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Building the Great Cathedrals

Jan 19, 2014 | , , | 11 Comments


On December 29th, the feast of St. Thomas Becket, our dinner conversation about the saint and our Cathedral Window Cookies for dessert led to a family movie night following dinner thanks to a recent recommendation I had received from Julie and KC in the comment box!   Building the Great Cathedrals by Nova is available on DVD, or you can watch it for free at PBS, You Tube (embed below), or on Amazon Prime (which is how we watched the program).  It was excellent!



Of course, afterwards I had to pull out a 500 piece “Churches & Cathedrals” puzzle which I purchased a while back at an outlet store for just a few dollars. It only took us the rest of the evening to put it together! 


Since then the older boys have been discussing ways to build a Cathedral out of their legos (and wishing they had a few more Council of Elrond sets for the arches!) and Snuggles asked us to read his copy of A Knight’s City: With Amazing Pop-Ups and an Interactive Tour of Life in a Medieval City. I need to remember to re-watch this video the next time we are studying the Middle Ages! 

{pretty, happy, funny, real} :: 36th Birthday Edition

Jan 18, 2014 | , , , | 6 Comments

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life. ~
{pretty}

I know I already posted pictures of the pretty cake my family blessed me with on my birthday this past Thursday, but I have a few more pictures to share! 
These beautiful flowers (along with gifts, chocolates and hand-printed cards!) mysteriously appeared on the table Thursday afternoon.  The children were all giggly and secretive about it and it took me forever to squeeze it out of them that their daddy had come home and quickly arranged them in the vase on his lunch break before hurrying back to the office!  I didn’t even know he had been home. . . So sweet! 
{happy}
I was also surprised by my little brother Scott who showed up at the front door with lunch!  He had bought a Pesto Chicken Wrap for us to share and also delivered a card from my parents with a gift certificate for a one hour massage!  My mom, with twelve children of her own, sure knows the perfect gift for a busy mother of many! 
{funny}
And I’m still laughing over the card that a certain oldest son of ours made for me. . . 
(shared with permission from him – he still struggles with Auditory Processing/Dyslexia)
That’s what I get for teasing my little brother – who was born the day before my 18th birthday and just turned 18 this week – to “enjoy being 18 while it lasts… 18×2=36, which rounds up to 40, which rounds up to 50, which rounds up to old!”   
“Wow” is right!  I told him he can save this card to give me again in 20 years! 😉 
And according to Chiquita, it was my “26th Birthday!”  
They have quite the range of ages on the cards. . .  At least it was correct on the cake! 
{real}
I may not have my own baby record book (like my husband does) but how many can say they have their very own ceramic Newspaper Delivery Boy figurine announcing their arrival!   This little guy was hand-painted by a neighbor of my parents way back in 1978.  My children got a kick out of seeing him for the first time this year along with a few of my birth and baptism photos! 

Visit Like Mother, Like Daughter for more pictures of contentment.

Made with Love :: Another Birthday Cake for Mom!

Jan 17, 2014 | , , | 29 Comments

This evening, after Math and Science lessons with the tutor, the children borrowed the camera and kicked me out of the kitchen so they could decorate another birthday cake for me, just like they did last year!  It was a full day for them so I baked the chocolate cake, whipped up some chocolate cream cheese frosting, and then had fun molding some fondant with my gorgeous new St. Cecilia mold (which my husband gave me for Christmas!!!) before they took over and did the rest.  I thought they did a beautiful job! I sure love this little family of mine! 

Celebrating the Saints :: St. Felix of Nola

Jan 15, 2014 | , , | 7 Comments

Prior to the publication of Saint Felix and the Spider our family hadn’t ever learned much (if anything) about Saint Felix of Nola.  Our six year old received this excellent picture book in his stack of books on Christmas!  While I was working on filling our book basket for January I was delighted to discover that the memorial of St. Felix was coming up on January 14th and decided to find a way to celebrate it with our new book, a special snack, and an activity.  
.: STORY TIME :. 
by Dessi Jackson and illustrated by Lydia Grace Kadar-Kallen
“Inspired by the life of Saint Felix, this fanciful tale tells of how the course of one man’s life is changed by one of God’s tiniest wonders.  A little love and friendship can grow big hearts even in the smallest creatures. This story is about a spider and a man and their journey to a lifelong friendship.” 
After completing Saint Felix and the Spider I continued reading from Saint Thomas Aquinas and the Preaching Beggars, one on our current read aloud books, while the children continued to paint. 
.: ACTIVITY – WATERCOLOR PAINTINGS :. 
Inspired by the beautiful illustrations I pulled out our various sets of watercolors and watercolor paper for the children to create their own paintings while I read the book aloud. 
  by Captain (age 13) with Prismacolor Watercolor Pencils and sharpener

