What a Day!

Oh, what a day!
Mass this morning.
Then a joyful celebration of my friend's baby's baptism. 40-some odd people gathered at her house for lunch. Lots of fun, and lots of little ones.
After that, a 1st birthday party for another friend. I think there must have been at least 20 small kids under the age of 7. Babies crawling everywhere, toddlers toddling everywhere, bigger kids creating with finger paint and playdough, and momma's chasing down children everywhere.
And there I sat with my almost 14 year old and having a thankful moment.
There are times that I am hopeful that God will bless us with more children.
But after today, I am thankful for the place we are now in our childraising time.
It was fun watching all of the babies and all of the little ones. But, it's even funner to come home with my teenager and know that she is mostly self-sufficient.

The Chess Champion

Did you know MK is a Chess Champion.

That is, she's the Hawaii Girl's Intermediate Chess Champion.

She started playing Chess when she was in the 4th grade when her Dad had knee surgery. He couldn't play or wrestle around with her for awhile. So, he taught her Chess. And poker, too but that's another story.

When she started at her new school, Ho'ala, she joined the Chess Team. Turns out her dad taught her all wrong!! But, in a couple of months she learned the Swiss Chess rules, switched her King and Queen on the board and entered her first Chess tournament.

She still has a ways to go. But, we know that Chess triggers receptors in your brain that help with problem solving and most especially math skills.

She's a Chess Champion. And she's a good kid.