Hubby's gone for Hajj and I'm here with the four little darlings for Eid Al Adha al mubarak. Usually I end up not doing anything near what I wanted on Eid, but this was a bit different al hamdul'Illah. I am so happy that my husband is doing Hajj, that my whole outlook is different during his time away. May his, and all the hujjaj's ibadah be accepted - ameen!
On 8 Dhul Hijjah I had the children each pick a simple recipe and bake their own cookies. This was a great exercise in math and lifeskills, without them realizing it. Then, each child had their own jar or bucket of cookies for Eid. That meant that Yawm al Arafat wasn't spent preparing treats for Eid and we could focus on more important things. This morning, I got the children up, took some dough out of the fridge and made a pizza. Each child had their own bag with their container of cookies and some water. I took the pizza, some water, a knife, and napkins.
Because we had to walk (me being a woman [in Saudi], I can't just hop in our minivan and zip on down to Masjid an Nabawi), I came up with a different game plan. We left just before the fajr adhaan and walked to Masjid Yahwiya to pray fajr. Then, after that little stop, where the littlest members of the family could rest their toes a while, we continued on to Masjid An Nabawi.
Mashaa'Allah, we made it in good time, settled ourselves just outside the courtyard wall, and prayed in comfort. Then we met up with a couple of sisters I go to school with and had a picnic in the courtyard of Masjid an Nabawi. Ahhh! The sun rose, the minarets looked pristine reaching up to Allah's perfect heavens, and the umbrellas shaded us. We shared the pizza and all the children got to share their cookies with each other and our guests. Then we drank a little Zamzam and walked back home.
Now I'm making a big brunch (because that is the best way out of having to make lunch as well) and they have the rest of the day to enjoy the new books that they were given for Eid and race remote control cars that their daddy bought them. I promised them I'd make their favorite dinner tonight and I'm planning to play a board game with them later. So the children are happy and Eid is really EID! Alhamdu l'Illahi Rabbil aal ameen!
It isn't about what Allah gives you, it's about what you make of it.
Taqabbal Allah mina wa minkum!
Assalaamu Alaykum dear sis,
ReplyDeleteTaqabbal Allahu minna wa minkum! Eid Mubarak! My hubby's gone for Hajj too and I'm with my four little ones. We also walked to the shops yesterday BUT now alhamdulillah we're at my parents'. Now my kids are busy playing games that my brother has set up! Funny, they got remote control toys too.
xxx
as salaamu alaikum, Mai
ReplyDeleteTaqabbal Allah minna wa minkum!
Mashaallah it sounds like you had a very nice Eid. I wish many more happy returns, bi idhnillah.
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MashaAllah Mai... could I be your adopted 'kid'??!! LOL ;b I'm so happy you all had a good time, I'm sure the kids had a blast!!! What at joy and Blessing to be able to sit right in Nabi(saws)'s 'backyard'... and to know "HE(saws) KNOWS" you are there!!!! May Allah(swt) grant you MANY MORE Eids like this one!! Aameen! :D
ReplyDeleteTaqaballahu Minna Wa Minkum darling, hope you and yours had an amazing day.
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My dear Fruitful sister, you are sort of my twin in Jeddah aren't you? 4 children, no hubby, both from the "Motherland," remote control cars whizzing around our feet, and creative to boot, LOL! Mashaa'Allah,I'm glad to hear that you, too, had a joyous Eid.
ReplyDeleteAs for UmmUmarNY, may Allah give you far better than what you have wished for me - ameen! Come on over here! There are jobs, there are flights...what are you all waiting for?