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!

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!

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!

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.

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!