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A “Deer in the Woods” Birthday Party

Dec 21, 2013 | , , , | 11 Comments


On Friday our little “Bud” turned 2 years old!  He loves watching the deer in our yard, so this year I decided to give him a “Deer in the Woods” themed birthday party.   We had such a fun day with a reindeer themed pancakes, presents for our little dear, and cake!  We even finally found a Christmas Tree, which tied in with the O Antiphon for the day and made a perfect gift for O Root of Jesse. 



.: A Birthday Banner :. 


Even though I did need to simplify my original plans, I still was able to make a little banner!  I don’t think his godmother would have let me get away with not having one for him! 😉   It came together so quickly with my Cricut.  I used the Winter Woodland cartridge for the deer, squares and circles, and the letters and number 2 were cut with the George cartridge.  


.: Reindeer Pancakes :. 


When I saw these rudolph pancakes I knew I had to make them for Bud’s birthday!  I wasn’t able to make them for breakfast so I served them for lunch instead.  They were easy to make and all the children loved them! 


While I made the pancakes, Twinkle Toes cooked all the bacon for the antlers and Chiquita washed the strawberry noses! 


Bud’s favorite part, of course, was the whipped cream and chocolate chip eyes and he kept pointing to the whip cream bottle and asking for “MORE, pleee!” 


That big lunch tired him out and he snuggled up with his favorite dear for a nap while I got busy decorating his birthday cake.


.: “Deer in the Woods” Birthday Cake :. 


I really wanted to make Charlotte’s White Chocolate Cream Cake, but after burning the white chocolate in the microwave and not having enough left to start over,  I simplified and just baked a yellow cake and topped it with a can of Fluffy White Frosting from the cupboard.  


For the decorations I used the same method I used last year for his Snowman Cake, and made candy deer out of Light Cocoa Candy Melts using some silhouettes of deer that I had found online, resized, and printed.   I also made some trees with the leftover cocoa candy melts and some green melts as well. I made those freehand and they all turned out interesting! 😉  Over all I thought the cake turned out really cute! 


.: Birthday Gifts :.


December is the perfect time of year for a deer themed party!  It was so easy to find deer decorations, wrapping papers, fabric, candles and more! (And most of it was 70% off already!) 


Most of his gifts incorporated the deer theme, with the exception of his  Melissa & Doug Car Carrier!   This little boy of ours points out cars every time we leave the house, and his daddy ordered this toy when he saw it on one of Amazon’s lightning deals.   He knew he would love it and he was right!


Bud also received a few books (My Wonderful Christmas Tree, Over in the Forest: Come and Take a Peek, and That’s not my reindeer… ) as well as a pair of pajamas and a few more toys including a Woodland Wooden Puzzle, a Forest Friends Block Puzzle, and this Tree Finger Puppet Play House! He also received a card and gift from his grandparents and some adorable Forest Friends Wall Decals from his ever thoughtful godparents!



.: Two Candles on the Cake :. 


The cake ended up being perfect for Bud and he LOVED his little deer! 


Happy Birthday Little Man!

O Christmas Tree

Dec 21, 2013 | , , | 5 Comments

… A few pictures from Instagram and my phone.

December 16th 
I think the kids might be trying to tell us something…
December 17th
I’ve been in survival mode lately, and keep forgetting to take pictures of the Wise Men… They had me laughing this morning when I noticed them loading their Christmas Tree on top of the camel!
December 18th

The five big kids were all gone overnight for our last day without water… When they arrived home yesterday they discovered that the Wise Men (and Legos) had all lost their Christmas trees! 😉

Uh oh!  Now that we finally had water and could get to town, we had a bit of a hard time finding a Christmas Tree… Where we live many people buy Christmas Tree permits and head into the mountains to cut their own trees.  However, due to the weather and roads, most people bought trees in town this year and everywhere is pretty much sold out…   We discovered that the Christmas Tree Farm we have been going to the past couple years closed (they are converting their land to a vegetable farm) and the other local tree farms had closed for the season!  I couldn’t even find artificial trees! 


