Happy Easter from Our Family to Yours!
I have so many pictures I’d love to share from our Easter/Birthday celebration yesterday! It is going to have to wait for now, since I filled up the external hard-drive (again!) and it’s going to take a little time to sort through folders and and delete duplicates to make some more room… In the meantime I was able to upload the family picture we somehow managed to take, in between Easter Sunday Mass and the party we hosted, with the help of the self-timer on the camera and one of the steps on the swing set!
Today we will be attending Mass at noon, the baptism of a sweet baby girl, the reception following, and then coming home to have dinner (it’s going in the crock-pot now) with some dear friends (our oldest daughter’s godparents and their children!) who have been in town visiting their family for Easter! It is going to be another fun and very full day! Happy Easter!!!
Holy Thursday Lenten Dinner
Every year our children look forward to our Lenten Dinners which were originally inspired Alice’s Lenten Teas. These have become much loved traditions in our home over the past six years. It really isn’t very hard to pull together and can be modified in so many ways, as you can see from the changes I’ve made from year to year. Here are the pictures from this year’s Lenten Dinner on Holy Thursday:
One of the boys made a salad and I pulled out the vinegar and some “costly oil” to use as dressing.
“And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is preached in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.” Mk. 14:9
It was perfect for with either the Chicken Curry Soup or the Fig Butter.
“And when he came, he went up to him at once, and said, ‘Master!’ And he kissed him.” Mk. 14:45
For more Lenten posts:
The Lenten Season In Our Catholic Home
A Daybook During Holy Week
Outside my window…
my husband and I have been meeting with contractors. We have a few projects that we are hoping to begin this spring/summer which include building a new shed/pump house (to protect our pipes and deep well pump from freezing again next winter like they have the last two years) and remodeling/expanding the small detached “garage” on our property. Phase one includes an excavator and logger to make room for the garage expansion. I was so glad to hear that they wouldn’t be able to start felling trees (including a couple of our huge Ponderosa Pines) and removing stumps until early next week. I’d much rather wait until after our annual Easter Egg Hunt to deal with all the clean up, although it would have made for some interesting new hiding places!
I am thankful…
that I finally caught up all our bookkeeping from the past year (we have always used Quickbooks) and we were able to file our tax return before the deadline! I fell behind during my last pregnancy and spent countless hours working on caching up this past couple months, and especially these last two weeks. It is so nice to have it all done! I was really worried that we were going to need to file an extension for the first time… Now we can put this year’s refund towards the upcoming projects!
I am thinking…
about how much our life has changed this past year and how many more changes are right around the corner. It all hit me again last week when I walked out to the kitchen after dinner to find it all clean and our three oldest drying the last of the dishes they had washed. I sat down at the counter, snapped the picture below with my phone, and started thinking about how fast they are growing up… Our oldest will be 14 this summer, in just two short years all three of them will be teens, and in five years our oldest will leave for college. Rose will turn five this year. Five years goes by way too fast!
Learning all the time…
Celebrating the liturgical year…
Despite my original plans to move our Holy Thursday and Good Friday dinners to Passion Sunday and Palm Sunday, the past two weekends were just too full already. I think we may still have them this week after all.
From the kitchen…
lots of groceries. I finally made it back to Costco and Trader Joe’s to stock up for Easter!
I am working on…
mailing out prizes from the recent Baskets of Books for Easter Giveaway. It has been fun hosting all these giveaways the past couple months and I still have a couple more great giveaways scheduled for you all!
I am creating…
Easter plans. We will be hosting Easter Sunday dinner at our home again this year and it will most likely be very similar to 2013, 2012, and 2011 with the addition of birthday cake this year. We also need to make a new Paschal Candle sometime in the next few days!
I am going…
camping. Last weekend we drove out to my parent’s house to look at their old motorhome and ended up driving it home that evening! My forester husband loves camping under the stars in the middle of nowhere and I prefer hotel rooms overlooking the ocean. I think it will be the perfect compromise for our “little” family! We have already started making a list of all the lakes, rivers, and other destinations within an hour or two of our home that we hope to visit this summer. The Pacific Northwest is such a beautiful place to call home!
I am hoping…
to host another Curriculum Sale Blog Hop at the end of May! Thank you to everyone who left comments or emailed with their preferences. I may still host one in August as well, or just leave the link up open for the summer. I still need to figure out all the details and will let you all know once I have finalized the dates.
I am praying…
for my parents. Today is their 37th wedding anniversary! Happy Anniversary Dad and Mom!
I am reading…
Walking with Purpose: Seven Priorities That Make Life Work. I have the hardcover edition which was a gift from a sweet online friend, but the paperback is only $4.00 and there is a Kindle Version available for even less.
Pondering these words…
from Walking with Purpose: Seven Priorities That Make Life Work:
“Priorities can help us to keep first things first. When we live them out, we increase the likelihood that we’ll be content with the choices we make. We’ll have smoother schedules and happier homes. But even when we live them out as authentically as we possibly can (which is an enormous challenge), there can still be seasons of life when circumstances turn the best laid plans upside down. There is no perfect formula that guarantees we can always avoid being harried or making mistakes. It is important to remember that our worth does not depend on living in perfect balance. God’s love for us and our value as women does not go up and down depending on how perfectly we execute a plan and keep our priorities in order. Holiness isn’t measured by our perfection. It’s measured by how we love. . .”
