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A Simple Pentecost Sunday with Kids

June 6, 2009 By Laura 4 Comments

Our Pentecost Sunday this year was really quite simple. Not quite the more elaborate occasion we made it last year. But it was nice anyway. Acknowledging it was the most important thing to us, starting with Mass. But the kids (6, 6, 6, 11) spent the morning, before leaving for Mass, trying to remember and name all 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit, the 12 Fruits of the Holy Spirit, and the 12 apostles.

But when we got home, we did decide to make some Holy Spirit cupcakes.

We added orange and yellow food coloring and attempted to make the frosting into peaks, to resemble the fire of the Holy Spirit that descended upon the apostles, of course. Our technique and the outcome may have been a little lacking, but the kids had fun, and thought it all was awesome!

They wasted no time taste-testing one themselves, and you can bet Daddy and I joined them! They were indeed delicious! Such a light frosting that we whipped up.

We spent a good part of the day outdoors. But later on in the day, as I came out from my computer cubby, I found {J} right there in his chair, intensely reading a Bible story. Guess which one?

I just love these signs, that they truly are listening, and taking it all in. : ) When we discuss a Bible story, or get home from Mass, one or other of the little ones often go grab one of their Bibles, knowing just where to find that story in the pages, to read again. So, as if seeing him do this wasn’t enough to please a mother, I look up, and just look at what I see happening across the room……….

{O} giving {S} a foot rub! He looked quite relaxed, reading some Bible stories himself. It almost brought a tear to my eye. Not only because it was an incredibly loving sight to see, but because I was jealous!! ; ) I love foot rubs. Or foot squeezes. Probably much more than the average person, and my kids are really good at giving them.

I’m wondering: Are you actually still thinking about the cupcakes as you’ve been reading along here, wishing you could have one right now? Be truthful now!! It’s o.k. – I understand! I would be doing the same thing!

Well, your in luck! Because we saved you one!!

ENJOY!!

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Snails

June 4, 2009 By Laura 5 Comments

Snails. Disgusting?

Or just part of God’s beautiful creation?

I’m telling you….I am all about marveling in God’s wondrous works.

And I’ve grown to have great appreciation for A LOT.

But this one? Well…this one just gives me……pause.

The way it moves. Those antenna eye things. The way it always leaves behind that suspicious wet trail.

What’s up with THAT?

Here. Have a closer look:

What do YOU think?

Creepy? Or Cute?

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Chalkin’ It Up To FUN! – Kids Sidewalk Chalk Art

May 28, 2009 By Laura 5 Comments

Took the kids sidewalk chalkin’ the other morning. Except in a big empty lot at the playground. They were having so much fun, but we had to get back home by a certain time that morning, so we went back later that day so they could keep going. Had my camera of course, both times, so you know what that means….. = lots of photos, and boy did I have fun too! Here’s 1/2 of them.

I’m curious….which is your favorite photo?

Mine is my boy’s back-pocket of chalk – but don’t let that influence your choice.

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Herring Run Faster Than Us – Homeschooling Field Trip

May 23, 2009 By Laura 4 Comments

We are very fortunate to live in such a beautiful, historic town, of Plymouth, MA. (Also historically known as Plimoth.) It’s scenic, almost everywhere you look, and as homeschoolers, it’s a world of education. I’ll be showing you more of these parts we live in soon, but this is one place we love to go. It’s a great place to take a long walk, completely away from any streets and traffic.

On one is the famous Jenney Grist Mill, which has a quaint tavern and ice cream shop. (At this point in time.) The mill is only turning when they are grinding corn inside, making corn meal.

Right across a drive way is a surreal little pond, that is just so quiet, it feels like it’s own little world. Quiet enough to hear the nature. It’s full of wild life to spot. There are birds in flight everywhere, and a swan couple. Fish, frogs, muskrats and turtles. There is also a bridge over it all. This is where the herring are born, and come back to in the spring to spawn, by way of the lovely brook that runs through this whole park, connecting of course, to the ocean.

