P is for Pumpkin

Today we are reading
The Pumpkin Book by Gail Gibbons

Hopefully we'll carve a Jack O' Latern after dad's home from work. I've been thinking of a way to incorporate a moral or virtue into doing this and finally it hit me :) I've read to the family the story of Stingy Jack. (below) I'll read it again tonight as we carve our Jack O'Latern and we'll remember to fight against being stingy! Have a Blessed Hallowtide!

There once was an old drunken trickster named Jack, a man known so much for his miserly ways that he was known as "Stingy Jack," He loved making mischief on everyone -- even his own family, even the Devil himself! One day, he tricked Satan into climbing up an apple tree -- but then carved Crosses on the trunk so the Devil couldn't get back down. He bargained with the Evil One, saying he would remove the Crosses only if the Devil would promise not to take his soul to Hell; to this, the Devil agreed.

After Jack died, after many years filled with vice, he went up to the Pearly Gates -- but was told by St. Peter that he was too miserable a creature to see the Face of Almighty God. But when he went to the Gates of Hell, he was reminded that he couldn't enter there, either! So, he was doomed to spend his eternity roaming the earth. The only good thing that happened to him was that the Devil threw him an ember from the burning pits to light his way, an ember he carried inside a hollowed-out, carved turnip.

D Is for Democracy Unit Study

We are gearing up for the election here with a unit study on our government and how it works. Thanks to Elizabeth over at In the Heart of My Home, we'll be using
D Is for Democracy: A Citizen's Alphabet with a
complete unit study to accompany the book.

We are also praying a rosary novena for this election, trusting God in all things! God Bless the U.S.A.!

A is For Apple

We've had a great time today with our Apple unit study!





The Life & Times Of The Apple was a great resource for my 9 and 12 year old.

An Apple A Day (over 20 apple projects for kids) by Jennifer Story Gillis also had some great ideas. We tried the apple star prints on pg.33 although the stars weren't as easy to make out as we would have liked. We had fun painting and trying anyway :) I hope to try making the apple wreath and homemade applesauce soon.

As the children "painted" I read aloud The Song Of The Apple Blossom Fairies by Cicely Mary Barker and Johnny Appleseed by Madeline Olsen.


Buck's (age 4) Apple Print


Honeybee's (age 3) "Abstract" Apple Painting :)


The House Cat's Notebook Page


The Snuggle Bug's Notebook page


(maybe next time we'll put the tape on the back :)



Here's a link for a fun apple word search for the older ones:
http://www.abcteach.com/wordpuzzles/WordSearches/applewordsearch.htm

And a connect the dots apple for the younger ones:
http://www.abcteach.com/free/d/dot_apple_to10.pdf

Hopefully Buck and Honeybee will complete some of the activites soon.
http://www.dltk-teach.com/alphabuddies/trace1.htm

Happy Birthday (In Christ) House Cat

Today is The House Cat's 12th Baptismal Anniversary. It's hard to believe it's been that long! Thank you, Lord, for this wonderful gift!



I also wanted to share a sweet homemade gift from The Snuggle Bug.

An Election Prayer to Mary


Between now and thus critical election day on November 4th, Let us all pray to our Blessed Mother Mary who is the patroness of our nation for the guidance and motivation to vote to protect our nation and its people.

AN ELECTION PRAYER TO MARY

O Most Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Mercy, at this most critical time, we entrust the United States of America to your loving care.
Most Holy Mother, we beg you to reclaim this land for the glory of your Son. Overwhelmed with the burden of the sins of our nation, we cry to you from the depths of our hearts and seek refuge in your motherly protection.
Look down with mercy upon us and touch the hearts of our people. Open our minds to the great worth of human life and to the responsibilities that accompany human freedom.
Free us from the Falsehoods that lead to the evil of abortion and threaten the sanctity of family life. Grant our country the wisdom to proclaim that God's law is the foundation on which this nation was founded, and that He alone is the True Source of our cherished rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
O Merciful Mother, give us the courage to reject the culture of death and the strength to build a new culture of Life.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY... Sunday October 26, 2008

Outside My Window...Cooler weather and beautiful blue skies.

I am thinking...Will I ever figure out this blog? :)

I am thankful for...The gift of our holy church and the grace that flows through it.

From the kitchen...My honey's making homemade Grand Pax! YUM (This is what my honey's cajun grandmother called french market doughnuts)

I am wearing...Comfy t-shirt and new long pants I just bought today. Yay!

I am creating...This blog, my notebook, our school work for the week.

