

a.  just do it

b.  attack the hills

c.  this too shall pass

d.  yes

e.  life is good

9)  If I were a Disney "princess" I would have to be:

a.  Ariel--The Little Mermaid

b.  Mulan

c.  Meg--Hercules

d.  Belle--Beauty and the Beast

e.  Pocahontas

10)  When I'm hungry, I go for:

a.  french fries

b.  cereal

c.  cookies

d.  potato chips

e.  one of my kids

11)  I'm proud of my collection of:

a.  wine charms

b.  lladro

c.  frames

d.  smurf glasses

e.  running trophies

12)  I consider it a priviledge to share a birthday with which of the following famous females?

a.  Jane Austin

b.  Helen Keller

c.  Joan of Arc

d.  Marie Curie

e.  Miss Piggy

Are you sure you're ready to peek?  Do you want to double check your answers?  OK--here goes.

1)  B--actress.  I have an aunt who was and is in the business.  I wanted to be just like her.  If I had it to do again, I'd go for "a" and "e" was my little brother Neil's big goal.

2)  C--truthful.  I definitely have a name to live up to.  (I think "e" fits me best.)

3)  E--southern Ireland.  I loved Santiago but Ireland felt like home to me.

4)  A,B,C,D & E depending on my mood and the weather.  If you put "f" tisk tisk.  Life is too short for yucky, tasteless beer.

5)  A--blue.  Though I admire kids who refuse to choose just one color and instead go for "d".

6)  I have to go with F--Country Roads.  I am proud of my humble West Virginia roots and for me, the road to heaven is not lined with yellow brick, silver or gold.  It's a simple country road much like the one that winds up Cherry Hill in Wheeling, WVA.  If you chose "a", give yourself half a point--I'm always up for an adventure.  No comment if you chose "e".

7)  D--candles.  "e" probably applies as well but it's not very nice of you to point that out so--no points for you!

8)  D--yes!  Yes to God, yes to my family, yes to my friends and yes to all of the opportunities that come along--even the scary ones.  I try to think of my "no"s as "yes"s in disguise--"yes"s to something more important.

9)  C--I know she's not technically a princess but she does snag a god.  I love Meg.

10)  A & D--either one.  I love salty things and don't eat many sweets.  I will enjoy the chocolate fondue we're having for my birthday though.  Oh and give yourself half a point if you chose "e"--my girls are so yummy.

11)  D--smurf glasses.  We break them out for special occasions and I like them so much I've expanded into other smurf paraphernalia that my kids covet.  Oh, and if you put "e", all I can say is "Ha!"

12)  B--Helen Keller.  I find this amazing because she is one of my top role models.  What an incredible woman.

So, how'd you do?  I hope you enjoyed my quiz.  Chris missed two and knows me better than anyone so maybe I'm more mysterious than I thought.

When I blow out my birthday candles this weekend, I'll first be thanking God for all of the family and friends who light up my life and second...well, I can't tell you that or it won't come true.  Tata for now!

Bright Light

Littlest patriot

Today is Ella's half birthday and I'm going to repeat what every parent on the planet says at some point--when did my baby get so big?  I posted a favorite Don Quijote quote about a month back and please bear with me while I repeat it because it applies to Ella.  It is: "he had a face like a blessing".  Those words capture the way I feel when I look at our youngest.  She breaks my heart with her beautiful smile and her adoring looks at me and Chris.  Her way of walking and talking are so uniquely hers and I know with the wisdom of an experienced mother that I must store these moments up in my heart--and on the video camera--because they are so soon replaced by new ones.  

When I was thinking about what I wanted to write today, I looked up what the name Ella means.  I can't believe we haven't done that before.  It doesn't mean "baby penguin", "babbling brook" or "tortured youngest sister" though all of those apply.  What it does mean is "bright light".  Perfect.  Ella is our bright light and she is proof that even though babies one, two, three and four are all wonderful, God never ceases to amaze us with what He still has in store if we are only open to His will.

When the Cat's Away

Yesterday morning, I had to go out for awhile.  Ella came with me but I left the other girls with Madeleine.  I gave them a couple of chores and told them to have fun playing together.  When I got home a few hours later, the house was completely quiet.  At first I thought the girls were all upstairs playing and I continued the phone conversation with my sister-in-law that I'd begun in the car (sorry, C :)  Jes and I have no problem talking about basically nothing for long periods of time but after fifteen minutes, I decided I should investigate the silent house and at least verify that the kids were still there.  Check out the pictures to see where I found them. They were so proud of themselves--first for doing all their chores and then for fooling Mama.  I was totally impressed with the discipline they showed being still and quiet for so long.  Poor Mia was very sweaty when I finally rescued her.  

Note to self, if a few quiet moments are needed, hide and seek may be just the thing.

A little suspicious

Great hiding spot but I found Madeleine first

Hi Mama!

Tres petite

I must have walked past Sophie three times.

Stunt Turtle

Today's Magic Moment is brought to you by 

Thomas the stunt turtle and our turtle whisperer

Dear Dad

My mom is no dummy

Yesterday's post was dedicated to my kids' dad, today's is dedicated to mine--Lawrence Paul Kreitzer.  He's the best dad I ever had and I am so proud to be his daughter.  He gets his internet news from my mom so, Mom, you'll have to print this page for him.  And faithful Frodo Seven readers-- if after reading this, you would like to send fan mail to my dear dad for being the exemplary father he is, please leave a comment.