Sean ended up going to a nursery and came home with this green Blue Spruce. Hahaha!  We joked that someday we will look back on this year and say: “Remember that year we were stuck home due to the snow, had no water for 6 days, couldn’t find a Christmas tree so we bought (a way too expensive) tree at the nursery to plant outside… and even it died!” 😉    That would be our luck this year!

Dec 19th 

My brother Brian called and said he happened to pass by a tree lot, in a little town just south of us, and that they still had some trees!  Sean drove down and ended up buying a tree for only $15!  It is a little lopsided and was a little too tall, but he was able to fix that, and now we just need to decorate it today!

It’s a good thing we didn’t wait any longer to start looking for this year’s tree..
Of course, Christmas would have come just the same, with or without a Christmas Tree!

Checking it Twice… {Christmas Gifts 2013 Edition}

Dec 19, 2013 | , , | 25 Comments

So, how is your Advent going? Ours has been very difficult and challenging…  First it was colds and poison oak (the poison oak on our oldest daughter’s face is finally healing), followed by a snowstorm that kept us home for days, heartbreaking news from one of our favorite priests who is being treated unjustly and will no longer be offering the Friday masses our boys have been blessed to serve since they were 5 and 6 years old, and then frozen pipes due to abnormally low temperatures for here which resulted in our well pump burning up and no water in the house for a total of 6 days (originally just 1 day and then again for 5 days).  I think God might be trying to teach me something this Advent… and my husband says it is time to move!

During these last days before Christmas I am going to try and let go of any unnecessary activities or plans of mine, simplify in all areas, and just focus on prayer (both personal and family), re-creating a peaceful (and clean) home, and catching up the laundry now that we have water again!  Deo Gratias!

My computer time has been extremely limited (everything seemed to take 10x’s as long to complete when the water had to be hauled from the neighbors and heated on the stove for washing dishes and counters!) and I’m falling further and further behind with emails. (In fact, at this point I have only been able to respond to a handful of urgent emails.) As much as I wish it was possible, I just won’t be able to respond to the rest anytime soon, if at all… I will try to address some of the questions I’ve been recieving here on the blog when time allows.  One of the most frequent requests I’ve been getting this past month has been for a peek at my children’s Christmas gift list for this year. I’m spending a little time this evening checking over my list and thought this would be a good time to share it with you all! (Now to make sure I keep the kids off of my blog until after Christmas!  It’s getting harder and harder to share these sorts of things online as our kids get older!) 

Anyways, In last year’s “Checking it Twice” post I explained that our children usually receive “three” gifts each on Christmas morning from their Dad and I, recalling the three gifts Christ was given, plus they wake up to discover their stockings filled as well. Depending on the gifts (and our budget), some years I have combined multiple items into “one” gift package (i.e. clothing, shoes, etc, or various toys). You can see some examples in a past Christmas Morning post. You can also find my 2009 list here: Shh! Don’t tell them….

This year, as I mentioned a few weeks ago, we are doing something a little different and breaking our children’s gifts into three categories: something fun, something faith based, and something to read.  (Most of these gifts will be multiple items wrapped together into one themed gift.) 

Christmas gifts for seven children (plus Christmas Eve pajamas, plus stockings, plus St. Nicholas Day, plus gifts for relatives and godchildren, etc…) adds up quickly! I have found that I have to be really creative in order to purchase quality gifts. I purchase gifts throughout the year, usually on sale or clearance, and also take advantage of the sales following Thanksgiving.  I also will sometimes save samples and review items I have been given to give to the children as well, and my Amazon affiliate commissions help purchase the rest! Once again, thank you to each and every one of you who use my affiliate links!  It is truly a blessing!

Here is a peek at my list for this year.  
I hope it helps some of you who are still searching for ideas!   

Something Fun 
(These gifts are either something they have been wishing for or something I know they will love.)

Right now “Fun” equals “Legos” for my oldest three boys!  This gift will consist of a few lego sets for each of the older boys and a castle for Bud. The girls will all be receiving American Girl doll accessories.  (Note: A number of the items have gone up in price due to high demand or limited stock, and a few items have been discontinued and are no longer available.)

Something Faith Based
(This gift is something that we’d like them to have to help enhance our beautiful Catholic Faith.) 

