Saints Around the World :: St. Pio of Pietrelcina {Back-to-School Giveaway}
Have you seen the “Saints Around the World!” subscription boxes yet? Our family was recently sent one to review and not only was I impressed, but it was also a hit with our children!
When our older children were younger I included so many more crafts and activities when it came to celebrating feast days and teaching our children about the saints… I still try to do so, but it’s not as frequent as I would like, and definitely harder to fit in to our schedule with a wide family with infants to soon-to-be college students, especially with me working from home on top of homeschooling. During this particular season of motherhood it seems that reading picture books and incorporating Catholic Cuisine is the most I can manage each month…
Featuring a different saint from a new country every two months, this subscription is a perfect way for me to easily incorporate a little more theology and geography for my younger ones with very little effort! Plus my older children were all more than happy to join in and help too.
Oh, and with each box purchased, $4 is donated to the “Culture of Life Studies” program, another one of my favorite resources!
Each box contains a beautiful, kid-friendly, saint statue, a story about the saint’s life, various activities related to the saint, and a special fact card about the saint and his/her country or state.
Your first box also comes with a world map to track the saints and a special “Passport.” A certain little seven year old especially loved the map and magnifying glass and had so much fun searching for Italy.
Much to his delight, older brother stopped by for a bit and pointed out a number of other European countries.
Our box came with just one Passport booklet, but you can order additional when subscribing, if you’d like one for each child. I definitely need to get an additional Passport booklet so Rose and Bud each have their own.
The Saints Around the World boxes are shipped every two months. The 2019-2020 boxes are September/October, November/December, January/February, March/April, May/June, July/August etc. The box will arrive in that first week, at the beginning of the two month span. For example, you will receive the September/October box within the first week of September and the next box will be shipped at the beginning of November.
I’m going to try my best to host a few different giveaways this month leading up to the beginning of the new school year! To begin, Saints Around the World has generously offered to send one FREE “St. Pio” box to the winner of this giveaway!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Baby Updates & Online Baby Pool
I had a little extra time before yesterday’s ultrasound, non-stress test, and doctor appointment, so I decided to visit the hospital and birthing center so we have a general idea of where to head once labor begins. Seemed like a good idea.
I’ve been reading this book throughout this past week whenever I can find a little extra time and it is exactly the encouragement and motivation I’ve been needing. Thank you, Mary!
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July 10, 2019 – 34 Weeks
She had her arms covering her face for most of this morning’s ultrasound, but everything is looking good and she measured 5lbs 13oz.
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Our due date is August 19, 2019. For reference, here are all of the past stats:
Captain: 5 days early, 10:24 am, 7 pounds 2 ounces, 20 inches
Rascal: 7 days early, 11:19 am, 7 pounds 11 ounces, 19 inches
Twinkle Toes: 10 days early, 12:55 am, 7 pounds 4 ounces, 19 1/4 inches
Chiquita: 21 days early, 9:54 pm, 7 pounds 4 ounces, 18 1/2 inches
Snuggles: 3 days early, 10:37 pm, 8 pounds 5 ounces, 20 1/2 inches (He was also due on June 24th, 10 years ago, just after I started this blog!)
Rose: 10 days early, 11:49 pm, 8 pounds 1 ounce, 19 inches
High School Graduation Party {Class of 2019}
This past Saturday we hosted a graduation party for our two high school graduates! They actually graduated Kolbe Academy at the beginning of May, but we just didn’t have an opportunity to celebrate until now…
I planned the party as an afternoon BBQ Open House in our backyard from 1:00-4:00. Some guests came for the whole party and others popped in for a little while depending on their schedules. We grilled hot dogs and sausages, plus we had lots of drinks (including IPAs and Peach Sangria for the adults), snacks and desserts. To make it a little easier I asked everyone to “please bring a side dish to share if you are able” and we ended up with more than enough food.
The boys Diplomas and Tassels from Kolbe Academy had arrived awhile back, but I saved them to give them at the party. I love that Kolbe’s Tassels have a St. Maximilian Kolbe medal attached to them. (He is our oldest son’s confirmation saint!)
I also printed out all of their End-of-School Interviews from over the years to use as decorations!
