L is for…the letter L.  We practiced letter formation using the Cuisenaire Rods Alphabet Book, Do A Dot, Gray Block paper, and Pin Punch letters.

L is for…St. Lucy and light, so we made lanterns!  We used clear glass jars, painted them with decoupage glue, and covered them with tissue paper squares.  Then we put a flameless, flickering light in each.  Now Joseph and William fall asleep to lantern light. 

L is for…letter writing.  We spent a good part of the week (and counted this as most of our copywork) writing thank you letters for all the Christmas gifts received.  Joseph wrote all of his by himself and drew an illustration for each.  William dictated and I wrote for him.  He also illustrated each letter.  I love that this is already ingrained into their heads…it’s not a dreaded task; it’s just what we do to show our thanks.   

L is for…laundry.  For practical life, Joseph and William helped sort and fold what laundry they could.  It’s nice to have helpers for the diapers and sock sorting.

L is for…leaves.  We read about leaves and then went leaf hunting.  I was impressed (and relieved to know that all that reading is paying off) when Joseph was able to identify both maple and oak leaves!  We brought our leaves home and did some leaf rubbings, tracings, and colorings. 

L is for…Listening.  We’re still using these great coloring pages and we’re including one each week along with a virtue story.  We’ve been doing quite a bit of reading from Little Stories for Little Folks, which both kids really enjoy.  Also, to practice the virtue of listening, we’ve been reading chapter books.  We just finished Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne and are now reading the 2nd book, The House at Pooh Corner.  There are a few illustrations to accompany the text, but not many.  I am amazed at Joseph and William’s listening abilities…they recall many, many details and their comprehension is impressive.  Who would’ve known that even a 2 1/2 year old could be so enthralled by a chapter book? 

L is for….listening walks.  L week would not have been complete without reading Paul Showers’ A Listening Walk.  After reading it, the kids were eager to just listen (ahh, silence was golden around here!)  We also took a listening walk and Joseph documented all the sounds we heard.

L is for…ladybugs.  After doing some ladybug reading, we made ladybugs from painted red lima beans and then did some ladybug math.  I would have loved to do a ladybug lapbook, but we ran out of time!

In our book baskets this week (I’m choosing one book from each basket to have Joseph do a narration and illustration of):

Science (ladybugs and leaves):  We’re Going on a Leaf Hunt;  Ladybug, Ladybug; The Grouchy Ladybug; Are You a Ladybug?; Ten Little Ladybugs; Why Do Leaves Change Color?

Favorite L Books:  The Little Engine that Could; Llama Llama Red Pajama books; The Listening Walk; Let’s Count it Out Jesse Bear; The Letters are Lost; Let Me Hold You a Little Longer; Little Critter Books; The Little Island; The Little Rabbit; The Little Duck; Lyle, Lyle Crocodile; A Letter for Amy; Little Bear books; Love Is…; The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry and the Big Hungry Bear; Love From Woolly; The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge

{this moment} – A Friday ritual.   A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week.  A simple, special, extraordinary moment.  A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.  If you’re inspired to do the same, visit Soulemama to leave a link to your ‘moment’ in the comments for all to find and see.

J and K are for…Jasmine and Kingcup fairies and St. Joseph and St. Kateri.  After reading Serendipity’s Flower Fairy story, Joseph and William colored pictures of the fairies.  We read about Saint Joseph and Kateri in our Alphabet of Catholic Saints. 

J and K are for…the letters J and K.  We practiced letter formation using the Cuisenaire Rods Alphabet Book, Do A Dot, and Pin Punch letters. 

J is for…Jackie Robinson.

J is for…Jungle.  We learned all about rainforests!  We read The Rainforest Grew All Around and The Umbrella and used our Safari Ltd rainforest animals and Gears set for some imaginative play.

J and K are for…Joyful and Kindness.  We’re still using these great coloring pages and we’re including one each week along with a virtue story.