Something to Read
(This will be a stack of books wrapped for each child – I collect books year round, some I purchase either used or on sale/clearance, some I’ve been given to review, and some have even been wonderful finds through Paperback Swap. Note: I’m saving most of the Catholic titles I have from Neumann Press and Tan Books for next year’s Easter Baskets.) 


(Note: I do want to remind you all that I haven’t read most of these books yet. I made my decision to purchase most of them based on recommendations, reviews, publishers, and the past work of some of the authors/illustrators.)

Stocking Stuffers

Boys

Girls

I’m also really excited about a few of Bud’s (2nd) birthday gifts, particularly this Tree Finger Puppet Play House!   It is SO cute.. So much cuter than the pictures online!  I can’t wait to give it to him tomorrow, with the cute little deer peeking out.  He is going to love it! He will also receive My Wonderful Christmas Tree, Over in the Forest: Come and Take a Peek, a Woodland Wooden Puzzle, a Forest Friends Block Puzzle, and (just to through you all off from figuring out the theme!) a Melissa & Doug Car Carrier!  I’ll be sure to post pictures after his birthday!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I know I have been hosting a lot of giveaways this fall and winter, but I do have just one more for you all this year… and one more over at Catholic Cuisine! 🙂

Catholic Embroidery has graciously offered to giveaway a set of their beautiful new St. Therese Notecards to one of my visitors here at Shower of Roses!  I have ordered many items from Catholic Embroidery in the past, for myself, my family, and to give as gifts, and everything is so lovely!   Be sure to remember them for any last minute Christmas shopping you still have to complete.  If you’d like to be entered in the giveaway please use the Rafflecopter box below by December 25th.  God bless!

A Perfectly Pink Princess Birthday on Rose Sunday

Dec 16, 2013 | , , | 20 Comments

Yesterday our little “Rose” turned 4 years old!  How perfect for it to fall on Gaudete Sunday, the 3rd Sunday of Advent, this year!  Her older brothers made sure to point out to her at Mass that “Even the priest is wearing PINK!” 🙂  We have been without running water since Friday morning… Despite the additional challenges, we still had a lovely and JOY filled day! 
Last Sunday Mass was cancelled due to hazardous driving conditions.  We were all so happy to be able to make it down our road and attend Mass this Sunday.  My grocery shopping has been limited and before we left I was trying to find a quick and easy snack/breakfast for the little ones – we had run out of cereal, and I completely forgot that my mom had dropped off a box of cereal.  We happened to have some strawberry yogurt in the back of the fridge! (Her dad also found some pink lemonade hidden in the freezer!) Topped with a few sprinkles it made the perfect breakfast for our little princess! 
After Mass we drove through the coffee shop for her “Not-so-Hot” birthday drink!  
I just loved all her reactions – Picture #1 Smiling at the thought of her very own hot warm cocoa.  picture #2 Begging that “Snuggles” could PLEASE have his own drink too! (If not she’d share hers… she loves that big brother of hers!) Picture #3: Seeing the birthday drink being passed through the window to her daddy! Picture #4: Getting ready to enjoy her treat! 
When we arrived home again she pulled out all her favorite cookbooks and got busy making her own birthday plans!  
My girls all love the cookbooks from Barbara Beery including the Pink Princess Cookbook, Pink Princess Tea Parties, and Fairies Cookbook.   (Oh, and actually one of the girls will find this one, a paperback swap score that arrived in perfect condition, under the tree this year!) 


“Mom-ah, You can’t call me the birthday girl until there is a birthday cake-uh!” 
Right… The Cake… 
I usually bake and decorate the children’s birthday cakes the night before their birthday.  Between our lack of running water and helping my mom on a project all of Saturday, I just wasn’t able to make her cake.  I also didn’t have all the supplies I needed for my original plans.  

I decided to keep it extra simple this year and make the Pink Princess Cake, minus the Tiara… and the actual recipe.  I just used a box of white cake mix and a can of cherry frosting. She loved it!  
While I was busy decorating the cake I pulled out some Candy Necklaces that had been in my candy supplies since her last birthday.   

I did have a couple bags of Pink and White Celebration Sixlets that I had picked up at the store and they were such a pretty addition to the cake!