I am listening…
to advice from holy priests. I was once again blessed with an unplanned visit with a priest. Thank you God! I happened to run into Father Kotas at Costco of all places (his parish is over 2 hours away but he was in town picking up a deacon at the airport!) and we had a nice long chat about a few things I have been struggling with lately. Note to self: Restock purse with kleenex…
Around the house…
Bud’s new favorite thing to do is to pull all the symbols off the Jesus Tree and peel all the crosses off the Lenten Calendar. I’ve lost track of how many extra crosses I’ve had to print. Next year I am definitely going to laminate everything and make it all re-useable. At least he doesn’t shove them down the air vents!
hearing my little Bud call me “MomMom.” The rest of the children all called me “Mama” when they were babies/toddlers, but hearing them all call me “Mom” now must have influenced his name for me. I just love it! Especially when he holds my cheeks with his two little chubby hands and says it so lovingly “MommMomm!” ❤
This week’s plans…
- Meet with Excavator/Logger
- Math tutors on Tuesday and Thursday
- Orthodontist appointments for both of the girls
- Meet with the Planning Department to go over the requirements for Setbacks and Fuel Break Reduction… (Spent two hours in the waiting room but was finally able to get a few answers!)
- Have underground lines located
- Start stocking the RV with supplies
- Grocery Shop and Prepare for Easter
- Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Easter Sunday and a Birthday!
A little peek at my day…
Meet the Masters :: Piet Mondrian
Piet Mondrian was the next Master Artist, following Mary Cassatt in our Meet the Masters Art Course this year. We completed this unit study at the beginning of March. Each of the units has taken us about three hours to complete – one for the lesson/discussion, one for the worksheets, and one for the art activity. We prefer spending one afternoon completing the units, but they could easily be broken up and spread out over the week or month. My goal for this year is to complete Tract A, which leaves us with just Pablo Picasso and Claude Monet before our summer break!
Three 3″x3″ squares of paper (1 each of red, yellow, blue)
Twelve 1/2″x12″ strips paper (2 blue, 2 red, 8 yellow)
One 12″x12″ sheet of light gray paper (we used cream)
One piece of scrap paper (for dab of glue)
Baskets of Books for Easter {and a Giveaway!}
Easter is coming up quickly and I’ve been busy rounding up little gifts to fill our children’s Easter Baskets! I’ve been collecting books to include since last year and can hardly wait to give them to the children. Some of the books I have purchased from either Amazon or Sacred Heart Books and Gifts, some have been purchased at local bookstores or on clearance, and some have been given to me as review copies from the authors or publishers.
In addition to all the books, I love including something that represents each child’s patron saint (this year it will be a mix of Saints ‘N Stiches and Prayer Pillowcases), art supplies (this year they are for our upcoming Meet the Masters lessons including Lyra Aquacolor Crayons, Paper Chalk, Soft Pastels, and a couple different kinds of Oil Pastels from Pentel and Sakura), a small toy or two (little lego sets, metal earth, finger puppets, etc), and some symbolic Easter candy (I’ve made my own in the past, however with all the sickness we’ve been fighting this year I am hoping to keep candy to a minimum) in the Easter Baskets. I also usually put together a “Family Easter Basket“ but since one of the girls will be celebrating her birthday on Easter this year, I’m planning on filling that basket just for her, incorporating the various Easter symbols into some of her birthday gifts this year!
I’m still waiting for my last order to arrive, but I have listed all my picks for this year below along with some pictures. Be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom for a chance to win a book from the basket of books I have to share with all my dear visitors here at Shower of Roses!
Note: Before I share the book list, I do want to remind you all that I haven’t read most of these books yet. I made my decisions based on recommendations, reviews, publishers, and the past work of some of the authors/illustrators.
The Soldier of Christ: Talks Before Confirmation
Any book on the sacrament of Confirmation can explain what Confirmation is, but this is the only book that explains, in the most original and engaging manner, what Confirmation does. It is both a dialogue and a travelogue, taking the reader on a journey from the Crusades to the Crimea; from medieval ceremonies of Knighthood to early modern methods of warfare. What does it mean to be a Soldier of Christ? For the true child of God, life is a daily battle against a well-concealed foe-that is, our own flaws and failings-and Mother Mary Loyola proposes to arm young recruits adequately for this task, leaving no stone unturned in her quest to root out this ‘enemy at home’. This is the sort of basic training no young Catholic should be without.
Backyard Ballistics
This bestselling DIY handbook now features new and expanded projects, enabling ordinary folks to construct 16 awesome ballistic devices in their garage or basement workshops using inexpensive household or hardware store materials and this step-by-step guide. Clear instructions, diagrams, and photographs show how to build projects ranging from the simple match-powered rocket to the more complex tabletop catapult and the offbeat Cincinnati fire kite… This book will be indispensable for the legions of backyard toy-rocket launchers and fireworks fanatics who wish every day was the fourth of July.