J is for…Jesse Tree.  I had great, great plans for this.  We have a beautiful felt Jesse Tree that we have used for the past couple of years, but I did all the work in making it.  I wanted to involve Joseph and William this year by making some ornaments for an actual small tree, but my plans were waylaid.  Ahh, maybe next year.  In the meantime, we used our felt set. 

In our book baskets this week:

History (Jackie Robinson): Teammates

Science (jungle): The Rainforest Grew All Around; The Umbrella

Favorite J and K Books:  Jamberry; Jambo Means Hello; Jump!; Just the Way You Are; The Jolly Postman; Just Me and My Little Brother; J is for Jump Shot; Just Critters Who Care; The Junkyard Wonders; Jesse Bear What Will You Wear; Julius, The Baby of the World; Katie Meets the Impressionists; Katy No Pocket; Kali and the Rat Snake; The Kissing Hand; The Knight and the Dragon; Katy and the Big Snow

I is for…the letter I.  We practiced letter formation using the Cuisenaire Rods Alphabet Book, Do A Dot, Salt Dough letters, and Pin Punch letters. 

I is for…the letter i and the sounds it makes.  For phonics review (and phonics introduction for William!) and for our word box, we focused on words with the short i sound.   

I is for…Indians.  We did lots of reading about the Indians in relation to the Pilgrims and the first Thanksgiving (“I” week occurred just before Thanksgiving).  I cut the sleeves off of a couple of plain white t-shirts to make vests for Joseph and William.  We then used black tea to dye them.  After they dried, the kids used traditional Indian symbols to decorate their vests.  They also chose their own Indian names. 

I is for…igloos.  We made igloos from paper bowls.  We turned them upside down, cut out a door, and glued cotton balls to them.  Then Joseph and William got out their Arctic animals and engaged in some imaginative play.

I is for…ice cream.  Actually it’s for “Better Than Ice Cream” since we’re not doing a whole lot of dairy around here.  The name might be a little exaggeration (I mean, really, can anything be better than real ice cream?) but it was delicious and the fact that we added absolutely no sugar made me a very happy mommy.  You can find the recipe here. 

I is for…I’m sorry.  We’re still using these great coloring pages and we’re including one each week along with a virtue story.

I is for…Insects.  After lots of reading about insects, we visited the Botanical Gardens for some up-close encounters with insects.

In our book baskets this week (I’m choosing one book from each basket to have Joseph do a narration and illustration of):

History (Indians): Knots on a Counting Rope; The First Thanksgiving; Thanksgiving Day; Squanto’s Journey

Science (insects): The Life and Times of the Ant; Are you an Ant?; Are you a Ladybug?; From Caterpillar to Butterfly

Favorite I Books:  I am an Artist; It’s About Time Jesse Bear; Is Your Mama a Llama?; I Knew You Could; I Am Not Going to Get Up Today; I Spy books; It’s Mine; If Jesus Came to My House; If You Give…; I Was So Mad; I Know It’s Autumn; I Like to Be Little; Inside a Barn in the Country

H is for…the letter H.  We practiced letter formation using the Cuisenaire Rods Alphabet Book, Do A Dot, Salt Dough letters, and Pin Punch letters.   We also painted our salt dough letters this week…the vowels are yellow; the consonants are green.

H is for…Honeybees.  It just so happened that while we were studying honeybees, the Texas Beekeeper’s Association had their annual convention.  Joseph and William were happy to attend, along with their friends Belle and Joe.  They learned quite a bit about honeybees and even got to make their own beeswax candles!

H is for…helicopters, hot dogs, hats, and handicap signs.  We started show and tell this week.  The kids love it!  On the first day of a new letter they each choose an item or two to bring to our circle time and they tell all about it.   

H is for…Helen Keller.  We read about Helen Keller…a lot.  Over and over again.  Their favorite book was Helen Keller: The World in her Heart by Lesa Cline-Ransome.  I also had an old book with braille in it and they found that pretty impressive.

H is for…helpful.  We’re still using these great coloring pages and we’re including one each week along with a virtue story.  This was such a great opportunity to have some eager little helpers.  Washing the walls?  Yep, they were even eager to help with that.

H is for…hula hoops, hopscotch, and hula toss.    

