Shower of Roses

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Small Successes: June 10, 2009

We made it past the 11th week point of this pregnancy! Deo Gratias!!

I've made great progress in preparing for the coming year (Wreath II) of Little Flowers! I've finalized our schedule and have ordered ALL the craft supplies (craft kits from Oriental Trading) I will need for this year. (I've decided to add another craft to each meeting, in addition to the notebook pages.) I do still need to get more glue sticks, but I will wait till the Back to School sales to purchase those.

I painted a few more Wooden Saints.

What are your Small Successes this week?

Stop by Faith and Family Live to read more of this week's Small Successes.

Adding Saints to Our Collection

I pulled out my painting supplies and spent a few hours last night painting a few more saints. I had planned to make quite a few, but they take FOR.EV.ER!! You see, I am really not a very patient person, and I also tend to be a perfectionist, at least according to my husband, who, I am sure, is sick of hearing "Does this look ok??" every two minutes, while I attempt to paint these little saints. ;) I also tend to get frustrated when they don't turn out just like I had pictured in my mind... But that's ok -- It's good for me! I just need to remember to use the opportunity to pray to the saints, and then maybe it would go a little smoother, right?!

That said, I only finished three saints: St. Nicholas, St. Rose, and St. Zita. St. Zita was the one that I really messed up on while painting. I meant to add a purple "palla" (a draped cloak similar to the toga) over her white tunic, but it turned out more like another tunic instead. Oh well... The girls were still excited to see her this morning!

Here are a few pictures:

Speaking of saints, Summer with the Saints begins today!!! I was so excited when my friend Marci told me she would be hosting it once again. She does such an AMAZING job, and my children had a wonderful time last year. I'm sure I'll be back with a few photos to share. I hope you all have a great day!

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Book Review: Golden Legend of Young Saints

I was very excited to see that Sophia Press republished the wonderful book for children, Golden Legend of Young Saints, which was originally published in 1960, filled with stories from the childhoods of many inspiring saints!

In the opening paragraph the author, Henri Daniel-Rops, explains that "The Golden Legend" was "an enormous book in which a learned priest had set down everything he could find about the saints and martyrs of the Church, everything that he thought interesting, strange, amusing sometimes, and, of course, instructive." The same can be said for the stories found in this book! Once I started reading, even though it was written for children (the reading level is appropriate for ages 9-12), it was one of those books I could hardly put down and hated to see come to an end.

This book includes the following stories:

A Child Who Knew Jesus on Earth (The story of Marcellus, a boy who gave his lunch to Jesus.)
The Boy Who Fled in the Night (The story of St. Mark as a boy, who fled the soldiers in the Garden of Gethsemane and later wrote one of the Gospels.)
On the Road to Damascus (A story about Saul who became St. Paul.)
Beautiful St. Agnes
Blandina, the Slave Girl
Two Captives in Ethiopia (A story about Frumentius and Aedesius, two captives in who were also missionaries to the people of Ethiopia.)
Genevieve, the Shepherdess
St. Brendan and the Boy from the North
Odilia, the Blind Princess
The Boyhood of Louis IX (A story about the King of France as a boy.)
A Girl of Lorraine (A story about St. Joan of Arc.)
Aloysius Gonzaga Played Ball
The Lady Spoke to Her (St. Bernadette Soubirous and Our Lady of Lourdes)
The Young Martyrs of Uganda (St. Charles Lwanga, St. Joseph Mkasa, and other young martyrs of Uganda)
Dominic Did Nothing Out of the Ordinary (A story about St. Dominic Savio, a member of Don Bosco's Oratory.)

I loved that the book included some saints, whom I knew very little (if anything) about, as well as some stories I had not heard before of the more "well known" saints, like St. Mark.

I have not read this book in its entirety to my children yet, since I think a few of the stories might frighten my little ones. I have read a few individual stories to them and they continually beg for more! I always love finding books that can capture their attention like this one has.

This review was written as part of The Catholic Company reviewer program. Please visit The Catholic Company to get more information on Golden Legend of Young Saints.

Since you asked...

... here are a few words and links, in answer to some of the questions I received this morning, on my Wordless Wednesday Post. (Thanks for all the comments and emails! It was cute, wasn't it?!)

