Merry Christmas from our family to yours!
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Friday, December 25, 2015
Sunday, January 4, 2015
A Christmas Daybook
Outside my window-
COLD! with some flurries. I'm seriously regretting not getting some new windows and doors that were suppose to be put in this fall. Walking by them and feeling a cold breeze was a horrible reminder of how priorities out mixed up this fall in what needed to be done around the house.
I'm thankful for-
a wonderful Christmas and time to relax and pondering.
From the kitchen-
. . . . . I've been pretty lazy in that department. I even sent Scott to the grocery store with no list and said to just get some stuff. We received a bread machine for Christmas. So maybe I will buy some ingredients and make some bread.
I am reading-
Finishing up the second book in the Anne of Green Gables series. I can't wait to read the next one. I finished Consider This: Charlotte Mason and the Classical Tradition which is one of the best books I've read while trying to educate myself on education.
I've started Your Questions Answered: Narration from Simply Charlotte Mason, and I'm glad I bought it. There was a series of emails/blog post on this and I got lost in the length of it all. The book is perfect though. Short chapter for quick readings between other things. I'm getting a lot out of it!
I'm hoping to pick up some of the boys school books to read this week. I also made a list for library books but I can't remember what I'm getting to read. ; )
Pondering-
I've been all about homeschool high school the last couple of weeks! My goal was to get a possible 4-year plan on paper and possible course ideas. I've made a little bit of progress.
I got really depressed as I was reading so much about "playing the game". Everything I was reading was all about the goal of getting into a good university with lots of scholarships. Now this is something you want to happen but that it not the goal of high school. I hate that utilitarian view of education! Our goal in high school (in short) is to develop the person. I finally pulled out my Navigating the High School Years DVD from Simply Charlotte Mason and it was just a relief to finally here something inspiring that matched our goals for high school! I am so thankful for my friend, Lynne, who reminded me that we needed to watch it.
While sick (really just fighting a cold that my body said take a hike but the cold just kept trying to invade aka I'm exhausted but not too many cold symptoms) I started planning out books for the next school year (yes! 2015-2016!!). Even though it's too early it was good use of my time because I really had no brain power but I wanted to get something done. I made a good list for Tyler's sixth grade year. Now to just let that sit until late spring. : )
Clicking around-
In my high school research I relied heavily on the following resources for some encouragement and ideas.
Meredith's Homeschool Highschool (and I'm excited her ebook will be out later this month!)
Jen's Homeschool High School Post (awesome encourgement here!)
Homeschool High School Carnival (all kinds of different ideas here!)
I know there were more but that is all I can recall at the moment.
A few plans-
This is our last week of Christmas break. I'm hoping to work on getting us back on a school schedule by the end of the week. This will make our first week back much easier.
I still have a few projects that I want to complete. We were a little sick last week and didn't get as much done. The woodwork in the kitchen could use a good scrubbing and I have an impossible closet that is giving me a headache.
I have a plan to hit JCP for new towels. Almost all of the towels in our house need replacing so I'm planning on using some Christmas cash for that. The original towels still usable after 15+ years were all from JCP so that is why I decided to shop there. I love Target but their towels just don't last! (Of course I probably bought the cheapest they had.)
COLD! with some flurries. I'm seriously regretting not getting some new windows and doors that were suppose to be put in this fall. Walking by them and feeling a cold breeze was a horrible reminder of how priorities out mixed up this fall in what needed to be done around the house.
I'm thankful for-
a wonderful Christmas and time to relax and pondering.
 |
| Christmas Prayer Table with Jesse Tree with 12 Days of Christmas Ornaments that I got for Christmas. |
From the kitchen-
. . . . . I've been pretty lazy in that department. I even sent Scott to the grocery store with no list and said to just get some stuff. We received a bread machine for Christmas. So maybe I will buy some ingredients and make some bread.
I am reading-
Finishing up the second book in the Anne of Green Gables series. I can't wait to read the next one. I finished Consider This: Charlotte Mason and the Classical Tradition which is one of the best books I've read while trying to educate myself on education.
I've started Your Questions Answered: Narration from Simply Charlotte Mason, and I'm glad I bought it. There was a series of emails/blog post on this and I got lost in the length of it all. The book is perfect though. Short chapter for quick readings between other things. I'm getting a lot out of it!
I'm hoping to pick up some of the boys school books to read this week. I also made a list for library books but I can't remember what I'm getting to read. ; )
 |
| Our Nativity with the new Three Wise Men that my parents gave me for Christmas. We received this set as a wedding gift from my aunts and I don't know why I never got the Wise Men. But, now we have them! |
Pondering-
I've been all about homeschool high school the last couple of weeks! My goal was to get a possible 4-year plan on paper and possible course ideas. I've made a little bit of progress.
I got really depressed as I was reading so much about "playing the game". Everything I was reading was all about the goal of getting into a good university with lots of scholarships. Now this is something you want to happen but that it not the goal of high school. I hate that utilitarian view of education! Our goal in high school (in short) is to develop the person. I finally pulled out my Navigating the High School Years DVD from Simply Charlotte Mason and it was just a relief to finally here something inspiring that matched our goals for high school! I am so thankful for my friend, Lynne, who reminded me that we needed to watch it.