H is for…hair.  We studied a picture of George Washington’s hair.  Joseph and William both did a narration and illustration. 

In our book baskets this week (I’m choosing one book from each basket to have Joseph do a narration and illustration of):

History (Helen Keller): Helen Keller: The World in her Heart

Science (honeybees): The Life and Times of the Honeybee; The Honeybee and the Robber; In the Trees, Honeybees; The Honey Makers

Favorite H Books:  Harry the Dirty Dog; Hermie; How the Grinch Stole Christmas; A House is a House for me; Hush Little Beachcomber; Horton Hatches the Egg; How Do You Say it Today Jesse Bear?; A Hug Goes Around; Horton Hears a Who; Henry and Mudge; Harold and the Purple Crayon; Hop on Pop; Harriet You’ll Drive Me Wild; How Many Feet in the Bed?; A Hole is to Dig; Harold’s ABC

{this moment} – A Friday ritual.   A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week.  A simple, special, extraordinary moment.  A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.  If you’re inspired to do the same, visit Soulemama to leave a link to your ‘moment’ in the comments for all to find and see.

I am thinking…life is fragile. 

I am thankful…for little displays of sympathy…a call from my dear sister reminding me how much she loves me; a bottle of wine to ease my aches and pains from Lori; visits from my sister-in-law that help me keep my sanity; delicious home-cooked meals from Nury.

From the learning rooms…we’re lightly traveling along the Alphabet Path, focusing more on the season of Advent with a few things “K” related thrown in.

In the kitchen…doesn’t chili sound good?  I wonder if my pantry is stocked with the right ingredients…probably not, so I imagine I’ll make tacos instead. 

I am wearing…a very silly outfit.  I started out with a denim skirt and a long sleeve brown t-shirt.  Then I wanted to go outside.  So I slipped a pair of burgundy yoga pants on under the skirt.  Then added a warm brown fuzzy sweater.  Add a black eye that is now turning a delightful greenish yellow and yep, I look as bad as I just described.

I am creating…lists upon lists.  Since I’m not up to doing much right now, the most productive thing I can do is imagine what I should be doing.

I am going…to finish my Christmas shopping soon…I hope.

I am reading…Mitten Strings for God by Katrina Kenison.  Yep, it’s that time again.  I read this book every year as part of my Advent journey.  It keeps me grounded in my parenting journey.

I am hoping…to blog about H, I, J and now K weeks very soon. 

I am listening…to Joseph and William as they discuss birdie balls.

I am looking forward to…feeling better.

Around the house…not too much.  I’m just trying to take it easy.

I am remembering…yesterday afternoon.  Joseph was using some clothes from his dress up box.  I asked him what he was doing and he said he was dressing up as a barber.  He put on his construction worker hat and I asked what that was for.  He said just in case any scissors went flying, he wanted to have his head protected.  He’s never been to a barber’s shop and we’ve never discussed barbers, so I can only guess that he read about them somewhere.  I asked him how he knew all about barbers and he replied, “Because I’m a grown up.”  Oh sweet little one, don’t rush.   

I am praying…the St. Andrew Christmas devotion.  It seems only right considering that we now have an Andrew in our family.  You can read more about it here, but here’s a copy of the prayer.

Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold. In that hour, vouchsafe, O my God! to hear my prayer and grant my desires, through the merits of Our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of His Blessed Mother. Amen.

(It is piously believed that whoever recites the above prayer fifteen times a day from the feast of St. Andrew (30th November) until Christmas will obtain what is asked.)

Imprimatur
+MICHAEL AUGUSTINE, Archbishop of New York
New York, February 6, 1897.

One of my favorite things…happiness.

Here is a picture for thought I am sharing…

On Friday, I tripped.  It was a ridiculous thing to do.  I was wearing a big pair of fluffy red socks (remember the ones I was wearing in my last daybook?) and rather than untying my shoes to fit those big fluffy socks in, I crammed my toes in and thought I’d put my shoes on properly once outside.  I had a baby seat in my hands so my hands were not free to catch my fall.  The cards were stacked against me.  The toe of my shoe caught on the threshold of the back door and I, literally, went flying out the door.  My face took the brunt of the fall.  

