Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Sugary, Wintry Houses ~

We finally got around to making our Christmas houses today.
 The kids had a blast and I had fun listening to them laugh. 


The House Cat's ~
Alpine Cottage
Looks so cozy



Snuggle Bug's ~
  Log Cabin
Reminds me of the great visit we had with one of their uncles last week. 
 He's about to have a log cabin built.



Buck's ~
Cathedral 
(Buck and I had fun making this church.
I added the IHS for the Feast of the Holy Name)


Honeybee's ~
Christmas Convent


There's a sister kneeling in the center of the church
surrounded by little orange slices chairs.

A fun activity for all involved!


Thursday, December 29, 2011

The Twelve Days of Christmas Lapbook ~



The kids and I pulled out this lapbook  after we read The Twelve Days of Christmas.    I guess I never got around to sharing it last year. It was a good review for the whole family.  I ended up also pulling this off the shelf.
 I think I got the templates here although I'm not positive. 
*** Notice that I changed the third day to the Three Theological Virtues***

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Homemade Christmas Cards

We spent the day making homemade Christmas cards.  The little ones were excited to walk into the kitchen and see the island ready for this art extravaganza!


I found the cutest hand print Christmas cards.

~Honeybee's Angel ~


~ Buck's Reindeer ~


I'm sure these will make loved ones smile when they open them!

I also wrote out the words 
 Christian and Christmas
showing them how both have the name
Christ in them. 
I had told them this before but,
Buck had a "light bulb" moment when he saw them actually written out.


I was wiped out by the end of the day but, I think it was well worth the effort :)

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Christmas with Mama ~ 2010

Mama added a new tree to the house this year.  She said, "Daddy always wanted a tree with blue lights."  She covered it with silver angels and other "heavenly" ornaments.
I bought and wrapped the peace ornament "for daddy's tree."  I think this might just become a new tradition for us. 
We bought this ornament for him last year at the Christmas tree farm. It looks beautiful on his tree.

She also added this beautiful, sparkly hummingbird.  They have so many hummingbirds there in the summer.  Daddy told her whenever she was sad and saw a hummingbird come to the window it would be him telling her everything was going to be ok.  A day or so after his death she was about to leave my house when a hummingbird flew to our front window and fluttered for a few seconds.  I asked her if she saw that.  I had never had that happen here before.  She then shared with me what he had told her.  

We had a nice visit with mama and she was very generous in her gift giving.  Just like daddy was  :) It's still hard for me to comprehend that he is not here anymore.  My heart aches but, the prayer "Jesus, I Trust in You" is the best medicine for my soul.

  I came across this poem today.  Mama, if you read this I hope it comforts you, too.


Christmas in Heaven

'Tis Christmas in Heaven
What a beautiful sight!
It's my first one here;
Everything is all right.

The crib is adorned
With the brilliance of stars,
Wise men have come
From Venus and Mars.

I've met all our dear ones
Who preceded us here;
The reunion was lovely,
An event full of cheer.

And tonight we'll all gather,
In reverence we'll kneel,
For the Babe in the cradle
Up in Heaven is Real.

I think of my family
that I left behind
And I pray that your Christmas
Is as blessed as mine

Please shed no more tears,
For my soul is at rest,
Just love one another;
Live life to its best.

Yes, It's Christmas In Heaven,
So I've heard them say,
Yet, Christmas In Heaven
Happens every day.

by Unknown.

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Christ Candle of Hope

Light the Christ Candle of Hope at the main Christmas dinner and during the 12 days of Christmas. Repeat the lighting of the Christ Candle and the Prayer each day.

The Christ Candle of Hope Prayer


God Our loving Father, you sent your Son, Jesus Christ into this world to conquer all the forces of evil: sin, suffering and death. He came to overcome evil with the power of good; hatred with the strength of love, your own great love for us in Jesus. Help us never to curse the darkness, but to join with you in bringing your light into this world, the light that is your Son, born of the Virgin Mary, in Bethlehem. Help us to be instruments of your light and love by doing one special act of kindness or being your special instrument of reconciliation this Christmas season. May the Christ Candle which we light symbolize our desire to bring light into a world of darkness and hope into a world of despair. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas

We have our first ever!


Saturday, December 25, 2010

Christmas Blessings ~

to you and yours

Merry Christmas!

