The Twins Visit, Family Retreat, And My First Hat

The twins came for a visit back in January to stay for a few days. They were eating solids and starting to crawl, as well as getting some teeth. They are getting so big and I haven't even seen them in about 2 months. I am sure they are huge by now. D has noticeably grown since taking these pictures.

This is the one picture we took while on our family retreat. This year's topic was vocations. All the kids had a fabulous time and it was wonderful for mom and dad, as well, thanks to our friend, Donna. She was so wonderful and helped watch E, and sometimes D, during some of the sessions and talks that were for the adults.

Here is my first attempt at a hat that has a pattern to it. B is wearing it a little too low on her head, just because I was sharing these photos on another, less secure website and didn't want her face to show. The hat fits really well and is much more stretchy than I expected. I've been meaning to start one for the "boys" in a blue and brown scheme, but have been too busy to even get it started. Once the chaos of spring is over, I hope to have some more time.

Candy Houses and More

One way of using up the Halloween candy is by making a candy house. Here are some old pictures of the kids making their houses shortly after Halloween. Yes, I realize it is almost Christmas and I am just now posting them. Sorry for the delay. I am trying to play catch-up with all the pictures and our activities over the past six weeks. Grammy and Paw-paw were here over Halloween and stayed to help with the kids. E had a wonderful time "helping" Paw-paw cut the grass.

Here is the cute hat a friend of ours made for D. She did a fantastic job! He looks even cuter in person.

Spring Has Sprung!

The girls made these cute spring flowers out of handprints and a small paper plate. They had a lot of fun putting them together. It was a very tedious process, for some of them, tracing 10-15 handprints and cutting them all out. I think some of them learned a little bit about perseverance from this activity. I was very proud of the end product. They did a great job!

Hello, Dolly!

M has a small part as a chorus member and town's person in the local theatre production of "Hello, Dolly!". She is really becoming quite the little actress. I think this is her 8th play now. M said that her two most favorite places in the world are at the library and at the theatre! I'd say she is enjoying herself.

I surprised M on opening night with a baquet of "roses" that I made. I can't really afford to buy a dozen fresh roses, so I made these out of tissue paper. At least this kind will also last much longer than fresh ones. M was very surprised and extremely happy when I gave them to her after the show! I guess that was a ringing endorsement that she appreciated all the effort that went into making them.

Handy Christmas Gift

Here are the "handy" coasters that my kiddos made for some of their grandparents, aunts, and uncles. They don't show up in the picture very well, but these handprints are laminated.

I had each child do their hand, color it, cut it out, and then write their name and age. We then laminated them, cut them out again, and put one of each child's hand prints into a gift bag.

Another use for them is as ornaments, if you punch a hole and tied a ribbon in a knot. They took longer than I excpected, but turned out to be really cute and appreciated by the recipients.

Friday Homeschooling Activities

Our homeschool group did some Easter related activities this month. We did a cute paper plate craft that illustrated the empty tomb, a jelly bean prayer (where each color is to remind us of something God has given us), and an Easter egg hunt. The kids had a great time, as always. I am so grateful to the moms who plan these gatherings.

Holy Thursday Art Class

For our Holy Thursday art class we created a last supper craft using the template from Catholic Icing's blog and two egg cartons. The kids each colored a few apostles and we discussed the importance of symbolism in both art and at the last supper. The kids really enjoyed this craft and thought it turned out really well. I did too. I was very proud of the way they worked together to accomplish this craft.

Here is the link to the craft at Catholic Icing: http://catholicicing.blogspot.com/2010/03/holy-thursday-last-supper-craft.html

A Busy Year So Far

We celebrated our fourth and fifth Christmas over the New Year weekend. Dear Hubby's half-sister and her family visited. The kids were able to play with their cousins all day. Everyone had a great time visiting, sharing a meal, and exchanging gifts. Though, they only live two hours away, it is hard to get everyone together as often as we'd like.

That same evening Grandpa Buck and Grandma Mary came to visit, too. Like always, the kids were spoiled with way too many presents (or at least this mom think so because I have to keep track of every one's stuff e.i. pick them up, search for missing pieces, referee over toy fights, etc.)

Though, I am sure the kids think otherwise. The kids were very grateful for all the attention and time they were able to spend with Grandpa Buck and Grandma Mary. An added bonus to the weekend was that the grandparents were able to spend the night and then go with us to the Home Depot kids' workshop. Our kids were able to put together and make wooden block calendars. When we finally made it home after lunch, everyone was excited to paint them. That is what the kids are doing in the third picture.

On Sunday we celebrated Epiphany. Dear Hubby blessed the house with blessed chalked as the rest of the family all stood outside to pray with him. Afterwards, we attended a neighboring homeschooling family's Epiphany party. Dear Hubby and I played the role of Mary and Joseph, while little Eli acted as baby Jesus. I think Elias played the part rather well. He looked really cute all wrapped up in swaddling clothes. The Magi made their appearance and brought us some nifty gifts. There were quite a few kids there and I know they all loved playing with one another. I think mine like singing the Christmas carols the best. We are so blessed to have such wonderful neighbors.

