The start of Mother's Day Weekend

We started the Mother's Day weekend with a dinner at church, put on by the men of the church. They had a wonderful program for us. Our first picture is of mother... We decided this was her 66th Mother's Day;if my sister Judy were still alive she would be 66 years old this summer. Dinner was ham, with popovers, green peas, sweet potato or white potato, Rachel, Ashley, Marianne and I chose sweet, the rest of our group chose white, and cupcakes. The youth group did a hip-hop dance, while our guest speaker came over from Champaign. It was a great evening with family and friends. Michelle and Blaike were there to help celebrate. Rachel loved holding her as did Ashley. One of the funniest things was the prize drawing. First person received a jar of bit-o-honey candies, then Kristina won one of the bag prizes; tea bags, beautiful mug, some honey, a candle and some candy. The next number drawn the person won candy, then Rachel won a bag with the same type stuff as Kristina; the fifth person also won candy in a jar and then Marianne won a bag like Kristina and Rachel.... The laugh was... you need to sit in their row if you want to win. The evening ended with me taking the girls for new shoes. Rachel is wearing a size 9 1/2... Big feet!

Mother's Day

I will tell you about the great Mother's Day Weekend later today. We arrived back home around 9:30 last nite and I just didn't have time to write and upload pictures. I will do this after school. We had a great time. Smucker's on Ice, Celtic Fest, riding the Metro and just fun.

Indiana Beach Sunday May 3rd 2010

Sunday came and the boys and I prepared for our journey of the day. We were heading to Indiana Beach. We first went out to feed the fish in the pond, only to see that the toads have found it again this spring. Invasion of the little toads is not far off now. We ran to the gas station, doughnut shop and head northward. On the way there Austin spotted the windmills. Hundreds of them. We finally arrived at the park. The new procedure at Indiana Beach to get season passes, is like Kings Island, picture ID. We were in line for 2 hours waiting. Finally we were done. Off we go... we rode two rides when Casi and Shane finally got there. We had a great Sunday. Not too hot, Not too cold. No rain, but cloudy. All in all wow what a great spring day.

Celtic Music Festivals

We are going to Chicago this weekend. Originally it was for the Smucker's on Ice show, however there is also a Celtic Music Festivals in Chicago this weekend. I know the girls will love this opportunity to listen to traditional music from our homeland. What a great day this will be - Music and Ice Skating!
Our group has now grown larger. The more the merrier.

Below is the information for the Chicago site.

Events
< Return to Celtic Fest Chicago
Celtic Fest Chicago
Millennium Park
Map data ©2010 Sanborn, Google - Terms of Use 201 E. Randolph St.
Chicago, IL 60602
312-744-3315
Price: Free
Event Phone Number: 312-744-3315
Typically held in Grant Park at the end of the summer, the 14th annual fest gets new digs and an earlier date. Expect live Celtic music, dance, entertainment and vendors.

Saturday

Jay Pritzker Pavilion
2 p.m.: Coastal Rhythms: The Music and Spirit of Nova Scotia
2:45 p.m.: Megan Wells, Storyteller
3:15 p.m.: Vishten
4:30 p.m.: Shannon Rovers
4:45 p.m.: Men In Kilts Leg Contest
5:30 p.m.: Judith Heineman and Daniel Marcotte, Storyteller
6 p.m.: The Rogues
7:30 p.m.: The Saw Doctors


11 a.m.: Glissando
12 p.m.: Aislinn Gagliardi and Megan Anzelc
1 p.m.: The Celtic Harp: Myth, Magic and Folklore
2 p.m.: Carl and Mona Johnson
3 p.m.: Shari Sarazin
4 p.m.: Trio An Blas
5 p.m.: Sue Richards
6 p.m.: Coastal Rhythms: The Music And Spirit Of Nova Scotia