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| The birthday boy and my dad |
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| Me with my mom, Father Gordon (my husband’s youngest brother and our oldest son’s Godfather), and my Uncle Tom (mom’s oldest brother) and Aunt Toni |
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| We definitely need a larger grill the next time we host a big BBQ! |
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| Father Rapoport, Father Terra and Father Flick (below) also were able to come to the party! |
Graduation Party Candy Buffet {Free Printables}
- “Aren’t You a Smartie” – Smarties
- “Book Worms” – Gummy Worms
- “So long Suckers” – Dum Dum Suckers
- “Reach for the stars” – Starbursts
- “Honor Rolls” – Tootsie Roll
- “Student Loans” – 100 Grand Candy Bars
I was going to use “You’re No Dum Dum” for the suckers, but one of my daughters insisted on “So long Suckers” instead. It cracked the boys up and they know we are all going to miss them dearly.
There are lots of additional options you can use as well:
- “Class Ring” – Ring Pops
- “Smart Cookie” – Mini chocolate chip cookies
- “Nerds” – Small boxes of Nerds Candy
- “oFISHally Graduating” – Swedish Fish
- “Thank you Kisses” or “Goodbye Kisses” – Hershey Kisses
If you’d like to use my signs, you can download them here.
I also made a little sign to go along with our Diploma Cookies made with Pirouettes and some of the leftover Cherry Twizzlers Pull ‘n’ Peel Candy from our Graduation Cap Cupcakes!
Graduation Cap Cupcakes
On Saturday we finally had an opportunity to host a High School Graduation Party for our two recent graduates! I’m hoping to share all the pictures soon, but first here are the Graduation Cap Cupcakes we made (inspired by lots of different online pictures) for the party. Didn’t they turn out cute?!
Ingredients:
- 1 box cake mix prepared (I used gluten free chocolate and made 30 cupcakes)
- 24 cupcake liners (in your school colors)
- 2 (16 oz) tubs white frosting
- 1/2 c. candy melts to use as “glue” for the caps
- 24 Reese’s Miniature Peanut Butter Cups
- 24 Ghirardelli Squares (I used an XL Dark Chocolate Assortment)
- 24 red M&;M’s candies
- 1 bag Cherry Twizzlers Pull ‘n’ Peel Candy (Use extras for decorating “Diploma Cookies!”)
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 24 standard muffin cups with paper liners.
- Prepare cake mix and bake as directed on the box for cupcakes; cool completely.
- Using a piping bag fitted with a 2Around tip, pipe frosting onto cooled cupcakes.
- Pull Twizzlers apart, into individual ropes. Cut each rope into 2-inch long pieces. You will need 48 pieces, two for each cap; set aside.
- In a small microwave safe bowl, melt the candy melts on high for 1 minute, stir until melted.
- Un-wrap the chocolate squares and peanut butter cups. Place all the peanut butter cups upside-down on two trays. Place a dab of “glue” (melted chocolate) on top of each peanut butter cup and place a chocolate square on top to create the “cap.”
- Use another dab of “glue” (melted chocolate) to attach the M&M candies and Twizzlers “tassels” to the top of each “cap.” Let set.
- Top each frosted cupcake with a graduation cap.
On the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
- Trader Joe’s Brownie Truffle Baking Mix
- Trader Joe’s Fleur de Sel Caramel Sauce
- Sea Salt
- Caramel Candies (optional)
Directions:
Prepare and bake the brownie mix according to the instructions on the box.
As soon as brownies are out of the oven and still hot, poke some holes in the top of the brownies and then pour the caramel sauce over the top (the entire jar). You won’t need to spread the caramel. It will even out on it’s own.
Allow the brownies to cool for about 20-30 minutes. Apply sea salt (to taste) right before serving. Remember, a little bit of the sea salt goes a long way in flavor…so start with a tiny bit and then add more if needed.
Books, Brews and Crux S. Patris Benedicti Pizza on the Feast of Saint Benedict
Happy Feast of St. Benedict! 🍻
While we were in Oregon this past weekend, for my little sister’s wedding, we were able to stop back by Benedictine Brewery to purchase a couple more glasses and some more of their great beer. Unfortunately our options were pretty limited following the 4th of July rush!
Pale Ale
The pale counterpart to Black Habit, best described as a Belgian pale with Northwest influence. Aroma is fresh and slightly spicy, and the mouthfeel is silky and effervescent. Tropical fruit flavors lead to a noticeably hoppy finish. Designed to go with meals. ABV about 6.7%.
Farmhouse Ale
A session ale in the farmhouse tradition, this beer gets its name because it was first brewed on March 21 and first served on July 11, the two annual feasts of St. Benedict. Bears the fresh aroma of yeast. Complex flavor for a lighter beer, with a slightly tart and peppery finish. Stands well as a cold beverage on a summer day. ABV about 4.7%.