At first I was simply shocked.  After checking to make sure I hadn’t lost a tooth (I hadn’t…it was just my busted lip that was the cause of all the blood in my mouth) and seeing a huge goose egg above my eyebrow, I grabbed an ice pack, headed back outside to be with the kids, and called Daxson.  I was a little shaky, but I seemed fine.  I was worried that I was going to pass out, but I knew Daxson was on his way home, so soon I’d be in good hands.

After cleaning up my wounds (I skinned quite a few spots), Daxson went back to work and I set out to finish up our night.  I cooked dinner, bathed the kids, and got everyone ready for bed.  I had a little headache, but mostly it was my ego that seemed to suffer.  I knew I looked like a wreck and I felt pretty silly for tripping. 

The next morning I had a terrible headache and as the day went on, I felt so much pressure in my face.  Daxson tried to reassure me that it was just a black eye and it looked worse than it was.  I sought support from friends and family and with good intentions, they each expressed concern that perhaps I should see a doctor; some made suggestions as to what could be wrong.  That’s when the door apparently opened for the demons.  It was no one’s fault…that’s just the way the devil works.  He sees weakness (in this case, my doubts) and he feeds on that.  And those demons were quite happy to take up residence in my aching head. 

It started with simple thoughts.  Thoughts like “maybe there’s bleeding in my head…bleeding I can’t see” and “what if I’m ignoring some obvious sign?”   The thoughts grew worse.  “What if, by my own stubborness, I don’t go to the doctor and it progressively gets worse and becomes fatal…what if I had just gone to the doctor at the beginning and fixed it right away?”  “What if something happens to me?”  and then those demons went in for the kill…”Joseph.  William.  Andrew.  What will they do without their mommy?”   Now the devil was in there…he’d found my soft spot and he wasn’t going to let go.

Now if you’re one of the lucky few who are extremely strong willed and can fend off the demons before they take hold, then you probably think I’m being very dramatic.  But that’s the thing about the mind.  It’s quite powerful.  Fear, for those of us with weak minds, is very real.  It may not be logical.  It may not be factual.  It may not make sense.  But to the one experiencing it, it’s real.  It’s alive.  It’s consuming.  And it’s extremely scary. 

Daxson tried time after time to reassure me that it was fine, but Daxson’s words were no match for the devil.  The devil’s been at this a long time.  He knows just want seeds of doubt to plant and he knows just how to water those seeds so they grow into uncontrollable weeds.  And trust me, those weeds were growing quite well inside my mind.  I was scared and no words were going to assure me.  I needed proof that I was fine.

Maybe at this point, you’re asking about my faith.  I don’t have a good answer for you.  I do have faith.  I did pray.  A lot.  The demons persisted.  I did not feel peace.  I’d like to think that it was God’s gentle nudging that led me to the only peace I had all weekend…when late Sunday night I made up my mind that I’d go see the doctor Monday morning. 

And I did.  And I thought maybe I was overreacting.  But the moment the doctor looked at my face, I knew I made the right choice.  He explained what could possibly be wrong (who knew that tripping and landing on your face could be the potential for so many serious things?)  The doctor took x-rays and ran a CT scan.  He was concerned about broken bones, busted sinus cavities and bleeding in the brain.  He ran scenarios by me that I did not even know I should be worried about.  He confirmed that it’s better to be safe than sorry.  I waited and waited all day for the results.  The demons in my mind had quite a day.  I prayed.  I sought comfort from those I love.  I waited some more.   Then finally the call came.  I fractured the orbital bone around my left eye, but there was no bleeding or fluid in my brain; no busted sinuses; no unusual swelling.  In that moment, the weight of the world was lifted off my shoulders…or more precisely, the demons in my mind were forced to leave.  I finally had peace.  I had no reason to listen to those awful thoughts that had plagued me all weekend.