I am going... To try to count WW points - tomorrow;)

I am reading...Real Learning by Elizabeth Foss.

http://www.aquinasandmore.com/index.cfm/title/Real-Learning/FuseAction/store.ItemDetails/SKU/18777/

I am hoping...To have a peaceful,productive week

I am hearing...Honeybee crying since she missed her nap today.

Around the house...The House Cat's talking to dad while he cooks, they're laughing together quoting old movie lines. Snuggle Bug's trying her hardest to entertain Buck and Honeybee.

One of my favorite things...Time with my family and friends. Alabama football Roll Tide!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Work on costumes for kids for Halloween and All Saint's Day.

Picture of the Week... Beautiful Sunset from our front door

What is lapbooking?

Lapbooking is a fun method of recording facts in a creative and memorable way.

Click here to learn more about lapbooking.

http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/jaminacema/228122/

Lapbooking this week

Andrew Jackson lapbook by Snuggle Bug

American Presidents Lapbook

 by The House Cat

How Halloween Can Be Redeemed

Each year we wonder is trick or treating ok? Even if we "get" the meaning and choose appropriate costumes - what about those who don't? I recently came across this article and found some good insight. Below is a clip from the article. If you'd like to read it in it's entirety, you can follow this link.
http://www.americancatholic.org/newsletters/cu/ac1099.asp


The connection between trick or treat and forgiveness deserves to be reclaimed, don’t you think? While we wait for an imaginative catechist to draw up a format, we can allow our kids to enjoy the costumes, the goodies, the excitement of traipsing around after dark if we exercise prudence. Most communities now impose a curfew for trick or treat, and most parents select the houses of friends they know. Sometimes the PTA will sponsor a party. Avoiding costumes and decorations that glorify witches and devils goes without saying, but there’s no reason to fear skeletons, skulls or Thomas More with his head tucked under his arm. After all, can’t skulls and skeletons be healthy reminders of human mortality? Can’t witches and devils symbolize the evil Christ has overcome?

A IS FOR ACORN

Today is a perfect day for acorn study!

The wind is gusting and the nuts are falling.

Buck and Honeybee made A's from acorn caps and we read

Buck said he'll be wearing his baseball helmet outside today! :)

Mr. Airplane

drawn by The House Cat,12

colored by Buck,4

ALONG THE ALPHABET PATH - LETTER A

Meet Mrs. Applebee

drawn by The House Cat,12

colored by Honeybee,3

http://www.elizabethfoss.com/elizabethfoss/serendipity/along-the-alphabet-path/index.htm

Today's Artwork - Passionist Symbols

SAINT PAUL OF THE CROSS

PRAY FOR US!

The special insignia of every Passionist is the “Sign,” the heart-shaped emblem you see on this page. It catches, in an image, the meaning of Passionist life.
In the middle of the emblem are the words, “Jesu XPI Passio.” Written in Greek and Latin, the languages of the early Church, these words mean: “the Passion of Jesus Christ.” (The three nails at the bottom and the cross at the top remind us symbolically of His suffering and death.)
Every Passionist takes a special vow, a solemn promise, to spend his energies in promoting remembrance of the sufferings of Jesus. This vow defines the purpose of the Passionist community. We pledge to keep deep in our hearts the memory of the cross and to do what is in our power to remind others of it.

Saint Paul of the Cross (Founder of the Passionist)

May the Passion of Jesus Christ be always in our hearts!

For a wonderful video clip on St. Paul of the Cross visit this site.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOJBmPcUl8Y

Feast of St. Luke

St. Luke is often shown with an ox or a calf because these are the symbols of sacrifice -- the sacrifice Jesus made for all the world.

Enjoy this coloring sheet from Waltzing Matilda.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/6815972/St-Luke?secret_password=l81c9oeldmwevzprvn1

Have a blessed weekend!

The Good Shepherd

Jesus said, "I am the Good Shepherd. I know my sheep and they know me."

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

In the apparitions to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, Jesus gives twelve promises for those who are devoted to His Sacred Heart.




"Look at this Heart which has loved men so much, and yet men do not want to love Me in return. Through you My divine Heart wishes to spread its love everywhere on earth."

Hey everybody! Well here I go again trying something new - as if I've got the extra time ;)

Anyway, I've been following some incredible homeschooling blogs lately and have realized it's a great way to keep a record of all that you're doing. It is also a great way to share with others all the blessings in your life and hopefully bless them in return!

So here I go. Come along on our journey in living for God and see how we stay Busy With our Blessings!

God Bless You All,
Lori