A CGS Easter

I made this presentation years ago when I was first learning about Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. When I read in the album that I was supposed to make a tomb from paper mache, I started looking for an alternative. This little pine box with the sliding doors seemed perfect.

I stained the box and added the wooden cross. I glued the cross to only one door so that it would not impede movement.

Inside I painted a little scene with the three crosses and a setting/rising sun. The tomb is a brown paper lunch bag rolled up and glued inside. Bits of moss and a little sparkly dove complete the setting. Jesus is a plain wooden peg doll and the shroud is a strip of felt.

On Good Friday, the children carefully wrap and lay Jesus in the tomb. The doors are closed and he lays quietly inside until Easter morning when...

...the children find the doors to the tomb open and an angel awaiting to announce the Good News: He is Risen! Jesus can no longer be found in the empty tomb; only the shroud is left.

Grace was especially taken with the presentation this year. She acted out the events over and over again, carefully and purposefully. I pray that the truth of Easter is being gently written upon her very heart.

50 Days of Easter, Alleluia!

7 Quick Takes Friday (vol. 2)

1. A week flies by when potty training. Dominic did so very well for most of it. Then today happened. Maybe, one day in the far far future, I will laugh about it. Maybe. 

2. So, instead I will think about beautiful moments like Xavier bathing

3. And Dominic in a bike helmet

4. And beautiful Collette

5. And Grace swinging

6. And wind in the oaks

Can't you just feel the wind whipping over the grass and swaying through the oaks. No? Well, me neither but I promise it was. I'll have work a little more on photographing the wind. 

7.  And a sunlit corner of my home

HT: Conversion Diary

7 Quick Takes Friday (vol. 1)

I have been wanting to do a 7 Quick Takes Friday since I began reading Conversion Diary. I always enjoyed the quick thoughts and funny commentary. So, with a deep breath, here it goes...

1. Today the training began in earnest. Having two in diapers has lost its luster and it is time. I have sworn not to buy another pack of diapers for my boy. (Thank goodness I have lots on hand in case this doesn't go well.) And, yes, those are Gymboree undies. Why?  Because they are so cute and maybe the puppies will inspire him. You never know, it could work.

2. Dominic has chosen his reading materials. A classic collection of nursery rhymes to while away the time. Excellent choice!

3. The baby is kept occupied with an old toothbrush while he too whiles away the time.

4. The all important reward stands poised and ready for success. Nothing motivates my dynamo to park it for awhile like jelly beans leftover from Easter. This has worked on previous children also. I think jelly beans have special powers. Of course, I have to get my big kids to stop eating all of them.

5. Something new learned: If you have an inexpensive, synthetic rug that has met with a catastrophic accident, you can wash it in the washing machine. Very handy! I laid mine out to dry. I thought putting them in the dryer might be pushing it a bit. Also, to Dominic's credit, this did happen before the really cute puppy undies.

6. Frugal Tip: My brother introduced me to Dryer Fluff Balls. The idea is that you can forgo fabric softener with these spiky guys rumbling around in the dryer fluffing everything up. I found that static was still an issue. However, only 1/2 a dryer sheet is needed to take care of the static problem. Definitely a money saver considering how many loads of laundry I do on a daily basis.

7. Final report: Dominic did great today! I think the puppies and jelly beans really did work. However, I did learn that it is best not to let the 4 year old give the progress reports to Nanna. She was a little too blunt with the details. Sorry Nanna.

Weather

April is usually bright and cool, perfect southern Ca. weather. Today we have had sun, clouds, wind, rain, thunder, hail, and snow. Wow! I definitely was not prepared for this storm. Of course, I don't watch TV so weather is usually a surprise to me. Maybe I need a Farmer's Almanac or something? Does that help with the weather?

Dress Up

 My little ones (and big ones) love to dress up. They will be royalty or peasants, animals or fairies. It really doesn't matter which so long as the donning of capes, hats, silks, and dresses are involved. Now that Dominic is two he relishes dressing up also. The little girls love to indulge him by piling on as many elements as they can. He'll stomp out of the playroom in a skirt, cape, hat, and silk ready to banish dragons from the corners of my closet. With a wooden sword in hand and a "Ho ho" tune, he gleefully heads out to battle. Collette is usually right behind him, ready for fun.

The wizard hat is Dominic's favorite. Even the kitty is dressed up in a silk.

Gracie dressed him up and felt quite pleased with her success. 

Gracie wanted to play Where's Wallace. She dressed up as the orangutan, Wallace and Collette is Mr. Frumpy, the zookeeper. My family loves this book! Hilary Knight's illustrations are beautiful. We love to hunt for all the different characters in the panoramic pictures. Truly wonderful!

Chicks

The post office called at 4:00 in the morning on March 22nd to let us know that our peeping package had arrived. Stephen hustled down the mountain with excited children in tow. We wanted to pick them up as soon as possible since they had had a weary and stressful night flying cross country.

They arrived in a tiny box! Twenty six chicks all smooshed together. Everyone was enamored with the fuzzy little balls of fur. The older children carefully watched over them to ensure that Dominic didn't accidentally squish one. Thirteen are bound for our dinner plates and thirteen are laying hens.

