Saint Joseph’s Day Cathedral Cake
Saint Patrick’s Day
 |
| Fiona’s Lace |
 |
| Patrick: Saint of Ireland |
{pretty, happy, funny, real} :: Pi Day
The Angel of the Lord declared Unto Mary…
A House Divided…
Here is another inspiring sermon, all about the need for unity in our Church, which was recently given by our Archbishop during the 2015 Gregorian Chant conference on March 7, 2015 at the Brigittine Monastery in Amity, Oregon.
Note: You can view the rest of the photos from this Mass here. The video and photographs were taken and edited by our friend Marc Salvatore and posted with permission. Thank you Marc!
In other news, the Cathedral Parish of the Diocese of Santa Rosa in California is currently raising money for a sanctuary renovation. It looks like it is going to be beautiful! You can find all the details here along with a link to their Go-Fund Me page.
Bargain Priced Toys :: LEGO Great Vehicles
Hello! Wow, has it really been two weeks?!
I didn’t intend to take a break from blogging here at Shower of Roses, but between hosting the giveaways (thank you all for participating and congratulations to all 30 winners!), a special diet I’ve been on for the last three weeks (I’ll share the details later), friends visiting from the Midwest (a family of 7, including one of my Godsons!), three months worth of “Quiet Moments” due for the summer edition of Catholic Digest, and then coming down with a cold/flu which has knocked me off my feet, I just haven’t had the time or energy… I’ve missed blogging and really hope that I can start fitting it back in again soon!
In the meantime, just in case I didn’t share enough Easter Basket Stuffer Ideas in my last post, I wanted to pop in real quick to let you all know that once again Amazon has some great discounts on LEGO sets!
Last year we gave each of our boys a small LEGO set in their baskets. They didn’t see them at first, but got so excited when they realized that the bottom of their baskets were filled with LEGO bricks and the directions to build a set. I had taken them all out of the boxes and used them as filler. 🙂
 |
| Photo taken last November of the boys’ LEGO town |
Our boys all really love the Great Vehicles in the City collection and right now many of them are 20% off which drops the price to just $15.99 each. These are also great to have on hand to give as birthday party gifts for friends! Here are the links to some of the sets that are currently on sale:
LEGO City Great Vehicles Camper Van
LEGO City Great Vehicles Dune Buggy Trailer
LEGO City Great Vehicles Pickup Tow Truck
LEGO City Great Vehicles Snowplow Truck
LEGO City Great Vehicles Racing Bike Transporter
The following sets are priced a little higher but are also currently 20% off:
LEGO City Great Vehicles 4×4 with Powerboat (pictured above)
LEGO City Great Vehicles Auto Transporter
LEGO Creator Vehicle Transporter
LEGO City Service Truck (pictured below)
My boys also really love the Creator sets and the Mountain Hut (definitely a favorite!) is currently 25% off: Lego Creator Mountain Hut
 |
| The boys all think the new Service Truck is awesome and purchased it with their savings. Apparently they needed a porta potty for their city… Oh! And that old photo of the Bull Rider is the background? That’s my husband. 🙂 |
100+ Easter Basket Stuffers & Catholic Gift Ideas {Plus a Basketful of Giveaways!}
A number of years ago I shared a post with a variety of Catholic Easter Basket Ideas to help incorporate our beautiful Catholic faith and the true meaning of Easter. The following updated list contains over 100 Easter Basket Stuffers & Catholic Gift Ideas! Most of the following items have been given to our own children in the past, with some new additions for this year. Be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom of this post to enter the giveaway for a chance to win one of 20 prizes from my generous sponsors with a combined value of over $500!
Note: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
- The Easter Cave
- The Easter Story
- The Story of the Easter Robin
- The Sparrow’s Easter Song
- Easter
- Simon and the Easter Miracle
- The Egg Tree
- Renchenka’s Eggs
- Easter Eggs for Anya
- My First Pictures of Easter
- The Saving Name of God the Son
- An Easter Prayer
- An Easter Gift for Me
- A Tale for Easter
- The First Easter Day (A Touch-and-Feel Book)
- All Creatures Great and Small
- Easter Babies: A Springtime Counting Book
- God Bless Our Easter
Bonus: I am a Bunny is sweet book about the seasons and was included in one of our children’s Easter Baskets a couple years ago. This year we are adding The Rooster Struts, also by Eric Carle, which was just republished.
.: Patron Saints :.
- Hand Painted Wooden Saints from Catholic Folk Toys (Custom orders welcome! My little “Rose” will be finding the soon to be canonized Martin’s along with their daughter St. Therese in her Easter basket this year, which I custom ordered from Tammy last fall.)
- Saint Blessing Blocks from Almond Rod Toys
- Shining Light Dolls
- Saint Charms from Tiny Saints
- Saints ‘N Stitches Embroidery Kits from Waltzing Matilda Makes… (limited time only!)
- Prayer Pillowcases (Our youngest will receive the Good Shepherd:Our Father Pillowcase in his Easter Basket this year.)
- Embroidered Soft Saint Dolls
- Alphabet of Saints Block Set (DIY Craft Idea found in the archives here at Shower of Roses)
- Saint Habits for Dolls from The Little Habit
My girls fell in love with the darling gifts they received this past Christmas made by The Little Habit! They will each receive one more habit for their dolls this Easter. Twinkle Toes will receive the Guardian Angel Dress, Chiquita will receive Our Lady of Guadalupe and Crown, and Rose will receive Mary’s White Dress with Blue Cape and White Veil and Mary’s Rose Wreath.
