All Hallows Eve party

 One of the beautiful celebrations is used to be All Saints Day party which we were celebrating over  the last 7 years. This time it's turned to be virtual. I am enamored by the fact of communion of saints and able to ask the friendship and prayers of those gone before us.

Our kids always looked forward to pick their saints and making their costumes. This time it is  going to be more exciting to Theresu and Geo. So many costumes you make out of the dressing up items and props. All the previous posts are here, 2015, 2013, 2016,....

Since it is lock down in places, many kids join with the online celebration. It used to be with homeschoolers few years before, then  JY children, parishioners. The virtual gathering began with song..'We are marching saints ...'  and everyone marched in their homes.Children dressed up and introduced themselves and announced what they dressed up as and gave a minute to talk.

On November first we celebrate the cutest All Saints Day,one of it is decorating  Pumpkin lanterns and christian symbols were made. This time it was Jochayan did the carving and carved the shape of the Lord. The lantern looks splendid and eerie sitting in the window sill with the lights turned out.

         Below is the display of pumpkin lanterns by some of the JY children .

A few days were busy preparing costume and props at home. Theresu dressed up as St Joan of Arc and Geo as St Michael the archangel. I am dressed up as St Margaret Clitheroe, one of my favourite saints from York, known as Pearl of York; one of the English martyr.

Preparing the banner for St Joan and Munnu is making shield for St Michael. 

Every year our party table will be filled with candies, sweets, treats. One year it was great going out in the street as a procession and visited some friends. This was a neat tradition in various European countries back from reformation doing souling. IT used to be children coming and knocking  doors for trick or treat, and we gave bags of sweets with scripture passages stuck on the bags. I prepared the same, however none of the children turned up this time , maybe the corona has such an impact on children too.

                                            Trick or treat bags ready to share

  This used to be the guessing jar with some saints symbols. Candy canes, caramel candies, wafers, finger chocolates, cheese swirls ..reminding different saints symbols.

                                 Preparing the cupcake with the help of Geo

    

Some of the saints cutouts we made with Paperdali.

                             For all the saints

                      who from their labours rest

                        Who thee by faith

                        Before the world confest

                      Thy name o Jesus

                    be for ever blest

                       Alleluia, Alleluia.

All the saints Pray for us

Autumn stroll and rides

Finally autumn is here and the amazing flashes of colours; warm browns, rich oranges and deep red leaves on the ground, grass and fields.It is the beautiful and the most colourful time in the nature.Lots of things to hammer out in this season. 

There is something very special about the season, autumn breeze, bristling leaves floating to the ground. Time to put off your bucket and spade and dust off your dressing gowns and slippers.

     Bigger children just enjoying the stroll...

We live near Chorlton water park and there are plenty of trails to go for a walk or bike riding.

In Warrimgton today, bridge is moved away for the boat to pass through. It was a stunning scene..

Little bike riders on their way and had a long ride until Stretford..

 Last few weeks little kidos were going out in these trails and even as a family we were on our bike and spent good  hour and half out , family  ride after long time. 

There are so many fun learning and entertaining activities you can do with children this season, gathering autumn leaves, painting autumn colours, making autumn candles, making hot drinks in the eve, decorating home with autumn colours, pumpkin carving.

Decorating maple leaf with melted wax pellets. Children looked at why leaves turn red and orange in colours during autumn. Picked leaves to decorate house. Some of our pumpkin is ready for carving too  for All halos eve.

   Making candle   

A day out in bike

Today little ones were out sometime on their bikes. Had a long ride and enjoying rides which only restarted after fixing it.

Celebtaing feast of Guardian Angels

Since the month of October is lot to think about angels. A day of celebration on the feast of Guardian angel.God made the angels to be partakers of His glory. They are our guardians. Beautiful way to help children to foster their friendship with guardian angel.Christ speaking of little ones who believe in Him. "Their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father who is in my heaven."

Little prayer cards were made and laminated and hung,  to pray in the morning and before bed.

   Caramel slice from the feast of St Therese

Children grabbed all their gifted little angel statues and place them in the altar. It was little fun for them. 

    Decorating a paper mache angel

'Angel of God my guardian dear whom God loves commit me here..be with me ....'

Footy stars in action...

It's on the month of October now, continuing autumn season. Today is the feast of Our little Theresu too . Reminded of Little flower. The little saint from France who was totally caught up with transformative power of God. I thank God again for the beautiful miracle in our family...seeing our prem babe who has grown so much in His mercy. It was a lovely day, she had some cards and money.

Our footy stars Thereu and Geo were spending most time playing football outdoor though it was pouring down in between. Since they are so crazy wearing Messie's jersey shirt which came only  the other day.

Our altar was decorated with mini statues of little Therese , books , rose flower and prayer cards.

   Gift shared by one of our friends on the Feast day

 Children listened to the story of St Therese , learning about France where she was born. There are so many beautiful things popped up when we were browsing about this beautiful country in the world which attracts the biggest number of tourists and with 12 time zones around.

We spent some time going to nearby rose garden to make Theresu merrier and returned.

 Caramel slice was prepared in the eve hoping to slice but we were tied up with singing songs for adoration.  It was a blessed day. Reminded of her beautiful quote  " I like to spend in heaven in doing good works in earth".

   St Therese of Child Jesus pray for us.