Saint Ignatius of Loyola: Leading the Way
Our oldest son was baptized on the feast of St. Ignatius and has always had a special devotion and love for this saint. It’s a little young for his age, but I think he will still enjoy this comic style book from Pauline Books.
John Paul II: The Journey of a Saint
This richly illustrated hardcover book tells the fascinating and deeply inspiring story of Pope John Paul II, who will be canonized a saint in April 2014. Young people will be drawn to the well-crafted pictures and simple text that tells the dramatic and inspiring story of one of the most important figures of the twentieth century, one that many are already calling “John Paul the Great”.
Tolkien: A Dictionary
J.R.R. Tolkien is the father of modern fantasy. He created characters and a world so rich with details—and so unique—that it warranted a whole new vocabulary along with it. His creation of language is not surprising, considering his first civilian job following his service during World War I was working on the Oxford English Dictionary. Inside, you’ll find a chronology of Tolkien’s life, along with a short biography and an explanation of his writings. Then flip through the dictionary to discover terms like Aglarond, the great caverns beneath Helm’s Deep, or the Black Riders and the mystery surrounding them—among many other terms. This companion serves as a terrific resource for all those in love with Middle Earth and its inhabitants.
The Hunters: Brotherband Cronicles, Book 3
Captain received Book 1 of this series last Easter and Book 2 for Christmas. I’ve pre-ordered Book 4 for his birthday! “From the author of the global phenomenon Ranger’s Apprentice! Hal and his brotherband crew are hot on the trail of the pirate Zavac and they have one thing only on their minds: Stopping the bloodthirsty thief before he can do more damage. Of course, they also know Zavac has the Andomal, the priceless Skandian artifact stolen when the brotherband let down their guard. The chase leads down mighty rivers, terrifying rapids, to the lawless fortress of Ragusa. If Hal is to succeed, he will need to go beyond his brotherband training. He will need to challenge the pirate one-on-one, knowing only one of them will survive.”
A Child’s Book of Warriors
Young people-boys and girls alike-will delight in these stories of warriors who in all ages have defended the right and fought for high ideals. William Canton was a journalist, poet and an author of children’s books such as The Invisible Playmate(1894), W.V., Her Book (1896/97), and W.V.’s Golden Legend (1898), which was published in the United States under the title A Child’s Book of Saints. His writing showed his great love for all things ancient as well as his flair for storytelling. Though A Child’s Book of Warriors was published 14 years after A Child’s Book of Saints, it has similar stories and a similar style, so that the two are like companion volumes. The notable characteristic of both is Canton’s unique penchant for British history and the appeal of his lyricism as he recounts the tales of saints and other heroes less well known to us today. The noble qualities of each character shine forth as each legend comes to life in these pages.
The Art of Stone Skipping and Other Fun Old-Time Games
“It’s an old-time playtime—nothing electronic, just games that have stood the test of time! They help children build skills like hand-eye coordination, problem solving, and simply learning how to be a good team player and work well with others. But most of all, they’re lots of fun. This collection of timeless games guarantees kids a great time—by themselves, with a group of friends, or with their family. And best of all, no batteries are required . . . and very little equipment, too.”
Learn to Burn: A Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Started in Pyrography
Known as pyrography, which literally means “writing with fire,” woodburning is a rewarding art that is practically infinite in its applications. This book shows you everything you need to get started in this fun and expressive craft.
Pope John Paul II Comic Book
Also available from Sacred Heart Books and Gifts
The exciting life story of Pope John Paul II, a man who touched the whole world with the power of his faith and love. Features include a summary of important events, photos, and a listing of pastoral visits around the world.
“Aspiring writers and Tolkien fans everywhere will be inspired by this fantastical journal. Harkening back to a time of quills and parchment in the magical world of Middle-Earth,A Tolkien Journal is the preferred means for a Halfling to record his thoughts and adventures. Now available to humans and with amazing half-tone illustrations on nearly every page, A Tolkien Journal is the perfect enchantment for your writings and musings.”
Dragon Slayers: The Essential Training Guide for Young Dragon Fighters
The Essential Training Guide for Young Dragon Fighters, Based Wholly on the Practices of the Great Dragon Slayers of Old and the Wisdom of Their Ancient Manualby Sir Wyvern Pugilist.
Saints & Heroes
In this updated anthology Ethel Pochocki (author of Once Upon a Time Saints books) has selected a mixture for older youth of soldiers and sailors, kings and queens, doctors, lawyers, beggars, thieves, poets, diplomats, fools and cranks, and she has told their stories in her characteristic lively style. She shows how brave and generous such people were; how they challenged the society they lived in; and how they have since become light-bearers to enthral future generations of young people. Beginning with the Mexican Indian, Saint Juan Diego, born in 1474, and spanning 500 years, these 33 chapters include modern men and women, such as Blessed Teresa of Calcutta and Jean Vanier, as well as old favorites such as SS Teresa of Avila, Philip Neri and Francis de Sales.