While sick (really just fighting a cold that my body said take a hike but the cold just kept trying to invade aka I'm exhausted but not too many cold symptoms) I started planning out books for the next school year (yes! 2015-2016!!). Even though it's too early it was good use of my time because I really had no brain power but I wanted to get something done. I made a good list for Tyler's sixth grade year. Now to just let that sit until late spring. : )
Clicking around-
In my high school research I relied heavily on the following resources for some encouragement and ideas.
Meredith's Homeschool Highschool (and I'm excited her ebook will be out later this month!)
Jen's Homeschool High School Post (awesome encourgement here!)
Homeschool High School Carnival (all kinds of different ideas here!)
I know there were more but that is all I can recall at the moment.
 |
| The Three Wise Men and their camel take a trip around on our house until the Epiphany. Looks like they made a rest stop. I guess the camel got thirsty. |
A few plans-
This is our last week of Christmas break. I'm hoping to work on getting us back on a school schedule by the end of the week. This will make our first week back much easier.
I still have a few projects that I want to complete. We were a little sick last week and didn't get as much done. The woodwork in the kitchen could use a good scrubbing and I have an impossible closet that is giving me a headache.
I have a plan to hit JCP for new towels. Almost all of the towels in our house need replacing so I'm planning on using some Christmas cash for that. The original towels still usable after 15+ years were all from JCP so that is why I decided to shop there. I love Target but their towels just don't last! (Of course I probably bought the cheapest they had.)
 |
| Boys playing the Wii on New Year's Eve and one tired puppy. And a look at my leaning Christmas tree. As I say every year, maybe next year we will get a new one next year! |
Sunday, December 28, 2014
Happy Feast of the Holy Family!
We are certainly enjoying our Christmas celebrations! Happy Feast of the Holy Family! Looking forward to Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God on Thursday. (And happy that our parish has Mass at 10 am and not first thing in the morning!)
The boys have been enjoying their daily opening of the 12 Days of Christmas gifts. These are small gifts (some shared) and mostly books. I'll share titles when it's all over as I can't remember what I've wrapped.
I thought I would share some pictures from Christmas Day.
The boys have been enjoying their daily opening of the 12 Days of Christmas gifts. These are small gifts (some shared) and mostly books. I'll share titles when it's all over as I can't remember what I've wrapped.
I thought I would share some pictures from Christmas Day.
Thursday, December 25, 2014
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
12 Days of Christmas Gifts!
We started a new Christmas tradition this year. The boys received a new book for each of the days of Christmas. The first day they received two books, but the remaining days they received a book to share. On the last day the got a pile of CDs from Holy Heroes that I had been collecting thanks to their Deal of the Day specials.
Someone had asked what books they received and here is the list. Sorry for being so late to answering this question! (I'm not going to list the Holy Heroes unless someone is interested.)
The Nativity by Ruth Sanderson
Saints: Lives and Illuminations by Ruth Sanderson
House of Hades (Heroes of Olympus series) by Rick Riordan
Adventures According to Humphrey by Betty Birney
The Ruins of Gorland (The Ranger's Apprentice series) by John Flanagan
Extreme Dot to Dot Legends and Lore by Mind Ware
Friendly Gables by Hilda Von Stockum
Canadian Summer by Hilda Von Stockum
Note-Note Recorder Method by Penny Gardner
Marcy Watson: Princess in Disguise by Kati DiCamillo (Tyler loved this series a couple of years ago and we never bought him the whole collection. This was the book missing from his collection and he requested to have all the books for the past couple of years. I finally got around to ordering it. He was a little surprised to find it a "princess" books!)
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hard Luck by Jeff Kinney
Saint Felix and the Spider by Dessi Jackson
Someone had asked what books they received and here is the list. Sorry for being so late to answering this question! (I'm not going to list the Holy Heroes unless someone is interested.)
The Nativity by Ruth Sanderson
Saints: Lives and Illuminations by Ruth Sanderson
House of Hades (Heroes of Olympus series) by Rick Riordan
Adventures According to Humphrey by Betty Birney
The Ruins of Gorland (The Ranger's Apprentice series) by John Flanagan
Extreme Dot to Dot Legends and Lore by Mind Ware
Friendly Gables by Hilda Von Stockum
Canadian Summer by Hilda Von Stockum
Note-Note Recorder Method by Penny Gardner
Marcy Watson: Princess in Disguise by Kati DiCamillo (Tyler loved this series a couple of years ago and we never bought him the whole collection. This was the book missing from his collection and he requested to have all the books for the past couple of years. I finally got around to ordering it. He was a little surprised to find it a "princess" books!)
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hard Luck by Jeff Kinney
Saint Felix and the Spider by Dessi Jackson
Thursday, December 26, 2013
On the Second Day of Christmas . . . .
The Three Wise Men arrived at our house searching for the Son of God.
We decided to jump on the Wise Men adventures band wagon and place them around the house searching for Jesus. I decided not to start this during Advent, but make it a Christmas activity instead. (Tyler didn't want his picture taken and Caleb really wasn't as excited as he looked.)