Yesterday morning Snuggles amazingly slept in till 9:10, and around 8:30 I heard singing (my 4 oldest) coming from the girls bedroom:

"Adeste Fideles laeti triumphantes; Venite, venite in Bethlehem
Natum videte regem angelorum
Venite adoremus, Venite adoremus, Venite adoremus, Dominum

I went back to peek in on what was happinging and found them "playing Mass" with their little Wooden Saints. They let me grab my camera and take a few pictures. =)

Anyhow, the girls received the castle last Christmas and they still LOVE it!! I think it is my favorite toy of theirs as well! ;) I know that Toy's R Us carries it, but I purchased ours from Amazon, since they had the best price. Here's the link: Melissa & Doug Deluxe Wooden Folding Princess Castle.

On her birthday, Chiquita received the Furniture to go with the Castle which has been a great addition and I highly recommend adding it to the set.

Melissa & Doug also makes a Medieval Castle which would be more appropriate for boys.

The Crucifix, Candlesticks, and Monstrance were a gift from one of my brother-in-law's, and I have no idea where they came from... Sorry about that.

Also, I updated my Alphabet of Saints post to add pictures of St. Kateri, St. Lucy, St. Martin, and St. Sharbel. I haven't been able to find a craft store around here that sells the "Wooden Folk" so I have been purchasing mine from A Child's Dream Come True. (They are Item #3197, and currently $3.50 for a set of 10.) I still have quite a few more I'd like to paint, and I too am a little bit more motivated after seeing my children playing so sweetly with them. Plus I still have a few gifts to make, don't I!?!

Speaking of gifts, I also have plans to paint this little dollhouse to go along with the Castle, and to give to Chiquita this Christmas. As you all know I have Christmas on my mind! ;) I am trying to figure out whether it is possible to turn it into a Carmelite Convent.

What do you think?? Any suggestions?

Wordless Wednesday ~ Mass in the Castle

Monday, June 8, 2009

Counting the days till Christmas!

10 WEEKS

2 1/2 inches - 1.5 ounces

Fingers and toes are distinct and have nails.

The baby begins small, random movements,
too slight to be felt.

The fetal heartbeat can be detected with a heart monitor.

All major external body features have appeared.

Muscles continue to develop.

I received the sweetest card last week, when I was still in my 10th week of pregnancy. It was from the same online friend who sent me that beautiful rose/baby bookmark, which I believe was the rose in answer to my novena for Gabriel (the baby I miscarried last November at 11 weeks, who was due this coming Saturday, June 13th). That little rose bookmark seemed to be the start of a month long "Shower of Roses" ending with this one on my calendar just minutes after I found out I was expecting this new little one. My children were so excited to see and touch the little pin which shows the exact size of a 10-week unborn baby's feet. Thank you dear friend!!

I also had my monthly check-up today. It was such a relief to hear this little one's heart beating strongly!! Even though I had an ultrasound a few weeks back, I've still been nervous to get through this first trimester... I'll be 12 weeks this coming Saturday, and so far everything looks, and sounds, perfect!

Speaking of dates, since this was my first appointment with my doctor since my ultrasound, it seems that I was given the wrong due date from the ultrasound technician. My "official" due date is actually December 25th, Christmas Day instead of Christmas Eve! Not much difference, but there you have it. Looks like we will be counting the days till Christmas earlier than usual this year! ;)

Our Plan 2009-2010: American History

In addition to studying World History this coming year, we will also continue to study American History as well. I've bounced back and forth over whether or not to continue studying both American and World History at the same time... I've decided that, for us, 3 years in between courses is just too long. Plus, my boys LOVE studying American History. Since it is their favorite subject, we will continue working through American History at a slow pace, when time allows.

We have finished reading the list of books from last year's plans. However, we never did get around to making the lap books I had hoped to make with the boys... Between the Advent, 12 Days of Christmas, 12 Commandments, Lenten, St. Patrick, and St. Joseph Lap books, my children, or more accurately I, was pretty much lap booked out! ;) (Looks like I never did get around to posting pictures of them all, did I?!) Anyhow, since they have been so very interested in learning more about the American Revolution, I have decided to loosely follow the wonderful history plans for Colonial America & The Revolution Period over at Serendipity this coming year with all of my children, as well as create an American Revolution Lap Book with the boys.