Saint Joan of Arc: Quest for Peace
The year was 1429, and the Hundred Years’ War was raging. The Dauphin, the rightful king of France, had been denied his rightful throne, his hereditary lands torn from him. His enemies schemed to crown the English king as monarch of both England and France. Only a few French strongholds remained loyal. Hope was trickling away . . . But outside the besieged town of Orleans, a seventeen-year-old girl from Domrémy, her white and gold banner flying, would lead the French army to an improbable victory over their English oppressors. “What God commands must be right,” she declared. Who was this astonishing young woman? How did she accomplish the feats that military experts called impossible? And what would become of her-and of her heroic quest for peace?
Sisters of the Last Straw
New edition by Chesterton Press! Our first series for younger readers. Meet the Sisters of the Last Straw, a group of sisters struggling hard to overcome their bad habits. Sister Krumbles forgets everything. Sister Shiny can’t stop polishing and cleaning everything. Mother Mercy has a terrible temper. Yet when the misfit nuns band together to form a new order, lessons on tolerance and forgiveness (as well as much hilarity!) ensue. Wonderfully illustrated by Sue Gioulis, this series by veteran Catholic novelist Karen Kelly Boyce is sure to please readers of all ages. In this first book, Sister Lovely keeps hearing voices in the chapel. Could it be ghosts? Or is there another mystery? And then there’s the matter of the runaway goats… read on to enjoy your first adventure with The Sisters of the Last Straw!
Stout Hearts & Whizzing Biscuits: A Patria Story (Volume 1)
When Oliver Stoop, age 11, moves with his family to a remote piece of land in northern Indiana, he soon discovers that someone is already living there – an entire kingdom of someones, in fact. These are the good citizens of Patria, a secret land founded by refugees from the Trojan War who sailed across the Atlantic in a reconfigured Trojan Horse – 3,000 years ago! For Oliver, Patria is a land of wonders – and for the first time in his life, friendship. There’s young Prince Farnsworth Vesuvius, inventor of the Magna-Pneumatic Whizzing Biscuit Blaster, and his formidable sister, Princess Rose, whose inedible, stone-hard biscuits provide the blaster’s ammunition. But there’s also the rest of the eccentric and lovable Patrian Royal Family, the boy warriors in the Potawatomi Indian Camp, not to mention the Viking kids from the Geat Village, newcomers to the area who only arrived 1,000 years ago. Yet when the noble Knights of the Blue Sock threaten to drive off the Stoops by force of arms, Oliver has to decide where his loyalties lie, and whether he has the courage to undertake the quest that is both Patria’s, and his family’s, last, best hope of peace. Join Oliver now as he discovers a new world of fun and excitement right in his backyard!
Stoop of Mastodon Meadow: A Patria Story (Volume 2)
In this hilarious and cavity-preventing sequel to Stout Hearts & Whizzing Biscuits, Oliver Stoop enrolls in the boys’ school in Patria, Mastodon Meadow. But almost as soon as he arrives he is caught up in a mystery involving a scandalous and anonymous new student newspaper, the Avenger. And when Oliver and his best friends, Prince Farnsworth and Princess Rose Vesuvius, emerge as the prime suspects behind the mudslinging broadsheet, it will require all the pluck and ingenuity of Vesuvius, Stoop & Co., Detectives, to find the real ink-fingered culprits before they themselves are fingered for the crime!
The Story of Saint John Paul II, A Boy Who Became Pope
“Who do you love most?” Framed around the question “Who do you love most?”, this ravishingly illustrated biography for children ages 6-9 tells the captivating story of Saint John Paul II. The story, bursting with brightly colored illustrations, reveals how John Paul II’s answer to that very important question blossomed into heroic virtue, holiness, and service to the Church and the world. From an ordinary little boy growing up in Poland to the world leader of the Catholic Church, John Paul II serves as an inspiration for today’s aspiring youth. Share your affection for this beloved pope and celebrate his canonization with the children in your life!
This beautiful book contains 96 illustrated stories of saints from St. Agatha to St. Zita. Each saint has a story and a picture of the saint and their feast day. Indexed.
Heroines of God: Saints for Girls
A book about female saints, directed towards strengthening the faith of young girls. For each saint, there is a picture, and a short, page long description of their lives.
A Story of St. Clare
Exact reprint of Dujarie Press 1957 printing. In 1194, Saint Clare was born into a wealthy family in Assisi, Italy. As she became a beautiful young woman, her father expected that she would marry a wealthy man. But Clare believed that God did not want her to marry. When Clare heard Saint Francis preach, she asked for his advice. Saint Francis helped Clare discern that God was calling her to live a life of prayer and poverty. Together, they founded a cloistered Order for women, which is now known as the Poor Clares. Reading this story can encourage us to follow in the footsteps of Saint Clare, who loved God so much that she devoted herself to a life of prayer and poverty, secluded from the cares of the world.
The Queen and the Cross: The Story of Saint Helen
In this fabulous and instructive blend of tale and history, children ages 5-8 will be inspired by the lore and legend of the faith. Boys and girls alike will be captivated by Helen, a heroic empress on a mission, and will be encouraged to treasure the Holy Cross in their own lives!
