While many from around the country participated in the March for Life, I spent the afternoon at home teaching my children about the culture of life and praying for the unborn.
The Culture of Life Studies Program recently shared an awesome and FREE “Ladybug Warriors” mini-lesson for elementary students. This unit study can be easily completed in an afternoon and teaches children about ladybugs, how the ladybug is named after our Blessed Mother, and how we can be warriors for Our Lady and pray for the protection of all preborn babies!
.: Picture Book :.
Last night I stopped at Barnes & Noble and picked up a copy of The Grouchy Ladybug…
After reading the story and discussing the book and the meaning of the name ladybug, we moved on to the suggested craft: Ladybug Prayer for Preborn Babies Prayer Cards.
Craft Supplies:
Red, Black, and Green Construction Paper (we used card stock)
Ladybug Template & Hail Mary Prayer Card (download here)
Hole Punch (for punching black spots out of paper/card stock to use as spots)
Black Crayon
Glue
Googly Eyes (2 per child)
This beautiful lesson also includes explanations for each of the Joyful Mysteries to share with the children while praying for the unborn. We also discussed spiritual adoption as suggested:
“As Ladybug Warriors, we can spiritually adopt a preborn baby and his parents as they wait for the baby to be born. Spiritual adoption means that you pray for protection for the baby every day so that he will be born happy, healthy, and holy. You can pray the Hail Mary prayer on your ladybug’s leaf as well as the rosary for the baby you are spiritually adopting.”
They all said they colored me as the “pregnant mom” (pregnant with them) and, apparently, they all interpret my hair color and highlights differently. lol I’m not quite sure what to think of that huge blond streak in the middle picture! I actually haven’t had my hair cut or highlighted since last June…. It’s time to make an appointment!
.: Ladybug Snacks :.
The lesson packet included a few snack suggestions including Red Punch or Strawberry Lemonade, Strawberry Slices with Chocolate Chips inserted into them to look like spots, and Ladybug Cupcakes.
Most of our kids are fighting colds at the moment so I opted for healthy snacks today, starting with some “Ladybug Appetizers” we made using cucumber slices, baby spinach leaves, cherry tomatoes, and black olives. We probably should have cut the tomatoes and olives in half to make them a little more stable, but they were quickly eaten so it didn’t really matter. We loved how they turned out!
I wanted to make the strawberry ladybugs, but organic strawberries were way too expensive last night at the store so I opted for raspberries instead. We used my favorite Enjoy Life Mini Chips (melting some to create the faces and adhere the spots) and even I was able to enjoy this treat!
Father in heaven, grant me the grace to appreciate the dignity which you have conferred on me. Let me realize that not even the Angels have been blessed with such a privilege—to share in your creative miracle and bring new Saints to heaven. Make me a good mother to all my children after the example of Mary, the Mother of your Son. Through the intercession of Jesus and Mary I ask your continued blessings on my family. Let us all be dedicated to your service on earth and attain the eternal happiness of your kingdom in heaven. Amen.
Sean & Jessica, Captain-23, Ranger-21, Twinkle Toes-20, Chiquita-18, Snuggles-16, Rose-13, Bud-11, Grace-6 and Joy-4 (blog nicknames)
A Little About Me
Hi! I'm Jessica, a Roman Catholic wife and home educating mother to our nine children. I was home educated myself, along with my eleven younger siblings. I have a special devotion to St. Therese, through whom I have been given much help and many blessings--the beautiful "Shower of Roses" that she has sent my way! Here I will record a few of the blessings I treasure. Please remember that what you see here is just a little glimpse at our lives, so please say a prayer for us, as we continue to strive for holiness.
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