At your service

Earlier this school year, I tried to help Owen improve his penmanship by offering him a challenge. He was getting B's in penmanship, but only because he would rush his work. Whenever he took his time, his printing and handwriting were fine. So I offered to him that if he finished the year with an A in penmanship, I would be his servant for the weekend.

After B's in both the first and second trimester, it wasn't looking good. But he persevered, worked harder at it, and with the help of some mystery "bonus points" (I know for a fact his teacher knew of the challenge), he got an A in the last trimester and somehow managed an A average for the year.

So, of course, he called me as soon as he got out of school this morning (half-day for their last day), advising him that my servitude was about to be called upon. Since I'm on call this weekend, I told him it was in his best interest to wait a few weeks to call in his winnings, so we'll do it sometime soon.

He's proud, I'm proud, and the way I see it, it saved me from paying for grades. Only problem is, Brendan's now trying to come up with some scheme to indenture me. Maybe I'll offer him Molly.

first communion

big day in finkdom yesterday- owen celebrated his first communion. he was excited, and admitted to being a little nervous just beforehand, but did great. he and about 15 other kids received their first communion as part of the regular sunday mass. near the end of the service, the priest acknowledged all the kids, congratulated them and led the congregation in a round of applause. owen, obviously moved by the spirit within him, felt inspired to do this great little dance of celebration. so funny.

had a small gathering of family back to the finkstead afterwards for mimosas, bloodies, and too much food. weather turned out perfect, which kept the kids outside for most of the afternoon. only the allure of the new mariokart game owen got for wii (thanks gramma and big buddy!) was enough to keep them inside for any stretch of time.

favorite quotes of the weekend-

• owen, at communion practice thursday night: "will i be able to go up for seconds?"
• ciaran, responding to rachel's "disappointment" that she didn't know mimosas were available when opting for a bloody mary: "you never take the first food item offered you at the finks until you've seen the whole menu."
• trooper kev, upon listening to my mom's description of the new time share my folks just bought into: "wait- lemme get this straight- you mean the indoor pool is indoors? that place must be amazing!"