Gingerbread Day

A few years ago, when I was first discerning the call to homeschooling, I had a "Gingerbread Day" with my boys. We read Jan Brett's awesome books ("Gingerbread Baby" and "Gingerbread Friends") and made gingerbread and did some crafts. Here are some pictures from that day:



I remember how much fun we had and how I began to fall in love with the idea of doing these kinds of things with the boys at home as part of their schooling.

For some reason we didn't do a Gingerbread Day last year, but I knew I wanted to have one this year. I planned it for the week after Christmas and invited my dad and his wife, my niece and nephew, and my sister to join us. I took advantage of the post-Christmas clearance sales to pick up our supplies, including a pre-made gingerbread house for us to decorate. I laughed when I saw two of my favorite blogger-moms post about their own gingerbread days! I'm thrilled to share this fun tradition with them.

So, on Thursday, everybody came over and we had a really fun day! We started by reading Jan Brett's "Gingerbread Baby" and then we helped each child assemble their own graham cracker gingerbread house. While the icing dried, we worked together to decorate the pre-made gingerbread house. (I loved Jessica's idea - on Shower of Roses - to use muffin pans to hold all of the decorations. It worked great!) Then the children got to decorate their graham cracker houses. After that, we had free play time and then lunch.

That morning, before everyone arrived, I had mixed a batch of gingerbread dough. After lunch, we rolled out the dough and cut and baked some big and small gingerbread man cookies. We then decorated those. We also did a little bit of crafting, decorating gingerbread cut-outs with glitter glue, sequins, pom poms, etc.

I was amazed at how calm and fun the whole day was. Thanks to my dad, I think my kitchen was actually CLEANER when the day was over. We all had a really good time, nobody ate too much candy, my house wasn't destroyed, and the children loved spending the day working and playing with their cousins. Special memories are made on days like this!

Happy New Year!

Happy 1-1-11! May God bless all of us with a year filled with grace and blessings.

My dad and his wife are here from Myrtle Beach and today we celebrated his 63rd birthday. Happy birthday Dad! May you know God's blessings, peace, and joy in special ways this year. Thank you for sharing these fun days with us, for all of the great Christmas presents, and for your love and support.


Last night we rang in the new year by taking the boys downtown to "First Night Columbus." There were many fun activities for all of us, including bouncers, art stations, entertainment, special night hours at COSI, ice carvers, Lego-building, and even fireworks! I think the boys had the most fun at the "bubble wrap" station. They got to jump and stomp and run on huge sheets of bubble wrap. What can be more fun than that? They also fulfilled a lifelong dream of riding on a city bus. (Funny, I know!) The buses were running as shuttles among the venues. We had a fun ride. I couldn't believe the boys lasted until the 10:30 fireworks. We had a wonderful time.




We got the boys home, carried them upstairs, tucked them in bed, and then collapsed into our own bed. As we watched the excitement at Times Square and waited for the ball to drop, we felt really old. It didn't seem as exciting as in the past. We mostly just couldn't believe how fast time seems to go now. How can it already be 2011? Jon was snoring by 12:05 and I wasn't far behind him.

This morning we all slept in a bit. We had intended to go to our parish for Mass to celebrate the Feast of Mary, Mother of God. It didn't happen. Although the boys and I were very resistant, Jon finally motivated us to get ready and head to the Cathedral for Mass at 10:30. I am so thankful for his gentle encouragement. We enjoyed a beautiful Mass and the boys - especially Ray - were really enthralled by the immensity and beauty of the Cathedral. Ray insists that we are going there for Mass all the time now. We'll see what happens tomorrow!

As we begin 2011 I am filled with gratitude for all God's blessings, especially for my family. I am making the usual resolutions of improved fitness and balance in my life. I hope that all of us will enjoy the gift of each day, each moment. May we recognize God's faithful presence and listen to His encouragement as well as challenges so that we may grow closer to Him and reflect His love to all we meet.

Thanks Mamaw!

We LOVE our new Buzz Lightyear pajamas!

We love all of the pajamas you make us.

If only they made us sleep in longer.... that would be Mommy's dream come true!

Beautiful Christmas Book

Before I return it to the library, I just have to recommend a lovely read-aloud we've enjoyed this holiday season. It's called Saint Francis and the Christmas Donkey. It is written and illustrated by Robert Byrd and published by Dutton Children's Books.

In the story a miserable donkey bemoans the facts that he has to work so hard and that everyone makes fun of the way he sounds. Saint Francis explains to the donkey why those things came to happen to donkeys AND he explains what a special role a donkey had in the story of Jesus' birth.

It is a beautiful story, but it's the illustrations that make this book outstanding. Each page is a work of art. The art is gentle and engaging and very beautiful. All of us enjoyed it very much. I'm sure we'll be buying it in the future.

