{Something New}

Today we woke up, took in a deep breath, peeked out to see the beautiful sun which made it even better and were excited for the start of something new! We have now become parish members of Dylan's Parish School church. We have been members of St. Pius since before we were married and now decided that we would also join All Saints. The parish community from what we have experienced is nothing short of fantastic. Everyone is so nice, the priest is hilarious, very genuine, great with the kids, easy to understand and not overbearing at all and everyone treats you as you are family, which in a sense we are.
Today was the start of Catholic Schools week. It is a celebratory awareness week made of catholic schools and parishes around. How they were found, how they maintain their values and expand their horizons for our youth today.. hence our little children. This week at All Saints there will be lots of fun activities for Dylan throughout his day. For instance each day is a theme, for clothing, food, activities etc. Tomorrow being 'mis-match day', something each day fun for the kids to look forward to. The kids all got to choose the menu for the week and their favorites will be ate every day.

We began our day at the morning church service. It was quite the surprise when we walked in and the regular priest was away at a retreat, so the priest filling in was Fr. Schatz, the very priest that married Brad and I at St. Pius nearly 10 years ago. I couldn't help but smile, it was like we were meant to be there today. The kids were very good. Danielle loved looking around as this was a new place for her. She really enjoyed the music and got lots of attention from other parish members as well. We tried to encourage Dylan to attend the children's liturgy but he was content with Mom and Dad which was totally fine. He participated in prayer with us, and as we say prayers each night before bed, this was the first time, in church that he said prayer with us.

After mass the school held a Pancake Breakfast ahead of their Open House/Registration. We headed into the Social Hall and had a fantastic breakfast... pancakes, eggs, sausage...mm mm good! Dylan was probably one of the only kids at breakfast that put Salsa on his eggs AND pancakes! Yes, the kid is a salsa fanatic, it was hilarious and we went along with it. By golly he polished off the whole plate! It was nice to see some of Dylan's classmates and their families as those are the kiddo's that will be heading into Kindergarten with him!

After breakfast we headed over to the school. We got a second tour of the Kindergarten rooms and also a tour of the entire school. We are very familiar with the first floor but it was fun to visit the 2nd and 3rd floors and meet the Art teacher, Music teacher, Librarian, Reading teachers etc. We had student guides and the girls did great. Dylan followed closely behind him and you could tell he was right at home. Each new teacher we met would shake his hand and ask his name, 'Dylan Holub' he would say! Too cute, not just his first name but his first and last name and he said it with confidence! Moments like that do bring tears to my eyes. Brad and I were smiling ear to ear, he can be a little pistol at home sometimes, but today at school and church he was such a gentleman. Little bit of reassurance that maybe we are, after all, doing something right?!

We had a very nice visit and as a last stop we visited the book fair before rounding out our day. It was a very nice event as a family. Lots of time for reflection at mass and even after we left, Brad and I chatted that we feel that this is all so right. So Dylan is all registered for Kindergarten next year. We could not be more excited to watch him on this journey of something new!~