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My Daybook :: June 2, 2010

Jun 2, 2010 | , | 11 Comments

Outside my window… a bird has built a nest and has laid three eggs, despite the fact that my husband removed the poor birds nest 5 times already (before any eggs were laid) trying to avoid what we went through last year.   Being right outside our front door, it is not the best spot for a nest and at one point we even had the bird fly into our house last year.   Last year we ended up just using other doors, but now all those doors lead to our “construction zone.”

I am listening to… the sound of a big huge tractor digging footings for our new addition.  Today is the 3rd day we’ve had construction workers here and I am finding it next to impossible to keep my children away from the windows and concentrating on finishing their school work for the year!  I’m afraid our last two weeks (which should have been last week and this week) may take the rest of the month at this rate.

This picture was taken last Friday. 
Today is pretty much the same, minus the sun! 

I am SO thankful… that Rose & I were able to travel to California this past weekend with my Mom to spend time with my Grandmother.  You know, I can’t remember the last time I went on a trip with just my mom.  It was really fun to spend some time with her.  We left early Saturday morning and got home late Monday night.  My Grandma is very frail and so much thinner than the last time I saw her, in March of last year when we traveled to CA for my Grandfather’s funeral.   I love my Grandma so very much and wish she didn’t live so far away.

Grandma, Me, Chiquita, Twinkle Toes and Mom 
taken in March of 2009

I am thinking… about how nice it was to be completely “disconnected” this past weekend!  I brought along my laptop and iTouch, but, other than a quick attempt to get online while ordering a coffee at Starbucks, I was without access to the internet and actually enjoyed every minute of it!   It made me realize how necessary it is to shut off the computer and take breaks from the internet from time to time. 

I am hoping and praying… that our project stays within our budget, and that it is indeed completed by September.

From the kitchen… Now that we’ve actually started the remodel, I just spent about an hour sorting through my pantry cupboard. I probably have about a month until I need to be completely moved out of the kitchen and Laundry Room.  However, knowing how long it takes me to get anything done any more, I better start now!

From the learning rooms… We are spending this week finishing up “X/Y” and I am really hoping to complete the Alphabet Path next week.  With the Year of the Priest coming to a close the boys are working on completing their Lap Book (when I can pull them away from the windows!) in addition to their other studies.  We are all looking forward to our summer break!

Living the Liturgical Year at Home… After our busy Easter Season, I am taking a bit of a break.  Looking at my compilation post of our past Feast Day Plans and Celebrations,  it seems that I tend to take June “off” each year!  I’m sure we will probably do a little something for a couple of the upcoming feasts, but for the most part I really don’t plan to do much extra this month.

I am creating… another ATC card!  I am not an “artist” but I have been having so much fun painting these little cards since Kimberlee’s Artist Trading Card Swap.  We mailed out all of our cards for the Swap and all of my children are very excited.  This morning I had a few extra minutes while nursing Rose and painted St. Therese – perhaps one of my children will agree to paint a card to swap with me.

I’ll post the pictures of the cards we made for the swap soon.  

Oh!!  And just look what Rascal and Chiquita painted for me as a welcome home gift!!  Aren’t they beautiful!?! 

Our little Rose… was a dream to travel with this past weekend.  Honestly she couldn’t have been any better!  Basically she had me to herself, plus lots of attention from her doting Grandma and other relatives, and was loving every minute of our trip.  Nevertheless, she was very excited to see her siblings again on Monday night.

Noticing that… Small Steps for Catholic Moms is on sale at St. George Books for only $12.50, and only $12.70 at Sacred Heart Books and Gifts.  I haven’t read it yet, but hopefully it won’t be long before I can order a copy.

Around the house… there are chunks of concrete from our “old” patio.  Sniffle… sniffle… Such a bummer.  We had it poured 5 years ago not knowing the county was going to force us to add on off the back instead of off the side.  Oh well. It had to be done.

The boys were very emotional when they realized the new addition will be covering up their favorite place to play Hockey.