I do not know if I made the decision you would have.  I do not know if in the great scheme of things (especially now that I know it’s simply a fractured bone which will heal on its own) a doctor’s visit was warranted.  But I do know that it’s what I needed.  I still have an awful headache and I look like a mess.  But the demons are gone and I have peace of mind.  God provided.

I am thinking…it’s hard to get in the holiday spirit when the temperatures are still in the mid 70s.  It’s just not right to think that we were playing at the beach (we were even wading in the water) a week before Thanksgiving. 

I am thankful…for patient big brothers.

From the learning rooms…we’re finishing up J week.  I promise to post H and I (and now J, too!) weeks soon.

In the kitchen…Grandma Nury brought fried fish last night.  Delicious.  Not a bite leftover.

I am wearing…comfy corduroys and a blue t-shirt.  Oh and these wonderfully fluffy red socks that Mom gave to me last week. 

I am creating…Advent plans.

I am going…to return the Advent candle ring and candles I bought at Mardel’s this week.  I was in for such a surprise when I was unpacking the Christmas decorations this morning.  I don’t know how, but I had forgotten all about the beautiful Advent wreath that my dear sister made me for Christmas last year.  It looks gorgeous in the center of our table. 

If you’re wishing to give homemade gifts this year but are lacking time, check here and here and here for some great gifts to give that are handmade.  If you have some other recommendations for handmade (or made in the USA) gift ideas, please share with us in the comments. 

I am reading…Mitten Strings for God by Katrina Kenison.  Yep, it’s that time again.  I read this book every year as part of my Advent journey.  It keeps me grounded in my parenting journey.

I am hoping…for a peaceful Advent season.

I am listening…to Alphie.  We just replaced his batteries this morning and he’s been very busy playing games with Joseph all morning.

I am looking forward to…the sun.  Ha, ha.  One morning of rain and already I’m  ready to see the sun! 

Around the house…preparing the best way I know how for the coming of Christ. 

I am pondering…

“Our children are, in the words of Kahlil Gibran, the gift of Life’s longing for Itself.  They run toward Life, arms open, and Life loves Itself through their small bodies.  Pressing themselves into the sand, sifting dirt, watching an inchworm measure a branch, reaching toward the black cat, who evades, then looks at them through inscrutable green eyes…it is their biological imperative to reach toward Life, and we, their caregivers, must structure the way in which Life reaches back, the way they are touched in return.

They need to be touched by grass, flowers, sunshine, birdsong.  They need a pile of dirt, and earthworms, clay for mud pies and dirt balls for target practice.  They need sticks and bare feet, stubbed toes, too.  They need songs, stories, paints, costumes.  And games that go on without end. 

These children are Life reaching out to discover Itself.  What they touch must be vibrantly alive, that in growing they may learn to respect, to nurture, to cherish and protect.  This is our task; it is urgent they thrive.

They are Hope itself, here, now, forever.”

Taken from Heaven on Earth by Sharifa Oppenheimer

I am praying…the St. Andrew Christmas devotion.  It seems only right considering that we now have an Andrew in our family.  You can read more about it here, but here’s a copy of the prayer.

Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold. In that hour, vouchsafe, O my God! to hear my prayer and grant my desires, through the merits of Our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of His Blessed Mother. Amen.

(It is piously believed that whoever recites the above prayer fifteen times a day from the feast of St. Andrew (30th November) until Christmas will obtain what is asked.)

Imprimatur
+MICHAEL AUGUSTINE, Archbishop of New York
New York, February 6, 1897.

One of my favorite things…big, curious eyes, taking it all in.

Here are some pictures for thought I am sharing…Thanksgiving thoughts…

Baking pumpkin pie with Grandpa Gary (using a real pumpkin!)…

We had a special guest at our Thanksgiving dinner this year.  A friend named Tim.  The kids thought the best thing about Tim was the motorcycle gear he came equipped with…

Full and happy (thanks Mom and Dad for feeding the hungry)…

and a few little Indians…

{this moment} – A Friday ritual.   A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week.  A simple, special, extraordinary moment.  A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.  If you’re inspired to do the same, visit Soulemama to leave a link to your ‘moment’ in the comments for all to find and see.