Charlie's First Communion

Today our sweet, sweet Charliebear received his First Holy Communion.  What a beautiful, beautiful day!

I just want to add that yes, Marc and Tucker have coats and ties, but they altar serve and have to wear black pants- that's why they are always dressed this way on Sundays- 

 

 

 Charlie with his friend Mary Claire- they were baptized on the same day, and today we celebrated their First Communions.

Charlie with his Godparents-

We had a little reception at the church and then we went out to lunch-

Charlie opened his presents from us and BB and Poppy-

We sat at the same table we sat at two years ago for Tucker's First Holy Communion-

Tonight we had a small cookout to celebrate Charlie and Mary Claire-

Brave Daddies cooking Conecuh sausagues and hot dogs in the rain-

The kids all played hard and then towards the end C and MC opened their presents.  Father blessed their new religious objects.

And when I mentioned to Father that our house had not been blessed by a priest since May 2010, he happily obliged and blessed it again.  He reminded us that it is traditional for priests to bless homes in Easter season (which we are in until Pentecost).

He prayed (in Latin)- these words:

Bless, Lord God Almighty, this house that it may contain health, chastity, conquest of self, virtue, humility, goodness and gentleness, full obedience to law, and thanksgiving to God the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.  

And may this blessing remain upon this house and upon all who are within it now and forever.  Amen.  

And God bless you, sweet Charles Augustine, that you may grow closer to Him day by day.  We love you, sweet boy!! 

And now- your siblings on their first communions-

This and that, bridal shower, art show

Just a few pictures from the week.  Last Friday the four oldest went on an all-day field trip to a camp where they learned about sustainable farming and other ecology-based lessons.

When I emptied Tucker's backpack when they got home it had a "gnat nest" in it that he had found!

On Saturday, I helped host a lovely bridal brunch for friends of ours.  

The beautiful bride-to-be-

On Sunday we celebrated the Feast of Divine Mercy and prayed the Divine Mercy prayers after Mass and venerated a first-class relic of St. Faustina-

It was a long day for baby girl, but she did very well.

She laughed it up with Father J at the pancake lunch-

On Tuesday evening we had the children's art show!

Julia had beautiful pencil drawings-

A few of Charlie's favorites-

Tucker-

Copying this famous Norman Rockwell image-

Dumpcake has had a great week- she's the happiest girl!  She loves to look out the window by her playpen- 

She actually plays in it- it's so sweet!

 

 

 

We call the upstairs playpen "Babyland"- she loves it there too. She plays with her babydoll-

We stood the piano up so now she stands to play and dance-

And her favorite thing in the world is to read stories- she brings us all books all day long.  I went to a lot of trouble to find my favorite books that were out of print, but that my babies had loved.  She loves them just as much as her siblings did! 

And Julia is now weaving through poles at horse back riding and doing great!