More Christmas Pictures

Flower Fairies for Small Hands

Originally, I was going to use the tutorial to make Flower Fairies with Princess and Big Boy, however, these were a bit too tiny for their little hands.  I prefer the kids to do most of the work on their art projects and this is the variation I came up with based on the sweet tiny fairies tutorial.

First, we took apart all the pieces of a fake poinsettia plant and laid out all our materials.  One flower and one doll body makes one flower fairy.

Second, we drew faces on the doll bodies. We used a thin tipped marker instead of the chuncky ones.

Third, we glued the poinsettia flowers to the center of the body.  We also glued some yarn for the hair.  Originally, I used some fabric glue, but it didn't stick.  We resorted to old fashioned elmer's glue.

Fourth, we glued the wings on the back of the doll body and plastic cap on the head.  I did need to use a glue gun for the plastic cap.

And lastly, we tied a bow around the waist and tucked the center thingy (I cannot think of the name right now) of the poinsettia in the bow.

Jesse Tree Tea

We finally had our first Liturgical Tea. It was amazing to hear how much Princess has learned about the Old Testament from Holy Heroes. Here are a few pictures...

Christmas 2009

Merry Christmas

And May the Light of the Season Shine Through

Every Crack!!!

Advent Calendar

I do not have an advent calendar. I've tried several cheaper ones over the years, but all are not a good fit for my family. I actually put thought in what would work for my family this advent. The one thing that kept coming to mind was something that would house a piece of the nativity set each day--ending finally on Christmas with baby Jesus.

After lots of searching, I did find something that would work. Here is a tutorial on how to do it. The only hang up...I actually need to make it. For most people, this would not pose a problem, but I graduated from the art school of stick people. Thus, this project will need to be done after Christmas, when I have more time to focus.

O Antiphons

This is our O Antiphon wreath we made today. Under Her Starry Mantle has a detailed tutorial on how to make an O Antiphon wreath. Princess enjoyed all the cutting, pasting, and coloring.

Beginning on December 17, as the final phase of preparation for Christmas, the Church recites or chants the O Antiphons preceding the Magnificat during Vespers of the Liturgy of the Hours.

The O Antiphons express the Church's longing and expectation for the Messiah, her startled wonderment at the fullness of grace which the Christ-Child is about to bestow on the world. Their theme is the majesty of the Savior, His wisdom, His faithfulness and sanctity, His justice and mercy, His covenant with His chosen people, who in their ingratitude broke faith with Him. They are concerned with His power and love as King and Redeemer of the world, His relation to every soul as Emmanuel, God-with-us. (With Christ Through the Year by Bernard Strasser)
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December 17th

O Wisdom that comest out of the mouth of the Most High, that reachest from one end to another, and orderest all things mightily and sweetly, come to teach us the way of prudence!


I purchased a ton of Father Lovasik books from amazon. They are listed for $1.50 for a 10 pack. And if that's not enough of a great deal, there's also the 4 for 3 promotion. The kids will love these.
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December 18

O Adonai, and Ruler of the house of Israel, Who didst appear unto Moses in the burning bush, and gavest him the law in Sinai, come to redeem us with an outstretched arm!


Today we will make gingerbread houses using this tutorial. The kids will really enjoy this and taste testing all the goodies as well! Yum!!!!
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December 19th

O Root of Jesse, which standest for an ensign of the people, at Whom the kings shall shut their mouths, Whom the Gentiles shall seek, come to deliver us, do not tarry.


We will make a variation of these Poinsettia Flower fairies. And we'll also read The Legend of the Poinsettia by Tomie DePaola.
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December 20th

O Key of David, and Sceptre of the house of Israel, that openeth and no man shutteth, and shutteth and no man openeth, come to liberate the prisoner from the prison, and them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death.


Today we have our Jesse Tree Liturgical Tea. Perhaps, I'll include some Key Lime Pie.
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December 21st

O Dayspring, Brightness of the everlasting light, Son of justice, come to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death!


We will read The Clown of God by Tomie DePaola, add lights to our main nativity set, and drive around to a huge Christmas light display in the next town.
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December 22nd

O King of the Gentiles, yea, and desire thereof! O Corner-stone, that makest of two one, come to save man, whom Thou hast made out of the dust of the earth!


We will make some king crowns.
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December 23rd

O Emmanuel, our King and our Law-giver, Longing of the Gentiles, yea, and salvation thereof, come to save us, O Lord our God!


I really wanted to get the kiddos the One 2 Believe nativity set for today, however, there's no way it will ship here before this day. So, instead I decided to buy the Rosary cd and coloring book set from Holy Heroes. My kids are so excited everyday to watch the newest video from Holy Heroes and to pray a decade a day with them--even big boy sits and prays. The tie in for today's O Antiphon is that Mary through the rosary brings us all closer to Jesus.

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The Legend of the Poinsettia Craft

After reading The Legend of the Poinsettia
we made homemade poinsettia place mats using this coloring page. We will use these place mats during our Jesse Tree Tea on Sunday.

St. Lucia

Nope it's not any homemade type of bread recipe like the one found here, but it did get the message sent. Next year, I would like to dress the girls up and make candle crowns and perhaps even take a try at making the homemade bread.

The first snowfall of the season

Merry Christmas Strega Nona

We're busy planning a Christmas morning puppet show performance of Merry Christmas Strega Nona. Princess is enjoying the Strega Nona series and so am I to be honest with you. I'll keep updating this post as we finish the different elements...

Saint Nicholas Day

This is the first year that I actually had my act together enough to pull off St. Nicholas day! The night before we read Twas the Night Before Christmas and I have never seen my kids go to bed so fast ever. I wish St. Nick could come every night!

Decorating the Christmas Tree

Every year we get the kiddos a new ornament for the tree. It's usually something significant or an interest of theirs. Well, guess where their interests are????

Advent Week 1

After reading these two books, we made apple star print aprons. And what good are the aprons, if we didn't use them. We had quite the baking festivus in the kitchen this week.