The kids spotted a turtle.

Heading back the other way out behind the mill, is where you can get a good look at the herring, during the spawning time of spring. As they swim upstream, on their journey to the fresh water pond, they are abundant and easy to observe right here. Unfortunately, we were late going to take a look this year. They come through mid-April to mid-May. So they beat us this year, and had already been through, and gone, before we went to check it out this past week. We’ve been in previous years though, and it is a sight to see! Herring fish swimming and jumping on top of each other, everywhere. If you look just on the other side of the slanted stone wall in the photo above, you can see the ‘fish ladder’, that many of the fish use to help themselves along.

We spotted a few fish, but the real active season had really past.

The kids still re-read the herring information board at the location.

They really do have such an amazing life cycle.

Continuing to walk along, it is just so peaceful and serene, following the brook all of the way, and going through a couple overpass tunnels, that the kids love to make echos in. That part is less than peaceful, or serene. lol

I love this photo above. I have no idea what the interaction was about between{J} and {O}, but it just strikes me as a moment full of love and tenderness between siblings.

Just beyond this spot, continuing in the same direction, is a large park, with lots of walk ways, another quaint foot bridge, spreads of green grass, and nice little benched areas to sit.

But we headed back to the direction we came from, because it was time to go get some dinner, and we had a long walk back first. It was a nice evening for a family walk, but I was kicking myself for waiting so long to go, and missing the herring season. We’ll be back here many times before that season rolls around again, because it’s a great place to take a stroll on summer nights, and throughout the fall as well.

Next year though, we’ll be sure not to miss the herring again, and I promise to take lots of photos!!

Have you ever seen herring swimming upstream in the spring?

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When Little Catholic Kids Can’t Wait to Make Their Holy Communion

May 21, 2009 By Laura 7 Comments

We just wanted to share with you today, what can happen when little Catholic kids can’t wait to make their Holy Communion!

Our triplets (6 year old) have just flat out had it. They have been waiting to make their Holy First Communion, fully aware of all it means and how very special it is, for at least a couple of years now. At every Mass, they have watched us parents and their big sister go up to receive Jesus in the Eucharist. When we get back to the pew, and kneel down in prayer, one or the other often wants to whisper about how much longer it will be, before they can go up too.

First Holy Communion seasons are especially torturous for them. For every Sunday Mass we have attended throughout the month of May, and sometimes the end of April and beginning of June too, for years now, they have watched child, after child,.. after child… receive Communion for the first time. And they sigh, exercising all of the patience they can muster.

But this past weekend really did them in. Two little girls in our extended family, received their First Holy Communion. And it’ll be a whole year, before it is their turn. <sigh>.

They have had many Mass services here in our living room. They have alternated being alter servers, readers, and the priest himself. With tall candle sticks made of legos, toy colored strings tied around their waists as ropes, and their Bible, they’ve got it down.

But lately, Mass has evolved into their own First Holy Communion, and it has only grown more elaborate, as their need ‘for the real deal’ has set in. I finally took photos of their service.

So we welcome you, to one of their ‘Pretend First Holy Communion’ Masses…….

The Procession
–

The boys found the only navy blue attire they could come up with – their running suits. {O} had a fine white dress on hand, and a brand new shoe-lace served as her head piece.

Before the Liturgy
–

Listening to the the Homily
(in this case….silence. Lol)
–

* NOTE: Holy Communion – *It is important to note, that it was decided among them, that it would be rather disrespectful, to actually refer to their pretend Communion, as the ‘Body and Blood of Christ‘. When in actuality, it is their toys. So they have come up with alternative language, as to not be irreverent:

The Body of Christ: “Chips”

The Blood of Christ: “Cup of Water”
–

This is it!
Holy Communion line….

Thankfully, Daddy was on hand, and agreed to distribute Holy Communion, as the priest.

Some personal prayer, following Communion.
–

The Recession.

Thank you for joining us.

Go in peace, to love and serve the Lord. 😉

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ENJOY!!

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