The big kids tried hard not get attached to the meat birds, but they are so cute that it was impossible.

Meat birds 

Laying hens

The chicks spent the next week eating and sleeping under a red heat lamp in the office. Normally, I would let them stay longer but 24 (2 didn't make it) birds emit a powerful smell. Stephen brought home two huge boxes from work. We made them a spacious chicken condo on the back porch. Unfortunately, they are starting to outgrow even these accomodations. Chickens grow fast!

Today we made an outdoor pen for them to stay in during the day.  All was well until Thomas, our hunting cat, noticed the noise and decided that chicken dinner sounded tasty.

He and Francis camped out near the pen. Around and around they stalked, trying to find a way in. Thomas would stretch a paw in every time a bird came near the edge. He managed to tickle the chicks' tail feathers, but that was all.

Thomas stretching his paw in, trying to get that white chick.

Quinton guarding the chicks.

The chicks were rather oblivious to the cats. One even casually pecked at Thomas' paw when he reached in. This is not a good thing. We added another layer of wire to keep the cats out of reach. Those chickens are for us, not the cats.

Gracie's Piggies

Once upon a time there was a little baby girl with fine straight hair, perfectly arched eyebrows, and a smile as big as the world. How her mommy rejoiced when that hair could be pulled back into two of the tiniest pig tails ever found. Those little piggies were so delightful that her mommy took a dozen pictures of them and showed anyone who stopped long enough to look.

Grace 18 mo.

And now, see how those piggies have grown. Two braided piggies hang side by side, just as delightful. I took a dozen pictures again so that I can remember.

Grace 4.5 years

He is Found!

Saint Patrick has resurfaced! I think he was converting the pagan dust bunnies in the deep dark under the sofa. While it is well past his feast day now, I will tuck him away safely for next year.

St. Patrick

The Good Shepherd

Here are a few photos of my Good Shepherd presentation for CGS. This was the first one that I made and I put a lot of effort into all of the different components. The children responded with thoughtfulness and enthusiasm, readily re-inacting the story and deepening their understanding each time.

The wolf is made from sculpy, the sheep are wool, and the shepherd is a small wooden peg doll. I found the miniature fencing at the craft store.  The love that I wove into each of the different elements then overflowed into my presentation for the children. 

This is the beginning of my mustard tree presentation. I will post the complete presentation at a later point.

Quotes from the Littles

Grace on the origin of ketchup:
"Oh, I know, you have to catch the chups."

Wooden Saints

Here are my saints: The small ones are Simeon, Anna, Mary, and Joseph. They belong to my CGS presentation, Presentation in the Temple. Our Lady of Lourdes was featured in her own grotto of Coco Crisps on her feast day.

Our Lady of Lourdes in the grotto

The next set is a combination of clothes pin dolls dressed in felt (Isaiah, Micah, & St. Lucia), small wooden Mary in felt, and the angel made from a wooden cut out with wooden wings attached. Mary and the angel belong the my CGS presentation of the Annunciation.

A close up of Isaiah

Nanna's 60th Birthday

Easter was also my mom's 60th birthday. Truly a day to celebrate!

Happy Birthday Nanna

Olivia made the pumpkin cake with crunchies and caramel topping. Delicious!

60 means lots of candles and lots of smoke.

Dominic likes to celebrate with a little extra style.

Easter Sunday 2010

Quinton headed to Mass early Sunday morning to practice processing and holding a very large candle during communion. We hustled down the mountain afterwards and managed to find seats for 4 out of 8 of us in the tiny Serra Chapel, SJC. The TLM drew many new faces to Mass Easter morning, with the chapel overflowing inside and out. I hope many were touched by the beauty of the TLM. I deeply love its quiet beauty, reverence, and intensity. This was evident all the more so on a busy holiday morning. The TLM draws and quiets all those present. The Confiteor was stunning, with 6 altar servers bowing profoundly and reciting together. Quinton held his heavy candle throughout the long communion line admirably. I don't have pictures of Quinton serving but will try to take one soon.

After Mass, we headed to Nanna and Papa's home for an egg hunt and Easter dinner.

All my beautiful blessings Easter Morning 2010

The egg hunt started as soon as we stepped out of the car. This was our first hunt at Nanna and Papa's home and it was great fun. The bunny left little hints just like at our house.

Looking, Looking...

Daddy directing and Olivia helping the little one.

Dominic checking out his finds.

I didn't get a chance to cut his hair before Easter. I guess the plus side of this is that it hides the awful bruise on his forehead from the fall.

Xavier hanging out with Daddy again. 

Olivia making sure that none of the eggs escaped. Actually, in the end, one is still hiding out in the backyard. It could not be found by anyone!

Counting and counting again. Yes, one is still missing.

Collette, Grace, and Xavier 

Quinton is turning into such a young man.

Collette, all smiles and joy.

Olivia, my beautiful young lady.

One last one of Dominic. Oh, how he loved Easter!

He is Risen! He is risen indeed!