by Rascal (age 11) – painted with Prang’s 16 Classic Colors 
by Twinkle Toes (age 10) – painted with Prang’s 16 Classic Colors 

by Chiquita (age 8) painted with Melissa & Doug Take-Along Watercolor Paint Set

by Snuggles (age 6) painted with Crayola Washable Watercolors

by Rose (age 3) painted with Crayola Washable Watercolors
.: SNACK TIME :. 
These delicious sweet and salty Spider Web Snacks were easy to make and so much fun. 
Rose wasn’t quite sure she wanted to eat a “spider”. . . 
.: PRAYER :. 

Quaesumus, Domine, salutaribus repleti mysteriis: ut beati Felicis Martyris tui, cuius solemnia celebramus, orationibus adiuvemur. Per Dominum nostrum, Iesum Christum, Filium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum.

 We beseech Thee, O Lord, that we, who have been fed with these Mysteries of our salvation, may be aided by the prayers of blessed Felix Thy Martyr, whose festival we celebrate. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who with Thee liveth and reigneth in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.

Saint Felix, Pray for us! 

Bargain Priced Books for Spring

Jan 13, 2014 | , , , | 6 Comments

I know it is only January, but I have been thinking ahead about gifts for an upcoming baby shower and to include in Easter baskets.  I spent a little time this afternoon looking through books and thought I’d share a few of the book bargains I ran across online.  I was actually able to order four bargain priced board books (two for my little ones and two to include in the baby shower gift – all 60% off) for only $10.76!

by Lois Ehlert 

This educational and enjoyable book helps children understand how to plant bulbs, seeds, and seedlings, and nurture their growth. Lois Ehlert’s bold collage illustrations include six pages of staggered width, presenting all the flowers of each color of the rainbow.


by Jane Werner Watson


A beloved Little Golden Book is now available in our recently launched Golden Baby board book line. In this counting book, the youngest readers will enjoy following an adorable duckling as he explores the farm.

I also ordered Flaptastic: Colors (look inside here) and Curious George’s 1 to 10 and Back Again (look inside here).  

Jan Brett’s The Easter Egg (hardcover) is also 60% off! We’ve borrowed this book from the library multiple times in the past (even though it isn’t a religious story) and the illustrations are beautiful. This year we will add it to our family’s Easter Book Collection!

by Jan Brett

Jan Brett’s lovable bunny hero, Hoppi, and her remarkable Easter Rabbit will enchant readers as they pore over illustrations filled with dazzling eggs made by Flora Bunny, Aunt Sassyfrass and others.

And just in case you haven’t heard, the Kindle version of Small Steps for Catholic Moms is currently only $4.39! I have the first edition in paperback, which is usually on my nightstand, but at that price I’ve been considering the kindle edition for easy access in my iPad’s Kindle app as well.

Well, it’s time for our two youngest to take their naps while I read aloud to the rest of the children. Today we are reading another chapter from St. Thomas Aquinas and the Preaching Beggars (from our January Book Basket), the first couple chapters of The Golden Goblet (for our Ancient History studies), and tonight we will move on to the third chapter of Peter Pan.   I hope your week is off to a great start! 

Christmas Day :: December 25, 2013

Jan 11, 2014 | , , | 13 Comments

A Saint has told us that one day at Mass he saw Jesus Christ with His hands full of gifts, looking for souls to whom He might give them. ~ St. John Vianney

We began our Christmas morning praying the Joyful Mysteries of the rosary together as a family. 
Then, after digging through their stockings, the children all asked is if we could exchange Christkindl gifts first, before opening their gifts from their dad and I!  
Everyone was so curious to find out who had who! 🙂 

The Walkie Talkies, Metal Earth Models, Snuggles Toy Swiss Army Knife and Captain’s New Watch were a few favorites found in the stockings this year. 

