Homemade costumes

Since it's looking like Halloween may be a wash-out due to the impending hurricane, my kids might not get to go trick-or-treating in their costumes. And after all the time and effort I put into them, I think that is more sad for me than it is for them. So, of course, I needed to at least get some photos of them before it gets all rainy. And while we still have power, so I can upload them (you can tell I'm thinking the important things through here. We may not have non-perishables, but I'll have my kids Halloween costumes posted!).

My father made our Halloween costumes every year when we were kids and it is one of the best memories I have of my childhood. So it's just second nature that I would make my kids' costumes every year. My sister makes her daughter's costumes too. I think it's in our genes.

This year, Luke wanted to be Thomas the Train and Clara was adamant that she would be a ladybug.

Luke is ecstatic about his Thomas and absolutely loves it, but only wants to wear him for about sixty seconds at a time. Sure, it's probably a little heavy and awkward, but don't you know how long mommy worked on this, Lukie?!

I made Thomas out of a cardboard box, a tube thingy for pouring concrete that I bought at Home Depot, a lot of hot glue, electrical tape and paint.

If you look closely, you can see where I spray painted the grass. Our back yard is full of blue, red and black.

When Clara declared she would be a ladybug, I was a little disappointed. I had it all planned out for her to be an Olympic gymnast, but despite her affinity for the Summer Games and the United States, she was not having it. But now I'm very happy we went with her idea. She makes one super cute ladybug.

Her costume was easy. I just glued black felt circles onto a tutu I made for her.

I glued black puff balls onto pipe cleaners and then twisted them onto a black headband.

And the wings are just cardboard pieces that I cut out and covered with red fabric and more felt circles.

I cannot tell you how much fun I had making these. I seriously might make costumes for them throughout the year. Sure, my house might have been a disaster during that week-and-a-half, but I am so happy when I have a project that I love.

Who needs a clean house when you can play dress up, anyway??

Prayers please

If you get a chance, we could use your prayers. There is a potential adoption situation that we are involved in, but it is still very much up in the air. I really don't know how it will all turn out, but we are just praying, praying, praying that God's will be done.

I wish I could give you more details, but since there are still so many unknowns, that's all I feel comfortable saying for now. Just know I am so appreciative for any prayer you can offer for this situation. Especially for the baby. We just hope and pray this plays out according to God's will, no matter the outcome.

Thank you so much. I just knew I needed to take this prayer intention to all of you, since your prayers are always so powerful.

I am starting a novena to the recently-canonized St. Kateri Tekakwitha. If you feel so inclined, here it is if you'd like to pray it with me:

Kateri, favored child and Lily of the Mohawks, 
I come to seek your intercession in my present need: 

(State your intention here...)
 
I admire the virtues which adorned your soul: 
love of God and neighbor, 
humility, obedience, patience, 
purity and the spirit of sacrifice. 
Help me to imitate your example in my state of life. 
Through the goodness and mercy of God, 
Who has blessed you with so many graces 
which led you to the true faith 
and to a high degree of holiness, 
pray to God for me and help me. 

Obtain for me a very fervent devotion to the Holy Eucharist 
so that I may love Holy Mass as you did 
and receive Holy Communion as often as I can. 
Teach me also to be devoted 
to my crucified Savior as you were, 
that I may cheerfully bear my daily crosses 
for love of Him Who suffered so much for love of me. 
Most of all I beg you to pray for me 
that I may avoid sin, 
lead a holy life and save my soul.  

AMEN 

In Thanksgiving to God for the graces bestowed upon Kateri: 

(Recite the following prayers...)

Our Father...

Hail Mary...

Glory Be... (3 times)

Kateri, Lily of the Mohawks, 
pray for me. 

Long overdue - Brother Francis review

I'm a bad blogger.

Let me explain.

Several months ago, I wrote this post about how much we love the Brother Francis videos for children. I honestly just wanted to share with all my fellow Catholic moms something I had found that I thought was pretty awesome.

Shortly after posting, I received an email from the company that produces the videos asking me if I'd like to receive copies of the other three videos and review them on my blog. Um, of course I would! I was thrilled and I couldn't wait to watch the others and write a review. 

We received them very quickly and it was more than I had even expected!

Along with the three DVDs - Forgiven!, Let's Pray and The Bread of Life (we already owned The Rosary) - we received four companion coloring books, children's prayer cards and a book mark (you can get all of their products here).

Clara and Luke watched them and loved them. They colored in the coloring books and played with the prayer cards. But then a very crazy summer hit and... you probably know where this is going if you follow my blog, because one thing you haven't seen on here is a review.

That's right. The generous producers sent me complimentary Brother Francis videos and I never got around to keeping up my end of the deal - writing about them. And it has weighed on me every single day. But it's better late than never right? So here goes...

We absolutely love Brother Francis in our house. I love him because the videos are very orthodox Catholic, with great messages and lessons even I can learn something from. I have honestly never heard some of things explained in as clear a way as they are in these videos. 

And my kids love him because... well, I'm not exactly sure, but I have my theories. 

First, I know they love the type of animation that is used in Brother Francis videos. It looks a lot like the animation in the cartoon Super Why, if you've ever watched that on PBS. I don't know why, but they are always drawn to shows with that sort of look. It's very colorful and bright, which may have something to do with it. 

