Today--Feast of the Birth of the Blessed Mother

Today is September 8th--the Feast of the Birth of Our Lady.  I love celebrating these special days with the kids. It seems that so many Catholics don't remember or celebrate feast days anymore which is just a shame, I think.  As a society, we're so focused on the more secular Holidays, or at least the elements of buying and giving and getting.  Think about it--almost every "major" holiday now involves buying and kids getting candy/toys--Halloween, Christmas, Valentines Day, Easter, and now even St. Patrick's Day (apparently the leprechauns are now leaving treats and toys in shoes?!?).  These all began as Holy Days and have morphed into commercial powerhouses where everyone must buy, buy, buy!  I guess that's why I find feast days like today so refreshing; There is nothing secular or commercial about it, and we as parents get to share our faith with our children in a fun way.

OK--I'm stepping off my soapbox now.  :)  Here are a few of the ways we're going to celebrate today:

• Listen to Ave Maria  (by Bach, Mozart, or Schubert)
• Make a blueberry and white cake for dessert (white = purity, blue = Mary's mantle)
• Marian prayers throughout the day (Rosary, Memorare, Angelus...)
• use our special (from the thrift store for $.25!) porcelain teacups/saucers
• Mary coloring page, cut out and put on blue paper, use glitter on halo/crown, cotton ball clouds
• If time--make a placemat

More ideas HERE and of course at Catholic Icing (she always has so many cute ideas!).