Maggie's First Holy Communion

Yesterday was Maggie's big day!  First Holy Communion!  After cheering her brothers on in a 5k race that morning, she got to open her presents from Phil and I:

She got a new swimsuit (rash guard + bottoms), two rompers, an American Girl journal for us to fill out together, The Daring Book for Girls, a handmade pearl rosary, a watch, and Nancy Drew books.  

Then it was time to change and get ready for Mass.  We were so lucky that my sister-in-law gave us this dress (never been worn!) and it fit Maggie perfectly.  The shoes and tights were from Easter, and the veil was my wedding veil, I just cut off the long layer and left the top shorter one.  My mom gave her a miraculous medal necklace with pearls (because Margaret means pearl).  It all came together beautifully and of course Maggie was the prettiest girl at the ball church.  Not that I'm biased ;)

Maggie and her bestie, Robby, have been friends since they were bambinos.  What a special day for them both!  Our parish has all the kids wear robes so everybody looks the same, and I love it!

I couldn't help but think that we dressed her in a white gown for her Baptism, then for her First Communion, and perhaps one day I will get to see her on her wedding day in another white gown.  Having a girl is fun!

Linking up with My Sunday Best  

The kids in Maggie's class had to pick a number out of the hat to choose the reserved pew for the family, and Maggie picked number one!  We finally got to sit up front for Mass!   Since my three oldest boys were serving altar and Maggie was sitting with her class, we were able to fit Phil's parents and my parents in the pew with us and the little boys.

The whole group of 26, very girl-heavy:

Okay, so I totally cried during the Mass, but really lost it when Maggie received the Eucharist.  It was extra special because our pastor, Monsignor, was distributing the Eucharist to all the children, but when it was Maggie's turn to receive, he stepped aside and let Father Dave (pictured below) give Jesus to Maggie for the first time.   Fr. Dave is Maggie's godfather, and while I knew he was coming to the party, I didn't know he was going to con-celebrate the Mass, let alone give Maggie First Holy Communion.  Happy tears flowed.

Maggie with my parents.

Maggie with Phil's parents, who travelled all the way from Maryland for the weekend to celebrate with her.

Maggie and her namesake, Maggie :)  I would call them Big Maggie and little Maggie, but I don't think my mother likes that very much ;)

We remembered to take a photo of Maggie with us right before we all changed into comfy clothes for the party!

 It was a small family party, since some of our siblings were out of state, but it was very nice and I think everybody had a great time.

Below is our new kitchen island with a makeshift (plywood + tablecloth) counter top.  The real one is coming this week.

The kid table.

My thirteen year old nieces asked me to take their "model pose".  So cute!

Here's the First Communion Dress cake I made for Maggie.  All the men at the party thought it was supposed to be a chalice.  Men, humph.  But I guess it worked out either way.

In the weeks leading up to this day, we had so much going on.  We were remodeling the house and then frantically trying to put it back together and clean and prep for the party.  We were tired and stressed but I made sure to really savor every moment of Maggie's big day, and it couldn't have been more beautiful.  We are truly blessed with our faith and family and friends and I am so thankful.