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by | Dec 29, 2022

{pretty, happy, funny, real}

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life. ~

{pretty}

The girls asked to display their recent lap books and dolls to show the tutor when she came over this week. So pretty!


{happy}


I haven’t had the followup appointment with our pediatrician yet – it is scheduled for next Tuesday – but I  have a feeling I am going to be on a special diet for quite some time.    It has been 9 days since I have had any dairy, soy, gluten, grains, beans/legumes, sugar, chocolate, caffeine, or any sweeteners.   I didn’t think it was possible!  The good news is I’ve lost 5 pounds, haven’t felt hungry, and have even gotten some sleep that we seem to have a completely new baby!!!  I’m guessing that he has a Milk Soy Protein Intolerance.  The last couple days he has been so much happier, smiling more, tries to “talk” to us, and feels sooooo much more relaxed when I am holding him.  He will take naps in his bed, and has even enjoyed the swing for more than two minutes at a time!



{funny}

The recent birthday party inspired the boys to ask for some popsicle sticks.  I’ve been finding extra large land mines like this one all over the house!


{real}


I’m adjusting to my new diet, but tonight I really wanted some sort of treat.  Despite all the leftover cake and other treats around the house, I stuck with my diet and made a Strawberry Milkshake with coconut milk and strawberries, topping it with some unsweetened coconut flakes.    It wasn’t exactly what I’ve been craving, but it was still delicious… and healthy!

The older boys are at Hockey practice (it’s really late on Thursdays) and the little ones are all in bed.  I’m off to brew a cup of tea and watch the latest episode of Downton Abbey online while I nurse the baby.

Goodnight and God bless! 

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

1774 – Felicity :: An American Girl Lap Book and Unit Study

Resources:

Felicity and Elizabeth Dolls and Mini Dolls
Free Felicity Mini Books from Homeschool Share

~ Front Cover ~ 
For the cover the girls each choose an image from the American Girl Website’s Wallpaper selections, cropping and pasting it to the front of their covers.  They then cut out the year “1774” with the help of our Cricut to add to the front cover as well.

~ Inside First Folder ~ 
 Free Felicity Mini Books from Homeschool Share:
  • Who is Felicity?
  • United States Map
  • In Felicity’s Day
  • Felicity’s Favorites
~ Inside Second Folder ~ 
 Free Felicity Mini Books from Homeschool Share:
  • Living in 1774
  • Conflict
  • Posie
  • Felicity’s Horses
  • Felicity’s World
  • Recipe Pocket (homemade)
I also ordered the Felicity Paper Doll book from Amazon.   The girls created a pocket on the Back of their Lap Books to store their dolls.


Baked Pumpkin Pudding ~
“Felicity used her best pumpkin to make this tasty pudding.”

~ Queen Cakes ~
“Queen cakes were a favorite of the Queen of England.  Felicity liked them, too, because they were made with sweet currants, which are like raisins.” 


~ Additional Colonial Crafts ~

Weave a Potholder

Embroider a Sampler from Felicity’s Craft Book


The American Girl Website has additional fun games and activities as well! 

The girls have moved on and are now studying the American Revolution with the boys, in addition to working on a Josefina Unit Study/Lap Book. 

A World War II Military Birthday Party

This year Rascal choose a “World War II Militarytheme for his birthday.   I didn’t have the time or energy to pull together a party like last year’s Lego Party and had to keep it somewhat simple, but that didn’t stop the kids from having a blast!

~ Kids in Camo ~ 

The boys decided that everyone needed to be wearing camouflage and searched for a few shirts to share with the girls.   I actually thought about trying to run into town for a couple last minute party supplies, but after taking a second look at the kids decided to skip.   I thought that they all looked cute, but can just imagine all the weird looks we would have gotten!

~ A Few Fun Activities ~ 

Before leaving for work, Hubby mentioned a History Documentary on Netflix to watch with the kids called Battlefield Detectives: The Guns of Point du Hoc.    We learned about the battalion of 200 U.S. Rangers that was charged with securing German artillery targets atop a 90-foot cliff in Normandy on D-Day.  When the guns were nowhere to be found, the troops kept up their search, despite being heavily outnumbered by their enemy.

Captain set up his Axis & Allies D-Day game for us to play…
… and while I was in the kitchen making Grenades, they had fun digging trenches to hide from the Squadrons of WWII!
Really, who needs mom to come up with party games anyways?!  They had it under control!

I did have some supplies for them to make Pretzel Bombs, as well as some Caramel Apple Kisses to use in addition to the Rolos.

