Kate Eschbach

Birthdays | Party Favors

Let's talk party favors today, y'all.

After 23 years of birthday parties (13 +10 = 23... see what I did there?)  :) , I've learned a few very important lessons about party favors:

• You will probably forget to hand out the favors - and that is ok!  Just set them on a table that is right by the door, so that they catch your eye when your guests leave.
• Families may have little ones at home, so I try to stay away from choking hazards if I can help it (like the bouncy balls)
• Kids are just happy to have a good time with their friends!  An expensive "thanks for coming gift" isn't necessary.  Just a little sweet something to take home is fine!  

This year we kept is simple!  Little holders from the Target dollar section and bubble gum.  

The kids have birthdays five days apart, so I try to do something similar to make it easy on myself.  These were a huge hit.  

Have a great day!

Kate

Nate's Birthday Scavenger Hunt {10 Years Old}

{when I am taking pictures at night - I just embrace a high ISO and roll with it!}

Every year, Julia puts together a scavenger hunt for Nate's birthday. 

Her clues are always so sweet and encouraging.  

I love how she treats her brother.  

No - they haven't always been buddies.

And some days there are still more rolled eyes than high fives, but it is something that is very important to me.

Growing up my parents encouraged my brother and I to be a team.  There are very few people in this world who really know everything about you and get to cheer you on for life. 

It's important to be a team.  

It's important to use your words with kindness.  

The prize at the end of the day is always worth it!

Hugs,

Kate

 

2013 Field Trips | St. Bernard of Clairvaux Choristers

Earlier this month, sweet baby J and her choir at church went on a singing field trip!  

We traveled to two churches in downtown Phoenix and the diocese.  

We are so blessed to have a director that finds amazing opportunities for them! 

As we entered the Basilica downtown, our host asked Kent, our director, if they would like to sing in the church.

The children lined up quietly and sat in the first three pews.  And then, they sang Ave Maria a capella.  I honestly tried not to sob - but the tears were flowing.  What an amazing memory.  

The church was full, on a weekday at lunch, of families and individuals praying.  What an incredible sight to see!  Just a regular Wednesday - just regular people - praying for you and me and our nation.  

Later that day, sweet baby J asked me if I thought we may have disturbed any of the people who were praying.

Here is what I told her:  "You just may have been the answer to someone's prayer.  They may have been listening quietly, hoping to hear anything from God - and there you were - a choir full of angels singing just for them.  I bet someone is sitting around their supper table saying - 'the most amazing thing happened - there I was praying and this choir walked in and sang Ave Maria - as if they knew exactly what I needed'. "  

Have a wonderful day!

Kate

The 2012 Holiday Adventure | Fred

Ok, so the next thing I just have to tell you about the holidays is Fred.

(You don't mind going over the pictures with me slowly do you? Ok, thanks!)

Fred is my future sister-in-law's father's new puppy.

He brought Fred over to play with Nate and Julia.  They were in absolute heaven. 

Look at that face!  

Do you remember those little wind up toys that looked like babies?  And the little back ends just wiggle left and right as they scoot across the floor?  Fred does that too!  Oh his little tail.  Happiness in every wiggle!

 

Have a great day,

Kate

Piano, Violins and love

This, I love.

They are not always patient with each other.  But when they play, Julia patiently waits for Nate to find the notes.

She picks out songs that he will like.  

Blue Lily | Awesome Photographers | 2.0

So, what do photographers do when they need their Christmas picture taken?

They hope and pray that Wendy + Tyler are coming through their town!

They also did our pictures last year -and they are just amazing.

They are so kind and sweet.  They have a way of making you feel like you have know them forever. 

Thank you for letting me attack your screen with pictures today.  

Hugs and hugs!

Kate

Awake | The Run Away Week

We got back from Texas late Sunday.  

After I travel and see my family, I always have a hard time getting back into the swing of things.  Do you?  

On Monday, the kids helped me pull out all of the Christmas boxes from under the stairs.  

In my brilliance, we kept going.  We pulled out every single box.  You know... the boxes that when we moved in and ran out of steam we just shoved under that stairs?  Yeah, those.  

So now, the green room with my beloved yellow chair is an absolute mess.  

If you have been following me on instagram tonight, you had the privilege of seeing the entire box of wedding invitations that I found.  (And thank you for all the ideas on what to do with them!  I am actually really excited about those!)

So tonight, instead of going through more boxes, would you do me the honor of getting lost in Thanksgiving pictures?  

Awake | Eyes Wide Open

I love the moments that slow me down.

I was caught up in checking my email and looking at facebook and something caught my eye.

This swing is out the window that is to the right of my shoulder when I am on my computer.  I snuck out of the front door hoping to leave him undisturbed, just swinging.

 But he caught me.  I'm not very sneaky.  

This is how I want to live my days.  

I like naps.  I have a tendency to let a well intentioned ten minute cat nap turn into an afternoon in dreamland.  

So I am admitting it to all of you.  I want to be awake.  I want to remember the joy that I find in the unexpected be gripped so tightly in my hands that I can't stand to be asleep.

With my eyes wide open,

Kate

 

Your day...

I hope your day is a jump high...

Silly Smiles...

Turn around kind of day!

We took a walk a few weeks ago to the neighborhood green space.  {Yes, in the desert, there is so little green, they call them green spaces}.

Julia pointed out this awesome tree growing into the house on our walk... we've almost been here a year, and I had never noticed!

Nate runs circles around me.... It's amazing.   I will bottle it and sell it.  Then I will retire.  I'll let you know how that goes for me.

Have a wonderful day!

Hugs,

San Juan Capistrano {Pueri Cantores}

Julia and Nate sang at Pueri Cantores this past weekend.

Pueri Cantores is the national student choral organization of the Catholic Church in the United States. Internationally, the organization is headquartered in the Vatican and involves 60,000 singers from schools and parishes in 30 countries. In the United States, the American Federation is growing at a dramatic rates. This year, nearly 70 dioceses will be served by regional student choral festivals throughout the nation.

 

"You are the little messengers of beauty. The world needs your singing for the language of beauty moves hearts and contributes to the encounter with God." – Pope John Paul II in an address to Pueri Cantores International 

We traveled to California with 29 other kids and families.  {Don't worry!  I received a medal.  Unfortunately, I think I accidentally left my sanity in California}

On Saturday, the kids arrived at Mission San Juan Capistrano at 10:30am.   {Yup, we were even on time!}  They listened, they practiced, they worked so hard.  

When the prelude started at 3:55, our kids were the first up.  The sanctuary was filled with little ones and not-so-little ones singing praise.

They made this momma so proud.

Many years ago, {Jen may be the only one who knows this}, I made a commitment to music ministry.  I had no idea that God was simply preparing my heart to raise up two singers with the love of Praise.  

Some days it begins to make sense.

This was one of those days.

Hugs to you, dear friends!