Top Ten Things I Learned From My Dad

1.  Ask Dad, he knows.  I'm pretty sure my dad knows everything.  I've always gone to him with my questions and really haven't grown out of the childlike confidence I've always had in him.  I'll never forget the seventh grade science fair project my dad and I did together.  We built a motor and I won Best-of-Fair, not just for the motor but because I could explain and answer questions about how it worked.  I still remember--sort of.  Thanks Dad!

2.  Fitness matters.  Exercise has always been a part of my dad's life.  Some of my best memories of college vacations are of shared runs with him.  You remember them, Dad, "Hello you dear old Building and Loan."  My love of athletics and fitness is a gift from my dad--one I hope I'm passing on to my girls.

3.  Math is fun.  Well, not quite.  But Dad did get me through high school math where I was the envy of my friends for having the best tutor around.  Now he's guest tutor at the Doyle Homeschool and math is definitely more fun with Paka.

4.  Be humble.  My dad is unpretentious and more often than not, chooses a support role rather than the spotlight.  His quiet leadership style changes lives though as was evidenced at his retirement ceremony when colleague after colleague expressed their admiration of him.

5.  Laugh often.  My dad keeps his jubilee in easy reach.  When he laughs, his whole face lights up and he looks a lot like I imagine he looked as a boy.  His brother Rick probably brings out this quality more than anyone and there's this one "angel on top of the Christmas tree" joke that gets him every time.

6.  The measure of success is the number of grandchildren fighting for your lap.  Sophie recently told me that she wants to live with Paka forever.  I told her that she will have to settle for the month of July because I am not willing to part with her.  My mom jokes that the kids run past her to get to dad--not exactly true--but they do love their Paka.

7.  Siblings are the best friends God picked for you.  My dad has a great relationship with all of his eight brothers and sisters--especially my Uncle Rick who I'm sure would get him into trouble if they lived closer to each other.  I am blessed to have wonderful friends who I'd do just about anything for but my siblings and siblings-in-law will always come first--something else I hope I'm passing on to my girls.

8.  When in doubt, ride the John Deer.  I think you can probably work through any problem while mowing the back three on the green machine.  My dad spends a couple of hours on it daily in the summer and is one of the most peaceful people I know.  I'm sure there's a correlation.

9.  Simple things are best.  A good hike, a football game, a basketball game, a golf tournament (you get the idea), a few minutes playing Katie the Lion, a bowl of oatmeal, a cannonball off the diving board, Yuengling.  It's the sweet, stolen moments that make up the good life.  My dad has a good life and with five awesome kids and eighteen grandkids is the richest man I know.

10.  When God calls, the answer is "yes".  This of course is the most important thing my dad taught me.  He hasn't said it so much as lived it.  He and my mom, like many long-married people, have been through a lot.  They muddle through it all on their knees and I know all of our lives would be a lot darker were it not for the hours they spend saying the rosary by candlelight at Camp Kreitzer.  To paraphrase St. Thomas More, my Dad is his family's humble servant, but God's first.

I love you, Dad.  I owe you more than I can ever repay.  Thanks for tearing up the bill!

A Thousand Words

Happy Father's Day, C!

Rock-a-Bye Babies

Today's Magic Moment is brought to you by Mama Mia

Chris had his hands full one evening while I was teaching and asked Mia to rock Ella for him.  I think I'll give her an A+ for a job well done.

Behind the Scenes of Swim Story

Grace and Iman

Two stellar six-and-unders

We're in the home stretch of swim season.  Grace swam her final races of the summer at last weekend's meet, Madeleine and Mia will swim in Divisionals this weekend and Madeleine, who qualified for All Stars in most of her events, will swim in that meet just a few days before we head off to almost heaven (Virginia).  It's been a wonderful season for all of us, full of important firsts like Grace's first 25 yards without touching the lane rope and Mia's first time biking to practice on her own.  We've loved cheering on our swimmers but some of the best moments happened outside of the pool and that is what this post is about.  

Swimming is so much FUN.  Being with friends at the all day meets, cheering at the Pep Rallys, participating in fun events like the Wahoo Pool Party and the Lapathon--even the mandatory volunteering can be fun (just try to buy something from Chris when he's working the concession stand and you'll see how much fun it can be!)  I admit that I am ready to get my Saturdays back and that I will not miss 7 AM practice.  I am also 100% ready for vacation but there is no doubt that the Doyles will be back for more--with one more swimmer in tow.

The only camping we've done lately--"swimmers hideout"

Sophie waits patiently to watch her sisters' next race

She must be a Texan--who else would wear a sweatshirt in 90 degree heat?

Three Wahoos (pay no attention to that Longhorn t-shirt)

Mia and friends

Sophie and friend

(We love that our good buddies the Rouselles are also Wahoos)

"Are you a Wahoo?"

Jack is a faithful fan

He braves the heat every week to watch his favorite swimmers.

The sweet ending to most meets for Grace

Fun Fridays

Friday practices include games and trips down the water slide 

Fun at the Pep Rallys

Games

Cheers

A beloved coach (Coach Robbie)

and good friends

Fun at the Wahoo Family Pool Party

Mia swims the deep end, keeping her cotton dry, to win a prize

Two little mermaids

Ella likes the water but hasn't completely warmed up to "under, bubbles, kick"

Another first for G

Thumbs up for Sophie

Our up-and-coming swimmer

Parent-child relays

I was standing at the edge of the pool, ready to swim with Madeleine when Mia told me she wanted to swim too.  So I swam twice, once with Mia and once with Madeleine.  Madeleine was leading when I took off from the side.  We came in third or fourth.  Madeleine was upset about the Target gift card we didn't win and I think next year I might mention something about separating out the men and the women.  Not that I'm bitter...

That's me tearing up the water