The Feast of the Assumption
I hope you all have a blessed Feast of the Assumption.
In addition to attending Mass for this Holy Day of Obligation, don’t miss the wonderful recipes and ideas posted over at Catholic Cuisine and Catholic Family Vignettes for celebrating this most special day!
Majestic Queen of Heaven and Mistress of the Angels, you received from God the power and command to crush the head of satan. Therefore, we humbly beg of you, send forth the legions of Heaven, that under your command they may seek out all evil spirits, engage them everywhere in battle, curb their pride, and hurl them back into the pit of hell. “Who is like unto God?”
With firm confidence we present ourselves before you, our most loving Mother, afflicted and troubled as we are, and we beg you to let us understand the love you have for us by granting this petition, if it is according to the Will of God and profitable for our salvation: (mention your request).
Good and tender Mother, you shall ever be our hope and the object of our love. Mother of God, send forth the Holy Angels to defend us and drive far from us the cruel foe.
Holy Angels and Archangels, defend and keep us.
Celebrating the Feast of St. Maximilian Kolbe
Yesterday, after the children’s swimming lessons, we attended this weeks:
Summer with the Saints
August 14th is the feast of St. Maximilian Kolbe, so he was, most appropriately, the featured saint this week!
We began the afternoon at Marci’s in her air conditioned home (since it hit 108 degrees!!) listening to The Knight and Our Lady: The Story of Saint Maximilian Kolbe.
(I just LOVE all of the Glory Stories Cd’s. They are all WONDERFUL!)
Like usual, the children colored pictures, made holy cards, put together a craft, and had lots of yummy snacks!
Here are a few pictures from the day…
“That night, I asked the Mother of God what was to become of me. Then she came to me holding two crowns, one white, the other red. She asked me if I was willing to accept either of these crowns. The white one meant that I should persevere in purity, and the red that I should become a martyr. I said that I would accept them both.” ~ St. Maximilian Kolbe
I must say that I think this craft was very creative!! Marci came up with it all on her own. She used red visors from the craft store, cut them to look like crowns (if worn upside down) and let the children decorate them. She had some white felt cut ready and backed with sticky paper so it was easy to adhere to the crown, and the children added glitter glue and beads to finish them off. Didn’t they turn out cute?
After crafts, the kids all played together. My children just love the tree swing and the trampoline… (And the castle… and the sand box… and the sidewalk chalk… and everything!) They had a blast, like usual!
For snack time, Marci made a delicious White and Red Cake.
Next year I am hoping to try out a couple of the recipes that were posted over at Catholic Cuisine! Ruth shared some ideas for a Polish dinner, and suggested making two cakes one red and one white for dessert… I think it would be awesome to make those two cakes shaped like crowns. Don’t you? Also, Charlotte (aka Waltzing Matilda) shared a delicious looking recipe for some Polish Candy along with a neat craft!
Despite the ridiculous heat, we had an absolutely perfect day! I hope you all did as well!
Scenes from a Summer’s Day ~ Aug 14th
Today was the last day of this current two week session of swimming lessons, also known as GRADUATION DAY!!! My children were all very excited!
I have been so amazed at the progress my girls have made these past two weeks. Just last week they were both still in a mommy-baby class and this week they are swimming better than just as well as the “big girls.”
I noticed that most of my swimming pictures have been of the boys, so here are a few from today of the girls….
I’ll start with Twinkle Toes:
“Ready”
“Go”
“Remember, BIG arms!”Chiquita is so fun to watch! She is quite fearless when it comes to swimming…
After practicing jumping from the wall, the girls all headed to the diving board:
When the class was over, the girls received their STARS!!
The boys were very excited to earn their second star of the year!
Snuggles did not graduate. He spent the afternoon sleeping, and missed his class. I probably should have woken him up, but I decided not to…
Would you have??? He has been extra cranky the last couple days. A friend of mine was able to calm him down and he looked so peaceful sleeping. Instead, we picked up lunch, visited our Lord at the Adoration Chapel and then headed to this weeks Summer with the Saints.
Anyways, call me crazy, but I signed all five of my children for one more session of lessons starting this coming Monday! I think the next two weeks will be much easier though, since the lessons are all back to back in the afternoon. Yeah!!! We will only be at the pool from 3:00-4:30… Not bad at all… We will have our mornings and (more importantly) nap time at home. I think momma Snuggles will be much happier!
Scenes from a Summer’s Day ~ Aug 13th #2
I was having a blast playing with the “Sport” setting on my camera
Here is Captain practicing “saving his life”:
And here is Rascal… This is a better example of the continuous shots.
