If you're like me and always on the lookout for an awesome, fun and educational summer camp, check this one off your list.  The last five or so years, we've been attending Art Camp with Ms. Ingraffia, now Mrs. Robbins!  Celeste is crazy talented and way more patient than I can ever dream to be.  She is on staff at St. Dominic Savio and is hosting four sessions of art camps this June.  I know, it's like five months away, but ...

Hold on, let me go dig out my can opener.  This can of worms is a massive topic and I will certainly not address it all in just one post. Eons ago, when I just had one child, I attended a mother's group at our parish in Carmel.  The moms around the table were seasoned vets:  moms of 11, 8, 6, 4 and 2; moms who had experienced loss through stillbirth and miscarriage; moms who had suffered infertility.  They were ...

We got off to a really crummy start here at Casa Whitaker this morning.  We all have days like that, don't we?  Sometimes I think it's easier to "roll with it" when it happens later in the day.  You're warmed up, you know?  Say the day starts out great and then at lunch someone spills their milk.  You expect it.  I mean, you've made it to noon before crazy hit.  Score one for Mom.  But when it happens right out ...

For my non-Austin friends, take note, this post may make you very sad.  You see, we have this GEM of a theatre in town, Alamo Drafthouse.  It's very Austin.  I'm a little ashamed to admit that I did not know of its awesomeness until last year. Sad, isn't it? Alamo came up with a brilliant concept, you can order from a fantastic menu, get a WAITER and enjoy a show.  I know, I told you it was awesome.  As my ...

For the last four years, my kids have been attending golf camps in South Austin.  First, we started with just one swinging a club and last summer we had three on the greens.  Clare will join them next summer.  I have raved about this experience before, HERE and HERE. My mom mentioned that she noticed a familiar name in the obituary section this weekend.  "No, it can't be," I thought.  Not our beloved coach JB.  It's funny how you can ...

At exactly 5:00 p.m this evening my sweet, funny, lovable, creative, amazing John Paul turned eight.  EIGHT!  Eight years ago, five days before his birthday, I was on a Catholic retreat for women.  Everyone was hoping I wouldn't go into labor.  That made two of us!  We made it through the weekend, John Paul arrived and our whole world changed. He had a fabulous birthday party yesterday.  I'll blog all about it this week. John Paul, You are an amazing ...