February 7, 2006

A few plans for the rest of the week:

This evening the boys have their last Hockey Lesson for this session, then we will be taking a break for a couple months.  Tomorrow night we will be meeting with the contractor to discuss our options for a covered porch off the side of the house.  Saturday the boys have a Blue Knights Festival (for the whole family!) to celebrate the end of the year.  On Sunday the girls and I have our Mom & Daughter Little Flowers Tea Party.  (Which means I need to get busy sewing on Wreaths and Shields!!  Yikes!)  

A Picture thought I am sharing:

Rose really didn’t need any more clothing, but I just fell in love with this skirt, top and hair bow!  And, yes, I did get the dress too! 

It’s really happening!!!!

May 27, 2010 | | 15 Comments

The contractor we hired earlier this week, after months of trying to come up with a plan and bid that fits our budget, is HERE and just started working!

I just had to tell someone, or I might be tempted to join our children as they run from room to room peeking out all the windows!  😉  It’s so exciting!

Highlights from “U/V” Week

May 25, 2010 | , | 15 Comments

Looking back a couple weeks, here are some pictures from “U/V” week.  I can’t seem to find any of the girls completed coloring pages and worksheets for this week. I set them aside to photograph, and now I can’t find them. . . It  looks like I’ve developed a habit of hiding things from myself! 

~ Vetch Fairy Coloring Pages ~

The girls made the letter U & V with Modeling Wax, as well as some Umbrella’s and Volcanoes.  It looks like I forgot to take a picture though!  They also colored the Vetch Fairy from the The Flower Fairies Alphabet Coloring Book and listened to A Flower Fairy Alphabet on CD.

~ U and V are for St. Ursula and St. Vincent de Paul ~
 
Here are our hand-painted saint dolls for with An Alphabet of Catholic Saints.
They also colored St. Ursula and St. Vincent Coloring Pages from Catholic Artworks and completed some copywork, which I created at Writing Wizard using the quotes from An Alphabet of Catholic Saints.

We thought about making Vestments, but since I suggested this craft to Marci for her Summer with the Saints (which will start next month) we decided to wait.

Have I mentioned lately how much I LOVE the book God’s Alphabet?!? It is such a great book!!  Here is the quote for “V” week:

V
is for
VICTORY
each child must
win
In his own little heart, against
Satan and sin.

~ Picture Study :: U is for Umbrella ~
Museum ABC’s pictures for the letter  “U” are based on Umbrellas.  I pulled out the nesting blocks and the children drank juice with Umbrella straws and decorated Umbrella cookies, inspired by Amy.  

While the kids were decorating and enjoying their cookies, I read a few books about Umbrellas to them:
~ Picture Study :: V is for Vegetable ~


Rascal also did a picture study on vegetables using Museum ABC’s book and nesting blocks.
We also read:
~ Picture Book Science ::  V is for Volcanoes ~
Since my boys had been studying Mars, and were planning to make Mons Olympus – the largest Volcano in the solar system – for Astronomy, I decided to have the girls study Volcanos as well this week. 

Here are the books we read about Volcanoes:

Volcanoes (Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2)
Volcanoes, Level 2: Internet Referenced
Pompeii…Buried Alive! (Step-Into-Reading, Step 4)
Exploring Creation With Astronomy
Volcano & Earthquake (DK Eyewitness Books)

Volcano Maze (pdf)


Instead of using the directions provided in their Exploring Creation, we used Robina’s directions for making our own Volcano: 


We added sound effects to a video clip of our volcano!

~ V is for Veggie Volcanos ~

Since we’ve been enjoying lots of treats during our weekly Good Shepherd’s Garden Parties, I am trying to choose mostly healthier “treats” as we finish up the Alphabet Path.  This week we snacked on Uncooked Vegetables and made Potato Veggie Volcanos (adapted from Big Snacks, Little Meals: After School, Dinnertime, Anytime) since I had some broccoli that needed to be used up in the fridge.   These were SO easy and such a hit with my children!  