I loved how these pictures turned out, even though I did crop them a little bit.
Captain is on the far left, and Rascal on the right… I just LOVE Rascal’s dives. They are so fun to watch! I also love how easy it is to capture these moments using this setting!!!
Well, tomorrow is graduation day, and my kids are all very excited to receive their stars! And right now, it is time for me to go ice my neck and get some sleep! So, goodnight and God bless!
Scenes from a Summer’s Day ~ Aug 13th
Today was Life-saving Day once again for my boys, and the first time this year for the girls. They did wonderfully.
In fact, they are doing so well, that Myrna often uses my little 3 year old Chiquita as an example for the older girls (5, 6 and 7) in the class. I am so amazed that just last Monday I had to be in the water with them, and this week they were moved to a big girl class and have been given the techniques to save their lives if they were to fall in the water.
On life-saving day, the children arrive to their lesson fully dressed, and have to jump into the water, roll over onto their back, and then “be a starfish” and hold very still as they slowly float to the wall.
Here you can see Twinkle Toes… She is doing so great!
My brother says that he thinks these pictures are creepy since the kids are “just floating in the water fully dressed” but I think they are AWESOME since they show just how well the children are learning.
They also have learned that the more they move around while they are on their back, the quicker they get tired, and the harder it is to breathe.
They also learned what to do in case they fell in the water with a life jacket on.
Snuggles was not able to attend his class today since I had to get to a chiropractic appointment. I somehow threw out my neck and jaw, which I found out, has been the cause of a horrible headache I have had for the last couple months! I have another appointment on Friday…
If I have a chance, I will try and post a few pictures from the boys class… I was having fun playing with the continuous shooting mode on my camera! 🙂 See you soon!
The Four Temperaments
A couple weeks ago I posted a link to a couple quizzes that help determine ones temperament, in anticipation of a coming sermon on Audio Sancto.
The sermon was posted this week and I found it very helpful and interesting! If you have a few minutes, I highly recommend checking it out!
Feast of St. Clare
The feast of St. Clare is celebrated on August 11th (The anniversary of her death) on the new calendar, and on August 12th on the calendar of 1962 (which is the calendar followed by the FSSP).
Our week has been so super busy, that I decided to spread our celebration of her feast over both days! For those of you that know us, you know why St. Clare is such a special saint to our family! 😉
Yesterday afternoon, after swimming, the children listened to the audio story, A Sparrow in God’s Hand: The Story of St. Clare, while they colored the beautiful picture of her provided in Fenestrae Fidei.
My children never tire of coloring, and they just love the pictures in Fenestrae Fidei. (Thank you to the publisher for allowing reproducing rights for the family/classroom!)
Last night, for dinner, we had an Italian meal including spaghetti and garlic bread… And, this morning, the children woke up to chocolate éclairs. Yum!!!
After the children wake up from their naps (swimming really wears them out!), we will be reading Clare and Francis
What you hold may you always hold.
What you do, may you always do and never abandon.
But with swift pace, light step and unswerving feet,
so that even your steps stir up no dust,
Go forward, the spirit of our God has called you.~ Blessing from St. Clare’s second letter to Blessed Agnes of Prague
I hope you all are having a wonderful week! God Bless!
Saint Clare of Assisi, mistress of poverty, pray for us!
Scenes from a Summer’s Day ~ Aug 10th
A couple weeks ago, my sister Jennifer (who is #2 in our family, and only 14 months younger than I am) moved back to the area (at least part time). It will be so nice to have her back in the area.
She invited us over for a BBQ this past Sunday, and it was nice to have an opportunity to visit with my family.
Here are a few pictures from the day:
Twinkle Toes with Aunt Jenny
Chiquita
My sister Mary
Julianna, me and Mary
Jen’s boyfriend Juan “watching” Snuggles for a minute.
My brother Brian and his girlfriend Meghan
My kids LOVE Uncle Brian!
Snuggles with Aunt JoAnn
Rascal playing with another favorite Uncle!
Aunt Julianna and CaptainWe had a great time, and look forward to the next get together! Thanks Jen!
The Simple Woman’s Daybook ~ Aug 12th
Outside my Window… it is hot, but the skies are nice and blue!! The forecast for the rest of the week is “Patchy Smoke.” :S
I am thankful… for hubby’s overtime! On Saturday I spent the day at Les Schwab getting new brakes, rotors and tires on my mini-van. Thankfully hubby spent the day working overtime as an engine boss… God always provides, doesn’t He?
