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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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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
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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
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Listening to the the Homily
(in this case….silence. Lol)
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* 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”
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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.
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The Recession.

Thank you for joining us.

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

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Making May Baskets for May Day Deliveries

April 30, 2009 By Laura 6 Comments

Last year we spontaneously decided to throw some May Baskets together for May Day, secretly deliver them, and hope they make someone feel thought of, and smile. The kids had fun putting them together, and even MORE fun delivering them. We only did 2 baskets last year, but this year we thought of 4 recipients that would be more than delighted with such an unexpected surprise, on a seemingly ordinary Friday. Now that the kids learned last year what fun it is, <click link see last year) they’ve been VERY excited this year/week to do it again.

So all week we’ve been picking up the little things we needed, and today we got it all together and made our May Baskets, to deliver for May Day.

I stamped 4 tags, and each of the kids colored them, and wrote Happy May Day! on them. That’s {J} trying to write slowly and neatly. (He prefers to ‘whip it out’.)

On the inside, I did have them sign them the R Children….because in this day and age, I fear no one would dare eat goods left on their doorstep from ‘Lord knows who’. Especially older folks, who have especially truly witnessed the deterioration of society. But this is a CHEERY HAPPY post, so I won’t even bring that up. lol

We baked some blueberry bread loaves, and wrapped those up once they were cooled enough. The house smelled so darned good, it was hard not to eat them ourselves! But, then we’d have to start all over baking again, and there was no time for that! (And who knows if we’d give in again! lol) We also picked up some tea cookies.

{A} got the tags tied on with a pretty little bowed ribbon.

They all made some baggies of sugar free candies, and {O} matched nicely. (This pleases her.) We know at least one of our recipients is a diabetic, and as far as the rest….well, sugar-free candy never hurt anybody. : ) Right? They are pretty good too. Yes, I tried them. One of each color, just to be sure. Got it covered.

{S} got a bunch of decaf tea bags out of our kitchen jar, to throw a handful of those in too.

This year it occurred to me that, perhaps it would be a good idea to include a little history on May Day Baskets. I assume most people know about this age-old tradition, but, you know….maybe not. We don’t want to look crazy or anything. I mean, that’s our little secret. lol

The kids packed up the baskets with all of the goods, and everything fit just right. Huh. We’ve got fresh flowers to stick in in the morning, and we’ll be good to go! With 4 houses to go to, we’ve got some driving around town to do, and each of the kids will take a house. Let us all pray (that means you, too) that no one gets injured trying to boogie back to the van after ringing the doorbell, before they get caught! That’s my fear. Seriously. (That’s normal for a Mama, right?) Weather said this morning that there was a 70% chance of rain tomorrow. But later this evening it’s down to a 50% chance. Maybe SOMEONE is pulling for us. Huh huh? But if not, {O} has got her hot pink raincoat ready, and since the boys do not have one, they are deciding if they want to wear one bad enough to wear {O’s} pink one, when it is their turn to deliver a basket. Because wearing a raincoat is a VERY exciting thing, you know. Just ask our 6 year olds! I can only imagine how they would contain themselves if they knew about the galoshes out there in the world, in all colors! (Please….we can’t keep up with the shoes and boots as it is! Footwear is sucking up our $ and our floor space.)

Soooo….Wish us luck! Wish us SUN! Wish us a band-aid free day!!

We’ll be reporting back to the blog about it all.

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Earth Day – Taking care of His Creation

April 22, 2009 By Laura 3 Comments

Last year on Earth Day, our family started the tradition of going out and cleaning up our neighborhood roadsides and beach, to help care for God’s Creation in our own teeny tiny corner of the world. We actually do this other times of the year as well, but it’s a plan on Earth Day, if the weather permits. Thankfully, today it did. So instead of our formal school work, we headed out and got to work!

I HONESTLY helped clean up trash too, but I was also very busy taking photos, as usual. Last year, Michael made all of our kids trash poker sticks, so they won’t ever be using their hands. I would take issue with using their hands, big time. They work pretty hard, and have a lot of discussion about what a horrible and inconsiderate habit littering is. Teachable moments, are all over Earth Days.

Unclogging the street drains….

For ME?… <blush>…..

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Patheticism, at it’s best!…..

(Now WHY is that word underlined in red?? That’s a word, isn’t it??)

I’m telling you, People, this one is a real worker. Always.

You should see the cars slow down, and the people look at us sometimes, as we parade through the neighborhood….completely confused about what in the world we are doing, or WHY? (The kids love to yell ‘Happy Earth Day!’ to them. lol) But once in awhile a ‘quick’ one comes along, and not only knows what we are doing, but WHY we are doing it on THIS day. We hope all people who happen to see us, catch on, and become inspired. If not to clean up, at least not to litter, if they do.

Part of our Earth Day, is not only helping take care of this GIFT of Creation God has given us, but appreciating the beauty of it everywhere! These are the little stops I call ‘pick-me-ups’, because I seriously need one as I watch our barrel fill up with the disgusting abundance of trash we found on the ground. So I hope it picks you up too, because there is more photos of trash coming…lol…

She likes butter.

How do you think we did?!

Heading home after a good couple hours of work. Showers are sounding good right about now. YUCK!

Public Service Announcement:

THANK YOU FOR NOT LITTERING GOD’S GLORIOUS CREATION!!

So…..did you happen to do anything for Earth Day today? Big or small, chats or actions, we’d love for you to share with us what Earth Day was like for you.

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Photos of Our Easter Day Details – 2009 – Simple Easter Ideas

April 17, 2009 By Laura 6 Comments

Just another short post, with lots of photos, from our blessed Easter Sunday. We hope they are simple Easter ideas, to share with you.

The kids woke up to these surprises on Easter morning. They were thrilled!

The kids, looking all dapper, just before heading out to a beautiful Easter morning Mass. {A} altar served, as usual. The kids were surprised with some gifts from friends at church, too. People can be so kind and thoughtful.

When we got home, we had our simple Easter dinner.

This is my plate, below. As you can see, I despise carrots, and I love asparagus. : )

I also forgot to put some potato salad on my plate before I took this photo, which I worked so hard on. lol

The Easter cookies {A} baked, and us parents helped decorate. It was tooooo FUN!

Chocolate Coconut Jelly Bean Cake, which was also more fun, to take photos of.

I took some individual shots of the kids too.

Easter is one of my very favorite holidays to take photos on. The spring-ish atmosphere, all of the colors around, and the sheer joy in the air, as we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection, after a long and soul-searching Lenten season. But the truth is, I just always have my camera in hand, taking photos, because I love to, and I can. 🙂 I like to think this is a great place to share them, with you all, as they all are the details of our days, our life, and our joys. Just so you know…This blog will always have more photos, than wise words spoken. Because I definitely always have more way photos. lol

Our Giveaway winner, Regan, had received her home-made gifts. So would anyone like to see photos of what she received? I took lots of those along the way for that, too. Of course. It’s coming up!

Our family hopes your Easter was all kinds of Blessed and joyful, too!

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ENJOY!!

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