Mini adventures

Another sunny day here, so thought to go to woodlands just to explore. This time we  followed a different trail in Chorlton woods. Through marshy areas, inside woods, dark surroundings,  chopped woods, damp areas, kept going aiming to visit the farm in the end  of the trail, from there we took a turn to a bit tricky curved path. Following the path we ended in a vast space, a place of beauty and calmness. So it a time to celebrate, kids were rolling in the green pasture, had piggybacks, we were so relaxed and had some time of chat and thanked God for His beautiful presence in our lives. That was truly amazing to reach a haven.

 

Ou Lady of Mount Carmel

It was the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. In her appearance to St Simon Stock, Mary gave the scapular promise.'Whoever dies wearing the scapular shall not suffer eternal fire'. Our diocese's patron is Our Lady of Mount Carmel and attended the Holy Mass.

There is a beautiful image of Our Lady of Mount Carmel at home and prepared some flapjacks decorated with scapula. A few years back , we were all enrolled to wear the scapula.

 

In reminding the Mount Carmel we went to peak district last year. This time we went to  explore woods and in the end we landed in the vast ground and it was so beautiful, a  place of calmness and beauty.

 

                            Our Lady of Mount Carmel pray for us.

Out in the woods

Little kiddos went out to woods for a walk with Jobychaya. I was hooked up in zoom . Unfortunately I couldn't make it. They walked a lot, picked another trail this time and visited a farm on one end of the woods.

End of School Year

Our School year just closed by last weekend.  This year went pass so hurriedly.  I could only imagine the beginning of the past academic year , 2019 Sept to 2020 July. In October for the half term, along with Thomas family, we had a caravan holiday with lots and lots of fun and infotainment.  Children enjoyed pools, activities, visiting St David cathedral and so on.

 Truly an amazing time though the trip ended with a tummy bug , Thersu and Geo took turns to diarrhoea and vomiting, lasted for a while. Thank God, all passed. Christmas was awesome time as usual, then we were aiming for holidays to India and time with parents and grand parents. All of us had a calming and refreshing time with our dear families, siblings.  Pandemic broke out slowly in different countries, back to UK. It took sometime to settle back with weather. By March, corona reached UK and many other places. Lockdown started and pretty much outdoor activities slowed down and stopped like athletes, circus, visits to museums, football club, national trust visits, libraries, piano lessons, Sundsy schools, Annu's Manchester college . Mock exams were done and finally this year closed with usual evaluations; distributing certificates, sweets, stationary items for summer break . 

St Thomas Feast

It was a beautiful day and blessed day for all who celebrates the feast of Apostle to India, St Thomas. Usually these are the  days Syro Malabar mass , novena, procession, festivities. Everything virtual this year.

Still at home, children had read aloud of St Thomas story , his journey in Kerala, meeting kings, ordinary people, preaching good news, establishing churches and his death. At home Annu made some waffles in our waffle pan and decorated with cream. 

Virtue of Hope

This Saturday we are holding another online preteen faith and fun session on theme of Hope. This is the theme followed up when we prayed about it. At the current situation of epidemic, it makes a lot of sense for both childRen and grown ups.

Some of the resources  using up are like making an optical toy( THAUMATOPE )thoroughing up word of god, learns 'My hope is in you song 'of VBS, sharing the story of George Muller and story of Moses.

Thaumatope is a very popular Victorian toy. Children used two matching pairs of picture on two circular discs. Then glued each other, one upside down. Eventually, after tie  the rope, they can spin and both images combine together to produce animation pictures. Pictures like bird and cage, tiger and cage, tree and leaves, can be used. These are all the beginning of motion pictures.

       Thaumatope made for the pre teens session.

 One of the theological virtue too. Hope is the anchor of my soul, sustains, connects, keep up spirit to looking forward. So probably depends upon time, we will be making an anchor craft too and learn a small prayer of act of Hope.

A Happy 14th Birthday

Children are growing up faster. I always love to celebrate their birthdays as best 

as I can. Since it is quarantine and growing into teens, they tend to move into a stage with less party. Desire of Mich was to be with his family.

In the morning everyone showered him with Birthday cards of their own.Geo was very

 keen to wrap birthday gift for the last few days and hid under bed.

Some of the birthday boy's wishes were very ordinary items like bathtowel & watch.

                                       Some of the cards

It so fun to see Theresu made a card for her brother with his spots on.

Below is the birthday gallery made by me for Mich of all his last 14 years of memory.

                                     Acrostic poem about Mich

                   

                          Annu's card

Since lockdown,Today is the first time we are out as family together,went to 

attend H.Mass. Gave all the instructions to be quiet and not touch all the surfaces, glad even Geo responded to it very well.

Asa teenager boy, he is a getting into quite health freak, reducing sugar, trying to be healthy, eating healthy food, more exercises, trying to get rid of pimples. Good signs, but chocolates are left for others to eat. Jobychaya made biriyani and my special was Mich's favourite carrot cake with cream cheesing. I couldn't imagine how years passed by. Thank God for Mich, an obedient, helping and a bit science geek too.

We cut cake very late towards the end of the day after watching a movie and spent sometime before the Lord.

       
                                 Happy 14TH Birthday !!!