Friday, December 24, 2010

Christmas Novena ~ Day Nine

December 24th ~

O Divine Savior, O King of Immortal glory, Who in Your great mercy came into the world to redeem us and make us holy; grant that, denying all ungodliness and love of this world, we may live soberly in ourselves, justly toward our neighbor, and piously before You, so that we may be happy with You for all eternity.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be...

Sweet Jesus, be my love.

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Christmas Novena ~ Day Eight

December 23rd ~

O Divine Savior, O King of peace, Who was pleased to make Your appearance among us when the world was in peace; graciously send us your peace and be born anew in our souls this Christmas.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be...

Sweet Jesus, be my love.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Christmas Novena ~ Day Seven

December 22nd ~

O Divine Word, Who for the love of all of us, Your poor creatures, was pleased to be born under the most lowly stable roof, to be wrapped in swaddling clothing, and to be laid in a manger; grant that we may also renounce all wordly vanities, and embrace poverty of spirit and mortification of the flesh so necessary for our perfection.  Grant that we may be thoroughly detached from creatures and poor in all things except Thy love and Thy grace.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be...

Sweet Jesus, be my love.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Christmas Novena ~ Day Six

December 21st  ~

O Divine Infant, Who when excluded from Bethlehem, did inspire Your holy Mother to retire to a  poor and wretched stable, in which obscure and humble place it was Your will to be born, in order to confound our pride, and to teach us humility; grant that we may conform ourselves to Your will, renounce all pomp and pride, and become truly meek and humble of heart.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be...

Sweet Jesus, be my love.

Monday, December 20, 2010

Christmas Novena ~ Day Five

December 20th

O most adorable Jesus, Who upon thy arrival at Bethlehem was rejected by all men; grant us to follow Your example in sufferings and contempt, that we may welcome you joyfully in our hearts, when You seek an entrance there whether by holy inspirations or by Your divine sacraments.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be...

Sweet Jesus, be my love.

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Christmas Novena ~ Day Four

December 19th
O Sweetest Jesus, Who went to Bethlehem in the womb of Mary to obey the commands of Caeser, who ordered all his subjects to be enrolled; grant us grace to obey with cheerful readiness the most difficult commands from those who hold place over us.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be...
Sweet Jesus, be my love.

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Christmas Novena ~ Day Three

December 18th

O Infant God, Who from the moment of Your conception in Holy Mary's womb did offer Yourself to Your Eternal Father for the salvation of our souls, graciously help us to labor zealously for others  and work out our own salvation in fear and trembling, yet with confidence in Thy love.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be...

Sweet Jesus, be my love.

Friday, December 17, 2010

Christmas Novena ~ Day Two

December 17th

O merciful Redeemer, Who choose to remain in the chaste cloister of Mary's womb, hidden and unknown, even though You were the Eternal Word, and the wisdom of the Father; grant that we may learn from You to love solitude and silence, and escape the evils that are found in the distractions of this world; grant us greater purity of mind and heart; grant that we may glorify Thee, and that we may be uplifting to others by our purity and modesty.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be...

Sweet Jesus, Be my love.

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Christmas Novena ~ Day One


December 16th

O God and Savior of  our souls, sweet Infant Jesus, Whom the angels and shepherds adored in the stable of Bethlehem on that holy night when you were born of the Virgin Mary, we offer Thee our profound adoration and our most earnest thanksgiving for having become man for our redemption and salvation; grant that we may apply all our powers to fulfill Thy gracious designs, that we may become perfectly renewed in heart and inflamed with Thy holy love.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be....
Sweet Jesus, be my love.

Saturday, January 9, 2010

One of My Favorite Things


Reading wonderful books with your children and then watching them act it out.
Notice how the camel is right over baby Jesus? If you've read the book you know what I'm talking about! :)

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Mortimer's Christmas Manger

Snuggle Bug, Buck and Honeybee have been busy making gingerbread (graham cracker) houses. First, I read aloud Mortimer's Christmas Manger to them. It's a precious little story about a mouse whose looking for a soft, warm, safe place to call home. At first he takes Baby Jesus's manger. However, he changes his mind once he hears the true story of Christmas. He ends up moving into a gingerbread house :) A perfect book to read leading up to building time!

Praying the Rosary keeps us close to Jesus