Note to self:  Don’t buy Caramel Apple Kisses in the future… They didn’t work too well for making Pretzel Dots and pretty much looked like, well, that they had exploded already!
~ A Military Meal Ready to Eat For Dinner~ 

.: MRE Menu :.

Battle Beer
Mess Hall Mac n’ Cheese
Soldier’s Salad
Meaty Cannonballs
Military Munchies
Pretzel Bombs
Green Grenade Cake Pops
Point du Hoc Cake

Just before dinner my youngest brother (who just got his driver’s license! Congratulations David!) arrived, followed by Aunt Julianna.  The birthday boy was very excited for the extra company!

~ Birthday Gifts ~ 

I haven’t been getting out much this year, so I’ve been so thankful for Amazon Prime!  I did have a couple LEGO sets that I picked up on Black Friday and also ordered him Secrets of Siena and his very first watch! His Daddy also picked him up another pack of NHL Trading Cards. He was very excited!

~ The Cake ~ 

The “Point du Hoc” Birthday Cake (made by mom and named by dad) was a hit!

The boys (and Hubby) insisted that I cut a “cave” out of the back of the cake, for the first piece… And no one seemed to mind the multi-colored cake.  I didn’t have enough of the “triple chocolate cake” requested by the birthday boy, and had to use a box of yellow cake to make a second square cake before decorating…  Oh well!   I was told it tasted great, though I was able to stick to my new diet and didn’t even have one bite.  🙂

Happy Birthday Rascal!  We sure love you!!

Grenade Cake Pops

As I mentioned last night, we have a birthday to celebrate today, and the birthday boy ended up asking for a World War II themed party.  Originally he though he wanted a “Deca Sports” theme (10 sports for his 10th birthday) and I started a Board for Sports Themed Party Ideas.  When he changed his mind I never did get back around to looking for and pinning new ideas, I just knew that I wanted to come up with something a little different (and easier) than Captain’s Military Themed Party.

This morning I decided to try and find a cake pop recipe, to use up the extra cake and frosting from his Point du Hoc Birthday Cake, and ended up pinning some Grenade Cake Balls created by The Peppered Pantry.

I had almost everything that I needed to make them, except for the white fondant.   Instead I was able to cut some marshmallows into various shapes to use for the caps and levers.

I only made six, one for each of the kids.  They turned out okay, just rather messy looking and I probably should have used shorter lollipop sticks.   Still, they will be a fun addition for today’s party!

A Point du Hoc Birthday Cake

Rascal asked for a World War II / D-Day / Military themed birthday cake this year.  Since he wanted the final cake to be a surprise, I did some searching through various cakes online and ended up using this Army Camo Cake (link broken) for inspiration.   I baked the cakes this morning and then assembled and decorated it this evening while the boys were at Hockey practice, saving the finishing touches for Captain to add, depicting the D-Day invasion at Point du Hoc.

He placed their World War II German soldiers on the clifftop… 

… with the American 2nd Ranger battalion assaulting the German stronghold.  
 I think the birthday boy is going to love it when he wakes up in the morning! 

Happy 10th Birthday Rascal! 

My Daybook :: February 6, 2012

Outside my window… It has been sunny lately, but still very cold. I am so ready for spring summer!

I am thankful… that we finally found out the date that the boys’ Hockey season ends, and it is the day before Hubby leaves for a three week training session in Tennessee.  I had really been nervous about how I was going to make those 3 extra trips to town with all the kids and a baby that doesn’t like his carseat.  Whew!

I am thinking… that, even without Hockey, three weeks is a long time!  Hopefully by the middle of next month I will be a little more adjusted to being a mom to seven, or at least have a chance to restock the pantry and freezer.

Learning all the time… Usually we are all feeling a little burned out by this time of year, but after preparing for a baby in the fall, Christmas, and adjusting to life with a newborn, we are all more than ready to get back to our plans for the year, with just a few changes.   We are not as far along with my original plans as I would like, but American History remains the favorite subject this year and the kids have all moved on to Unit 3.   I am hoping to have a chance to post pictures of their lap books and a couple projects from Unit 2 – Colonial Life sometime soon.

Living the Liturgical Year at Home… It seems like Advent just began, and now Lent is just around the corner! We are hoping to make some Valentine cards this week, and hopefully a couple more St. Valentine’s Day Mailboxes.   I also picked up a box of Cocoa Pebbles so that the children can make another Grotto for Our Lady on Saturday.  You can find other ideas for celebrating the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes in the archives.