Next Generation Stage
11 a.m.: Academy of Irish Music, Cu Roi, Farley Masterton and Lillian Reasor, Hatfield Sisters, Irish Music School, Shine Music School
4:30 p.m.: Baal Tinne
6 p.m.: Maidens IV
7:30 p.m.: Bodega


Next Generation Tent
11 a.m.: Shine School of Music
11:30 a.m.: Farley Masterton and Lillian Reasor
12 p.m.: Saoirse
1 p.m.: Center for Irish Music
1:30 p.m.: Irish Music School
2:30 p.m.: Hatfield Sisters
3 p.m.: Academy of Irish Music

Dance Stage
12 p.m.: Sets of Erin
12:30 p.m.: Teresa y Los Preferidos Spanish Dance Co.
12:45 p.m.: Dennehy Irish Dancers
1:15 p.m.: Royal Scottish Country Dancers
1:45 p.m.: O’Hare School of Irish Dance
2:15 p.m.: Teresa y Los Preferidos Spanish Dance Co.
2:30 p.m.: World Academy of Irish Dance
3:15 p.m.: Thistle and Heather Highland Dancers
3:45 p.m.: Sheila Tully School of Irish Dance
4:15 p.m.: Gillan School of Highland Dance
5 p.m.: Lavin-Cassidy School of Irish Dance
5:30 p.m.: Cas Dannsa
6:15 p.m.: An Drouz Vor

Sunday

Jay Pritzker Pavilion
1 p.m.: Coastal Rhythms: The Music and Spirit of Nova Scotia
1:45 p.m.: Margaret Burk, Storyteller
2 p.m.: Mother's Day Limerick Contest with Peter Sagal
2:30 p.m.: An Drouz Vor
3:30 p.m.: Judith Heineman and Daniel Marcotte, Storytellers
4 p.m.: Bodega
5 p.m.: Margaret Burk, Storyteller
5:30 p.m.: The Elders
7 p.m.: La Bottine Souriante

Gathering Tent (aka FlyNovaScotia.com tent)
11 a.m.: Chicago Irish Pipers Club
12 p.m.: Patrick Cannady
1 p.m.: Jeff Lindblade
2 p.m.: Pat Broaders
3 p.m.: Sean Ryan
4 p.m.: Brendan McKinney with Pat Broaders
5 p.m.: Kevin Henry
6 p.m.: Coastal Rhythms: The Music And Spirit Of Nova Scotia

Next Generation Stage
11 a.m.: Academy of Irish Music, Cu Roi, Farley Masterton and Lillian Reasor, Hatfield Sisters, Irish Music School, Shine Music School
4:30 p.m.: Athas
6 p.m.: Vishten
7:30 p.m.: Larkin and Moran Brothers

Next Generation Tent
11 a.m.: String Group
12 p.m.: Center for Irish Music
12:30 p.m.: Hatfield Sisters
1 p.m.: Farley Masterton and Lillian Reasor
2 p.m.: Cu Roi
3 p.m.: Academy of Irish Music
7:30 p.m.: Larkin and Moran Brothers

Dance Stage
12 p.m.: Sets of Erin
12:30 p.m.: Evanston Scottish Country Dancers
1 p.m.: Trinity Irish Dancers
1:30 p.m.: Teresa y Los Preferidos Spanish Dance Co.
1:45 p.m.: Y Ddraig Goch Welsh Dancers
2:15 p.m.: Mullane, Healy, O’Brien Academy
2:45 p.m.: Thistle and Heather Highland Dancers
3:15 p.m.: Dillon-Gavin School of Irish Dance
3:45 p.m.: Teresa y Los Preferidos Spanish Dance Co.
4 p.m.: Gillan School of Highland Dance
4:30 p.m.: McNulty School of Irish Dance
5 p.m.: Cas Dannsa
5:30 p.m.: The McDance Company


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Smuckers

This weekend I head to Chicago for a third time.... ahhhhh am I crazy? We are taking Rachel and Ashley to Smucker's on Ice. This should be a very fun day. Dad has the day off so I think he is going to go to Casi's. She and Shane have lots of yard work now that the builders have finished leveling the yard around the new home. Flowers, perennial type, would be a great mother's day gift...