Saints for Girls: Sticker Book
This wonderful activity book for Catholic children features 25 reusable easy-peel stickers. In “Saints for Girls Sticker Book” children can read the names of the Saints in the book, and choose the Saint that fits in the appropriate space. They can also use these stickers to make holy cards and greeting cards or to decorate their own books. 8.5″ W x 11″ H, 12 pages of stickers.
Read-Aloud Book of Bible Stories
I purchased this lovely book when it was first released at the end of 2012 and I still haven’t given it to the children. I’m looking forward to reading it with them soon! “From the scores of beautiful and thrilling tales in the Bible, celebrated British author Amy Steedman has collected three dozen that are sure to delight young children. With the confidence of a master storyteller practiced in holding the attention of even the most restless child, she weaves tales of Noah and Moses, Solomon and David, and Daniel in the lion’s den. She leads young listeners to marvel at prophesies of the coming Savior, to be charmed by the gentle goodness of His boyhood, and be dazzled by the scores of miracles that proved He is the Messiah coming to save Israel … and to save, as well, every little child who hears these stories.”
Heroes of God: Saints for Boys
“Fr Daniel Lord’s Famous Stories of the Saints Chosen Especially for Boys (64 pages). Beautiful Illustrations for Every Bible Story by renowned Classical Children’s Artist Larry Ruppert .”
“Discover the story of Pope Francis! This delightfully illustrated biography leads young readers ages 6-8 to identify with the adventures and challenges that molded Pope Francis into a missionary of God’s unconditional love. Pope Francis was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936 in Buenos Aires, Argentina to parents of Italian descent. He was elected as the 266th pope on March 13, 2013 after the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. As the first pope to be a member of the Jesuit religious order, to come from Latin America, and to take the papal name in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi, Pope Francis made history.
The Hobbit: Illustrated Edition
A beautiful gift edition of J.R.R. Tolkien’s enchanting tale, fully illustrated by Jemima Catlin. “A glorious account of a magnificent adventure, filled with suspense and seasoned with a quiet humor that is irresistible . . . All those, young or old, who love a fine adventurous tale, beautifully told, will takeThe Hobbit to their hearts.” – New York Times Book Review
This beautifully-illustrated book, with 13 full page illustrations, relates the often-told story of St George and the dragon, with an afterword that looks at the real meaning of the legend.
This wonderful activity book for Catholic children features 25 reusable easy-peel stickers. In “Saints for Boys Sticker Book” children can read the names of the Saints in the book, and choose the Saint that fits in the appropriate space. They can also use these stickers to make holy cards and greeting cards or to decorate their own books. 8.5″ W x 11″ H, 12 pages of stickers.
A Little Book About Confession for Children
“A Little Book about Confession for Children explains the hows and whys of going to Confession. It includes step-by-step instructions for preparing and receiving this beautiful sacrament of healing, which draws us into the infinite mercy of God. The book even provides an examination of conscience just for kids. Everything you and your child need to know about the Sacrament of Reconciliation (or Confession) can be found in this informative little book with charming four-color illustrations. Perfect for preparing to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time, this little book is sure to be used over and over again.”
Saints for Girls: A First Book for Little Catholic Girls
Such a beautiful book! “Saints for Girls’s a beautiful treasure for little Catholic girls with saint stories they will love, remember and admire. Illustrations on every page with over half in full color. Those included in this edition are Saints: Genevieve, Elizabeth, Frances Cabrini, Helena, Brigid, Teresa of Avila, Thérèse of the Little Flower of Jesus and Bernadette.”
“A lush little board book edition of the beloved hymn. Naoko Stoop’s charming art, with an array of cuddly animals and an adorable little girl, captures the sweet spirit of the lyrics, which offer praise for nature, beauty, and the glory of all creation. The girl, accompanied everywhere by a cute monkey, wanders through glowing fields of flowers, where birds fly and nest; purple mountains with a flowing river where ducks make their home; and lush butterfly-filled meadows, perfect for playing. This is a gorgeous book for parents and children to share. “
Quiet Time With Cassatt, Sharing with Renoir and Painting with Picaso
New board books in the best-selling Mini Masters series feature beautiful paintings from Cassatt, Renoir and Picasso and rhyming text introducing budding artists to these famous masters.
Sense and Sensibility: A BabyLit Opposites Primer
Adding to our collection of BabyLit books… Costco recently had many of the titles for sale! I have some others that I will save for birthdays or Christmas. And, yes, I think I like these books more than the little ones! 😉
This charming board book with rounded corners introduces toddlers to their Blessed Mother Mary with sweet, four-color pictures. Key moments in Mary’s life are illustrated with one large picture and, on the opposing pages, several smaller pictures containing details from the scene. By pointing out and naming the pictures with a parent, even very young children can come to know and love Mary, the mother of Jesus.
Easter Bunny’s Amazing Day
Meet the Risen Jesus with an amazing bunny—and his amazing tale—in this beautifully illustrated hardcover children’s book. Children will learn about Jesus’ friendship and comfort through the eyes of a timid bunny rabbit who experiences firsthand the love and joy Jesus brings. A new enhanced version will be available Easter 2014, and these first-edition copies are going fast! Easter Bunny’s Amazing Day is sure to be a family favorite every Easter.