All I did was place a “mountain” of hot mashed potatoes on top of some freshly steamed broccoli.  I then made a well in the top of the mashed potatoes for the opening of the volcano and then topped it with grated cheddar cheese, which quickly melted to look like lava flowing from the top of the volcano.



We’ve since worked our way through “W” week and have moved on to “X/Y”.  It looks like me might be able to finish the Alphabet Path this year after all!

Celebrating Pentecost, the Birthday of the Church! :: 2010 Edition

May 24, 2010 | | 16 Comments

~ Completed Garden of the Good Shepherd Calendar~

I still need to take a picture of the homemade Garden of the Good Shepherd Posters, which a couple of the children made this Easter season using Charlotte’s printables! 

Our Windsock also made a nice decoration for Pentecost!

~ White treats after Mass on “Whitsunday” ~

White Powdered Sugar Donuts
Vanilla Steamers made in our Cocoa-Latte Maker
(ours is no longer available, similar to this) 
Yummm!!!

~ Pentecost Salads for with Dinner~

Twelve Fruit Salad in honor of the twelve fruits of the Holy Spirit
This year our salad included:  Kiwi, Raspberries, Blackberries, Strawberries, Blueberries, Red Grapes, Green Grapes, Cantaloupe, Pineapple, Oranges, Grapefruit, and Apple.

“Tongues of Fire” Spinach Salad

A little “white” reminder of the Trinity
I also served red potato salad with our barbecued Hamburgers and Hot dogs.
~ Our Cake for Pentecost ~

This year we opted for a white CHEESEcake instead of our usual white cake.    I picked one up from Costco and just added the candles (representing Christ our Light and the 12 Apostles and their tongues of fire) and the Strawberries (representing the 12 Fruits and 7 Gifts of the Holy Ghost).  I was disappointed that the guy at Costco just threw it back in my cart resulting in a big crack, but other than that it worked wonderfully and was so delicious!

Rose was wondering just what all this was about. . . Perhaps next year she will be more interested in creating a “mighty wind” with her brothers and sisters!  
Teach me, Divine Spirit, to know and seek my last end; grant me the holy fear of God; grant me true contrition and patience. Do not let me fall into sin. Give me an increase of faith, hope and charity, and bring forth in my soul all the virtues proper to my state in life.

Make me a faithful disciple of Jesus and an obedient child of the Church. Give me efficacious grace sufficient to keep the Commandments and to receive the Sacraments worthily. Give me the four Cardinal Virtues, Your Seven Gifts, Your Twelve Fruits. Raise me to perfection in the state of life to which You have called me and lead me through a happy death to everlasting life. I ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen.

On the Feast of St. Rita

May 23, 2010 | , , | 2 Comments

Today was the feast of St. Rita and one of my brother-in-law’s 6th Anniversary to the Priesthood! 

Happy Anniversary Father! 

Another one of my husband’s brothers will celebrate the 2nd Anniversary of his ordination on May 30th, and yet another brother will celebrate his 4th Anniversary on June 3rd.  

Please remember them, and all priests, in your prayers! 
Daily Prayers for Priests

O Jesus, Eternal Priest, keep your priests within the shelter of Your Sacred Heart where none may touch them.  Keep unstained their anointed hands, which daily touch Your sacred Body.  Keep unsullied their lips, daily purpled with Your Precious blood.  Keep pure and unworldly their hearts, sealed with the sublime mark of the priesthood.  Let Your holy love surround them from the world’s contagion. Bless their labors with abundant fruit and may the souls to whom they minister be their joy and consolation here and their everlasting crown hereafter. Amen.

Keep them, I pray Thee, Dearest Lord,  Keep them, for they are Thine.
Thy priests whose lives burn out before Thy consecrated shrine.

Keep them for they are in a world though from the world apart;
When earthly pleasures tempt, allure, shelter them in Thy Heart.

Keep them and comfort them in hours of loneliness and pain,
When all their life of sacrifice for souls seems but in vain.

