Catechism Class

Michael Jr has a great memory. We've discovered that an early age by his language skills and his ability to memorize very lengthy bedtime stories word for word.

So we decided to put his memory to good use and get him started on his catechism.

In case you aren't fluent in toddler-ese or theological terms, the answers to the questions are:

1. "The Holy Trinity"

2. "Transubstantiation" (we had to go back and get that one a second time at the end of the video since I caught him mid-drink)

3. "The Hypostatic Union" (his assessment that the "hypostatic union is good" is all his own though and this was the first time he said that. Not sure where he got it, but I'll go with it! It is good that Jesus is fully God and fully man!)

4. "The Blessed Virgin Mary"

Matthew likes to chime in these days too. When we start asking questions, he'll get a BIG smile on his face and rattle off answers...of course, it is just babbling, but it is very confident babbling in the same intonation and rhythm as the answers Michael gives. It's cute and he's SO proud of himself!

This video was taken a few months ago. Since then he has added the following questions:

"What is the source and summit of the Christian life?"

--The Holy Eucharist.

"Who inspired the Bible?"

--The Holy Spirit.

"Who is the Pope?"

--Benedict the Sixteenth.

Hey, if kids can memorize songs, catch phrases of their favorite toy car (Kachow!) or all the other things kids can do, why not give them a head start on the language of their faith? Of course it is way to soon for them to understand the concepts, but the more they hear it, the sooner those bridges between words and meanings will form!

First Steps!!

Matthew took his first steps today!

Unfortunately, we weren't able to catch it on camera, but we were so happy that he did it when Michael was home. Michael was holding his hands in the hallway while I was kneeling down a foot or two away...I encouraged Matthew to come and he stumbled toward me. A few attempts later, he stumbled back to his dad!

He was very proud of himself!

Michael Jr. of course had to demonstrate his ability to walk expertly a few times as well by running down the hallway into our arms, of course expecting praise and adulation as well...which he got even though he's already and expert biped....

His little legs got tired fast, but was able to do it (and by "it" I mean falling forward but happening to move his feet once or twice before he is caught by Mom or Dad, which is what we are calling "taking steps" around here) once more before the night ended, unfortunately again, not while being filmed.

We're proud of the little Moo!