A Day at The Shore, Part 2

We spent another day at The Shore, with my parents, minus Vicki (she needed a rest), Kearsyn (so much for Vicki's rest), and Alex (volunteer firedude obligations). But we added my sister and her family and an uncle of mine and his wife.

We managed to get our kayaks on the roof of the van (should've taken a picture, but didn't), despite the 7 foot elevation, plus the height of the rack on top of the van. We actually arrived at our destination after over an hour of driving, with the kayaks still with us. So, with our two kayaks, my dad's kayak and rowboat, and my uncle's canoe, we had quite a flotilla on the creek today. Happily for me, my nephew drove my mom crazy so I didn't have to, and she had someone else to be grumpy with; not me. I called her a little while ago to tell her how much my kids love to visit their Grandma and Pop at The Shore. Mom works hard setting things up, providing food, and worrying about everyone having fun, and I just hope she realizes how much it means to everyone. Although the kids are probably going to mostly remember the kayaking, fishing, swimming, hot dog roasting, and smores; she's the one that makes the day happen, and the kids probably don't appreciate it, at least not until they get a little older.

My uncle took an incredible picture of Bekah on his digital camera. I hope he remembers to send me a copy; I really want it for my 2008 calendar. I, of course, had my camera, but it never left the case. I have become notorious for neglecting my camera duties lately.

Oh, and before I go, there's this. Kenzie finally had her Altar Server class last Wed. Well, since there was only one Server last night, at church, she volunteered, and got her first opportunity to serve at Mass. Connor volunteered to serve with her. She was all smiles. She's been waiting for this moment for over a year. I could tell she's spent that year watching the older servers. She was flawless (of course I have to say that, I'm her dad). And, as usual, I forgot my camera.

Private School

Good news, bad news.

We found out this week that Alex was accepted into the private, Catholic high school that he applied to (good news). This would really ease some of the pressures at home (more good news). Now, we have to figure out how to pay for it (bad news). Plus, the school is about thirty miles away (more bad news). We usually spend a few thousand dollars each year on homeschool supplies (including extracurriculars likes music, art, sports, etc), but the expense of private school is several times what we've spent in past years on all the kids' combined homeschool expenses. And we'll still have the other homeschool expenses on top of Alex's tuition, books, transportation expenses, uniform costs, etc. We've applied for financial aid, but that is very hard to come by around here. We have until August 1 to get the tuition together, and to receive the 5% discount for paying in full by that deadline. Other options are payment plans, but that would be like adding a couple car payments to the monthly expenses. Not a good idea.

If it's God's will for us to pursue this course, he'll send us what we need.

Kenzie is very excited today. We attend Stations of the Cross every Friday evening during Lent, and older my boys always help out, as altar servers. Last week, our priest told Kenzie to get there early if she wants to get fitted for her Altar Server garments. She has been wanting to be an Altar Server ever she her First Communion last year, but our Deacon, who is in charge of scheduling training sessions, has not gotten around to it yet. So, knowing how badly she wants to start, I think our priest is going to waive the training session for now. She'll start tonight with Stations, and be eased into the Masses with her brothers. She'll always have at least one mbog brother with her, to show her the ropes, at least for a while. She is both very ecstatic, and a little nervous. Alex and Connor serve almost every weekend because the Mass we attend is a very lightly attended Service. Thus, even when they are not scheduled to serve, they get volunteered because the scheduled servers don't show up.

Kenzie is so excited about this, that she is delaying her attendance at a sleep-over birthday party at her friend's house tonight. The party starts at 6, and she won't be able to get there until about 8. I even told her she could miss Stations tonight. I then regretted my weakness in excusing her, but it didn't matter, because she'd have none of that. That says a lot about the priorities of one, young 9 year old girl.