Rose’s favorite though, were the “Three Girls” for on top of the cupcakes!  (I did end up baking a batch of cupcakes too…) My girls have this little song they made up and sing together (that drive’s their brothers crazy…) that starts with “We are the THREEEEE girls….”
I pulled these three princesses out of the Meri Meri Princess Bake Cup Set, and are they CUTE or what?! I love them!!!  Four came in the set, but I just pulled out a couple sets of these three – one for each of my girls.  
For an afternoon craft, we made Flower Tiaras!  Since we had company for Thanksgiving, I didn’t do much shopping on Black Friday, but Sean and I did go into town in the evening and stopped at a few stores including Barnes & Noble.  (They usually have Buy One, Get One 1/2 off on all their toys.) Most of Rose’s birthday gifts were purchased that day, including these adorable Flowery Princess Tiaras! 
While I boiled water to hand wash the dishes, my girls sat at the counter and stitched away!  
They were so easy to make (recommended for ages 4+) and even Rose was able to help!
They turned out beautiful, much to the delight of our birthday girl! 
I’m so glad I had ordered a couple Meri Meri items!  In addition to the Princess Bake Cup Set I also had ordered some I’m a Princess Party Garland.  It was much larger than I had expected, but it was so pretty and made the decorations a piece of cake… Or at least a “piece of cake” when you have running water, electricity, etc! 😉  
I missed seeing the pom-poms in the back of the package at first and the garland looked even cuter once they were added. I hung it in the window along with the pink birthday banner I made in the past and have re-used a couple times.  

 

I had considered the Castle Centerpiece, but it was just too expensive and the girls Melissa and Doug Castle is so much prettier anyways, even if it was a little large for a table centerpiece! 🙂 
We spent the afternoon driving down to town to use the shower at my dad’s office in shifts = JOY JOY JOY!!!   After dinner it was time for cake and birthday gifts! 
I used a mix of paper I already had in pinks, white and gold…  
… and snapped this picture of them all before wrapping!
In addition to the new pink Floral Glitter Belt Dress and Tiaras, this year she received a pretty pink coat ($14.99 at Costco!), a couple additional toys I had picked up at Barnes & Noble on Black Friday including Calico Critter’s The Hopper Kangaroo Family and the Princess Matching Game.  We also gave her Emily. 
She also received three books including A is for Annabelle by Tasha Tudor, 1001 Things to Spot in Fairyland (to replace the older girls well loved copy, also available directly from Usborne), and P is for Princess: A Royal Alphabet. 
It made us all laugh when she unwrapped P is for Princess: A Royal Alphabet and Snuggles said “Oh, NO! ANOTHER princess book.” She ran over to the couch to show him and he covered his ears and shut his eyes before saying “I can’t see it! I can’t see it!” 
She then ran over to give her dad a thank you hug, before unwrapping her last gift (Emily – who I purchased last summer, after hearing that she and Molly were being retired) and playing with all her new little toys.  
We actually had cake before she opened her gifts, but I’ll end the post with these pictures.  She asked if we could use the rose candles for her cake and I agreed they were perfect and most appropriate, especially on Gaudete Sunday!  
 

Happy 4th Birthday to our beautiful “Christmas Rose!”

Santa Lucia Day

Dec 14, 2013 | , , | 10 Comments

Saint Lucia Sweden

Now in the winter night
Good folk are waiting.
See now the maid of light,
Darkness abating.

Saint Lucia’s Braided Bread

Into our hearts she walks, 
Telling her story, 
Candles in shining crown
Lighting her glory.

Symbol of love sublime,
Moving o’er space and time,
Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia.

 

Into this winter night,
Come, maid of shining light,
Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia. 

When on this earth she walked, 
Bravely confessing,
All to the poor she gave, 
All felt her blessing.

Ever her legend grew,
Spanning each ocean.
Light of the longest night,
Maid of devotion.

St. Lucia and Star Boy from Armadillo Dreams 

Symbol of love sublime,
Moving o’er space and time,
Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia.

Into this winter night,
Come, maid of shining light,
Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia. 
– Santa Lucia lyrics from Lucia, Child of Light

Lucia Morning in Sweden (OOP- ebook can be found here)
Hanna’s Christmas (OOP – listen to the author read the story here)
Lucia, Saint of Light (listen to the audiobook here)
Lucy: A Light for Jesus (new purchase this year)
Santa Lucia, Ora Pro Nobis! 
  

