Freddy's First Communion

 After three years of catechism, Freddy had his first communion this Sunday in Cascais.

There was a professional photographer hired for the mass, which is a good thing because this is the best shot I got as Freddy walked in at the beginning. He was out of view for the rest of the ceremony. 

Traditional Portuguese guitars plus teenagers singing beautifully made exceptional music throughout the mass. Priests are pretty much all the same to me, and I tend to just tune out the many masses that I have sat through since marrying Pai, but I actually liked and listened to this priest. He also did Zita's first communion and I remembered him straight away. He is funny, brief (can I get a hallelujah?), and engages the children throughout.  

 I don't know the technical term, but Freddy was a "collector, " looking cute as can be. Mooj laughed that he always volunteered to collect too when he was younger so he could get up and walk around. Smart boys.

Lunch was arroz de marisco from Mar do Guincho and two big tubs of Santini for dessert. That has become our formula for formal entertaining as one can just not go wrong with that combo. 

I forgot all about making a cake until just before church so I quickly whipped up a lemon cake and frosted it with our go-to white frosting and strawberries when we got home from church. 

Our glassware and china casualties were lower than usual with only one wine glass and one Visa Alegre plate broken. 

The last family members trickled out around 4:30 and the big kids followed right behind them for a swim until early evening. 

The professional photos are not up on their site yet, but I'll post them as soon as I have them. 

First Communion

Our wonderful and cherished sweet Zita had her first communion this weekend.

I'll spare the blow by blow details, and share the photos. It was held in a small modern church that didn't make for the best photos, but the rest of the day was absolutely perfect.

After arriving at the church

I sat right behind her during the mass. She came up with this hairstly after many drawings and practice sesssions.

She spoke clearly and with confidence as she narrated the offering of a candle and bread.

and finally, the culmination of 3 years of catechism, and the moment she's been waiting for.

We zoomed back to the house for a seafood lunch and cold drinks

These flowers were the extent of the house preparations.

I decided to make her first communion cake the night before, and left the frosting out of the fridge by mistake. By morning is was spoiled and stank, so I had to pull together a new batch and quickly get it frosted.

An official photographer was there taking pictures throughout the ceremony so as soon as I have copies, I'll share them.