Monday, December 17, 2007

Mirage???




Nope, it was as close to the real deal as Tampa kids get. It is hard to imagine snow on an 80 degree day, but the kids loved it. As a holiday celebration our homeschool group went ice-skating and it included "snow play"....I'd call it slush play, or left over zamboni scrappings play, but the kids thought it was the perfect snow. They climbed, slid, threw snowballs, made snowmen, got wet, got cold (as cold as one can get when it is 80 degrees outside). It was fun to watch them play, and to see little and big kids alike enjoy a novelty not many had seen around these parts.

Reason for the season


Sarah captured the reason for the season for a coloring contest at our church....and our budding artist won!

St. Lucy's Feast Day


St. Lucy's feast day is such a fun celebration. I encourage you to read about it to understand the symbolism. According to the Swedish tradition, the eldest daughter awakens early to make breakfast for her family, usually a sweet roll or bread. Sarah just loved to do this....she awoke extra early and had to wait a bit! She wore the traditional white gown, with red sash (a scarf), but we opted against a crown of candles atop her head...if you know Sarah, you will understand why. It was a fun way to start a feast day where we then talked about the life of St. Lucy at breakfast.

More Advent Ideas

Here is a summary of the remainder of advent ideas/projects that we currently have under way....

We have a Jesse Tree which involves a dead tree branch and 24 homemade ornaments symbolizing the lineage of Jesus. My husband talked me out of making crafty ornaments symbolizing the people or events for the tree. Instead he suggested I let the kids draw the pictures....and I'm really glad I did. It was a fun project for them that involved some hands-on-learning. While it took a minute to get over the "it doesn't look the way I would have done it" mentality, they came out really cute. It will be fun over the years to remember their cute stick figure drawings. (I had them laminated, in order to make sure they'll be around years from now). For more info on a Jesse Tree or to get the scripture verses to read when hanging the ornaments daily see
http://www.catholicculture.org/liturgicalyear/activities/view.cfm?id=545&repos=3&subrepos=1&searchid=139777

We also have a crib for baby Jesus that I bought online last year. Whenever the kids do a good deed, they can grab a piece of "hay" (ie yellow construction paper) and write the deed on it. They then put the "hay" in the manger so that on Christmas baby Jesus will have somewhere soft to lay his head. See a sample
http://www.catholiccompany.com/product_detail.cfm?ID=3724&category=1272

We also celebrated St. Lucy's feast day in style, but that is a post all its own.

Holiday Travels

We will be traveling to Cleveland this Christmas by way of Charleston. The kids are so excited. I discovered the "excitement" when I walked into their rooms and witnessed them packing.....on Monday....for a Saturday departure. Hangers everywhere, many small, stuffed bags, mismatched clothes, books, toys....oh the excitment!

Saturday, December 15, 2007

The "Change"

To most people, the change probably means moods swings, and hot flashes, but not to the mother of a toddler. To her, the prospect is much more stressful. The change happens when one morning you arise and realize your cute, snuggly, obedient, somewhat calm toddler has.....changed into something.....else. Like a defiant, stubborn, willful, driven, (did I mention stubborn) toddler. As of 3 days ago, we are undergoing the change in our house.

Looking on the start of this event for the third time, I can smile. Yes, life is in some ways harder these days because most things need to be done "myself". And clothes need changing mid-day, for no reason. And toothbrushing is painful....(for the toddler who will now be sat upon by mom, who will crank open his clenched jaws....there will be NO cavities), time-outs which did not exist before now happen daily....they happen for bodily harm inflicted on siblings, which never really happened before either.....but....

I now know these days that feel long, are really rather short. Whether it happens at 2, 3, or 4, it happens. And after a while, your sweet child returns, only with new adventures, abilities, and skills. Months from now sweet Sean will return....and by then he'll be pooping on the potty!!

This post can serve as the warning to all the relatives we will see on our Christmas adventure!

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Our Lady of Guadalupe


I love celebrating feast days with the kids. It is such a fun way to pass on items of our faith in a special way. These are new traditions we are making, and I hope they evolve over the years into traditions the kids keep forever.

Today is the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. We will read http://www.tomie.com/books/spotlight_on_guadalupe.html and watch http://www.amazon.com/Juan-Diego-Messenger-Of-Guadalupe/dp/B000A0GXPG. We started the day with Mass where we celebrated the apparition of Mary to St. Juan Diego in Mexico nearly 500 years ago. The story is amazing and the kids love the book. We will then make a version of these crafts http://www.illuminatedink.com/products/4/12/95/. And for dinner.....why Mexican food of course. What else but a fiesta on December 12th?

