Feast days are just another reason to celebrate around here! So today we had some fun!
First we went to Mass. We've been trying to go every Tuesday and Thursday all summer. Our old parish has it at 8:30 on these days and that time works really well. Usually Anna's a handful, sitting still is HARD for her and it's in their chapel which is small and every noise she makes is heard. But the older ladies don't mind :-). Most days I think to myself at least once, "Why did I even bother today?" And I'm constantly reminded by Jesus' own words, "Let the children come to me." And so I go, meltdowns or no meltdowns, we go, because the graces we receive far outweigh the loud
Today was different though. First of all, Anthony wouldn't sleep, he wanted to see everyone. But Anna made a new friend. She's in her 80s and her name is Veronica. And Anna LOVED her. She sat on Veronica's lap for most of Mass. She sat like an angel. She only talked once and she only threw a book down once. She walked up to Communion with Veronica and grinned from ear to ear the whole time. It was great and I have a feeling Veronica may be saving our seat from now on :-). She made Anna's day and I'm pretty sure Anna made hers!
So after our wonderful Mass experience, we went to the library. They were having "floats and funnies". Anna got a sherbet and spirte float and we watched Disney Pixar cartoons. We played in their discovery room for a while and Anthony took a nice little nap!
Then we met some friends at our local Discovery Museum. They have passes and can get one person in free. And since Anna and Anthony are still free, I was able to get in free with them! We played and played and played. Anna had a blast playing the giant floor keyboard and singing and dancing on the stage. At the end, we ate our lunch and headed back home.
Both kids fell asleep on the way home and transferred perfecly into their beds.
There were ZERO meltdowns. Not one. Neither kid shed a tear and neither kid screamed at me. I did not get bit, kicked, hit, or pinched (Anna's very violent lately when she gets upset, we're not sure where that is coming from, but it needs to stop!). Anna did not leave with any new bumps or bruises (she's so clumsy lately!) Today I feel like Supermom. We had so much fun and there were no moments of frustration. I'm so thankful for that today after many days of super trantrums from my toddler. I was feeling pretty frustrated, like I wasn't doing something right.
Days like today remind me that no matter how challenging they can be, my children bring me great joy and most definitely bring me closer in my faith. I am so thankful for my children, they are my path to holiness. And I'm so thankful for St. Anne and St. Joachim whose intercession I have asked for many, many times. I know their prayers are powerful and my Anna is proof of that.
St. Anne and St. Joachim, pray for us!
1 comment:
Wow. What an amazing day. I have NEVER taken my kids to Mass on my own. I am scared out of my mind to do such a thing. We can barely handle them at Sunday Mass with both of us there!
I had a pretty good day today too. I made an effort to smile at my kids more and it was contagious. They were much happier. Don't get me wrong, it doesn't work so well on Isaiah who is teething. Nothing really helps him, but it did help me deal with him. It is hard to be angry with a smile on your face. LOL!
Oh, and all 3 kids napped at the same time today. It has been A LONG time since that has happened. Makes for a sanity break!
If you ever feel like a road trip, let me know. I actually have some time off in a couple of weeks. It would be so fun to get together! But, I must warn you...my kids both throw toys and books!
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