Keep them, and remember Lord, they have no one but Thee,
Yet they have only human hearts with human frailty.

Keep them as spotless as the Host that daily they caress;
Their every thought and word and deed deign, Dearest Lord, to bless.  Amen.
O Jesus, I pray for your faithful and fervent priests; for your unfaithful and tepid priests; for your priests laboring at home, or abroad in distant mission fields; for your tempted priests; for your lonely and desolate priests; for your young priests; for your dying priests; for the souls of your priests in purgatory.  Above all, I recommend to you the priests dearest to me; the priest who baptized me; the priest who absolved me from my sins; the priests at whose masses I assisted and who gave me your Body and Blood in Holy Communion; the priest who taught and instructed me; all the priests to whom I am indebted in any other way.  O Jesus, keep them all close to your heart and bless them abundantly in time and eternity.  Amen.

Saint Rita, mystical Rose of every virtue, pray for us.

Young Hunters Day ~ 2010

May 23, 2010 | , | 3 Comments

Today we attended another annual Young Hunters Day.  What a perfect field trip as we get ready to start “X/Y” week on Monday!!

Young Hunters Day is a free fun filled day, sponsored by our local Hunters Association. The children could participate in archery, shotgun/skeet/laser shooting, fishing, pelt identification, and tomahawk throwing, with safety emphasized of course. Every child present could win one of the many raffle prizes and a yummy BBQ lunch was provided as well.

Unlike last year, which was super hot, today was cold and rainy (at times), but that didn’t stop the children from having a super fun time!

Here are a few pictures from the day:

~ Archery Shooting ~


~ Rescued Animals ~

I only took pictures of the Red-tailed Hawk and the Barn Owl, but they also had a Box Turtle and a Hedgehog which had to be put inside since it was too cold. 
~ Pelt Identification ~

~ Tomahawk Throwing ~

~ Raffle Prizes ~
At the end of the day there is a raffle.  Each child receives a ticket and when their name gets called they get to go into the building to choose their prize.  I always love seeing what each child chooses!  This year Captain picked out a tent, Twinkle Toes picked a pink princess camping chair, and Chiquita picked a set of sidewalk crayons and bubbles.   It looks like I missed getting a picture of Rascal with his new Fishing Pole...
… and Snuggles has hardly set down his new backpack. 

Even Rose enjoyed the day! 

Our Seventh Good Shepherd’s Garden Party :: The Heavenly Zoo

May 22, 2010 | | 8 Comments

Last night we had the last of our weekly Good Shepherd Garden Parties based on the theme “The Heavenly Zoo.” To be honest, I found this party to be the hardest to prepare for, since a few of the menu items just didn’t want to come together for me! 😉

It did all come together in the end, and was enjoyed by everyone…  Here are a few pictures with the details:

~ The Water ~

I ended up just filling up our water pitcher and setting it on the table.  I wasn’t sure if we’d need it, but after those super sweet Lion Lemonades the kids were all very thirsty! 
~ The Deer ~

We’ve been pretty burn out of cake lately, but I tried using a new “healthier” cake mix for our Deer Cupcakes and we all loved it!  It was actually a Gluten Free Chocolate Cake Mix from the health food departments, but I just ordered more of them from Amazon since, with subscribe & save and additional coupon code, they are less expensive.  Yum!!  Anyhow, for some reason I was having the hardest time breaking apart the pretzels this time.  But, after lots of attempts and a bowl filled with broken pieces, I finally had enough to make finish up the cupcakes.
~ The Lion ~

I substituted vanilla ice cream for the frozen yogurt and had just enough for our Lucky Lion Lemonade, but boy were these drinks sweet.  Only one of my children actually drank hers.  I loved the “mane” made out of sprinkles though, so next year I think we would just do the same thing with maybe just a milkshake underneath. 
~ The Beehive ~

