Gloria in Excelsis Deo: {SQT} Long Weekend to Buffalo, NY

1. Camp Lauer: Oktoberfest 2019

Chris and three of the children headed to Buffalo, NY, for a four-day weekend to attend our family's famous Oktoberfest at their very own campground! The photos and reports were delightful: check it out!

(An illness had been going through our house, which slowed us down all week, but, of the crew who went to Buffalo, John had been very sick but recovered in time, and neither Chris nor the other two kids caught it.)

2. Mother-Daughter Weekend

Mary and I were recovering from our illness, so tired, but on the mend. We took care of the two- and four-year-olds and had a great time together.

On Saturday, I even hired a babysitter so we could go on a real mother-daughter date! It is so hard to make time for the children individually: Readers, what are some ideas that you do that are more regular opportunities and can be maintained (read: easy, cheap)?

First we went to a Chinese buffet for lunch where I was too shy to take photos of the real octopi and other exotic dishes Mary wished me to record.

Then we stopped into a clothing store and found Mary a couple of blouses before attending a matinee in a real movie theater. Mary recounted that this was only the fourth theater movie of her life.

Over the course of the weekend, we watched the four-episode BBC miniseries of "David Copperfield" (1999--available on Amazon Prime). The cinematography, scenery, costuming, and acting are superb and we were in book nerd heaven watching these episodes. It also inspired us to continue reading "David Copperfield" aloud, as we had only made it 275 pages through last year--respectable but not even halfway through this tome!

Mary decorated the home with numerous festive signs for our special miniseries meeting each night!

3. Regular Week's Activities

School, Fraternus, a mandatory evening meeting to prepare for Joseph's First Holy Communion, hockey on two days, music lessons on two days, Scottish dance lessons, two weekday Masses and Confession, and Mama's annual physical.

Cleaning the garage together

Mary did a study with me of fetal development from unification of cells through birth, tying the subjects of History, Science, and Catechism together.

4. Mothers Night Out

I very much enjoyed the spiritual fruits of attending a chapter meeting of the Confraternity of Catholic Homeschooling Mothers. I highly recommend Rosie Gil's book, "See You In Heaven," which inspired the formation of the CCHM.

5. Critters

We found a worm snake and a big ol' frog in the pool (at the same time!).

And after a month of letting the water 'cure' in his new fish tank, John finally got to purchase fish! He did much research and bought seven new fishy friends which we love watching. John has worked hard for this hobby!

6. Current Reading

My morning holy reading:

"Back to Virtue: Traditional Moral Wisdom for Modern Moral Confusion" by Peter Kreeft
Reading a chapter per day of the Bible with a program

My continuing education for homeschooling:

"Memorizing the Faith (And Most Anything Else) Using the Methods of the Great Catholic Medieval Memory Masters" by Kevin Vost
"Creation, Evolution, and Catholicism" by Thomas McFadden

Reading for interest or enjoyment:

"Feeding the Mouth that Bites You: A Complete Guide to Parenting Adolescents and Launching Them Into the World" by Kenneth Wilgus
"The Anti-Mary Exposed: Rescuing the Culture from Toxic Femininity" by Carrie Gress

Literature Read-Alouds:

"The Log of the Cowboy" by Andy Adams

"David Copperfield by Charles Dickens

7. Music Recital at Nursing Home

On Friday afternoon, the oldest four children performed at a music recital for nursing home residents, as part of my hope to participate in more opportunities of service for those less fortunate. Readers, how do you teach service to your children and in ways that a busy, large-family mom can actually do?