This morning, on the Feast of the Holy Cross, the boys awoke to a new and shining symbol of our faith:
This started out as an entirely different and more complicated craft, lol. I had thought the boys could make stained glass panels to place in each pane of glass, forming a cross shape as shown above. This would be done by sandwiching (many) bits of torn tissue paper between (several) sheets of clear contact paper, cut to fit this multi-paned door. But then, early this morning, as I was guestimating just how long it would take to make enough panels, I discovered that we were completely out of contact paper!
So that changed everything. Instead, I surprised the boys by taping full sheets of tissue in each pane (in a few autumn shades) and as they woke up the morning sun was just flooding through ...
What day is it? Crackerjack asked, sensing something was afoot.
I sprung it upon them that today was the Feast of the Holy Cross and then they knew one thing for sure: there would be cake. ;)
But next, we worked on a new family handprint cross. We made one last year on this day, but I thought it would be nice to update it with fresh paper and current hand sizes.
Last year we chose construction paper in signature colors; this year I chose scrapbooking paper in shades and themes that fit personalities:
From left to right: white posterboard for the cross base, an evergreen print for Bill, yellow gingham for me, a science theme for Bookworm, navy blue stars for Earlybird and a "cool" tie-dye pattern for Crackerjack (he chose this over fireworks).
Next I cut out a new cross base, and taped it together:
And then each of us had our hands traced on our select papers. Here the prints are all cut out and ready to apply to the cross:
You might notice EB found it hard to keep his hands still.
And here is our family handprint cross for the new year!
I like how it looks with all the patterns and, for good measure, I added a red gingham heart to the center. I also like the overall message: all hands to heaven or perhaps, many hands, one heart!
So naturally, there had to be cake. Here is the cross-shaped cake pan and the variety of sprinkles all ready to go:
And finally, here we have, freshly baked and cooled, our frosted and decorated cake. (Duncan Hines cake mix, homemade buttercream frosting, India tree sprinkles):
(That's supposed to be a heart in the center!)
Well, I hope you all have a happy weekend! Enjoy the September weather wherever you are, and hold those dear little hands (and hearts) closely!
