Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Scenes from a Summer's Day ~ Aug 13th

Today was Life-saving Day once again for my boys, and the first time this year for the girls. They did wonderfully.

In fact, they are doing so well, that Myrna often uses my little 3 year old Chiquita as an example for the older girls (5, 6 and 7) in the class. I am so amazed that just last Monday I had to be in the water with them, and this week they were moved to a big girl class and have been given the techniques to save their lives if they were to fall in the water.

On life-saving day, the children arrive to their lesson fully dressed, and have to jump into the water, roll over onto their back, and then "be a starfish" and hold very still as they slowly float to the wall.

Here you can see Twinkle Toes... She is doing so great!



My brother says that he thinks these pictures are creepy since the kids are "just floating in the water fully dressed" but I think they are AWESOME since they show just how well the children are learning.

They also have learned that the more they move around while they are on their back, the quicker they get tired, and the harder it is to breathe.

They also learned what to do in case they fell in the water with a life jacket on.


Snuggles was not able to attend his class today since I had to get to a chiropractic appointment. I somehow threw out my neck and jaw, which I found out, has been the cause of a horrible headache I have had for the last couple months! I have another appointment on Friday...


If I have a chance, I will try and post a few pictures from the boys class... I was having fun playing with the continuous shooting mode on my camera! :) See you soon!

The Four Temperaments

A couple weeks ago I posted a link to a couple quizzes that help determine ones temperament, in anticipation of a coming sermon on Audio Sancto.

The sermon was posted this week and I found it very helpful and interesting! If you have a few minutes, I highly recommend checking it out!


Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Feast of St. Clare

The feast of St. Clare is celebrated on August 11th (The anniversary of her death) on the new calendar, and on August 12th on the calendar of 1962 (which is the calendar followed by the FSSP).

Our week has been so super busy, that I decided to spread our celebration of her feast over both days! For those of you that know us, you know why St. Clare is such a special saint to our family! ;)

Yesterday afternoon, after swimming, the children listened to the audio story, A Sparrow in God's Hand: The Story of St. Clare, while they colored the beautiful picture of her provided in Fenestrae Fidei.


My children never tire of coloring, and they just love the pictures in Fenestrae Fidei. (Thank you to the publisher for allowing reproducing rights for the family/classroom!)



Last night, for dinner, we had an Italian meal including spaghetti and garlic bread... And, this morning, the children woke up to chocolate éclairs. Yum!!!

After the children wake up from their naps (swimming really wears them out!), we will be reading Clare and Francis, which is suggested in Catholic Mosaic, and then do a bit of copywork to add to our liturgical notebooks along with the colored pictures.

What you hold may you always hold.
What you do, may you always do and never abandon.
But with swift pace, light step and unswerving feet,

so that even your steps stir up no dust,
Go forward, the spirit of our God has called you.

~ Blessing from St. Clare's second letter to Blessed Agnes of Prague
I hope you all are having a wonderful week! God Bless!



Saint Clare of Assisi, mistress of poverty, pray for us!

Scenes from a Summer's Day ~ Aug 10th

A couple weeks ago, my sister Jennifer (who is #2 in our family, and only 14 months younger than I am) moved back to the area (at least part time). It will be so nice to have her back in the area.

She invited us over for a BBQ this past Sunday, and it was nice to have an opportunity to visit with my family.

Here are a few pictures from the day:

Twinkle Toes with Aunt Jenny

Chiquita

My sister Mary

Julianna, me and Mary

Jen's boyfriend Juan "watching" Snuggles for a minute.

My brother Brian and his girlfriend Meghan

My kids LOVE Uncle Brian!

Snuggles with Aunt JoAnn

Rascal playing with another favorite Uncle!

Aunt Julianna and Captain

We had a great time, and look forward to the next get together! Thanks Jen!

The Simple Woman's Daybook ~ Aug 12th


FOR TODAY

Outside my Window... it is hot, but the skies are nice and blue!! The forecast for the rest of the week is "Patchy Smoke." :S

I am thinking... about everything that I would like to get done in the next couple weeks before we start school... There is so much to do, and so little time!

I am thankful... for hubby's overtime! On Saturday I spent the day at Les Schwab getting new brakes, rotors and tires on my mini-van. Thankfully hubby spent the day working overtime as an engine boss... God always provides, doesn't He?

From the kitchen... what kitchen?

I am creating...a HUGE desire to just STAY HOME!! I have had to be out every day for the last 2 weeks for one reason or another, and I am TIRED!

I am going...to take the kids to swimming tomorrow, and the next day, and the next day...

I am wearing...myself out!

I am reading... emails. Sorry if I owe you one... I am shamefully behind with all my correspondence!

I am hoping... to be able to slow myself down. Why do I always feel like I have to do it all? Do any of you do this, or is it just me? The funny thing is, I use to LOVE being out all the time, now I find myself longing for a few days at home with no plans! It is SO weird!

I am hearing... Snuggles breathing as he sleeps in my lap, and the rest of the kids playing quietly in their rooms.

Around the house... I have quite a bit to catch up on. Basically, laundry, laundry and more laundry!

One of my favorite things... is getting together with family! My sister Jennifer had a BBQ/Housewarming party on Sunday, and it was so nice to see everyone! Well, almost everyone, we were missing 4 of my siblings... However, 8 out of 12 isn't bad!


