Week in Review: Fancy Football, Beach Boys, and Summer Slow Down

Happy Friday!  Happy Feast of the Assumption!  

Let's rewind to last Friday when some Martin Family members went to a Commanders v. Patriots preseason game at Gillette Stadium:

The tickets were from Andrew's friend's uncle which allowed them access to a suite and a complimentary all-you-can-eat buffet.  This was Declan's first NFL game and I hope he realizes they will never be quite like this again.

Andrew, Eamon and Phil all wore their Commanders gear but Declan wore his Brady shirt, which was a good choice because it was the night that the new Tom Brady statue was unveiled...which meant that Tom Brady, the GOAT himself was there.  

Very exciting for an 11 year old sports nut!

Week in Review: Boats with Buddies, Braces Before and After and Book Fees Making Me Crazy

Happy Friday!  Last weekend, Andrew went to a college friend's house to hang out with other college friends who were in town, and then they headed down to our house to spend a night.  My brother who owns a beautiful boat, happened to offer some fun boat time if anyone was free on Sunday, so Andrew, Eamon and his friends jumped on that!  My niece, her boyfriend, and my nephew also went to spend an afternoon out in Buzzards Bay:

I guess there's an ice cream boat that goes around and sells ice cream - how cool!  My brother bought some for everyone.

They returned home, showered and we had dinner for them.  We last-minute invited three friends (two are Franciscan alums) to come meet the boys and it was a really fun night with rowdy games that went way too late.  Everybody left on Monday and we miss them already - such nice and fun guys!

Week in Review: August Already, Living Uncomfortably, Bye Braceface and Dexter

 Happy August 1st!  

I'm just gonna get out of the way that August is my least favorite month, followed closely by March, but it always flies by in the blink of an eye and we're back to a school-year routine before we know it.

This week had Declan attending a soccer camp in town, and Brendan going to the YMCA camp near my work.  They typically go to camp together, but Declan loves soccer and Brendan definitely does not.  He's our little swimmer, and enjoys the two pool sessions a day at the Y.  This week has been HOT HOT HOT with temps in the 90s and humidity up there too.  They come home from camp, take cool showers, have dinner, prepare for the next day, and then watch some tv before bed.  Bonus points when we squeeze in a family rosary or a visit with Gammy and Grandpa.  Their summer assignments have not been finished, and with one more week of camp next week, we are really cutting it close.  Honestly, if I were home with them, they would have had it done weeks ago, but some moms gotta work, ya know?

Andrew and Eamon have still been golfing almost daily with their Youth on Course memberships, and get to enjoy beautiful courses and sunsets that kinda make me want to take up golf:

Eamon

Andrew

On Monday, I was supposed to have Jury Duty but they didn't need me!  Alleluia!  So I went to work because I have a lot going on, and was finally able to close out Fiscal Year 25 on Wednesday.  Thank you Baby, Toddler, Child, Teen, and Adult Jesus!  What a relief that big job is done, and now I can get back to regular work before my big annual report is due on September 30.  

Speaking of work, I found this list of how much income a family of four should make to "live comfortably" in these states and realized I can never retire OR we need to move out of Massachusetts.  We certainly don't make near that income #livinguncomfortably and can you imagine what the salary should be for a family of nine?