Saints for Boys: A First Book for Little Catholic Boys
“Saints for Boys is compiled especially for little Catholic boys preschool age up through the second grade level with illustrations on every page, over forty in full color. These stories will be loved by little Catholics and will remain in their hearts and memories for years. Those included in this edition are Saints: Aloysius Gonzaga, Vincent de Paul, Dominic Savio, Francis of Assisi, Archangel Gabriel, Joseph, Patrick, Benedict and Michael. Also included are some special and important first prayers. “
Four beautiful board books from the best-selling Mini Masters series, all packed in a colorful box. The set includes: Dancing with Degas, A Picnic with Monet, A Magical Day with Matisse, andIn the Garden with Van Gogh.
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn: A Camping Primer
“Take a trip downriver in Huckleberry Finn: A BabyLit Fishing Primer. Alison Oliver’s crisp illustrations help little ones learn fishing vocabulary such as “raft,” “river,” and “fishing line” while Jennifer Adam’s carefully curated quotations from the original text will have parents reading with the soft, twangy accent of Mark Twain.”
So Many Bunnies Board Book: A Bedtime ABC and Counting Book
Old Mother Rabbit lived in a shoe. She had twenty-six children and knew what to do. From Abel, who sleeps on a table, to Zed who sleeps on the shed, help Mother Rabbit tuck a whole alphabet of adorable little bunnies in for the night.
The moving events of Holy Week and Easter are tenderly told and illustrated for toddlers by the best-selling children’s author Maite Roche. Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday are introduced with one large picture and simple text. On the opposing page are smaller pictures with key terms. With this book, even very young children will quickly learn the story of the death and resurrection of Jesus. 
God Bless Our Easter
“Little ones learn to look for all God’s Easter blessings. Preschoolers can’t help but notice all the new wonders of springtime, and God Bless Our Easter emphasizes that each blessing comes from God! Lambs, bunnies, ducklings, piglets, chicks—lots of snuggly farm animals will take your little ones through the sweet rhyming story and have them asking to read the book long after Easter is past. The second book in the new God Bless series, God Bless Our Easter from the same illustrator of God Bless You and Good Night.”
A Basket of Books to Giveaway!
I have a basket filled with books to send to my visitors here at Shower of Roses! Some of these books are duplicates of what our children will be recieving in their baskets this year and the rest are books they have been given in the past (including the Stacks of Books on Christmas Morning and Baskets of Books last Easter). I will be drawing seven names, one for each title, using the random generator through Rafflecopter. Thank you to Harvey House Publishing, Ignatius Press, and Ligouri for sponsoring some of these giveaways!
1. The Gate sponsored by Harvey House Publishing
2. Our Holy Father the Pope sponsored by Ignatius Press
3. The Day the Sun Danced (DVD) sponsored by Shower of Roses
4. Clare’s Costly Cookie sponsored by Shower of Roses
5. A Little Book About Confession for Children sponsored by Ignatius Press
6. Easter Bunny’s Amazing Day sponsored by Liguori Publications
7. Blessed Miguel Pro Glory Stories (CD) sponsored by Shower of Roses
Sew Sweet by Shannon {Sponsored Giveaway}
As my girls get older (and the clothing styles get shorter and shorter!) it is getting much more difficult to find them cute, modest skirts and dresses. I was so excited this past week when I saw the new Color Block Skirts added to Shannon’s Etsy shop. I just know my girls would love these colorful skirts for summer!
I’ve posted about the darling dress and toys she made for Rose last fall and I’m looking forward to surprising my older girls with some pretty headbands and tote bags for Easter/Birthdays. Now I just need to decide what color skirts they would like the most and order a couple in their sizes!
Feasts & Seasons :: Our April Book Basket
At the beginning of each month I fill a basket with books featuring the the various saints whose feast days will be celebrated during the month and place it in the living room. Throughout the month I will find the children curled up on the couch reading books they have chosen from the basket, either on their own or to their younger siblings. I also choose books from the basket for some of our afternoon family read-alouds. Our collection started very small and we have continued adding additional books over the years which we have either purchased or have been given as gifts. Some are picture books, some are chapter books, and some are collections of saint stories. This post is a work in progress and I will continue adding links as I sort through our collection.