From the kitchen… lots of meats, fruits, veggies, and nuts.   I’ve been off of Dairy, Gluten (actually all beans and grains) and Sugar for 6 days now.  At first I noticed a big change in the baby’s fussiness, but then he caught his first cold from his very loving older siblings.   I, however, am starting to feel much healthier, if not rested. 😉

 

I am wearing… Mamajamas. I found them on clearance last fall at a local boutique. So comfy!

I am creating… a military-themed cake for Rascal’s 10th birthday.  I figured if I got started on it this morning, I might have a chance to finish it by tomorrow!

I am working on… our tax-return, with the help of TurboTax.

I am wondering… if we should wait until fall to start soccer. Interestingly enough, the spring season begins the week after Hubby gets back from that three week training.  Our children have always been interested in playing, and the sign-ups end tomorrow, but I am soooo ready for a break from sports…

I am going… to try and begin writing thank you notes. We are so blessed with such loving and generous friends, both locally and online!  After they are finished I might get back to all the emails sitting in my inbox.   I hope I haven’t offended anyone by my lack of response, but responding to emails and all the questions from readers is usually at the bottom of my “to-do” lists…  I still hope that someday I will be a little more organized and able to keep up with it all!  🙂

I am hoping… to have a chance to post a review of a couple great items for Lent and Easter sometime this week.

I am reading… Why I’m No Homeschool Superstar.  If you haven’t read it yet, you must!

I am praying… for Sarah, and her baby girl!

Dear God, You are the Creator of the Universe, yet You have shared with woman the ability to conceive and bear a child, and bring into the world a new life for Your Kingdom. Bless this mother about to give birth. Give her your strength and courage, that she may deliver her child surrounded by Your protection and provision. Embrace her with Your love and grace, we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.   (Mothers’ Manual)

Pondering these words… from St. Elizabeth Ann Seton:

“We know that God gives us every grace, every abundant grace; and though we are so weak of ourselves, this grace is able to carry us through every obstacle and difficulty.”

I am listening…  to various lectures given by Andrew Pudewa. We have been so happy with The Phonetic Zoo this year for the boys’ spelling program and I am really excited to start incorporating his Writing Program into our curriculum as well.

Around the house… new curtains in the dining and living room!  They were my birthday gift this year and we finished hanging them up over the weekend.  At first I thought I wanted white curtains, but I ended up choosing chocolate brown and they look so nice and cozy against the tan walls with white trim.  I love them!

One of my favorite things…  aden + anais Swaddle Wraps. I was so excited to see them on Baby Steals this morning!

A few plans for the rest of the week…

Same as usual for the children: Hockey Practices and Game, Piano Lessons, and hopefully the boys can serve Mass on Friday.  As for me, I will pretty much be at home nursing my adorable little baby boy and trying to come up with some more foods that I can eat!

A little peek at my day…

{pretty, happy, funny, real} ~ Celebrating Candlemas

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life. ~

{pretty}

.: Our 2012 Candlemas Luncheon Menu :.
Pure Hearts
Turtledove Sandwiches
Holy Simeon’s Arms (Pretzels)
Anna the Prophetess Black Olives
Piercing Swords with Cheese Cubes
Pure White Punch
Water

{happy}

Very happy that their Momma pulled herself together enough to have another fun Candlemas Celebration this year!  It has been a rough week…
Super happy to have a chance to hold Bud for a minute… and that he wasn’t crying! 
{funny}

“Momma, please put the camera down and hurry…  I’m hungry!”

{real}

My lunch…  
It was real hard to make all that yummy looking food for the kiddos without even having one little taste!  I have been off of dairy, sugar, and pretty much all pre-packaged/processed foods since Tuesday afternoon, after meeting with our pediatrician.  (Dairy was his recommendation and I added the rest to try and get a jump start on the ridiculous amount of weight I now need to lose, without cutting calories.)
He is still fussy (in fact he was worse than ever on the way home from the grocery store last night – the carseat, especially at night, is the worst!)  but, for the moment, he is sleeping peacefully snuggled in his swing with his new cute and comfy flannel quilt.  That’s a definite improvement!! 

