Breathers are so good

The holiday season always seems to bring about a need for pausing and breathing. Maybe it's the almost halfway point or the reminder that we really cannot do it all and the birth of a SAVIOR makes that okay.

We have been trying to steer the children away from the overcommercialized idea of Christmas and really bringing it back to what it is all about.

Advent is a threefold celebration of the birth of Jesus, his return to earth, and his ever presence in our lives right now. We have decided to incorporate small bits and pieces of these ideas into our daily routine to allow our children to understand that it really isn't just about one day and lots of presents, but a time to prepare and set ourselves apart and to make sacrifices to glorify God and his only-begotten Son.

We are reading a book called "Jotham's Journey" which is about a 10 year old boy who is on an adventure to find his lost family. His journey will take him across Israel where he encounters thieves, robbers, and kidnappers, but also runs into wise men, shepherds, and innkeepers until he finds his way to his family-and to a Savior born in Bethlehem.

We have made an advent wreath and each evening one of the boys lights the candle, we snuggle up on the couch and do the daily reading. Then someone else gets to blow the candle out. (I don't know what the big deal is about blowing a candle out, but it can create quite a raucous around here.) The older boys seem to really be enjoying the story and at the end of each reading, there are a few Bible verses relating how what Jotham is experiencing to God's love, guidance, and forgiveness of Israel.

Elijah and I made a paper Advent chain, where we wrote different people we can pray for each day on very link. The children are taking turns tearing off a link before mealtime and then praying. They love that the chain is getting smaller.

We are doing a few other things and really enjoying starting some new customs that will hopefully instill good ideas and memories within our family.

Love,
Amy

Inuit Carving

So, I am having the worst time getting a good picture of Dante's soap carving, but I hate not to add it.

Did you know?

The Inuit live in areas within and near the Arctic, from the northeastern tip of Russia across Alaska and northern Canada, to Greenland. The Inuit call themselves by words that mean "the people." In Canada they are Inuit, Yupik in Alaska and Yuit in Siberia. Historically, they carved images of the animals they've hunted or in traditional myths and stories they told, or as toys for their children. Today the Inuit carve to make works of art to sell and support their families. Most Inuit carvings show polar bears, walrus, seals or Inuit hunters and are carved from soapstone, a soft, talc-based stone that easily accepts carving techniques.

The fruits of my labor...aahhhhh!

The perfect homeschool in MY home this morning.

I slept in until 6:50, so missed my opportunity to grab a shower without the children being awake before Rich left for work. Dante says, "It's okay, mom. Go ahead and get a shower and I will tend to Izzie." HHMMMM?, my first thought. But considering my other options (not getting a shower and being stinky all day), I go for it. Quick. Quick. Quick. Because I hear no bickering, arguing, yelling, or screaming. I have not been interrupted, so I am sure someone is locked in a closet or um, maybe tied up with a lasso and a bandana around their mouth? As I walk out of the bathroom, what do my wandering eyes should appear?
Three children all cuddled on the couch, under a big blanket while big brother reads Ducky Goes to the Zoo.
Life is good. I am thankful God has been SOOOOO forgiving of my mistakes in raising my 10 year old. If only I would be more patient and know that my Savior is faithful even in the little things.
Love,
Amy

Homemade pinata

Well, we wrapped up our Mexican study with a fiesta. Rich stopped by the local Mexican joint and grabbed some goodies and I whipped up a few things to accompany the tortillas. We had planned on making them from scratch, but time got away from me. We talked a bit about what we had learned about Mexico over some good food and the kids couldn't wait to bust open the pinata they had made.
Unfortunately, the pinatat had split, so Rich had to do a little repair with his Army tape. Although it didn't look beautiful and we didn't have time to paint it, the kids had a blast hitting with a bat and gathering the treats from inside.
We travel to Canada for the next couple of weeks and then WE ARE TAKING A BREAK !! We have been moving full speed ahead, missing one maybe two days of school since the middle of August. We started when Rich went back for teacher training week. I will post of few photos of our Canadian art projects and then will be MIA for a bit.
Love,
Amy
So........maybe I will not post a pic. It seems that we have lost a few photos over the last couple of days and our ghetto pinata was one of them. No redoing of that craft. :O)

Annual Field trip

We do not get out on too many field trips, so they are pretty special when we do. Our Home Front Co op organized a trip to a local corn maze. I figured we would be outside and running through corn. Doesn't get much more family friendly than that. Also, my sweetest friend, Amber, her helpful hubby, Tom, and their children were going and offered to help with my little ones...THANKS SO MUCH, GUYS!

We did have a super time. Aside from the chilly weather, it was really cool. There were 4 acres of corn maze, a hayride, games, and lunch. I am sure we couldn't have picked a better field trip to attend this season.

Love,

Amy

New England Pumpkin Cake

At the conclusion of each country we study, we will "celebrate" by making a food from that country.

Dante chose a New England Pumpkin Cake to end our study of the United States.

When I asked if he wanted to do it together....? "I can do it myself," said the independent, self-sufficient 10 year old boy and, HE DID! What an AMAZING job. The cake was delicious and very pretty, too.

Early American Quilts

Did you know???

Quilting bees, or quilting parties, were one of the favorite social times for women of the early American colonies. They would meet and work together, working on one quilt at a time until each person had a completed quilt. Quilting also made good use of fabric scraps; quilters developed simple and intricate unique American designs. Many quilt designs have been passed down for generations and are still being used today.

A sample of our American Quilt made by Dante.