A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...
  • Auditory Processing Class for Captain, Mon-Wed 8am
  • Visit the chiropractor for an adjustment. I somehow messed up my neck.
  • Summer with the Saints on Thursday
  • Mass & Benediction on Friday. The boys will be serving!
  • Swimming lessons on Mon-Thurs. The girls were moved into a "big girl" class this week, and are doing marvelously. We are now at the pool from 9:30 to 1:00. Today we skipped Snuggles class and came home early...
Here is a picture thought I am sharing:

I just got up for a second to lay Snuggles in his bed, and this is what the kiddos were up to as they were "playing quietly" in their rooms. Building forts! Looks like they are enjoying being home just as much as I am!

To see more Daybook entry's, click here.


I hope you all have a simply wonderful week!

Saturday, August 9, 2008

Our Plan: World History


I still have quite a ways to go before I have our plans for this coming school year finalized. However, I have decided on our history course, and I am very excited!!

This past year we switched to studying history through the use of living books combined with lap books and notebooking. It was a huge hit. We all loved it!! I used Beautiful Feet's Early American History as a guide, and tried to supplement with Catholic books as we went along. It worked out alright, but I was really hoping to find a Catholic program to use for this coming year.

Well, I ran across RC History, and it seems to be just about perfect for us! One of my favorite aspects of the program is that we will all be doing the same time period together each year, based on a four year rotation. Yeah!!!

We have found that history comes alive when the family learns together. Particularly if you are not well-acquainted with history yourself (which I am not!!), or you are teaching multiple ages (which I am!!), studying the same time periods together will strengthen everyone's learning and interest and make your job of teaching simpler! (Anything that will make my job a bit simpler, sounds good to me!)
It should be a fun year as we make our way through the Old Testament and Ancient History!

I have just finished ordering all of our books, and the kids have really been enjoying previewing them as they arrive in the mail.


Here's the list of what we will be using...

Teacher's Guide:

Connecting With History: A Guide to Salvation History
Year One: Old Testament and Ancient History

"Connecting With History is our first self-published history curriculum. It takes an integrated approach to history and literature from a thoroughly Catholic perspective, covering the Old Testament and the ancient cultures of Israel, Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece and Rome."

(I am also hoping to read a few books myself from the Logic and Rhetoric book lists.)


Audio CD’s/Cassettes:

Bedtime Read-A-Loud for Daddy and Boys:



Each of the children will also be starting their own Book of the Centuries (updated link), as well as a couple lap books throughout the year based on Ancient History. I am also considering ordering the Timeline, for our school room wall, or possibly making our own. We'll see...

I did order the book History Pockets – Ancient Civilizations to help us with our lapbooks, as well as an Ancient Egypt Toob (we LOVE all the various toobs!) and an Ancient Egypt Treasure Box for a little extra fun (at the recommendation of my dear friend Trina, who is to blame inspired my love of history through living books last summer!! :)

Oh, and I even ordered a number of stickers and stencils too...

I can't wait to start... Is it September yet?? ;)

Friday, August 8, 2008

Roses for St. Thérèse

One of our favorite things this past month has been the weekly

Summer with the Saints

Marci has done an amazing job coordinating and hosting this get together each week! I feel so totally spoiled. Each week, I just show up with my children and they get to learn about the Saints, make Holy Cards, do a fun craft, eat symbolic snacks, and have a total blast. And as if that wasn't enough, this week Marci even featured my favorite saint. Yep, Sara was right, it was in honor of St. Thérèse of Lisieux!

My kids (and I) were all so excited when we pulled up and saw the sign.

Captain said, "Yeah! I just knew it was going to be St. Thérèse!" Twinkle Toes said, "I love St. Thérèse!!!" I said, "Me too!" ;)

I snapped a quick picture of the kiddos squinting in the sun next to the sign and headed around to the backyard once again.

Right away, they all got busy coloring pictures of St. Thérèse. My children love to color!!


Next Marci served the cutest little rose cupcakes for a snack. Thank goodness that we were the only family attending this week, since my children practically ate all the cupcakes. I guess swimming makes my little ones extra hungry... I do feed them!


I didn't get a very good picture of the cupcakes, but you can see them (along with lots of other cute photos) over at Marci's blog.

Marci even made some delicious dairy/gluten free cupcakes. They were SO good!!! I am going to definitely pick up some of that mix. Yum!!!


Next they all moved onto making their St. Thérèse holy cards...

(They now have quite a nice collection!)



...followed by lots of playtime.


Then it was time to make paper roses! Even though they were a tinsy-winsy bit hard to make, with a little bit of folding...

...and a little bit of love...


...they all turned out beautifully!

I am sure St. Thérèse was smiling!


Marci even sent us home with a big box of hand-me-downs from my favorite children's store! Thank you once again Marci, we had a wonderful time!

Novena to St. Thérèse

O Little Thérèse of the Child Jesus, please pick for me a rose from the heavenly gardens and send it to me as a message of love. O Little Flower of Jesus, ask God today to grant the favors I now place with confidence in your hands …(Mention specific requests)... St. Thérèse, help me to always believe as you did, in God’s great love for me, so that I might imitate your “Little Way” each day. Amen.

St. Thérèse ~ Pray for Us!