A Brunch on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Dec 13, 2013 | , , | 9 Comments

Happy Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe!  

I hope you all had a blessed feast!  Originally our plans for the day included the tutor here for five hours followed by a trip into town for a fundraiser/dinner at Chipotle for some dear friends. . . Due to the weather, and hazardous driving conditions, the tutor wasn’t able to make it and we stayed home all day.  I was still able to pull together a fun brunch for the children in honor of today’s feast, while we all listened to the beautiful Mañanitas CD from Sister Servants and Matins for the Virgin of Guadalupe!

The brunch ended up being such a great alternative to what we have done in the past! (here and here)

We made my Grandmother’s and Mom’s “crepes” cut into the shape of tilmas with maple syrup, whipped cream and Marionberries for the roses, Aztec hot cocoa with Star shaped marshmallows, Bacon, Ham and Cheese Crescent Rolls, Oranges and Orange Juice.  It didn’t take long to pull it all together while the children set the table.  And I enjoyed a hot cup of coffee and read The Story of Our Lady of Guadalupe: Empress of the Americas while they enjoyed the feast.

Similar to last year, I skipped the food for this item and created “Tepayac Hill” with a cake platter, some Our Lady of Guadalupe Fabric, and a statue of Our Lady as a centerpiece for the table.

 
.: Aztec Cocoa :.
 Mexican Hot Cocoa

 

.: A Crown of 12 Stars :.
Snowflake Star Marshmallows

 

 

.: A Woman Clothed with the Sun :.
Sun Oranges

 

Orange Juice

 

.: Crescent Moons :.
Crescent rolls with Ham and Cheese
 
.: St. Juan Diego’s Tilma of Roses :.
Tilma Pancakes with Berry Roses and Whipped Cream

 

.: Bishop Zumarraga :.
… leftover from St. Nicholas Day! 

 

.: Crushed Serpents :.
Crushed (and Extra Crispy) Bacon Strips

 

.: Our Lady of Guadalupe Puzzle and Books :.

 

We got started on the edges of the Our Lady of Guadalupe Puzzle once again, while listening to Fresh Flowers in Winter.  It’s just as hard as I remember! 😉

 

 

Our Lady of Guadalupe by Carmen T. Bernier-Grand
Our Lady of Guadalupe Coloring Book by Mary Fabyn Windeatt
Our Lady of Guadalupe Pop-up by Francis Serrano

 

 
Morning Offering to Our Lady of Guadalupe

Immaculate Heart of Mary, Heart of my Mother, Our Lady of Guadalupe, I unite to thy purity, thy sanctity, thy zeal and thy love, all my thoughts, words, acts, and sufferings this day, that there may be nothing in me that does not become through thee, a pleasure to Jesus, a gain to souls, and an act of reparation for the offenses against thy Heart. 

 

My Daybook :: The Second Week of Advent

Dec 13, 2013 | , , , , , | 11 Comments

Outside my window… 
After all these years, my husband finally talked me into hiking the mountain in our back yard to watch the sunset! Totally worth it… (and hopefully all the poison oak is buried deep beneath the snow!)

I am thinking…        
about my inbox. It is overflowing with emails and I can’t possibly respond to them all… I’m trying to let it go and hope everyone understands.

I am thankful… 
that I survived yesterday. Here is a peek at our busy day from the photos I posted on Instagram and Facebook! 🙂

First Day out of the house since Thursday night – Yep… Our road is still packed with snow/ice in areas.

Three cleanings done and three to go… (They were willing to squeeze in one more!!!) And so thankful that the Orthodontist was able to reschedule our oldest from yesterday to today! I think we might just hang out here for awhile before heading back to the dentist’s office… 8am-1pm is a long time for little ones to behave in waiting rooms!!!

Our baby girl is having her first dentist appointment today! She is doing great!

Survived seven dental/ortho appointments, no cavities for anyone, convinced them to book six more back-to-back appts one day in June, fed the kids lunch, picked up groceries, now the two oldest girls and I are getting haircuts while I enjoy a Candycane Mocha!

