Checking it Twice...

So, how is your Advent going?   It has been just a little busy around our home this past week!   ;)

As I set out the O Antiphon House and Gifts late last night, and we begin to pray the O Antiphons this evening, I figured I had better take a look at my Christmas list and fill in any gaps while I still have time to place online orders!

I plan to keep the kids away from the computer this week, so I thought I'd finally share my list with you all (since so many of you have asked to see it) and ask for a little advice while I am at it...

Our children receive three gifts each on Christmas from their Dad and I, recalling the three gifts Christ was given, plus they wake up to discover their stockings filled as well.   Depending on the gifts, sometimes I combine multiple items into "one" gift package (i.e. clothing, shoes, etc, or various small toys).  You can see some examples in last year's post about Christmas morning.   You can also find my 2009 list here:  Shh! Don't tell them....

Even though we stick to "just" three gifts each (plus stockings, plus O Antiphon treats, plus St. Nicholas Day, plus  ;) ...)  with seven children it can add up quickly!    I have found that I have to be creative in order to purchase quality gifts for the children.   Some items were purchased on Black Friday sales, some were purchased on clearance, some were even ordered by the charter school (as "consumables" that tie into their history course - i.e. the craft kits for the girls).   The rest was purchased with gift certificates and the commissions resulting from all of your purchases from my Amazon and All About Reading affiliate links! I can't tell you what an incredible blessing that has been this year...   Thank you all so very much!

So, now that I have clarified all of that, here is a peek at my list:  (Yes, I am going to make those of you who wanted to know do a little extra clicking, just in case! :) Sorry about that!) *Also, while creating the links, I couldn't believe how much some of the things have gone up since I purchased them... crazy!

Captain: This, This and This
Rascal:  This, This and This (We are saving this for his Feb. birthday!) 
Twinkle Toes: This, This, and These Kits (Saving the accessories for Easter Baskets!) 
Chiquita: This, This, and These Kits (which I've seen for 1/2 price at Michaels!) 
Snuggles: This, This, and These Wooden Toys (He can decorate the shield for Blue Knights!)
Rose: This, This, and a Handmade Gift (Which I still need to make!) 
Bud: This, This (only $20 at Costco), and ___?  (He is getting this after all - which is on sale for only $16.99 today, this, this, and some clothing for his birthday.)

Also, to keep the "mess" to a minimum on Christmas morning I try to get rid of as much packaging as possible when I am wrapping the gifts, and I also keep a big box close by on Christmas morning to fill with all the rest of the wrapping paper and trash.   I ran across a great idea to actually wrap the trash box and I think I might just have to do that this year!  I actually have almost all the gifts wrapped and ready for Christmas Eve.  We will be hosting a family get-together and then heading to Midnight Mass!

Now for a few questions of my own... I always like to include a book in each of the children's stockings.  This year I was thinking it would be fun to do an audio book for each of them... I only have a couple and need some suggestions!   Here is what I have so far:

Captain:  Any Suggestions?  
Rascal:  Any Suggestions?  Perhaps The Hobbit?  Which is your favorite Audio version?
Twinkle Toes: Any Suggestions?  Maybe Little Women? 
Chiquita: Any Suggestions?  I'm leaning towards Little House on the Prairie...
Snuggles: Blessed Miguel Pro - Codename: "Cocol" -- Undercover for God (Brand New!!)
Rose: Cat Chat Vol. 5:  A Christmas to Remember
Bud:  One Night in Bethlehem (Board Book)

The girls have a lot of the American Girl Audio Books, and the boys never get tired of listening to The Chronicles of Narnia, Enemy Brothers, The Winged Watchman, and the various audio books by Regina Martyrum Productions.    What are some of your family's favorites?

I also still need to possibly purchase one more gift for Bud, along with some stocking stuffers.  Does anyone have some favorite suggestions for 1 year old boys, who have plenty of hand-me-downs from older siblings?  I've been considering one of these chairs, but not sure if it's worth the expense... They have them at our Orthodontist office and my little ones all love them!  Thank you in advance for your help!  