My only other recommendation is to check out what festivities your local parish may have. Our parish has a large latino population and this feast day is so special to them. We missed the event on Sunday, but they had a special procession, Mass, and Mexican feast. The girls attend in native dress, while all the little boys were dressed as Juan Diego. It will be on the calendar for us next year.

St. Nicholas Day

Unfortunately, I spent this day laying on the couch feeling miserable. Many of my plans were left incomplete this year due to the "yucks". But I hope to do many of them next year. Luckily for me, all the plans you could want can be found here http://www.stnicholascenter.org/Brix?pageID=23 . There are books to read, crafts to make, cookies to bake, crossword puzzles, plays, and things to discuss. We did the crossword puzzle, a coloring sheet, and read a few of the books. By the end of the day, my kids had made the "breakthrough" discovery that Santa is a representation of St. Nick. And St. Nick was a giving, generous bishop who lived a long time ago and helped people. And it is with that spirit that we give gifts on St. Nicholas Day and Christmas Day......mission accomplished. Not bad from the couch!

Monday, December 10, 2007

Men vs. Women

One way to appreciate the difference is to admire the items in the cart when Christmas shopping.

Wife: "This stuff is all sport related? Can't you think of anything else?"

Later on when looking over a cute learning game composed of cookies and a cookie jar to help learn number counting (I picked this one)......

Husband: "So there are cookies and a jar....? What does it do?????"

Yes we are so different, but it makes for laughs at the store, and it is a good exercise in compromise.

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Advent Reading

I intend to put some personal notes on this blog, for no other reason than if they are here, then they are somewhere more reliable than a scrunched up napkin or back of a receipt like usual. Maybe, I will feel a bit more organized. This month is rather busy with many things, but most on my mind are advent activities. (Because my husband moved and unpacked us so quickly, I am making it to my projects!)

Anyhow, we are reading many books these days, and it is wonderful. My favorite children's author is Tomie dePaola, and lucky for me he has many wonderful advent and Christmas books. Here is the list we are reading this month. The best part is activities you can create to go along with the stories. Actually, I don't do much creating....I "borrow" others' ideas!

Merry Christmas Strega Nona
Country Angel Christmas
Our Lady of Guadalaupe
The Legend of the Pointsettia
The Clown of God
Jingle, the Christmas Clown
Mary, the Mother of Jesus
Story of the three wise kings
The Legend of old Befana
Francis, Poor Man of Assisi
Hark Sampler
The Night of Los Posadas

I can't say enough about the quiet, cuddly time we have reading and discussing the stories.

The best advent book I have is Jotham's Journey by Arnold Ytreeide. I got it last year, but I think it is out of print now and quite pricey on Amazon. However, it is wonderful. It follows a shepherd boy on his month of trials and somehow he finds his way into a stable in Bethlehem on Christmas Eve. It is a wonderful book on preparing for Christmas and anticipating the birth of the Savior. We read one chapter an evening, in a dimly lit room. Before the chapter begins, there is an Old Testament passage (usually Isaiah) that foreshadows the coming of Christ. It just so happens that most of these are included in Handel's The Messiah, so we listen to the appropriate song, if we can. Then when the chapter is over, we process to bed with candles singing Come, O Come Emmanuel. (The kids love the candle part). Anyhow try and get the book if you can. Our kids love the adventure story, and it blesses our family to focus on the real meaning of Christmas for the whole month!

I don't have any good prayer ideas for the advent wreath at dinner. We some Old Testament verses if we can.

I have used many ideas from this wonderful woman's blog.....check hers out for more ideas.
http://ebeth.typepad.com/reallearning/

More on St. Nicholas Day tomorrow!

Hot stuff

Have you ever seen 94 candles on a birthday cake? It is amazing. The smoke produced after they are blown out is even more remarkable. However, the best part of the event was the joy on Ms. Katie's face as she and 4 kids blew out the candles. The kids loved the party. The neighbors loved the party. And the birthday girl loved the party....all 94 years of her. She is hot stuff, as evidenced by a few blisters from lighting the cake. Luke is preparing for a return to the neighborhood in 6 years for a 100 year bash. Ms. Katie questioned the likelihood, but I don't. I have many pictures, but I'm too party-pooped to post.