We made Christmas cookies this morning. I bought this nativity cookie cutters set. I had it on my wishlist for a while and watched the price and I was able to get it for under $8. We used "sanding sugar" instead of icing (going for easy here!), but we had have some icing left from our St. Nicholas cookies, so some got icing. To make sugar cookies easy, I always use the Betty Crocker bagged mix. It comes out perfect every time and I don't have to worry about it and it makes the task fun.
Caleb opened the second book for our "12 Days of Christmas" and this book was one that he has been patiently waiting to get, The House of Hades (Heroes of Olympus series). I told Tyler that even though the book was for Caleb today, that I'm sure he will want to read it too one day. Tyler said he didn't think so, lol! I'm thinking that Caleb isn't going to be interested in the Humphrey book that is coming tomorrow. ; )
We read about St. Stephen in our new saint book that the boys got yesterday. We all got a good laugh out of St. Stephen being the patron saint of stonemasons. While Caleb was assembling the Three Wise Men, I read The Nativity book to them.
There were a lot of dishes to wash this morning and the laundry was piled up from missing laundry day yesterday. I'm ready for a nap now!
We decided to jump on the Wise Men adventures band wagon and place them around the house searching for Jesus. I decided not to start this during Advent, but make it a Christmas activity instead. (Tyler didn't want his picture taken and Caleb really wasn't as excited as he looked.)
We made Christmas cookies this morning. I bought this nativity cookie cutters set. I had it on my wishlist for a while and watched the price and I was able to get it for under $8. We used "sanding sugar" instead of icing (going for easy here!), but we had have some icing left from our St. Nicholas cookies, so some got icing. To make sugar cookies easy, I always use the Betty Crocker bagged mix. It comes out perfect every time and I don't have to worry about it and it makes the task fun.
Caleb opened the second book for our "12 Days of Christmas" and this book was one that he has been patiently waiting to get, The House of Hades (Heroes of Olympus series). I told Tyler that even though the book was for Caleb today, that I'm sure he will want to read it too one day. Tyler said he didn't think so, lol! I'm thinking that Caleb isn't going to be interested in the Humphrey book that is coming tomorrow. ; )
We read about St. Stephen in our new saint book that the boys got yesterday. We all got a good laugh out of St. Stephen being the patron saint of stonemasons. While Caleb was assembling the Three Wise Men, I read The Nativity book to them.
There were a lot of dishes to wash this morning and the laundry was piled up from missing laundry day yesterday. I'm ready for a nap now!
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Merry Christmas!
Wishing you a Merry Christmas!
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| Caleb with his most wanted Lego set. |
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| Tyler and Caleb with their First Day of Christmas book gift. We did two today so they each had one to open. This is the only day with two books. Tyler is holding Saints: Lives and Illuminations also by Ruth Sanderson. |
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| Tyler with his most wanted Lego set. |
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| Tyler trying out the recorder that was found in his stocking. |
Friday, December 20, 2013
Christmas Plans {2013}
I'm linking up with Pam @ Everyday Snapshots in her Living Liturgy series. Today it is all about Christmas planning!
With an easier schedule during Christmas, I plan for us to focus on celebrating some feast days and keeping up with daily gospel readings and prayer.
Something new we are doing this year is a gift for the 12 days of Christmas. There is a book for each day (two for Christmas Day) and the boys will be sharing the book. Some books were intended for just one boy, but the budget wouldn't stretch for 24 books.
Our Christmas book basket will include some of the gifts above and these:
* Christmas in Noisy Village by Astrid Lindgren
* Gifts of the Heart by Patricia Polacco (from our local library)
* Finish up Letters from Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien (new to us this year)
* Cranberry Christmas by Wende and Harry Devlin (new to us this year)
* Silent Night by Will Moses (new to us this year)
* The Christmas Bird by Sallie Ketcham (from our local library)
* The Twelve Days of Christmas by Jan Brett
* The Legend of Old Befana by Tomie De Paola
* The Story of the Three Wise Men by Tomie DePaola (from our local library)
I've decided to put off baking Christmas cookies until Christmas and I see us doing that the day after Christmas Day.
With an easier schedule during Christmas, I plan for us to focus on celebrating some feast days and keeping up with daily gospel readings and prayer.
Something new we are doing this year is a gift for the 12 days of Christmas. There is a book for each day (two for Christmas Day) and the boys will be sharing the book. Some books were intended for just one boy, but the budget wouldn't stretch for 24 books.
Our Christmas book basket will include some of the gifts above and these:
* Christmas in Noisy Village by Astrid Lindgren
* Gifts of the Heart by Patricia Polacco (from our local library)
* Finish up Letters from Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien (new to us this year)
* Cranberry Christmas by Wende and Harry Devlin (new to us this year)
* Silent Night by Will Moses (new to us this year)
* The Christmas Bird by Sallie Ketcham (from our local library)
* The Twelve Days of Christmas by Jan Brett
* The Legend of Old Befana by Tomie De Paola
* The Story of the Three Wise Men by Tomie DePaola (from our local library)
I've decided to put off baking Christmas cookies until Christmas and I see us doing that the day after Christmas Day.
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