Second, Brother Francis is relatable. He is a Brother, yes, and is very knowledgable, of course. But he is not above doing goofy things. He bumps into things, or falls down... things kids do a lot themselves. Clara and Luke laugh at those moments, moments that would be lost on me if not for their reaction. 

Third, the music. That's one of the best parts! There are lots of songs and they are good. Really good! Not annoying ear worms, like on some shows (well, they're not annoying but they DO get stuck in your head! My kids sing them all the time!). Prayers like the Our Father are set to music, as well as original songs that have a great beat, like one where the kids even rap a little bit. 

My kids are also extremely picky when it comes to TV. You'd think they'd be happy to watch anything, but no. They definitely have their favorites. Thomas is one of their favorites, and sometimes they're happy with whatever is on PBS, but not always (it's a frequent battle in our house... you mean I'm letting you watch TV and you're going to be picky???). But one video they are always up for is Brother Francis. Always. They often ask to watch it. And not only do they not cry or whine if I suggest it, but they actually get giddy and start yelling "Brother Francis! Brother Francis!" and dancing around. I think that speaks volumes. If I can have a go-to video for when I'm making dinner, or to get a teething toddler out of a crummy mood, AND have it teach them about Mass and Jesus, then I'm all for it.

Watching one of the Brother Francis DVDs, Luke's in the process of crossing himself here

You might be wondering what age the videos are appropriate for. Well, as with most kids shows, children can take different things from them at different ages. I can see them watching these videos and learning so much about confession, the Rosary and the Eucharist in three or four years, things they can't really process right now. Yet, even at ages one and two, they are learning about forgiveness and that being naughty is a "sin". They know what Eucharist looks like, and that the priest says "Body of Christ" and we put out our tongues to receive it. And they know what the Rosary is, what prayers we say with it, and that it has something to do with Mary.

I'm also noticing them applying what they've learned in the real world, like when we're at Mass. Or even when they're coloring in one of the Brother Francis coloring books, I've seen Luke point out the Eucharist and he's so excited about it. I love that!

The fact of the matter is my kids watch TV. And they are little sponges. I can't believe the theme songs they know by heart and the random things they have learned from shows they've watched. So if they're going to retain what they're watching to that degree, why not have it be about their faith? 

I highly recommend all four videos. My kids don't really have a favorite among them, but maybe I'd say they really like The Rosary just because we had that first and they got to know the songs really well. The Rosary is great if you want your toddler to get a better grasp of prayers like the Hail Mary, Our Father and Glory Be. Or, if you do a family Rosary and want your little ones to have sort of a context for what you are doing. 

Let's Pray teaches them about prayer, and they learn the sign of the cross through a cute song, and there's even a segment on St. Therese.

Forgiven! is all about reconciliation and sin. As in all the videos, Brother Francis teaches about what could be a heavy topic by using stories that kids can understand. For example, he shows us a little girl who finds money and spends it, despite realizing it belonged to a friend of hers, and then shows how she makes amends. This would be awesome for a child nearing the age of his or her First Reconciliation.

The Bread of Life is great too, and explains the Last Supper and the Eucharist in a way kids can understand, even if it's just so that my little ones can recognize what a picture of the Eucharist in a monstrance is. Like Forgiven!, The Bread of Life would also be perfect for a child who will soon make their First Communion.

I also don't think the price is bad either. Each video is $12.99, which not only is do-able to buy for your own family, but would also make an inexpensive, yet thoughtful and original, gift. 

And if you don't believe me, just listen to Luke's review of the Brother Francis videos (he's looking at the Brother Francis website as he's talking)... 

If you want to check out clips from the videos or to purchase them, just click here to visit the website. And while you're there, check out the great freebies they offer too, like coloring pages and prayers.

Okay, I feel better now. And I didn't write a glowing review just because I felt guilty that it was so, so overdue. I would have written the same thing if I had done it on time, I swear! It's a quality product that teaches my children about their beautiful Catholic faith, how much God loves them, and how to be better people, and I'm happy to have them watch it. What more could a busy mom want??

We're smiling over here...

I swear you guys have a direct line to God.

Because as soon as I posted about being at my absolute wit's end when it came to Luke's sleep problems, he started going down without crying.

Do you know how miraculous that is?

It's amazing. Unbelievable. We're still, after six nights, in complete shock over here. And very, very happy.

The kid goes in his converted crib (should have done that sooner), sippy cup of water in hand (I always had a no-drink policy in their beds, but Luke had a no-sleep policy, so...), and just lays there - LAYS THERE - as I say goodnight and walk out of his room. He fusses a tiny bit as I carry him in, even sometimes a tiny bit as I say goodnight, but then nothing.

One night, after ten minutes of silence, he cried. But I just went in, talked to him and laid him back down, and that was that.

Tonight was six nights in a row of going down without crying. One night away from his prized Thomas bed. I did not think we would get here. I NEVER thought we'd be getting him that bed. I better start looking on Craigslist.

That's not to say he has slept through the night all those nights. But the deal was no crying when falling asleep. Tackle one problem at a time. Before this week, I can't remember the last time I had a peaceful evening without screaming in the background (and by "background" I mean the other side of the living room wall). It's been wonderful. Just wonderful.

And last night he surprised us by sleeping in his bed and staying in his room the WHOLE night. It can be done. There is hope.

So thanks for the advice and prayers. My evenings are free again, so maybe I'll be blogging more! Or just sitting, smiling, appreciating the lack of toddler screams. Silence is a wonderful sound :)