The kids couldn’t stand the idea of a photo being taken without them in it. Even this head shot of us had Pete standing on a chair right next to me.

Pat and Jenny.

Bob and Gina.

I realize that many women who read this blog are, like me, Catholic homeschool mothers of many. At the risk of offending you by stereotyping, conjure in your mind an image of what a Catholic homeschool mother of many looks like. The first adjective that springs to my mind is dowdy. I see glasses, long hair pulled back, long skirt or jumper (denim, of course), and sensible flats. And, except for the jumper (which Bill has strictly forbidden), I think I’m looking in a mirror! So I tried hard to not look that part. Check out that skirt: you can see my calves! Whoa! That’s practically a mini! And those shoes? Can you tell? They’re flimsy little strappy ones. A reflection of my inner wild child, I tell you!

I must have done a good job of projecting a more polished image than usual; most people were suitably shocked when we said we had 5 kids and homeschooled. Keep in mind that my husband attended a Catholic high school. I don’t think anyone else there had more than three kids. Sad.

I think Bill had a good time. Too late, but in preparation for the 25th, Jenny and I plotted amusing scenarios such as pretending to be someone from the class (or better yet, maybe a younger classmate) or suggesting that we come to the reunion with each other’s spouses and then leave with our own (in an attempt to create scandal). It sounds funny…but maybe next time, Jenny and I will stay home while the boys go. I don’t mind that Bill wants to attend, but I have serious doubts about ever attending one of my own. I just don’t know if I want to open up all those doors to safely locked memories…