7 Quick Takes, uh, Monday

I love me a long weekend, so much that I'm thinking we should start a petition for No Work Mondays.  If I ever run for President, that will be my platform.  You'd vote for me, right?  Anyways, it does throw off my blogging rhythm, and so I'm a couple few days behind for 7QT, but Jen will understand.

1)

I don't know why this has been revolutionary to me, but Phil and I have been consuming our 9:00 pm ice cream (that's a thing, right?) out of these small glass cups.  

These are the cups my Mum used to put our juice in when we were kids.  I think maybe they hold 4 oz. and they are the perfect allotment for ice cream.  Just enough to satisfy, not too much to satonthigh.  

Hehehe.

2)

On Saturday morning, Phil got the call that his Uncle Mike had passed away after a battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease).  He was such an active and strong man before his diagnosis, and I'm sure this disease was terribly painful (both mentally and physically) for him to go through.  

May he have eternal rest with Our Lord, and may his family feel peace during this time.

3)

On Saturday afternoon, we drove to visit The Donaldson Clan to celebrate Cari's book launch (Pope Awesome if you haven't bought, read, and delighted in it already).  

Xander and Veronica really hit it off, but what girl can resist a man with a bag of fishies that's willing to share?

Pre-gaming, toddler style.

 4)

We went to a really nice restaurant with really good food, and Pope Awesome even signed a book or two for his minions of fans.  

5) 

Lotus wrote and delivered the perfect speech for her Mom.  It was so sweet and touching, and I hope Cari kept it to show her when she becomes an unruly teenager (never).  

6) 

Sunday was Mass, gym (where I discover I can no longer participate in my favorite Cardio Strength Class without feeling nauseous for the rest of the day), a birthday party, and an at-home Date Night to watch The Great Gatsby.  I was not a fan.  I can barely remember the book from reading it in high school, but the movie was too colorful and fanciful and strange and immoral.  I am reheheheheally hard to please when it comes to movies though, so take my review with a huge grain of salt.

7)

Finally we celebrated Veteran's Day today by going to Mass (does singing America the Beautiful send anyone else into an ugly cry?  No?  Just me?  Ok then.) and watching the parade that comes right down our street!  Phil even brought out the poppers while the kids were waiting!

When in doubt, stomp it out.

My friend Laura, and her 2 (very soon to be 3 sons...can you see her 9 months pregnant shadow in that picture above?) came over to watch with us.

This is Robby, Maggie's future husband, as she likes to remind us almost daily.

Xander and Josh share a donut and a sense of humor.

Thank you to all the veterans who serve to keep my children safe.  I love you.

Aren't those mohawk hats cute?

 And now for the parade with the real heroes who have served our country, we salute you!

Have a wonderful week everybody!