So, head to the library and check out this great book. My copy should be back on the shelf by tomorrow!

I hope you're continuing to celebrate and enjoy this holy Season of Christmas.

Michigan Christmas Celebration

Jon's family is from Midland, Michigan. His mom still lives there and that's where the whole family - our family as well as Jon's five sisters and their families - gathers. We got together there the second weekend in December to celebrate Christmas as well as winter birthdays. We had such a wonderful time and I wanted to blog about it, but we've been so busy since then. So, better late than never.... here are some highlights from that trip.

It was a snowy, icy, cold weekend! The boys loved playing in Grandma's yard and pitching in to clear the driveway. They made a snowman with help from their cousin Addie. Jon's sister Nancy told us about an awesome free event at Dow Gardens. We bundled up and walked through the candlelit path, stopping to listen to choirs and even watch a puppet show. It was a fun and festive evening.


We attended a party with Jon's cousins and aunts and uncles. It was wonderful to see these people! The party was held in a big hall and Ray and Jon had a blast playing floor hockey. We all had fun creating at the arts and crafts table. Adam enjoyed playing with his cousin Kelly. Santa Claus even made a special visit!


We celebrated Christmas and birthdays with Jon's immediate family. His sister Nancy hosted a wonderful party. (Thanks so much!) There was great food and tons of presents. We all had a really fun time. The boys came home with tons and tons and tons of toys and other goodies, including a pin ball machine and a huge bin of Lego's from their older cousins. (Thanks a million you kind Aunts and Uncles and Cousins.... and GRANDMA!)


We also enjoyed swimming at the hotel pool and playing with cousins. On our last day in Midland, we had special time visiting with Grandma. We also visited an absolutely enchanting Santa House. It was filled with fun things to see, including toy trains, mechanical elves, and a Rudolph display. It even snowed inside! We visited Santa again and signed our names in the log book there.
We are so blessed to have a wonderful family in Michigan. We thoroughly enjoy our visits with them. It's fun to see the boys grow closer to their cousins and aunts and uncles each time we visit. We're already looking forward to a summer vacation in Northern Michigan for Addie's graduation!

Blessed Feast of the Holy Family

Family Prayer To The Holy Family

O Heavenly Father, our loving God,

you have given us the Holy Family

as our patron to bless and guide our families

that the fruit of the Holy Spirit -

love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,

faithfulness, humility, and self-control -

shall reign in our homes.

As husbands and wives, teach us to love our spouses more than ever.

As parents, give us wisdom and knowledge in rearing our offsprings

to be responsible and successful Christians forever.

As brothers and sisters, may we learn to care and support for one another

and be of inspiration to each other.

As children, teach us to be obedient

just as Jesus showed obedience and respect to Mary and Joseph.

As Christians, melt us, mold us, fill us, and use us,

in spreading the good news in our community

that they may see Christ in us.

When trials come, help us to face them with trusting faith

and confidently hope that all things work for good for those who love God.

May we have a happy holy family forever

through Jesus, Mary, and Joseph,

our miraculous patron, the adorable Holy Family.

Amen.

(Submitted to Catholic Payers by Romeo (boyeT) T. Santianoon February 19, 2000
http://www.yenra.com/catholic/prayers/family-prayer-to-the-holy-family.html)

How great it is that immediately after the celebration of Christmas Day we are now celebrating the Feast of the Holy Family. Jesus wasn't "plopped down to Earth" on a solo mission. He was born into a human family. He too experienced the joys and challenges of living and learning and loving as part of a family. His family is a model for us. Jesus, Mary and Joseph inspire us and also intercede for us in our daily family life.

The hoopla and expectations of Christmas celebrations can bring out the best and worst family dynamics. We love to be with our immediate and extended families, but so much togetherness can also bring out tensions of all sorts. But today --- as we clean up wrapping paper and exhale from the hustle and bustle of preparations and celebrations ---- we enter more deeply into the Season of Christmas.

For our little family this has been a day of playing and relaxing together. We cleaned up a bit, played with new toys, watched a movie, went to Mass, went out to dinner. We were able to be together in a less hurried way. We really enjoyed one another.

As I reflected on today's Feast and on the readings from Mass, I thanked God for the gift of the family in which I was raised and for the family which I am now raising. It is with these people that I am journeying to heaven. We are very far from perfect. It's really hard sometimes. It's really great a lot of times. I love these people with a love that is fierce and deep and true. They are my best friends and they make me a better person by loving me and challenging me.

It's funny. After college I entered the convent. I thought I was going to spend my life living with a bunch of old ladies and being very holy. But God had other plans. Now I live with three boys. I pray more and am challenged to love more than I probably ever would have been in the convent. The path of holiness is different for each of us, but it is never a solo mission.

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, pray for us.