Saturday was a wonderful day.
But I need to say this right now: it was 94 degrees. Unnecessary! Unreasonably uncomfortable! But we dealt with it. We moved past it. We wished we had chosen an indoor restaurant for our lunch celebration. We tried to ignore it while we fainted in the stifling air. We stayed upbeat and celebratory! Kudos to everyone and I thank you all from the bottom of my heart!
The girls, in their excitement, woke up very early. Breakfast was eaten, our hair was curled by Noni, and we got dressed up in our fancy clothes.
Katie's exquisite dress was made by Grandma, and the veil was made by Mommy. New shoes and white pantyhose completed the look. Fingernails painted by Noni.
Julianna wore her crisp new Easter dress, as well as new shoes and pantyhose. Her fingernails and toenails had been painted by Noni, but she opted for new white shoes instead of colorful flip flops.
Nick looked dapper in his new fancy khaki slacks and brown dress shoes. The tie was borrowed from a friend as well as a navy blazer. However, we did not put the blazer on him, since (did I mention?)
94 degrees. He asked Noni to paint his toenails as well, which of course she was happy to do. He looked great, despite the "owie" on the forehead from Monday, and despite the huge tantrum he threw while Daddy was dressing him. But that's why we dressed him way ahead of time and plopped him in front of cartoons! He was over the outfit drama by the time we headed over to church.
Daddy, Noni, Julianna and Nick found a pew and Katie checked in at the second grade classroom. More photos were taken!
Look at what the boys had to wear in the (did I mention?) 94 degree heat!
Look at all of the proud parents taking pictures in the (did I mention?) 94 degree heat!
The parents then found their assigned pews in church.
The children then began the Mass they had prepared. They processed in, so we could all see them, and then they went around to the back again and processed in with the priests. (The Youth Choir generously provided the music.) This time, they took their seats with their parents. The second graders handled all parts of the Mass: readings, presentation of the gifts (complete with setting the table on the altar), prayers of the faithful... Monsignor involved them in his homily, asking them questions and using a hand-held microphone to capture their responses for all of us. The children had great responses to his questions, clearly understanding the importance of this day and what they were there to do. Katie answered many of his questions with a great deal of self-assurance! She always had her hand raised. In this way she differs from her mother! (When I was a kid, I tried to be invisible.)
Monsignor reminded us that the parents are the first teachers of the children, which is such a wonderful message.
When it was time for the Eucharist, each child in turn went up to Monsignor with his or her parents and received the host. Then the parents did as well (I received a blessing instead, of course). Then the child led his or her parents to one of the other priests to receive the wine (it was up to each family to decide whether the children would take the wine). Katie did take the wine, and later told us she did not like how it tasted and would probably just stick to the host in the future. We returned to our pew (Katie had a good spot on the center aisle) to watch all of the family and friends in the congregation go up to take communion. It was fun for Katie to see our group go by and get their congratulations. We also sang along with the Youth Choir during this part.
The children processed out with the priests and then we went over to the Parish Hall where they were sitting at a big long table having some fruit and cake. We got to talk to everyone and take more pictures, and eat cake! (Nick and Julianna really earned their cake, having behaved themselves in church with Noni and the Bakers during the whole ceremony!)
After that, we went to the restaurant (did I mention it was an outdoor place? and it was 94 degrees?) for lunch! The Bakers bought a champagne/sparkling cider toast, and Katie got to open her presents. She loves them all: Mass Book with rosary and pin, cross necklace and picture frame from her Godparents Ryan and Sarah; Angel figure, Rosary from Rome (blessed by the Pope) and "Count Your Blessings" bracelet from Noni; Children's Illustrated Bible, Rosary bracelet and set of Fairy books from Mom, Dad, brother and sister; and a lovely note and drawing from Emma. Katie felt so special that everyone wanted to share her special day with her, in their own way.
Then it was home to get out of the fancy clothes and into the pool! We didn't know this would happen on First Communion day, but after the planned celebrations, the weather was in charge!
Everyone was wiped out by dinner time, and bedtime came early. Tired and happy kids fell into their beds, one dreaming of putting on her white dress again in the morning and going to church to take communion with the whole parish.
At Sunday Mass, Katie got to sit with Noni and Daddy in church, which was scattered here and there with second graders in their communion clothes. In the middle of Mass, Monsignor called them up to stand before the congregation so everyone could share in their celebration. Later, during the Liturgy of the Eucharist, he had them stand behind the altar with him. Katie pointed out that today was her Second Communion!
It must be said: I really can't believe my baby is old enough to take communion. It always seemed so far away! Katie explained to me yesterday afternoon that you need to be old enough to understand what is happening when you take the bread and wine, so it does seem like she is grown-up enough for this. Again I am reminded that we are not in the three-little-kids phase anymore! Just look at my beautiful girl!
(Now go back and look at what happened to Nick's outfit during the course of the morning.)
You never know what will happen if you fall asleep during kite flying. Someone might come along and --
--Oh, you were only pretending?