I ordered a few of the books off of the booklist, but I'm mainly going to stick with what we have and what I can borrow from our library. I sure wish that the suggested books for the "Geography Block" were available at our library, but they are not. :(

To simplify the Lap Book preparation, I ordered the Time Travelers: The American Revolution CD. It includes 11 different Lap Book projects, as well as so much more!

Another addition this year is History Through the Ages Record of Time. (I ordered one for each of the boys from Rainbow Resource.) I am really excited about this book! We have been creating a few simple wall timelines, as well as history notebooks, but I think it will be really nice to have a timeline in a durable book format for long term use. Plus, the children will easily be able to add names, dates, important events, figures/drawings for both our World History and American History studies at the same time, tying it all together.

Friday, June 5, 2009

Adorable Nightgowns for Girls

I think I mentioned before, that since our little one is due to arrive Christmas Eve, I am hoping to get all of my Christmas shopping and planning finished early this year.

In our family, the traditional one present on Christmas Eve is always new pajamas for each child. The other night I ran across the cutest little nightgowns for girls, in the clearance section at Lands' End, and just had to share them with you all! I actually ended up ordering two for each of my girls, this one in solid red, and this fleece one in ivory. (In fact, this one would actually make a darling gown for Santa Lucia Day!) They have others available as well, all 50-70% off regular price!

While I was there I also ordered cowboy themed fleece and flannel pajama pants for my boys.

Although I placed my order directly through Lands End, it appears that they are also available on Amazon. (It won't let me link directly, so search under Girls Sleepwear Lands' End.)

Now I can check those four items off my list!!

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Small Successes: June 4, 2009

After washing and drying 7 loads of laundry yesterday, and then 2 more this morning, I am completely caught up with our laundry! In addition to those loads, I had an additional 5-6 which had been washed over the weekend and never put away. (It was a super busy weekend!) It feels so nice to be caught up once again!

Rascal's tuxedo arrived!!! (He will be the ring bearer in my little brother's wedding later this month.) I couldn't be happier that it is really nice, only cost $30.65 (including shipping and insurance), and FITS!

After receiving a few emails asking what we are planning to study this coming year, I finally started posting our plans beginning with World History. Since there are SO many wonderful programs to choose from, and since every family (and child within each family!) is so different, there really isn't a "perfect" program. I am just sharing what seems to work for us. Plus, posting our plans seems to help me stay a little more organized. ;) I'll be posting more soon!

What are your Small Successes this week?

Stop by Faith and Family Live to read more of this week's Small Successes.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Our Plan 2009-2010: World History

This past year, we all really enjoyed studying Ancient History using RC History's Connecting With History Volume 1: Creation to 63 B.C. We didn't get to near as many hands-on projects this year as I would have liked, but we have all really enjoyed reading and discussing the recommended books! I just love that, with this program, we all work on the same time period together each year, based on a four year rotation and the Teacher's Guide provides everything you need for Kindergarten through High School!!! (Each student has individual assignments based on their current grade level.)

We still have four more units to finish during the summer, but I went ahead and ordered Connecting With History Volume 2: The Arrival of the King and His Kingdom, which we will begin in the fall. Volume 2 consists of a total of 7 units, so I am hoping we can get through units 1-4 before the baby arrives in December, and then we will finish the remaining 3 next year.

"An in-depth study of the New Testament and Early Church history, this volume emphasizes the life and death of Christ as the central point of history and goes on to show the birth and spread of the Church as the Body of Christ, and its perseverance and growth through persecutions. The Church moves forward into the medieval period of history, spreading to new nations and replacing the Roman Empire with the Holy Roman Empire."

Here is the list of books we will be using this year which are for the Beginner Level, Grades K-3:

Teacher's Resources:

Volume Two: The Arrival of the King and His Kingdom (63 B.C. - 1066 A.D.)
Timeline Cards (63 B.C. - 1066 A.D.) - from RC History
Report Pages and Blank Timelines - from RC History
Blackline Maps of World History

Core Text:

Reading List:

Supplemental:

Audio CD’s/Cassettes and DVD's:

A few of the core texts above are also used in the Grammar Level, Grades 4-6. Even tough Captain will be in 3rd grade, since we have already read many of the books on the K-3 list, I went ahead and ordered the books for the Grammar Level as well. We probably won't use all of them this year, but they will be great to have in the future!