I wasn’t sure if the Beehive Baked Pears would turn out for me, and purchased a box of Honey Maid Bee Crackers from the very beginning.  However, after filling the pears and then finding out that the pie dough I purchased had gone bad, I was determined to figure a way to finish them. . .  Most of you would have probably just whipped up your favorite pie crust recipe. But pie crust and I just do not get along, and it would have been quicker for me to load up my 6 children and head to town rather than try that again.  So, I called Charlotte to help me brainstorm and I decided to try using a can of crescent rolls that I had in the fridge.  They worked!  I wrapped the pears, and then after the first 20 minutes of baking I covered them with foil.  
These were very delicious, and everyone (except for Snuggles & Twinkle Toes who both refused to even take a bite) loved them!  I especially loved the leftover honey & nut mixture… Uuummmm!!  
Oh! That reminds me, I did substitute pecans for the pistachios.  
~ The Peacock ~
I could NOT find Peacock feathers anywhere.  Charlotte suggested that I could just print a coloring page, but I had an idea in my head (inspired by these peacock feather cupcakes) that I was just dying to try:  Peacock Cupcakes!

Didn’t she turn out cute!!??!! 
 I frosted some of the leftover chocolate cupcakes with some white frosting and decorated them with green and blue cake frosting and then rolled the edges in some purple sugar sprinkles.  I frosted one cupcake light blue for the face, added 2 upside down chocolate chips for the eyes and the nose and “feathers” are all mini M&M’s. 
~ Pelican Toasties ~
Our Pelican’s turned out looking more like Pac-Man, but my children loved them!  Next time I just need to make sure to purchase a loaf of french bread that is flat on the bottom, and not so rounded.
~ Phoenix-Tail Shrimp ~

I took the easy way out on this one, skipping the recipe and just purchasing a shrimp cocktail platter.  Personally I don’t like shrimp (actually my face swells when I eat it) but my husband and children (particularly Captain who ate way too many) loved it!
~ The Dove ~
I did have a little bowl of Dove Truffles setting out, which I purchased just before Easter, but we are saving them for Sunday.  We also had our Pentecost Windsock hanging above the table for decoration!  

A Windsock for Pentecost

May 21, 2010 | , | 11 Comments

I’ve been wanting to make a Windsock for Pentecost with my children for a few years now, ever since seeing the idea over at By Sun and Candlelight.  This year, I just couldn’t pass up the opportunity since it tied so perfectly into our Alphabet Path as we work our way through “W” week!

Our Supplies:
2 pieces Red Construction Paper
White & Orange Copy Paper
Ribbon (Streamers could also be used) cut into 7 pieces
Dove Cookie Cutter (or other Dove Template)
Scissors, Glue Stick, Stapler, Tape & White Yarn (not shown)
Cut out seven flames, and label each one with one of the seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit.  I decided to use the computer to create ours and then just printed them on the Orange Copy Paper.  That way my daughter just needed to cut them out with scissors.  
*I uploaded my document at Scribd for anyone who would like a copy. 
Trace Dove Template onto White Copy Paper.  I happen to have an awesome sister-in-law who sent me a lovely Dove Shaped Tasha Tudor Cookie Cutter for Christmas.  If you don’t have one, you could always just print one of the images that can be found online.  
Cut out the Dove, representing God the Holy Spirit, and glue it onto one of the pieces of red construction paper.  We ended up adding a few golden rays around the Dove. 
Create a cylinder out of Red Construction paper.  We ended up pulling a cylinder shaped box of oatmeal from the cupboard and wrapping the paper around it to create the size we wanted. Then we just stapled the edges together, adding a bit of tape at the top and bottom to make it a little more secure.   Then attach a piece of yarn to the inside of the top rim, to use for hanging the windsock. 
Tape the flames to the bottom of each piece of ribbon, making sure they are secure.  Then tape each one to the inside of the bottom rim of the Dove topper. 
Since it is raining outside, we hung ours above our dinner table, to use as a decoration for our last Good Shepherd’s Garden Party this evening!  Which means I better get off the computer and back to the kitchen!!
I hope you all have a wonderful Pentecost weekend!   

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.

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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?

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