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

Links for February :: Month Dedicated to the Holy Family

February 1st ~ Feast of St. Brigid of Ireland

February 2nd ~ Feast of Candlemas

February 3rd ~ Feast of St. Blaise

February 11th ~ Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes

February 14th ~ Feast of St. Valentine

February 22nd ~ Feast of the Chair of St. Peter

Catholic Cuisine:

Links for Lent and Easter Preparation:

A Prayer to The Holy Family, for One’s Children

O Jesus, only-begotten Son of the Eternal Father, well-beloved Son of the Blessed Virgin and foster Child of St. Joseph, we most fervently implore Thee, through Mary Thine ever-blessed Mother and St. Joseph Thy foster father, take our children under Thy special charge and enclose them in the love of Thy Sacred Heart. They are the children of Thy Father in Heaven, created after His own image; they are Thy possession, for Thou hast purchased them with Thy Precious Blood; they are temples of the Holy Ghost, who sanctified them in Baptism and implanted in their hearts the virtues of faith, hope and charity.

O most loving Jesus, rule and guide them, that they may live according to the holy Catholic Faith, that they may not waver in their confidence in Thee and that they may ever remain faithful to Thy love.

O Mary, Blessed Mother of Jesus, grant to our children a place in thy pure maternal heart! Spread over them thy protecting mantle when danger threatens their innocence;
keep them firm when they are about to stray from the path of virtue; and should they have the misfortune of falling into mortal sin, oh, then raise them up again, reconcile them with thy Divine Son and restore them to Sanctifying Grace.

And thou, O holy foster father St. Joseph, do not abandon our children! Protect them from the assaults of the wicked enemy and deliver them from all dangers of soul and body.

O dear parents of the holy Child Jesus! Intercede for us parents also, that we may bring up our children in the love and fear of God and one day attain with them the Beatific Vision. Amen.

Prayers Source: This prayer is taken from Prayer Book for Religious by Fr. F. X. Lasance, S.J. (Benziger Brothers, 1904)

{pretty, happy, funny, real}

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life. ~

{pretty}
My handsome baby with his pretty manly blue and black bandana blanket and neck-tie onesie!

{happy}
Very happy to be able to hold the baby and give mom a little, much-needed, break! 

{funny}
Yes… That is me… Still in “Costume“… Trying to take a couple pictures of Rose, baby and “mustache” in one hand and camera in the other!  

{real} 

Growing fast… “Real” fast!

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

The Good Old Hockey Game

Hello out there, were on the air, it’s hockey night tonight!
The tension grows, the whistle blows, and the puck goes down the ice.
The golie jumps, and the players bump, and the fans all go insane.
Someone roars: “Bobby Scores!” At the good old hockey game!

Oh! The good old hockey game!
Its the best game you can name!
And the best game you can name,
is the good old hockey game!

Second Period. 
Where players dash, with skates a-flash, the home team trails behind.
But they grab the puck, and go bursting up, and their down across the line.
They storm the crease, like bumblebees, and they travel like a burning flame. 
We see them slide the puck inside, its a one one hockey game!

Oh! The good old hockey game!
Its the best game you can name!
And the best game you can name,
is the good old hockey game!

Third Period. Last game in the play-offs too. 
Oh take me where, the hockey players, face off down the rink,
And the Stanley Cup, is all filled up, for the champs who win the drink!
Now the final flick, of a hockey stick, and a one gigantic scream: 
“THE PUCK IS IN! THE HOME TEAM WINS!” At the good ol hockey game.



OH! The good old hockey game!
Its the best game you can name!
And the best game you can name,
is the good old hockey game!

Photo Credit: Marc
Song:  The Good Old Hockey Game
(my boys love this song, click on over to listen!) 

Our Family

Sean & Jessica, Captain-24, Ranger-22, Twinkle Toes-21, Chiquita-19, Snuggles-17, Rose-14, Bud-12, Grace-7 and Joy-5 (blog nicknames)

A Little About Me

Hi! I'm Jessica, a Roman Catholic wife and home educating mother to our nine children. I was home educated myself, along with my eleven younger siblings. I have a special devotion to St. Therese, through whom I have been given much help and many blessings--the beautiful "Shower of Roses" that she has sent my way! Here I will record a few of the blessings I treasure. Please remember that what you see here is just a little glimpse at our lives, so please say a prayer for us, as we continue to strive for holiness.

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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-24, Ranger-22, Twinkle Toes-21, Chiquita-19, Snuggles-17, Rose-14, Bud-12, Grace-7 and Joy-5 (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.

Enter our current giveaways:

Lord, Have Mercy (Ends 11/25/2024)

St. Nicholas Giveaway (Ends 11/26/2024)

Advent Book Basket (coming soon)

O Antiphons (coming soon)

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

  • 2024 (31)
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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!