Monday, December 3, 2007

Life is a party



Here was today's fun activity...a tea party with friends. As you can see there were yummy treats and most of the party was dressed to celebrate (7 year old boys don't dress for tea). There was even dancing. Tomorrow we have a surprise birthday party for our 94 year old neighbor. Life on this block is a blast!

Sunday, December 2, 2007

A month late and a dollar short.....



Or something like that... Here are pictures from last month. One is the kids with Grammy and Grampy when they were in town to babysit. The other is of their All Saint's Day festival. We had St. Stephen (Luke loved the blood), St. John the Baptist, and St. Therese the Little Flower.

Movin' on up




Here is the new house and some of the highlights. I didn't know "Mayberry" still existed, but I'm convinced I live there now. We love the house due to the layout, spaciousness, and lack of smell and rats and things like that. We also are surrounded by the best neighbors. They fix kid bikes. They explain the workings of sprinkler systems. They plant gardens (with children). They bring goodies for the kids. And they smile and wave, all the time. What a blessing. By the way, the kids love to do laundry. And watch the washing machine work...for quite a long time.

Humility at 4 am

I've been reflecting on my controlling nature over the past day. I'm pretty sure God is aware. That, and children are His way of making us humble. I gave up control for part of the night last night. The part where I was scrubbing puke off of the cream color carpet. Did I mention we had a pizza celebration last night? And as I sat there, scrubbing, I had to smile. I get it. It isn't about me. It is about me serving them. That is how God plans to make me more perfect. So I scrub, I do laundry, I get drinks (well, not drinks, more like liquid swishes), I do more laundry, I get the bucket. And I pray for the grace to serve well.

PS: Does anyone have any carpet tricks?

The long road to heaven

I am a control freak by nature. I love order, cleanliness, organization, and to-do lists. Thankfully, God in his wisdom, saw fit to give me a husband, three kids, and a dog. But sometimes the monster returns and I find myself longing for control and order.

Most unfortunately this becomes evident with regard to my kids from time to time. Like yesterday......which was a very big day for Luke, and for Patrick and I, actually. Yesterday, Luke celebrated a sacrament of the Catholic Church. He made his first reconciliation. Being the control freak that I can be, we practiced the prayers involved. We practiced the rite itself. We studied why we do this as Catholics. We studied our consciences. We studied, we discussed, we read. And all of these things are needed. But the list, well, that was a bit too "controlling". What list? Well, I encouraged Luke to take a written list into confession. I am a list maker. I have a poor memory. But, looking back on it, I wanted some sense of control over Luke's interaction with God. (How pathetic). I wanted some assurance that mistakes wouldn't be made, things wouldn't be forgotten. In addition, I didn't want to let go. I didn't want to go of my little boy, who is now seven years old. My little boy that I used to bathe, dress, feed, sing to, and play with is now capable of doing most of those things himself. And so the list was my protection. It was a way to control the situation but also a way in which to see Luke as that little boy, not the young man he is becoming. A young man who is learning his faith, who knows much of his faith, who can question and think and discuss, and most importantly a child who genuinely loves God.

After reflecting for a day, I realize that my controlling nature gets the best of me....a lot. All we can do is what we are already doing. (granted we can work on implementation and value here) We try our best to live the faith. We read, discuss, and do faith activities. We go to Mass. We celebrate the sacraments. We pray. We try to make our family a domestic church. And then the hard part, we need to let go. We need to pray that God will finish what we haven't. We pray that God and each child will establish an everlasting relationship of love and forgiveness. And that one day we will all rejoice with the saints and angels in Heaven.

Upon leaving the confessional, Luke looked at us and smiled. "Father told me I don't need a list next time. I should just think and know my sins in my heart, " he said. A lesson for a mom as well as her son.

Commercial Failure

Our kiddos don't see much real tv. There is pbs and the occassional dvd, but the only real tv is college football every now and then. And then we are commercial crazy. That is eyes are closed, channels are changed, or kids leave the room because most commercials are inappropriate for kids (in our opinion). But a few slip by and discussion ensues. This is a recap of the Dr. Pepper commercial with the dancing football player in the end-zone drinking a soda.

Dad: "What do you think that commercial is saying or wanting you to do?"

Sarah: "Don't drink soda or you'll get fat like that man!"

We'll just stick with that in our house.