April 1st, St. Hugh (Hist.):
- Saint Hugh and the Swan (Brother Wolf, Sister Sparrow) by Eric A. Kimmel
April 2nd, St. Mary of Egypt (Hist.):
- Saint Mary of Egypt (Saints: Lives and Illuminations) by Ruth Sanderson
April 3rd, St. Richard of Chichester:
- St. Richard of Chichester: Bishop without a Diocese (The Book of Saints and Heroes) by Andrew Lang
- R- St. Richard (An Alphabet of Saints) by Robert Hugh Benson (Neumann Press – also available from TAN)
April 4th, St. Benedict the Moor (New):
- Benedict of San Fradello (Once Upon a Time Saints) by Ethel Pochocki
April 4th, St. Isidore of Seville (New, Trad.):
- St. Isidore of Seville (Lives of the Saints: An Illustrated History for Children) by Bart Tesoriero
April 5th, St. Vincent Ferrer (New, Trad.):
- St. Vincent Ferrer (Lives of the Saints: An Illustrated History for Children) by Bart Tesoriero
April 7th, St. John Baptist de la Salle (New) (Trad – May 15th):
- St. John Baptist de la Salle (Lives of the Saints: An Illustrated History for Children) by Bart Tesoriero
- Saint John Baptist de La Salle (More Saints: Lives and Illuminations) by Ruth Sanderson
- Saint John Baptist de La Salle (Along the Paths of the Gospel Series)
April 16th, St. Magnus of Orkney:
- The Last Viking (The Story of St. Magnus) Audio
- St. Magnus, The Last Viking
April 16th, St. Bernadette (Trad./some places) (New/some places – Feb. 18th):
- St. Bernadette (Saints and Angels) by Claire Llewellyn
- St. Bernadette Soubirous (Lives of the Saints: An Illustrated History for Children) by Bart Tesoriero
- Saint Bernadette (Saints for Girls) by Father Gales (Neumann Press – also available from TAN/Neumann)
- Bernadette: The Little Girl from Lourdes by Sophie Maraval-Hutin
- Bernadette: Our Lady’s Little Servant by by Hertha Pauli (Vision)
- The Song of Bernadette (DVD)
- Bernadette and The Passion of Bernadette (DVD)
- Bernadette: The Princess of Lourdes (DVD)
- Saint Bernadette: The Miracle of Lourdes (*recently ordered a copy to give as a gift to one of the girls on her birthday.)
Immaculate Conception by Rev. Jude Winkler
The Lady Spoke to Her (Golden Legend of Young Saints)
April 16th, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI’s Birthday:
- Our Holy Father, the Pope: The Papacy from Saint Peter to the Present
- Joseph from Germany: The Life of Pope Benedict XVI for Children
- Friendship with Jesus: Pope Benedict XVI Speaks to Children on their First Holy Communion
- Be Saints!: An Invitation from Pope Benedict XVI
- Joseph and Chico: The Life of Pope Benedict XVI as Told by a Cat
- Max and Benedict: A Bird’s Eye View of the Pope’s Daily Life (Ignatius Press currently has this beautiful hardcover on sale for only $3.00!)
April 21st, St. Alexandra (Hist.):
- Saint Alexandra (Saints: Lives and Illuminations) by Ruth Sanderson
April 23rd, St. George (New, Trad.):
- George (Lives and Legends of Saints) by Carole Armstrong
- Saint George (Saints: Lives and Illuminations) by Ruth Sanderson
- St. George: Patron Saint of England (The Book of Saints and Heroes) by Andrew Lang
- Saint George and the Dragon by Margaret Hodges
and Saint George and the Dragon :: A 3-D Sugar Cookie Story Quilt (2013)
- The Saint Who Fought the Dragon: The Story of St. George by Cornelia Mary Bilinsky
- Saint George and the Dragon by Jim Forest
April 25th, St. Mark:
- St. Mark (Saints and Angels) by Claire Llewellyn
- The Boy Who Fled in the Night (Golden Legend of Young Saints)
April 27th, St. Zita of Lucca (Hist.):
- Zita (More Once Upon a Time Saints) by Ethel Pochocki
- Z- St. Zita (An Alphabet of Saints) by Robert Hugh Benson (Neumann Press – also available from TAN)
- Helen’s Special Picture
- Our Holy Father, the Pope: The Papacy from Saint Peter to the Present
- Lolek: The Boy Who Became John Paul II
- Karol from Poland
- Glory Stories: Blessed John Paul II (also available from Holy Heroes)
- Karol: The Boy Who Became Pope: A Story About St. John Paul II (Neumann Press)
- John Paul II: The Journey of a Saint (Ignatius Press)
- Pope John Paul II Comic Book
- Blessed John Paul II: Be Not Afraid
- The Story of Saint John Paul II: A Boy Who Became Pope (Pauline Books) *These last three books are also available at a discount from Sacred Heart Books and Gifts, which is where I ordered my copies.
April 28th , St. Louis Marie de Montfort (New):
- St. Louis De Montfort: The Story of Our Lady’s Slave by Mary Fabyan Windeatt (also available from TAN)
April 29th, St. Catherine of Siena (New) (Trad. – Apr. 30th):
- Catherine of Siena (Around the Year Once Upon a Time Saints) by Ethel Pochocki
- St. Catherine of Siena (Lives of the Saints: An Illustrated History for Children) by Bart Tesoriero
- Saint Catherine of Siena (More Saints: Lives and Illuminations) by Ruth Sanderson
- St. Catherine Of Siena: The Story of the Girl Who Saw Saints in the Sky by Mary Fabyan Windeatt (also available from TAN)
- Lay Siege to Heaven: A Novel about St. Catherine of Siena by Louis de Wohl
- Saint Catherine of Siena by F.A. Forbes (Pro Multis Media) Audio CD
April 30th, St. Catherine of Siena (Trad.) (See Apr. 29th)
April 30th, Blessed Marie of the Incarnation:
- Blessed Marie of New France: The Story of the First Missionary Sisters in Canada by Mary Fabyan Windeatt (also available from TAN)
My Daybook :: April 2, 2014
Outside my window…
the sun is shining and the grass is looking pretty green on my side of the fence! (Not that we actually have a fence yet… It’s still on the to-do list… lol) After seriously thinking we would be selling our home and moving, I have been looking around and noticing all the little things I love about our home. We still have many unfinished projects but it has sure come a long way since we purchased our little fixer-upper 14 years ago this spring. I’m happy that we will be staying here after all, at least for now.