Like last year we gave each child an allowance (except for Captain who asked if he could use some of the money he was given on his last birthday) to choose a gift for their Christkindl.   Sean ended up having Twinkle Toes and picked out a new puzzle for her, I had purchased a new calendar for Sean to use at work, Captain had spent some of his own savings on a restaurant gift card to give to me, which he had purchased at the local grocery store, so that Sean and I could go out to dinner sometime (so thoughtful!), Rascal had picked out a doll dress for Chiquita, Twinkle Toes gave Captain his wished for Original Perplexus (which he has already mastered – he’s ready for the Epic!), Chiquita picked out a lego set to give to Rascal, Snuggles gave Bud a block set (like this one),  Rose gave Snuggles the Rookie Perplexus (we were able to find these locally at 50% off!), and Bud helped me wrap a pink tutu (made by a friend of mine) for him to give Rose.  
I did list the gifts we planned to give our children in this post, but I will try and include the links here (along with any changes) as well.  Our children were blessed once again this Christmas with many wonderful gifts, in addition to new hats and mittens from my parents and gifts from Sean’s parents on Epiphany! They also helped pack and ship gift packages to a couple struggling families.  The income from my new sponsors here at Shower of Roses, along with the commissions received though all the affiliate links, has been such a blessing!  Thank you to all those bless our family by sponsoring this blog, using the affiliate/sponsor links, or with your prayers.  May God reward you!   
.: Gifts for Captain and Rascal :.
  ages 13 and 11


Rascal received the Mirkwood Elf Army, Mountain Hut (I love this new lego set!), and the Brandenburg Gate.   It didn’t take the boys long at all to have all their new sets assembled!
We had originally planned to surprise them with their own Cassocks and Surplices, but I made a mistake when ordering them (I ordered red instead of black) and didn’t have time to exchange them before Christmas since they were ordered online… Whoops!  Just before Christmas I saw some winter snow boots at Costco, which they really needed, so I picked those up to give them instead. 

*I love that my big boys are so sweet and were more than willing to humor me by wearing the matching reindeer pajamas… I usually just give them the plaid pants with a solid/plain t-shirt, but didn’t have the time to find one this year.  They are probably glad that they will outgrow the Gymboree sizes soon!
.: Gifts for Twinkle Toes and Chiquita :.
ages 10 and 8

Twinkle Toes was given Saige’s Horse and Saddle Set (purchased before they sold out), along with Caroline’s Holiday Gown. 

It is always so much fun to watch Chiquita open her gifts.  I just love her excitement and squeals!  This year she received Josefina’s Bed and Bedding, Kaya’s Animals, and Josefina’s Feast Outfit. 


Twinkle Toes was given a St. Catherine Doll and audio book.


I also enjoyed watching Chiquita flip through the pages St. Mary’s Messenger (we gave her a subscription to St. Mary’s Messenger and a couple Holy Heroes CDs) and seeing her excitement when she discovered the pages featuring one of her past birthday parties! 
.: Gifts for Snuggles :. 
 age 6
My dear friend Erica made Vestments for us to give to Snuggles!  (She was going to try and open an Etsy shop before Christmas, but that new godson of mine arrived a bit earlier than expected with a few complications!  Hopefully this year!)  This little boy just loves playing Mass and he had to try them on immediately.  His excitement continued to increase when he discovered his new St. Michael the Archangel Pillowcase and the Baptism Set!
It didn’t take long for the baptisms to begin! 
Snuggles also received a stack of three lego sets including the Coast Guard Patrol, Small Cottage, and Red Rotors. 

.: Gifts for Rose :.
 age 4
She also received a set of Pink Rosary Roses and a St. Therese Pillowcase. 
.: Gifts for Bud :.
 age 2
Bud was so excited when he opened his (way too many!) gifts from his godparents!  The Signing Time DVDs they sent completed our collection and the Nativity puzzle is simply beautiful! 


… and I had originally been torn on whether to order the Melissa & Doug Deluxe Folding Medieval Castle, since the girls already have the Princess Castle, but Sean talked me into it when it was featured on one of the Amazon Lightning deals.  I’m so glad he did!  It’s nice to have the “boy” version and it has been played with so much already!  In fact, I often see our three youngest playing with the two castles set up together.

