Did I tell you that 155 kids took first communion today? Yes, 155. Of course, the group was broken up into three masses. There were two groups at 10--a Mass by Father Joe in English in the main sanctuary and a Spanish one done by Father Leo is the chapel. Then the Saint Paul School kids along with a handful of Religious Ed. kids went at Noon. That was us.
So, here's what Adrienne looked like:
Isn't she so cute? I did her hair on my own. I'm proud of that because I really can't even do my own hair. I don't know how to braid and I'm terrible with a blowdryer and hairbrush together. Like playing a video game, which I am not good at either, the hand-eye coordination necessary leaves my hair (or Adrienne's) all tangled up. But a bun, I can do. And thank god, Adrienne loves buns and has wanted them for the last few special occassions. So for now, I'm safe in the "pleasing Adrienne with hairstyling skills" department.
At the church, we were packed in the pews, but it wasn't uncomfortable. The service plus pictures after took two hours, but that wasn't a negative, either. Evidently, I was waiting for something to irritate me (not sure why) and it just didn't happen. How nice.
The pomp and circumstance of all the kids walking in was really the best part for me. It was fun to see my daughter and all her friends process into the church in their outfits with their hair fixed up in veils and tiaras and the boys with a gelled comb over.
My dad came to church which surprised me at first, but then after a few comments I wondered if he or my mom read the last post. I hadn't told them I was posting again nor given them the blog address, per say... but, dena out loud is a name I've used before... whatever. It was nice that they both went.
Eric's mother and sister and sister's child came too, although I am not sure if they came to the church or not. My parents encountered them in the driveway when the whole thing was over.
When I arrived home, I frantically threw together all the stuff I'd planned to cook: roasted potatoes (with olive oil, garlic, shallot, and fresh rosemary from my very own plant in the yard), salad (with yellow pepper, radish, tomato, and baby english cumcumber--kalamata olive, goat cheese, and asparagus absent-mindedly omitted because I felt rushed), and grilled chicken.
I say frantically only because I was putting pressure on myself. I'm working on being more laid-back--operating in the moment. But practice makes perfect on that one. And although I didn't feel stressed out, I worked quickly in an effort to get food on the table. In my rush, I didn't season everything as perfectly as I usually do (if I do say so myself). My opinion is that the meal was mediocre--not up to the normal standards around here.
Eric's mother didn't eat. Evidently she was fighting a cold and also grieving over the loss of her brother's wife who died from complications of Parkinson's Disease yesterday. Now, it's important for me to say that she didn't tell me any of this. She told Eric. In private. She stayed here at the house for about 30 minutes and then left. That seems crazy to me because it takes two and half hours for her to get here. Why she came in the first place is something I've been pondering for the last few hours, but that seems to be a "glass half empty" way of viewing thing. Maybe I should turn it around and feel touched by the fact that under the circumstances she DID MAKE IT and even if it was just for a bit, she made the effort. There. Glass is half full now.
Eric's mom did give Adrienne a card with $50 inside which was more than generous. From Adrienne's point of view, the glass is totally full!
Eric's sister and sister's child were fine. We covered the Lego tables with sheets. That seemed to mystify the kid and so he spent his time here out in the driveway on his Big Wheel (do they still call them that? those plastic tricycles with the plastic wheels?).
The sister/sister's child thing was over in about an hour. She also gave $50 in her card, too. I can't believe I'm even thinking about being a catty in-law about this stuff.
In was a drama-free day and besides Adrienne looking so beautiful, the hightlight of the day was our dessert. I had mini-cakes made with crosses of white chocolate on the top. See?
The cake was pefectly moist on the inside and the icing was a whipped cream that was also just the right amount of sweet vanilla. I would actually be willling to do the day all over again just to have another one of those cakes.
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