Our other excitement this week has consisted of going to a magic show at the local mall and seeing Mr. Mustache. The kids loved him. He was very silly and did all sort of neat little tricks that kids really enjoy. While at the mall, B decided to get her early birthday present. She got her ears pierced. B will be turning 4 this Sunday and that is what she has been asking for this year. I am not sure that she really knew what she was getting, but now that she has them, I think she likes them pierced. B cried when she got them done, but quickly stopped when the lady asked if she wanted a sucker and a sticker. The second photo is obviously of the sticker. She was so proud of that sticker! She even tried to fight to wear it to bed on her pajamas. Too funny how attached kids can become to a sticker. I told her the picture of her wearing it will have to suffice. I am not keeping every sticker that she has ever worn or will ever get. I guess I am just a mean Mommy. Oh, well, get used to it kid.

Some Advent Adventures

This is a group shot of those who attended the cookie exchange for our homeschooling group this year. It was a long drive, but worth the while. We all had a great time. ( I know I look like the Hunch Back of Notre Dame in this photo. No wonder my back has been hurting lately!)

We made popcorn ropes this year to hang on our "memory" tree in the basement. I figured it would be very good physical therapy for my son, whose hand-eye coordination could use some improvement. It also kept them busy for quite some time. When we are finished using it on our tree, we plan to take it outside and decorate one of our bushes so the birds can enjoy a treat.

This picture is what happens when a two-year old decides to give a baby doll a bath in toothpaste. I knew there was something wrong when she came to me with sticky hands, her stiff hair sticking straight up in the front, and she smelt like mint. I immediately went around the house to see what she had gotten into this time. Apparently it was the older kids' toothpaste that they forgot to put back into the medicine cabinet. At least the baby doll was clean after I scrubbed all the toothpaste off. I guess that is just life with kids. R has gotten into more things and made more messes than all the others combined. I hope she grows out of this stage soon.

These are pictures of our Christmas with Grandpa this past Sunday. The kids were so excited that they got to open some presents early. Grandpa always spoils them and lets them climb all over him. They are always glad when Grandpa comes over for Sunday lunch and a visit. The little girls weren't very happy when I told them the rest of the presents will have to wait until Christmas. It can be so hard for little ones to wait. I am proud of our little R who hasn't gotten into any of the presents under the tree...yet. I hope I haven't spoken too soon!

December's First Friday Activities

We focussed on learning more about Our Lady of Guadalupe for our December first Friday activities. Though we weren't able to stay the entire time, we were able to hear more about St. Juan Diego and Our Lady of Guadalupe. The kids made roses out of tissue paper and decorated cup "vases" to give to the residents at the nursing home. It was great to see the older kids helping the little ones. Everyone did a great job. I am sure the residents are very happy to recieve these winter roses.

Thanksgiving Craft and Opening Night

To reinforce our history lesson on the Pilgrims and Indians, we made the standard Pilgrim and Indian hats. I know, this is definitely not politically correct anymore, but the kids had a blast running around pretending to be Indians. They especially loved pretending to hunt deer with their imaginary bow and arrows. When we attended Mass Thanksgiving morning, Father gave an excellent homily about the history of the first Thanksgiving and the earlier Catholic Thanksgivings. It was an excellent homily that reminded us all of the importance of the Eucharist and that we need to not only be thankful for things, but be thankful to people. He concluded by stating that we especially need to be thankful to God, and therefore should avoid saying "Happy Turkey Day", but instead insist on saying, "Happy Thanksgiving".

Last night was opening night for the play Nuncrackers. M played the little girl named Maria. I know I am a little bias, but she was fantastic and the show was hilarious.

Jack-o-lanterns Teach Kids About Christ

Of course, this time of year we see pumpkins all over the place. Many of them are carved into the shape of jack-o-lanterns. My kids have enjoyed carving some of their own the past two years. However, I don't like the overly secularized versions that look really scary. We tame ours down a bit and make the event a teachable moment for the kids.

About three years ago, I received an e-mail telling of the wonderful Christian meaning behind a jack-o-lantern. If I still had it, I'd post it here, but alas it was deleted long ago. However, the gist of the e-mail was that we are like the pumpkin who is ready to be picked and has fully ripened and matured (this is when we arrive at the age of reason). We, like the pumpkin are full of pulp and seeds, icky and squishy (this is due to our personal sins). The pulp and seeds need to be removed before the carving can begin (this is the sacrament of confession which allows God to remove and forgive our sins). Then we can carve the pumpkin into a smiley face (this is God's grace coming to us and God fashioning us into a new creation). We are happy to receive God's grace and joy fills our hearts, so we too smile. The candle is placed inside the jack-o-lantern (when we receive Jesus in the Eucharist, the Light of the World comes to dwell within us). When you look at a jack-o-lantern on a dark night, you can see the light radiating from within it and the whole face glows. When we are in the state of grace, we shine for all to see, especially in our secular world where there is so much darkness. The kids thought this explanation was really cool to hear as we were scooping out the pulp and carving our jack-o-lanterns.

Here are a few pictures of our jack-o-lantern fun.

We also cut up some pumpkins and made pumpkin bread. I guess those pumpkins could represent the martyrs who died for their faith. LOL!

Another really cool way to make those pumpkins evangelists for Christ, is to make a saint-o-lanterns as described by another blogger. Check out the Catholic Cuisine blog for some really AWESOME examples for the older kids to carve. These would be especially great to celebrate All Soul's Day or All Saints Day. Maybe we'll try our hands at these when the kids get a little older. Here is the link: http://catholiccuisine.blogspot.com/2009/10/saint-o-lanterns.html