We also gave the children each a stack of books.  You can see all of those here:
After Bud opened his castle, my camera card was full so I put it down for the rest of the day and only snapped a couple additional pictures with my cellphone… 

It’s a bit of a drive, but we were very excited to hear that Father Carmelo was asked to offer Mass at the Veteran’s Domiciliary Chapel at 4pm on Christmas Day!  This year, instead of attending the Midnight Mass, we attended Christmas Mass at the Dom and the boys were able to serve for Father once again!

 

After Mass we drove around looking at Christmas lights in a nearby town before coming home for dinner. It was such a wonderful day filled with joy and blessings!

Noah’s Ark – The Invitation :: A 1,000 Piece Puzzle

Jan 10, 2014 | , , , , | 2 Comments

I always love when what we are studying for History ties in nicely to the Liturgical Year! This Noah’s Ark puzzle was perfect to complete during Advent to go along with our Jesse Tree readings.

We actually had a pretty slow start with our history studies this fall… We are currently wrapping up Unit Two and I just finished reading Gilgamesh (also available from RC History) aloud to the children. It was the first time we had read this story – the oldest known legend – and they all loved the part that told of a great flood and of one man who survived by building an ark! 

Stacks of Books on Christmas Morning

Jan 8, 2014 | , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

I’m still trying to recover from being sick, as we ease back into our daily school routine and work towards finishing up our second quarter for this school year, which will end on January 24th.   In the meantime I am going to work on sharing a few more pictures from earlier in the quarter and from our Christmas break!
Last year I was inspired by Charlotte to give our children each a stack of books for Christmas this year! It was such a hit, especially with the older children.  I love that they (at least most of them!) love receiving books as gifts as much as I did as a child.   
Here is the list of books our children unwrapped on Christmas morning: 

Captain (age 13) received the basic Kindle e-reader (the 6″ Ink Display, “without special offers” version, purchased on sale – it won’t let me link directly…), this cover, and The Invaders: Brotherband Chronicles #2, The Gate (the new book by Nancy Carabio Belanger is now available at Amazon) and Twenty Tales of Irish Saints.

Rascal (age 11) also received the basic Kindle e-reader (“without special offers” version, purchased on sale), this cover, and The Royal Ranger, The Haunted Cathedral and The Fire of Eden.

Twinkle Toes (age 10) received the Samantha Books Set, Samantha Just for Fun (not pictured),  Inside the Secret Garden (illustrated by Tasha Tudor – she received The Secret Garden also illustrated by Tasha Tudor for her birthday), The Tasha Tudor Cookbook, Mandy, Pink Ponies Cookbook, Ballet Shoes (somehow this ended up in TT’s stack instead of C’s, oops!),  Strawberry Hill, Saint Catherine of Siena Audiobook, and a set of Little Lined Books… in her stocking.

I just love the illustrations in this version of The Secret Garden illustrated by Inga Moore.  
So pretty!

Snuggles (age 6) received Saint Felix and the Spider, Cranberry Christmas, Peter Pan, Sir Cumference and the Off-the-Charts Desserts, Three Tales of My Father’s Dragon, and See Inside Trains.  (I forgot to include one of his books and the audio book in the photo…)

Even though Snuggles was excited when he opened his first four books, by the time he opened the fifth (See Inside Trains) he wasn’t so sure he loved the idea of a stack of all books.   
As he was opening the last book we all couldn’t help laughing when he we overheard him quietly saying “Please don’t be a book, please don’t be a book, pleeeeassse don’t be a book… Oh NO!  It is a BOOK!  And it’s a bad one… There is a FAIRY in it!”  Poor boy!  😉   It took his older brothers a couple minutes to explain that it was Peter Pan… He loves Peter Pan!  
The youngest two received most of their new books on their recent birthdays here and here… 
On Christmas Rose received Pride & Prejudice: BabyLit Counting Primer.

Bud’s Noah’s Ark Board Book is his new favorite to read before nap time! 
 
We have been reading it every afternoon. . . 
His favorite page is the one where all the animals are “sleepy” and “nigh nigh!” 