I am thinking…
that I need to email our oldest son’s specialist at the children’s hospital. He was sick again on Sunday morning, though it wasn’t nearly as severe as usual (perhaps due to his medications, including the acid reducers) and only lasted a couple hours instead of six. It is so strange that it hits like clockwork every two months. I did talk to the doctor last week and so far there is nothing to worry about from the test results. She’d like to do an endoscopy next (which requires sedation) but Sean and I would like to look into more allergy testing first.
I am thankful…
that even if I have fallen behind almost everywhere (house cleaning, grocery shopping, bookkeeping, blogging, emails, and even this year’s Jesus Tree readings – God had his own Lenten plans for us this year) our school year is going really well and all FIVE of the children are right on track to complete their SAXON Math books before the school year ends! It was a difficult transition back to Saxon from Teaching Textbooks but, according to the learning curves following their recent required state tests, it has been an incredibly productive year too! I am so proud of all their hard work.
Learning all the time…
Celebrating the liturgical year…
It’s time to update the book basket with saint books for April. I’ll try and compile our list soon to share with you all!
From the kitchen…
Cara Cara Oranges. Our little “princess” loves them… After all, they are pink!
I am working on…
our tax return. I still have way too many receipts to sort through from last year, and only two weeks left! Yikes… How is it possibly April already?!
I am creating…
my submissions for RTJ’s Creative Catechist. I just submitted my first article for the September issue yesterday!
I am going…
to post another sponsor update at the beginning of May, but do welcome my new April sponsors, Saints 365 and Bridgie & Green, by visiting their blog and Etsy shop! Be sure to keep all my awesome sponsors in mind, especially with Easter coming up, and be sure to tell them I sent you. If you happen to have a business and are interested in advertising you can download my media kit here or send me an email.
I am hoping…
to spend a little time this afternoon helping the children complete the Holy Week Banner they started making during the homeschool group activity on Monday.
I am praying…
The Holy Way of the Cross to be made by the Christian Mother for the Benefit of her Children found in The Christian Mother: The Education of Her Children and Her Prayer.
I am reading…
The 10 Habits of Happy Mothers: Reclaiming Our Passion, Purpose, and Sanity again, along with Holiness for Housewives (and other working women) and Meditations for Lent.
Pondering these words…
from The 10 Habits of Happy Mothers on Why Mothers Need Solitude:
“Why do we need solitude (and silence, which often accompanies it)? We need it because solitude makes us more sensitive mothers. Removing ourselves from constant stimulation and noise actually sharpens our sensitivity. Also, solitude forces us to face ourselves. In solitude we learn to like ourselves better because we are faced with our own company. It helps us heal from old hurts so that we can be free to enjoy the present and it refreshes us in ways that the company of others can’t. Finally, solitude centers us and brings about a deep peace that cannot be achieved while staying immersed in either the good noise of friends and family or the awful noise of raucous media. We must retreat into quiet aloneness so that we can learn to be the women we were meant to be.”
I am listening…
to lots of conversations about “selling and buying homes,” “new jobs,” and “high property taxes.” We had a rainy spring break and the children spent lots of time building a lego town in the older boys’ bedroom. I am always amazed at their creativity and need to take some close-up pictures to share.
Around the house…
stacks of books that I need to sell. I’m trying to decide if I should wait until August to host this year’s Curriculum Sale Blog Hop (like usual), host it early (perhaps in May), possibly host two, or just forget the idea and list the books on Cathswap or Ebay… Any thoughts? Are any of you interested in participating in another link-up this year?
visiting the ocean.
This week’s plans…
- Monday: Stations of the Cross and Craft with other local homeschoolers
- Monday: Dinner Date with my husband
- Tuesday & Thursday: Tutors for a few hours in the afternoon
- Meet with our Contractor about a couple projects we are hoping to begin this summer
- Order a few more books and other little gifts for the children’s Easter Baskets (you can find last year’s list here)
- Make time for some solitude and another visit to the adoration chapel
A little peek at my husband’s birthday…
A Quick Visit to the Ocean
Our Trip to the Children’s Hospital
It was so nice to be able to sit down and visit with him for awhile and to ask his advice on the possible job and move. Before we left he gave our oldest a blessing. We sure miss him!
After visiting with Father we spent some time walking the grounds at the Abbey.
Our next stop was at the gorgeous church in town. Someone was cleaning the entry area so it happened to be unlocked and we were able to peek inside. We had been here before for one of my friends/bridesmaid’s weddings and I just love this church!
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