Pretzels for Lent

We always try to make pretzels at least once during Lent and we eat lots of the store bought variety to remind us to pray.  There is a legend that a monk in 610 AD twisted bread in the shape of arms crossed in a prayer and gave the twisted dough to children who learned their prayers.  He called them 'pretiola' or little rewards.  From the limited research I have done, this legend seems to have little historical proof, but we're going with it as it makes for a teachable moment.  Not to mention that homemade pretzels are yummy!

Someone was very excited that he figured out how to twist the pretzels all by himself.  I was excited too as Mr. 4 and Mr. 6 did most of the rolling and shaping which meant I could tidy the kitchen.