Before and After – 6-8″ cut off plus layers…  My hair feels so short! 

Learning all the time… 
the boys made sure to keep up with their math lessons while waiting at the Dentist!

Celebrating the liturgical year… 
so many feast days!  This week we are celebrating the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and the feast of Saint Lucy!

We are also continuing to count the days of Advent with our various Advent Calendars and Jesse Trees.   A couple days ago we read about The Ten Commandments from The Catechism in Pictures.  

I gave this book to my husband for Father’s Day earlier this year and actually have a half finished post in my drafts folder with additional pictures… I should finish and post it sometime. It is such a gorgeous book!

Adding an ornament to our Jesse Tree

He is getting to be such a big boy all of a sudden… 

From the kitchen… 
lots of soup!  The Beefed-Up Barley Soup my mom suggested when we were out shopping last week was so yummy!  Perfect for these cold and snowy days after an afternoon sledding!

And here was our view from the dining table the other day during lunch!

I am working on… 
finding a few more stocking stuffers.  I think the comments from this post might be a good place to start.

I am creating… 
Santa Lucia’s Braided Bread, or at least I will be soon!

I am going… 
to pull out another Noah’s Ark puzzle!  The kids, especially Snuggles, have had so much fun working on this puzzle.  I think they assembled it, and reassembled it, three or four times the other night alone!

I am hoping… 
that our pipes don’t freeze again… That made for an interesting Monday morning.   The weather has been so crazy for here, with lows around 0-8 degrees.  Tonight we are expecting freezing rain, and tomorrow freezing fog.  It doesn’t look like I’ll be going to town again anytime soon.

I am praying… 
for Jenn, especially today!

A simple centerpiece for our dining table with Advent candles from past years. 

I am reading… 
Come, Lord Jesus: Meditations on the Art of Waiting.

Pondering these words…
from St. Augustine of Hippo:

He was created of a mother whom he created. He was carried by hands that he formed. He cried in the manger in wordless infancy. He, the Word, without whom all human eloquence is mute. 

I am listening…  
to my husband read a story each evening after our family rosary.

We are still listening to Advent at Ephesus and Adventus.  We also just started listening to Mater Eucharistiae, the beautiful Mañanitas CD from Sister Servants, and Matins for the Virgin of Guadalupe!

Oh!  Today the kids were also listening to Fresh Flowers in Winter while they worked on our Our Lady of Guadalupe Puzzle once again.  We had to start on something new since we finished the Noah’s Ark Puzzle so quickly!

Around the house… 

the Wise Men are still searching for Baby Jesus! Here are the places they have been found the past few days.

Dec 7th – The kids started our new puzzle last night! With the help of the Wise Men I have a feeling it isn’t going to last the rest of Advent… or even the rest of today!
Dec 11th –  The Wise Men were lost so they purchased a map in The Shire…  
Dec 12th – “Look! There’s Our Lady… but who’s the guy with all the roses?”

One of my favorite things…  
This week’s plans…

  • Celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception!
  • Tutors on Tuesday and Thursday – both canceled due to hazardous weather and driving conditions. . . 
  • Dentist, Orthodontist, and Hair Appointments on Wednesday. . . 
  • Celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe!
  • Celebrate Santa Lucia Day! 
  • Cut down our Christmas Tree, weather permitting. . . 
  • Prepare for the birthdays next week! 
A little peek at my day…

Preparing a fun brunch for my kiddos in honor of “A Woman Clothed With The Sun” 
— Happy Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe!

Celebrating the Feast of St. Nicholas :: 2013

Dec 10, 2013 | , , , , | 16 Comments

We had a beautiful snowy feast day this year!  Eventually the snow was “well past St. Nicholas’ miter!” 
Holy Bishop St. Nicholas lived faraway
Near the Aegean Sea is where Turkey did lay.
Travel back with us now to a time long ago.
We will visit his country, his life we will know.
New slippers, picture books, oranges, candy canes, chocolate coins, and a small toy or two! 

We remember this saint, such a holy, good man.
Be like him in charity, do all that you can.
Many miracles Nicholas hastened to do,
Helping people in need with gifts that were new.