I also pre-viewed a copy of the darling book Red Knit Cap Girl by the same illustrator, before wrapping and sending it to one of our goddaughters for Christmas, along with a little doll I hand-painted…  and LOOK!!! Charlotte’s darling photo was featured on the author’s blog!  I just love all of her illustrations and I’ve already ordered a copy of Red Knit Cap Girl for our family, along with a copy of All Creatures Great and Small to include in Easter baskets this spring!  

Celebrating Epiphany

Jan 7, 2014 | , , | 29 Comments

I didn’t think I was going to be able to pull it off this year, but this morning I woke up feeling better (I have been pretty sick since the first) and decided I could at least make cupcakes for the children to celebrate Epiphany! I quickly baked the cupcakes, and then decided to keep going. Pretty soon everything had fallen into place (thanks to a bit of pre-planning) for a simplified version of last year’s Twelve Days of Christmas Dinner party to go along with some Pasta and Salad. I have a few pictures to share with you all before I am off to get some more rest.

Bud was quick to claim his cupcake, just as soon as I turned my back for two seconds! 🙂

.: Twelve Drummers Drumming:. 
Twelve Drummers Drumming = 12 Points of the Apostles Creed
Chicken Drumellas from Trader Joe’s

.: Eleven Pipers Piping :.

Eleven Pipers Piping = 11 Faithful Apostles
Pretzel Rod Pipes 
.: Ten Lords A-Leeping :.

Ten Lords A-Leeping = 10 Commandments
Pepperidge Milano Cookies with without the Roman Numerals written with black sparkle gel.

.: Nine Ladies Dancing :.

Nine Ladies Dancing = 9 Fruits of the Spirit
I wasn’t up for a trip to the grocery store for fresh fruit, so I pulled out 9 different fruit flavored Polish candies from the large bag we were given from Father K’s Polish mother when she visited! 
.: Eight Maids A-Milking :.

Eight Maid A-Milking = 8 Beatitudes
Eggnog leftover from New Year’s Eve

.: Seven Swans A-Swimming :.

Seven Swans A-Swimming = 7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit
A nice big salad to go along with all the treats. . .
The only connection this salad has is that I made sure it had seven ingredients 🙂 

.: Six Geese A-Laying :.

Six Geese A-Laying = 6 Days of Creation
Deviled Eggs made another yummy and healthy addition to the party and tied in nicely.

.: Five Golden Rings :.

Five Golden Rings = 5 Books of Moses: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy
Snack-O’s from Trader Joe’s this year, instead of Onion Rings. 

.: Four Calling Birds :.

Four Calling Birds = 4 Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John
We took a break from our new favorite game to play Church Windows! 

.: Three French Hens:. 

Three French Hens = 3 Gifts of the Magi and/or 3 Virtues, Faith, Hope & Love
I just displayed the Gifts from the Magi, instead of the Epiphany Crown Cake this year. . .
(along with the beautiful puzzle nativity Bud received from his Godparents for Christmas!)


.: Two Turtle Doves :. 

Two Turtledoves = 2 Testaments (Old and New)

.: A Partridge in a Pear Tree :. 

Partridge in a Pear Tree = 1 Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, on the Cross
This year instead of baking a pie, I served a Pear Tarte from Trader Jo’s.

12 Days of Christmas Ornaments are from Jesse Tree Treasures

And after dinner. . .

Gifts from afar to open on Epiphany! (Thank you Grandpa and Grandma G!)

Wise Men Still Seek Him. . . And one last gift to open!

“And entering into the house, they found the child with Mary His mother and falling down they adored Him; and opening their treasures, they offered Him gifts; gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”
Matthew 2:11

Happy Epiphany!


Our Family

Sean & Jessica, Captain-25, Ranger-23, Twinkle Toes-22, Chiquita-20, Snuggles-18, Rose-15, Bud-13, Grace-8 and Joy-6 (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.

My Other Blog: Catholic Cuisine

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Prayer of Mothers

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.


Our Family

Sean & Jessica, Captain-25, Ranger-23, Twinkle Toes-22, Chiquita-20, Snuggles-18, Rose-15, Bud-13, Grace-8 and Joy-6 (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.

My Other Blog: Catholic Cuisine

Please Visit My Sponsors…

This Week's Popular Posts

Shower of Roses Affiliate Links

All About Spelling
All About Reading
All About Reading Giveaways
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Our Advent & Christmas Books

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Looking for Something?

looking-back

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