Aloha!

Were you expecting a sandy beach? Ha! Far from it! After reading Aloha Kanani, Princess wanted to learn more about Hawaii. Actually, she wanted to travel there, however, seeing as a trip to Hawaii would cost close to $10, 000, we opted to bring a bit of paradise to our house via some excellent books.

Book Basket

A is for Aloha

The Island Below the Star

Aloha Kanani

Bring Me What I Ask

The Secret of the Hawaiian Rainbow

Volcanoes

Endangered Monk Seals

Sensory Bin Fun

Brown beans for sand

Seashells for scooping the bean sand

The blue gems have aquatic toob animals hidden waiting for discovery

Palm trees from our printable nativity set

Volcano, complete with lava

With leis purchased from the Dollar Store, the kids strung together leis for Princess' Dolls. This was a cheap and easy handicraft. Also, purchased from the Dollar store were mini wooden surf boards. The kids designed their own and Princess gave hers to her American Girl Doll.
We completed a lap book using components from HomeschoolShare using both American Girl Doll templates and various components from their volcanoes unit study.

First Holy Communion

Can you see how excited she is? 

Our gift...a cross necklace.

Ready to leave for church.

At church before the ceremony.

His Banner Over Me is Love

Family photo

Nona and Nono

Papa

Great Grandma

Cupcake Tower.

Trying to figure out this new format...

I have several posts, but I'm having some trouble figuring out this new format of blogger.  Yuck...

Lent 2012

Holy Heroes

Stations of the Cross Boxes
We've had these for many years and the kids really do enjoy them.
Portable Stations of the Cross
We made these using the cards from the Stations of the Cross Box and Popsicle sticks. We put them around the room or if the weather is nice--outside and pray the stations of the cross.

Jesus Tree and Biblical ReadingsBook Basket
The Story of the Cross
Celebrating Lent
New Catholic Picture Bible

Lenten Calendar and Sacrifice Cross

In years past we've had one calender for the whole family, but this year the two olders wanted their own calendar. Each kiddo has their own file folder to keep track of their Lenten Calendar, Sacrifice cross and decorated back cover with Stations of the Cross stickers from the Dollar Store.

40 Bag Challenge

Sacrifice beans
Burying the Alleluia

Daybook March 5th, 2012

Outside my window...Snow. Need I say more? Most winters, I'm done with the snow by this time, but not this year. The kids were so excited to see the fluffy white stuff that resembled feathers (according to Princess) falling from the sky. It wasn't too soon after I snapped the above picture, I came downstairs to the kids all dressed in snow pants ready for some outdoor fun.

I am thinking about...How much happier I am since we're unloading and de-cluttering. I really need to stay focused on living simply and not simply living around so much stuff.

I am thankful for...All the good listeners in my life. Truly all of you are quite gems. I hope I can be as good of a listener, too.

From the schoolroom...We just finished up a little trip to Hawaii on our couch. I hope to post soon about our adventures. Now we are hopping in the time machine destined for Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome.

Living the Liturgical Year...Still full force with the 40 Bag Challenge. We are also doing a few other activities. I hope to blog about them later this week.

I am wearing...Jeans and a black sweater. Comfy and warm clothes for this time of the year.

I am reading...The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. Halfway through the book, and, WOW, what a read! Makes me ask lots of questions about scientific ethics and the value of human life.

I am wondering...If Princess needs a formal headpiece for her first communion or not. Perhaps a simple white headband and bow might be okay. Any thoughts???

I am praying for...All those who have asked for prayers. I've added the Divine Mercy Chaplet to my prayer list.

For the sake of His sorrowful passion,

Have mercy on us and on the whole world...

Saint Valentine's Day

Happy Saint Valentine's Day

Oh how Little Bear could not wait to have a taste of the strawberry pink cake she helped to bake.

Sensory Bin Fun

Sorting by color with tweezers and basic math for Big Boy.

Small gifts of Valentine socks and fun winter hats. I only wish they made a hat my size!

Forty Bag Challenge

For Lent this year, one personal act of alms giving we're participating in is the 40 Bag Challenge. It is a way to let go, live with less, and help others in need. It's been several years since I've gone through the house with a fine tooth comb. The last time I did this serious of a house purging was when Little Bear was a baby. She's now a serious toddler of 2 1/2 and has lots of her own things now. With three kids I'm finding we need to reassess the function of a lot of spaces in our home. I'm hoping this challenge will help get the house working like a well oiled machine and help all of us become a bit more organized. And perhaps teach the kiddos that we can live with a lot less and not be so attached to material stuff. Care to join us on the 4o Bag Challenge? It's not too late. Simply grab a bag and start flinging...

February 6th, 2012 Daybook

Outside My Window...Gosh the weather has been so mild around these parts for winter. It's been mainly in the upper 40's most of the winter. Honestly, I do not mind it at all. The kids on the other hand would like more snow.

I am thinking about...How I've neglected this blog. I really do need to take the time to update on a more regular basis.

I am thankful for...Dear friends and family that have been lifting my husband and family up in prayer.

From the schoolroom...As the winter has been the most unusual so has our school year. Typically, we have an illness from Thanksgiving to March. Knock on something hard (like my head) we have had only two illnesses and that's it. So, we've been able to get through a lot of schooling. Currently, we're traveling to Europe and this week's destination is Russia. The kids are enjoying our travel around the world this year.

Living the Liturgical Year...I can't believe we're looking at Lent already. I need to get that together and this year, I plan on doing another 40 bag challenge.

From the Kitchen...We're eating no processed food. We've been eating whole, healthy foods for a few months now and I've seen a marked difference with our health. We're not as sick as we've been in the past and I've dropped 15 pounds!

I am wearing...workout clothes. Yes, I've been exercising 3 times a week. Big boy said I'm a much happier mommy. Yeah!

I am reading...Sense and Sensibility. I'm enjoying reading the classics on my e-reader. I hope to see the movie when I'm done with the book.

I am wondering...How to remove old (like decades old) paint splatters off of wood trim. I would like to avoid refinishing the trim as that would take time that I don't have nor want to dedicate to this trim.

I am praying for...All Holy Souls in Purgatory.

Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the masses said throughout the world today, for all the holy souls in purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal church, those in my own home and within my family. Amen.

African Party

What's a party without a costume? Here they're dressed as "authentic" ancient Egyptians.

African Peanut Stew served over rice.

Oh How I've Neglected Thee

Oh how I've neglected thee.

I hope you can forgive me.

So many reasons why...

Today I will update and try.

For may reasons, this little slice of cyber space has been neglected. We are all okay and I'm hoping to blow off the dust and start updating on our schooling and family life. Hopefully, this weekend I can get a few posts up.