Advent - Preparing for Jesus

I love to plan as much fun as I can around the holiday season but, I also find it of the utmost importance to always bring the focus back to the reason of the season - the birth of Jesus Christ.  I've done a variety of different things through the years depending on the boys ages and, after searching through a bunch of Pinterest ideas, I narrowed it down to two simple things things this year.  How did I pick?  Ultimately I wanted . . .free :-)

 The first thing we are doing comes from 1 plus1 plus 1 equals 1, a great resource for homeschooling all year long.  This is the Jesse Tree.  Each night we read the Jesse Tree card.  There is scripture reading you can do as well but for this year, we are just reading the "story".  Then, there is an ornament to hang on the tree.  Since we do this at bedtime, the ornament gets hung on the boys tree in their room and I hang the story cards in their room as well.  Ideally, if you do this, laminating the ornaments for future use is a great idea but I was out of lamination sheets so I'll have to do it later :-)

Secondly, we are doing this idea from Activities For Kids.  It is so super simple.  Just print each of the verse sheets (provided for free) on your choice of colored paper.  Each night we read the verse of the day (the kids are reading them!) and add it to the chain on their tree.  I considered putting together the chain and then removing one each day like a "normal" countdown chain but, instead we are adding a "link" each day and wrapping the chain around their tree.  Such a simple way to incorporate the Christmas Story. 

Don't worry that it is already December 4th, you can start these now and just double up a few days.  I can almost guarantee that we will end up missing day due to plans or activities away from home that bring us home late - it's not about being perfect and never missing a day; it's about doing something to focus on Jesus!

Our Week in Photos #23

Some weeks start out and I think we won't have much "to show" at the end of the week.  Yet, every week it's fun to look back and see what we've done!

 This week in school, Nate had to create a "still life" art piece with real things at home.  This is what he created and yes, he was very proud of his work. 

 On Tuesday, we went to see Santa.  Yes, we go early :-)  Several years ago, I wanted until just before Christmas and the boys (and I) were so sick that we couldn't go.  I learned  my lesson - go early!  Not to mention it was 60 degrees on Tuesday so, as you can see, we didn't even need coats!  This Santa House is about15 minutes from us - it's awesome.  They boys got to sign the "Naughty and Nice" list before seeing Santa! 

 Josh loves the guy in the big red suit!  He walks right in, sits down and tells him what he wants. 

Nate does not enjoy this at all.  He appeases me, albeit without a smile, by standing in the doorway.  What he didn't know was that Santa was sneaking up behind him for this perfect shot!!! 

 On Thursday we were able to meet some family for dinner including my oldest brother, Kel.  The boys had been planning for WEEKS to "make" him taste all levels of hot sauce because, well, Kel likes hot sauce.

 Uncle Kel did not disappoint!  The last one (from the Mexican restaurant we were eating at) was the hottest and made him sweat just a teeny bit HA! 

 All of the sauces!

 It really was a special treat to see my brother and sister-in-law as well as my nephew, his wife and they little guy! 

 December 1st brings lots of new fun.  We started our Grinch countdown; the boys got to open day one in their new advent calendars from Nana, and we did our first day of our Christmas Story Advent as well. 

 Josh and his cat.  Why is the cat sitting with Josh?  For one simple reason - the cat loves spaghetti and that is what was for dinner!!!

 Then we headed downtown for the parade!  We ran into our friends (we thought they weren't coming!) and the kids were all thrilled!

The Tree sits right in the center of town.  It's pretty cool 

 A couple of my favorites - the trucks decorated with lights!

The boys in front of the tree!  It was really a great night (and not even that cold!)

Weekly Menu

Last week I was kind of scrapping the bottle of the barrel (or fridge and freezer) in order to use up leftovers and other stuff that has been sitting around in the cupboards for awhile. (That sounds appetizing!) As we enter December, my goal is always to keep meals simple and well planned.  We have fun activities to do whether at home or out and about - I try to avoid random eating out because it "eats" up the grocery budget faster then, well, groceries!

I'm using the menu from Confessions of a Homeschooler as my inspiration.

Friday:  Tonight is our local Christmas Parade and lighting of the tree.  I always struggle with dinner on this night because  we have such a little amount of time to eat between when Darryl gets home and when we need to head downtown.  So, speghetti and breadsticks is the plan!

Saturday: We have a busy day with practices and then a concert in the evening.  My crock pot is my friend today.  Pulled Pork BBQ, Mac and Cheese and Baked Beans

Sunday: Today is my "cheat day".  We are heading to get our Christmas tree after church so we will stop at a fast food place in town before traveling on to the Christmas tree farm.