{pretty, happy, funny, real}

Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life.

{pretty}

Sweet little girls in pretty new nightgowns, saying "Happy Birthday" to Baby Jesus on Christmas morning. 

{happy}

The girls have been so happy to have another new home* (in addition to their Castle and Fairy Forest Lodge) for their Calico Critters!   

(*and I am very happy to have been able to sell all my old Cookie Lee inventory, which has been sitting in my closet for two years, to a new consultant for just enough to pay for the dollhouse! Less clutter in my closet and a beautiful heirloom quality doll house for the girls!  Yay!!)

{funny}

I knew that the girls would love their new Marie-Grace and Cecile Mini Dolls, but I had no idea that this bonnet, which Twinkle Toes also found in her stocking, would be such a hit...  She has been wearing it practically ALL the time! I should have ordered one for Chiquita too!

{real}

A little glimpse of Christmas Morning at our home...  

I have more pictures I'd like to share from Christmas Day, but I'm not making any promises.  In fact the only reason I have another post this morning is because I created this one last night, just before realizing that it was still only Wednesday, and quickly creating this post instead!  ;)

Visit Like Mother, Like Daughter for more pictures of contentment!

The Easter Story with Playmobil ~ 2011 Edition!

In addition to our family traditions, my older boys started a tradition of their own a couple years ago!   The first year it started with them reenacting The Way of the Cross with their Playmobil Toys.   Last year I was delighted to find their toys set up for Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday!   This year I found their toys set up on Palm Sunday (don't you just love all the little palms they cut out of paper!), Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday.   It looks like they used their Nativity Set, Romans, Knights, Vikings, Pirate Treasure Chest (Garden and Stone for Tomb), Dragon Rock (Tomb), and King's Knight (Flag).   They have always done this all on their own, with no encouragement from me, and I think it is so sweet.

~ Palm Sunday ~

The Entry into Jerusalem

~ Holy Thursday ~ 

The Agony in the Garden

~ Good Friday ~

The Way of the Cross

~ Easter Sunday ~

He is Risen!!  Alleluia!

A Couple Quick Questions. . .

One of my boys has a birthday coming up this next week and I am trying to decide on a few gifts for him, while I still have time to place an order online.  Anyhow, I recently came across a series of books by Dianne Ahern - Adventures with Sister Philomena, Special Agent to the Pope (which includes Lost in Peter's Tomb, Break-In at the Basilica, Curse of the Coins, and Secrets of Siena) -  and was curious if any of you/your children have read them and whether or not you would recommend them to others.    They seem to have good ratings on Amazon, but I haven't seen them mentioned on any of the blogs I read (at least not that I remember), so thought I'd ask all of you.

Also, since he loved the lego sets he was given for Christmas, I think we will get him another one to add to his new collection.   I've just ordered a LEGO® Bricks & More Building Plate 628 so I can make him a Lego Tray, but I can't decide on whether to just get him a box of Basic Bricks or another actual set (perhaps the LEGO City Corner (7641) - which is currently way overpriced on Amazon but might be available locally).  Any thoughts?  For some reason I am completely overwhelmed by all the choices when it comes to legos!  :)

Thank you all for your help, and Happy Candlemas!     I am sure I will be back later with some pictures from this year's Candlemas Tea.  :)

On Christmas Day in the Morning

I am trying to work on refining our new schedule this week, which seems to be leaving very little time for the computer. I would love to answer all the emails in my inbox, post about the school books we've been using this year, and answer a few other questions, but it might take a little while to get to it all.   In the meantime, I do have a number of "drafts" that I may be able to find the time to complete and publish this week, starting with some pictures from Christmas morning!

As always, Hubby and I gave the children three gifts each, though in a couple cases two or three items were combined to make "one" gift. It was such a joy to see the children's excitement as they took turns opening all of their presents.