The book is based on his biography by Pope Saint Gregory the Great, and told by a Benedictine monk living today in Italy at the birthplace of Benedict.
Wedding Reception Activity Book for Children
My little sister got married on Saturday!
Being one of the youngest in our large family, with no children of her own yet, I don’t think she quite understands how hard it can be to get a family of ten ready for a road trip, especially at 33/34 weeks pregnant, without the help of the teens who all have summer jobs!
I had planned to spend last Wednesday getting my hair cut and highlighted and then packing and loading the cars (with the 4th of July on Thursday and leaving by 5am on Friday) but instead of packing two of my girls and I spent the afternoon and evening crafting…
Tuesday night the bride-to-be called and asked if I could come up with activities for the 40+ children that were going to be at the wedding reception…. Ummm, sure? I probably should have said no, but I already had to say no to both her Bachelorette Weekend in Tahoe and her Bridal Shower in Portland. Coming up with activities for kids at the last minute… Now THAT was something I could do!
I did some searching online and found this darling printable wedding activity book for kids.
When our seven year old saw the books he cracked me up when he started singing:
“I do, I do, I do, do do do do do do doo
Yeah, I do, I do, I do, do do do do do do doo”
Wedding Activity Book for Children:
- Printable Pages – 2 pages, front and back for each book (I used Costco’s premium 24 weight 97 bright copy paper – nicer than plain copy paper, but also cheaper and easier to work with than card stock)
- X-acto Knife (for punching holes in spine of book for the twine to thread through)
- Twine (approx 16-18″ per book)
- Scissors & Ruler
Personalized Crayon Packets:
- Crayons
- 4″x6″ Treat Bags
- 2″ Round Glossy White Labels (easy to make using Avery’s templates and some floral clip art found online)
I had almost everything I needed to make these already, we just had to buy crayons.
You’d think that the large packs of crayons would be the cheapest way to buy a lot of crayons (I needed around 400 crayons) but that wasn’t the case, at least not at Walmart:
- 120 Crayola Colors = 5.8 cents each
- 96 Crayola Colors = 5.2 cents each
- 64 Crayola Colors = 4.6 cents each
- 32 Crayola Colors = 5.5 cents each
- 8 Crayola Colors = 10.9 cents each
Winner: 24 Crayola Colors @ $0.50 per box = only 2 cents each
(I spotted them hiding on the top shelf and I asked someone to help get them down for me.)
We price checked the Cra-Z-Art Crayons too:
- 96 Crayons = 4.1 cents per crayon
- 64 Crayons = 2.6 cents per crayon (getting better!)
But the 24 Packs (only had a few left) were just $0.33 per box or a mere 1.3 cents per crayon!
We ended up purchasing a mix of 24 Packs of Crayola Crayons (with the new Bluetiful color, perfect for a bride/wedding) and 24 packs of the Cra-z-art Crayons.
Two of my girls took care of packaging up all the crayons while I assembled the activity books!
Puppy Paw-ty
It’s time to celebrate YOU because you’re turning TWO!!
Our baby girl turned TWO a couple weeks ago and this year we celebrated with a puppy themed pawty! We have never had a dog, but one of her favorite things this past year has been “Doggies!” She will often round up all the stuffed dog animals from around the house to carry around in a basket or tuck into her bed. Her brother bought her a little plush dog house with five puppies for Christmas and it is still one of her favorite toys. The puppy theme was pawsitively perfect for her! 😉
Her eldest brother/Godfather also had a gift for her when he got back home from work. He wanted to give her one of his childhood favorite things… Blues Clues! The card he made her was so sweet too.
St. John’s Bonfire + 30th Anniversary Celebration
“June 24 is one of the oldest of the Church feasts. It is the birthday celebration of St. John the Baptist, and is sometimes called “summer Christmas.” On the eve of the feast, great bonfires were once lighted as a symbol of “the burning and brilliant” light, St. John, who pointed out Christ in this world of darkness. The solstice fires had been pagan, but now they were blessed by the Church in John’s honor. There are actual blessings for the bonfire in the Roman liturgy. Magical and superstitious elements of food and drink were forgotten, and we were encouraged to have great picnic feasts out-of-doors around the blazing logs. The outdoor grill, so popular in our own back yards, was once less selfish and more communal. We feasted as many neighbors and not as exclusive individuals.” source
This article from Regina Magazine was passed out to all of us just before Father blessed the bonfire.
Our family brought along a couple side dishes and a simple chocolate Cathedral Bundt Cake to share.
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