Bishop Nicholas traveled to Nicea town,
Where the Creed would be written, to us handed down.
During church every Sunday, we stand for the Creed.
Thank you Bishop St. Nicholas, for doing this deed.

The older boys each found a game in their new slippers (Spicy Farkle and LeftCenterRight – we’ve had SO. MUCH. FUN. playing these this past weekend!), Snuggles found a small lego set, the girls and Bud all found Shining Light Dolls (these have been such a hit!) and the two youngest also found Rudolph and Clarice. (I couldn’t resist when I found them on sale at a local bookstore – my little ones, especially Bud, love all deer!)  Oh!  And Bud’s cute new little booties were from Angela – if you have a baby, be sure to check out her Etsy store!

Sailors tossed in the wind and the storms of the sea,

Saw a vision of Nicholas who guided them free.
Now patron of sailing, they remember him yet.
Many icons and pictures with fisherman’s net.

Giving money to poor girls, so marry could they,

Made our Nicholas famous, remembered today.
With dowry in hand, soon they were wed.
“God bless you and keep you,” St. Nicholas said.

This year’s St. Nicholas Cookies!  I’ll try to post a few more pictures at Catholic Cuisine soon… 

Kid’s patron in Germany, Netherlands, too.
Asks that presents be given to children like you.
Their customs are different: they put out their shoes—
Filling them with toys, his coming’s good news!

Here stockings are hung by the chimney with care,
In hope that St. Nicholas soon will come there.
Dressed as bishop or Santa, he’s one and the same—
Jolly, friendly, good man, we’re glad that he came.

St. Nicholas Statue, St. Nicholas Wooden Doll, St. Nicholas Chocolate Coins, and the St. Nicholas painted by my little sister!
Cherry Cheese Candy Cane Coffee Cake
(That title makes me want to play Scattergories!) 
St. Nicholas Hot Cocoa with Homemade Whipping Cream

Call him “Santa” or “saint,” they both mean the same,
For his nickname is Claus, short for Nicholas’ name.
Giving gifts was his custom—we still do today.
Deeds done in Jesus’ name forever will stay.

Our visitors during our St. Nicholas Day Brunch! 

Bishop Nicholas still is a hero to all.
Christmas Day, and all others we follow his call,
Bringing gifts and some joy to children in need.
Follow Nicholas today—do a good deed.

—St. Nicholas Day Poem, Author Unknown


Bargain Priced Books :: Celebrating Advent And Christmas With Children {Currently Free For Kindle!}

Dec 9, 2013 | , , | 4 Comments


Congratulations to Amy H. who won the giveaway for a copy of Celebrating Advent and Christmas With Children!

I also wanted to let the rest of you know that the Kindle Edition is currently FREE at Amazon!

If you are like me and prefer having a hard copy of these sorts of books, the Paperback Edition is also currently 43% off!


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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Posts About:

Shower of Roses Alphabet of Saints

A Papal Unit Study & Lap Book

Shower of Roses Easter Gift Guides



All Saints Party Printables

All original photographs and written material are ©2007-2025 Shower of Roses. I'd love for you to link back to me, but please do not copy or take content from this blog without permission. Click here for my Copyright Terms & Conditions. Thank you for visiting!

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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

Shower of Roses Gift Guides

Looking for Something?

looking-back

  • ▼2026 (1)
  • ►2025 (31)
  • ►2024 (41)
  • ►2023 (30)
  • ►2022 (48)
  • ►2021 (48)
  • ►2020 (57)
  • ►2019 (61)
  • ►2018 (90)
  • ►2017 (128)
  • ►2016 (148)
  • ►2015 (172)
  • ►2014 (227)
  • ►2013 (238)
  • ►2012 (308)
  • ►2011 (297)
  • ►2010 (313)
  • ►2009 (486)
  • ►2008 (564)
  • ►2007 (148)

Posts About:

Shower of Roses Alphabet of Saints

A Papal Unit Study & Lap Book

Shower of Roses Easter Gift Guides



All Saints Party Printables

All original photographs and written material are ©2007-2025 Shower of Roses. I'd love for you to link back to me, but please do not copy or take content from this blog without permission. Click here for my Copyright Terms & Conditions. Thank you for visiting!