Monday: Breaded chicken, Carrots and Peas, crash potatoes

Tuesday: Chicken Quasidillas with a salad and guacamole.

Wednesday: Pork Roast, Sweet Potatoes, and green Beans.  Darryl is taking the boys on a field trip today so I'm going to enjoy the smell of the pork roast in the oven all afternoon!

Thursday: BBQ Ribs, Corn, and Mashed Potatoes. Tonight I'm heading to a Christmas tree so, again, the crock pot will keep me on track today so we can eat dinner before I head out.

A little Blog Inspiration - Confessions of a Homeschooler

One of my all time favorite blogs to read and follow is :

It is through Erica's BLOG that I have found amazing teaching resources that I've been able to use over and over again with my kids.  I recently noticed that the preschool the princess attends uses Erica's preschool curriculum which is a pretty big deal.  She also offers great videos and sells amazing resources based on her knowledge she has gained through the years she has homeschooled each of her kids.  I feel like she makes my homeschool live a little easier. 

One of the extras that she does each month is posts a menu.  Within the menu are links to many of her meals so you can even find the recipes.  I've made many of her recipes and they are always good (simple and good - that is a great thing!). 

Well, in December her menu also includes crafts and activities to do with the kids too - a triple bonus! 

If you are looking for some meal and planing inspiration - just click HERE.  Trust me, I plan on using her monthly menu to plan our December meals to keep my life so much more simple!!

I'm still here . ..

I have blog post ideas to post about but it just seems I haven't had a chance to actually write them! 

Right now I'm focused on planning our December - what to make, what to do, and how to wisely spend our shopping money!  So usually at night, I'm doing a lot of planning and not a lot of writing!  The good news is that soon I'll have a bunch of recipes, crafts, and great ideas to write about!

So, for now, enjoy all of the Christmas lights - they are one of my most favorite parts of the season!

Our Week in Photos #22

And just like that Thanksgiving is over.  We've had a wonderful start to the Holiday season and I look forward to sharing all of our adventures with you over the coming weeks!

 After the event at the library with building bridges, the boys put together this huge bridge using straws and connections.  it was the entire length of the living room. 

 Saturday we had a quiet day at home.  We don't get days like this very often.  Josh was in his glory because the cat actually sat with and/or on him most of the day.  He's been dreaming of this moment for a long time!

 On Monday, the boys participated in a "Mystery Dinner" at the Library.  Nate was "Mikey the Millionaire" and Josh was "The Robot".  Yes, those are their costumes.  So, now you understand why I buy their Halloween costumes every year  ;-) HA!  They really had a great time and got into the whole idea of the mystery!

 Thanksgiving was a beautiful day.  My mom and Darryl's dad celebrated with us.  We watched Football, ate a great dinner, and enjoyed being together.  As is always true at the holidays, my dad's presence was missed but I'm thankful for the family that was able to be together.

 We ended our evening playing games :-)

On Friday, we enjoyed going to see a fabulous Christmas Movie.

This movie was just amazing.  It was so well done and the story was really as close to the real Christmas story as they could get.  I was very impressed.  You know it is good when my 7 year old leans over and says, "Mom, lets buy this movie!"

 And this is the next movie on our list :-)

After he movie we came home to do some yard work.  Yes, this is November 24th.  Nate is in a tank top and shorts and yes, we are really mowing the grass.  Crazy.  It was 60 degrees.  With the help of my mom, we cleaned up the garage, got all of the yard stuff put away and did a little yard work.  It was a great day! 

Thanksgiving Craft - Accordian Thankful Book

I shared the other day one craft we did in our last week of Friday School and now, I want to share the other.

In my searching of Pinterest (My favorite resource for all things related to teaching co-ops!), I came across an adorable Thankfulness book on Teachers Pay Teachers and knew I had to do it. 

This little accordion book is perfect for any kid from preschool through upper elementary.  For my class of 6-7 year olds, I premade the books by folding the paper, cutting out the turkey head and feathers and stapling it all together.  I was concerned about running out of time.  Depending on age, the kids could complete the whole thing on there own.  The printable comes with a cute poem as well as "I am thankful for . .. ." pages that get filled out and glued on each page.  This would make a great writing assignment for older grades or, as my class did, they can draw pictures on his card showing what they are thankful for as well.

You can find the full printable HERE.