~ Gifts for the Boys ~

Captain's Gifts:

Playmobil Viking Longboat

(I purchased the Longboat on ebay, since it has been discontinued. Captain could hardly believe it!)

Flag Raising on Iwo Jima Poster and Western Six-Shooter Cap Gun

Settler's of Catan Seafarers Game Expansion

Rascal's Gifts:

Lego Toy Story Western Train and Woody's Round Up

Washington Crossing the Delaware Poster and Western Six-Shooter Cap Gun

Carcassonne Game

Snuggles Gifts:
Sheriff Woody Doll
Buzz, Jessie, Rex and Sarge Beanies
Narnia Sword

~ Gifts for the Girls ~

Twinkle Toes' Gifts:

Elizabeth Doll, Accessories and Riding Outfit

Music Sheets for Lap Harp, Fairy Forest Lodge Harp and Piano

Calico Critters A Carriage Ride

We had avoided the full size American Girl dolls for years, due to the expense, but when I saw that Elizabeth (the one TT's had been wishing for, for a couple years) was being discontinued, we decided to get it for her this year. Twinkle Toes' little mouth dropped open and she was speechless, until she finally scurried up to hug and thank her Dad & Mom! :-) We also ended up ordering Josefina for Chiquita, and I have never seen her SO excited, we literally had to calm her down. Needless to say, they love their new dolls!

Twinkle Toes mouth dropped open again at the sight of yet another American Girl box. These little boxes contained the "accessories" for each doll. :-)

Chiquita's Gifts:

Josefina Doll, Accessories and Christmas Dress

Josefina Boxed Set With Game

Calico Critters Zach & Sandy Trike Ride

Rose's Gifts:

Corolle Mon Premier Calin Charming Pastel - 12" Doll

Sweets and Treats Tray

Gray Squirrel Puppet

It is so cute watching Rose play with her squirrel, she just loves him!

~ Gifts from Grandpa and Grandma ~

The girls received little tote bags, Felicity and Josefina activity books and mini Josefina and Kirsten dolls!!

Snuggles and Rose received tote bags, a Life of Jesus Coloring Book, St. Joseph Rattle Books : Saints Teach Us and Angels Surround Us, My Golden Children's Bible and My Golden Book of Prayers, and Picture Book of Saints: Saint Joseph Edition: Illustrated Lives of the Saints for Young and Old.

In addition to their new tote bags, the boys were in heaven with all their new books from Grandpa and Grandma, including Saint Dominic: Preacher of the Rosary and Founder of the Dominican Order, Saint Isaac and the Indians, Boy Heroes, The Story of Rolf and the Viking Bow, With Pipe, Paddle and Song: A Story of the French-Canadian Voyageurs, Herodotus and the Road to History, Saint Francis Solano, and Downright Dencey!!

I haven't taken a picture yet, but I was super excited with the "Shower of Roses" Afgan from Hubby's parents. They are always so very thoughtful!! And of course Hubby and I love the Saints Calendar and Daily Planner they give us every year.

~ Gifts from Godparents ~

Treats from Snuggles Godparents in Hawaii!

Twinkle Toes' took this picture of her new Holy Card Collection with a Frame for rotating the Cards, and her beautiful Marian stamp from her Godparents!

Captain's Godfather (aka: Uncle Father) sent such thoughtful gifts for everyone. It was so cute when Rose opened up a St. Benedict medal he sent her and then proceeded to slip it down her Daddy's shirt, knowing that is where medals belong!

Between being able to attend Mass twice (at the Vigil and then again at Midnight), coming home to a clean kitchen, stockings filled and all the gifts under the tree (thank you Mary St. Nicholas!), a lovely morning at home, and spending time with my family, we had such a wonderful Christmas!!  I hope you all had a Holy, Joyfilled and Blessed Christmas as well.