From the kitchen… what kitchen?
I am creating…a HUGE desire to just STAY HOME!! I have had to be out every day for the last 2 weeks for one reason or another, and I am TIRED!
I am going…to take the kids to swimming tomorrow, and the next day, and the next day…
I am wearing…myself out!
I am reading… emails. Sorry if I owe you one… I am shamefully behind with all my correspondence!
I am hoping… to be able to slow myself down. Why do I always feel like I have to do it all? Do any of you do this, or is it just me? The funny thing is, I use to LOVE being out all the time, now I find myself longing for a few days at home with no plans! It is SO weird!
I am hearing… Snuggles breathing as he sleeps in my lap, and the rest of the kids playing quietly in their rooms.
Around the house… I have quite a bit to catch up on. Basically, laundry, laundry and more laundry!
One of my favorite things… is getting together with family! My sister Jennifer had a BBQ/Housewarming party on Sunday, and it was so nice to see everyone! Well, almost everyone, we were missing 4 of my siblings… However, 8 out of 12 isn’t bad!
- Auditory Processing Class for Captain, Mon-Wed 8am
- Visit the chiropractor for an adjustment. I somehow messed up my neck.
- Summer with the Saints on Thursday
- Mass & Benediction on Friday. The boys will be serving!
Swimming lessons on Mon-Thurs. The girls were moved into a “big girl” class this week, and are doing marvelously. We are now at the pool from 9:30 to 1:00. Today we skipped Snuggles class and came home early…
Here is a picture thought I am sharing:
To see more Daybook entry’s, click here.
Our Plan: World History
I still have quite a ways to go before I have our plans for this coming school year finalized. However, I have decided on our history course, and I am very excited!!
This past year we switched to studying history through the use of living books combined with lap books and notebooking. It was a huge hit. We all loved it!! I used Beautiful Feet’s Early American History as a guide, and tried to supplement with Catholic books as we went along. It worked out alright, but I was really hoping to find a Catholic program to use for this coming year.
Well, I ran across RC History, and it seems to be just about perfect for us! One of my favorite aspects of the program is that we will all be doing the same time period together each year, based on a four year rotation. Yeah!!!
We have found that history comes alive when the family learns together. Particularly if you are not well-acquainted with history yourself (which I am not!!), or you are teaching multiple ages (which I am!!), studying the same time periods together will strengthen everyone’s learning and interest and make your job of teaching simpler! (Anything that will make my job a bit simpler, sounds good to me!)
It should be a fun year as we make our way through the Old Testament and Ancient History!
I have just finished ordering all of our books, and the kids have really been enjoying previewing them as they arrive in the mail.
Here’s the list of what we will be using…
Teacher’s Guide:
Connecting With History: A Guide to Salvation History
Year One: Old Testament and Ancient History
“Connecting With History is our first self-published history curriculum. It takes an integrated approach to history and literature from a thoroughly Catholic perspective, covering the Old Testament and the ancient cultures of Israel, Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece and Rome.”
(I am also hoping to read a few books myself from the Logic and Rhetoric book lists.)
Reading List:
- Usborne Time Traveler
- Archaeologists Dig for Clues
- Noah’s Ark by Peter Spier
- Tut’s Mummy Lost and Found
- Aesop’s Fables Coloring Book
- Pyramids: 50 Hands-On Activities to Experience Ancient Egypt
- Old Testament Days: An Activity Guide
- Classical Kids: An Activity Guide
- The Trojan Horse or How the Greeks Won the War
Supplemental:
- The Genesis of it All
Noah’s Ark (It’s not on the list, but my kids LOVE looking through the pictures in this book!)- The Great Pyramid
- Favorite Greek Myths
- The Librarian Who Measured the Earth
- Exodus
- The Story of Hercules
- D’Aulaires Book of Greek Myths
- Blackline Maps of World History
- Jewish Holiday Stories
- Tales from the Old Testament
- Egyptian Treasures: Mummies and Myths
- Greek Myths
- Strengthened by God/The Great Deluge
Each of the children will also be starting their own Book of the Centuries (updated link), as well as a couple lap books throughout the year based on Ancient History. I am also considering ordering the Timeline, for our school room wall, or possibly making our own. We’ll see…
I did order the book History Pockets – Ancient Civilizations to help us with our lapbooks, as well as an Ancient Egypt Toobis to blame inspired my love of history through living books last summer!! 🙂
Oh, and I even ordered a number of stickers and stencils too…
I can’t wait to start… Is it September yet?? 😉
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