Blogging VS Facebook

Blogging VS Facebook

I prefer blogging. I do not understand the concept of some of the things people put on facebook. Short blurbs. I like seeing pictures and stories. I also enjoy reading others opinions... even if I don't agree. I usually will not respond to or make comments as I look at it as being your right to believe the way you believe. If face to face, I may debate with you a point or two. Sometimes the things posted make me believe that it is a matter of being really bored... So find something constructive to do. Or go read a book or even write a book. Call a friend or relative and do something. It is better than sitting bored and then sharing with everyone how bored you are. If you feel that way, maybe facebook will help you join in with someone else's plans for the day, then by all means facebook it.
So do you enjoy blogging or do you enjoy facebook or do you enjoy both?
I perfer my blog. I can always delete something when I want, I can add things when I want, I can choose not to publish something I write. (I usually do this when I need to vent.)
Conclusion: blog, facebook or both. Sometimes it is just writing and sharing that people need. Good night.

Austin wants to scrapbook

Austin wants to do a digital scrapbook of all his adventures. As soon as school is out and we have some time we will begin this. I am going to teach him how to use the program pinnacle. He will enjoy this software as it is simple, you can add to each slide, tell the story for each picture and then show it on your TV. I can't wait to get started. We may even do some real scrapbook pages and use them in it also. Can't wait. Only 4 more weeks!

Two Rainy Saturdays in a row!

How could this happen? Two Saturdays of rain. So the boys are here again this weekend. Tomorrow we are going to Indiana Beach. We will be meeting up with their parents, Casi and Shane; their Aunt Lara and Uncle Chris. They are already excited about going for the first time of the season.
Today so far we have gone to the Walmart (bought cowboy guns and a train), been to the War Museum, and finished our morning going to the Vermilion County Museum.

Who knows what we will be doing after lunch.

War Museum

We start off Saturday going to the War Museum. This is truly an amazing place. The people that volunteer here are very knowledgeable of the many exhibits. It is so fun to listen to them tell the stories of the different items. The boys enjoyed this experience. Austin wanted to take things home as souvenirs.
Austin looks like a true "cowboy" in this picture. The thing in his mouth is the sucker stick.









Harry telling Devon the story about the one dollar bill. It was taken off of a German soldier by an American soldier. You know that it means either the German had killed, found dead, or captured an American to get this dollar.

The boys are standing in front of a case that has guns from 3 different wars. All the guns were stirring up the emotion of excitement in two little boys that absolutely love guns.

Vermilion County Museum

Austin is in to Abe Lincoln. So we ended our Saturday going to the Vermilion County Museum. They enjoyed all of the displays. However being an individual that remembers the old carriage house... the new building is nice, but just doesn't offer the same feeling. Here are a few of our pictures from our last journey before lunch.



Austin took the opportunity to explain to me that the plate on this Harley is expired. (1941)

Two of my Crazies

It seems that Devon and Austin have decided to come down with their grandpa again this weekend. I wonder what they will be expecting this weekend. I don't have anything planned like last. Maybe a few rummage sales... Maybe a trip to visit Aunt Lara? No I think we will just stay at home and work on the attic, go to the library and read some books, get a couple movies, make some popcorn, and just kick back and enjoy being lazy.

Weekends in May all booked...

Let's see. I am booked for all of my weekends in May... If there is one, I am not sharing it. Next weekend I have Mother's Day banquet with mom at the church, then I go to Chicago for Smucker's on Ice. That should be fun. The next weekend I have a walk I am doing. The weekend after that is graduation weekend. And the weekend after that is Lara's house closing and moving and Devon's birthday. Sorry if any one needs me. I am booked. Maybe in June. I know I have 2 more walks coming up soon.