- Triumph of Jesus Coloring Book from Holy Heroes
- Easter Coloring Book from Sacred Heart Books and Gifts
- Fenestrae Fidei: A Coloring Companion for Catholic Mosaic
- Easter Eggs: Artful Eggs from Around the World Stained Glass Coloring Book or Intricate Eggs
- Catholic Coloring Posters from Catholic Child
- Sacred Heart of Jesus Coloring Book
- Cathedrals: Cathedrals of the World Coloring Book or Cathedral Stained Glass Coloring Book
- Catholic Story Coloring Books: All these coloring books include beautiful stories by Mary Fabyan Windeatt
- The Holy Imitation Series: Eucharistic Adoration, Life of Jesus, Mother of God, Holy Name of Jesus, Choirs of Angels, and Communion of Saints.
- eeBoo sketchbook with coordinating colored pencil set (Our girls love these eeBoo Gold Birds Metallic Pencils.)
- Crayon Rocks in a Cotton Muslin Bag
- Branch and Twig Colored Pencils
- Mr. Sketch Scented Stix, Watercolor Markers
- Yarka Semi Moist Watercolor – Set of 8, Set of 10, Set of 12 (I’ve given our children the Melissa & Doug Take-Along Waterpaint set which they love, but it doesn’t last very long. Another good – and inexpensive- option is the Prang Watercolor Sets.)
- Nature Journal from Michele Quigley
- Sidewalk Chalk
- Prang Paper Chalk
- Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils 24 Pack or 48 Pack with Pencil Sharpener (The Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils are expensive but the first choice of our older children. I was able to purchase another set for $23.99 during the Lightning Deals before Christmas! I usually purchase the Prang Colored Pencils for our younger children.)
- Holy Traders
- Church Windows
- Saint Memory Game (You can also make your own Saint Joseph Memory Match Playing Cards with Printables in the Archives!)
- Old Masters Holy Card Set (Update: These are now out of stock. Here is another beautiful option for vintage style Holy Cards.)
- Personalized Holy Cards from Keepsakes by Carrie (I’m planning on ordering personalized Holy Cards for each of my children with the dates of their Baptisms and First Holy Communions to add to their Holy Card collections!)
- Reverence and Awe Collector Cards from Arma Dei
- Catholic By The Number Card Game
- Little Flowers Memory Cards (recently updated!)
- Friendly Defenders Catholic Flash Cards and Friendly Defenders Two
- Spiritual Bouquet Cards (Printable PDF to color) from SaongJai
- Sticker Seals with Vintage Holy Card Images from Luvcrystals (I also love these Easter themed animal stickers.)
- Easter Gift Tags from The Fig and Thimble
- Dover Sticker Books including: Shiny Crosses
, Angels in Art, Celtic Crosses, Old-Time Bunny Rabbit Stickers, Glitter Old-Time Easter Stickers, Old-Time Easter Stickers, and
Old-Time Easter Animals Stickers.
- Note Stationary from Trademark Catholic Stationary
- The Story of Easter Sticker Book, Saints for Boys Sticker Book, and Saints for Girls Sticker Book (I purchased ours from at a Catholic bookstore. It looks like Catholic Free Shipping has the best prices for these online.)
- Stationary Cards from Three Archangels Save 10% with coupon code Discount10
- Masha and Friends: 15 Matryoshka Notecard
- Postcards from Audrey Eclectic (While you are at Audrey Eclecic, be sure to check out the beautiful Saint Brigid and Saint Clare prints. Our oldest daughter recieved the original painting of St. Brigid and I also have the original of Saint Clare stashed in the closet to give as a birthday gift next month!)
- Green Toys Jump Rope in Green, Pink, or Purple
- Calico Critters
- Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Bella Butterfly Bubbles
- Doll Accessories from The Little Habit
- Metal Earth Model Sets (Note: these are challenging to assemble. My 13 year old loves them, the 14 year old not so much! Over Christmas break our 13 year old enjoyed building Notre Dame!)
- Night Copter (My parents gave these to the boys for Christmas. So fun!)
- Schleich Animals (lamb, peacock, rooster, chicks, etc)
- Folkmanis Finger Puppets (We’ve collected nearly all of these sweet little finger puppets over the years.)
- Kids 3-Piece Garden Tool Set
- Hand Embroidered/Sewn Scapulars and Medals from StellaMarigoldArt
- Brown Scapular (Our children have this simple scapular, as well as beautiful scapulars from Mary Devotions and StellaMarigoldArt.)
- Little Girls Light Pink Veil with Tie-Backs and Swirled Rosette Cluster from Robin Nest Lane
- Boys First Holy Communion One Decade Tenner from Loreto Rosaries
- Pondered In Her Heart Rosary (and many other beautiful creations!) from Mary Devotions
- Miraculous Medal Youth Bracelet from Gail Giron Designs
- Sacred Heart with Immaculate Heart Tapestry Rosary Pouch (many additional designs available including: Madonna and Child, Crucifixion, and more.)
- St. Michael Sports Medals from Catholic Child
- Crocheted Wool Rosary Roses from The Fig and Thimble
- Treasure & Tradition: The Ultimate Guide to the Latin Mass (Read my husband’s review here.)
- Saints for Boys and Saints for Girls
- Jesus Make Me Worthy (also available from Fraternity Publishing)
- Rosary Flip Book with Desktop Easel (Sacred Art Series) in 4″x5” or 8″x10″
- Easter at Ephesus
- The Holy Gospels of St. Luke and St. John (Sacred Art Series)
- Favorite Prayers for Catholic Children (You can find the whole Gloria Series at Sacred Heart Books & Gifts for just $3.00 per book!)
- Little Catholics Set: Manners In God’s House, Jesus and Mary, I Believe
- The Little Children’s Prayer Book in Hardcover or Paperback
- Paschal Candle Kit from Illuminated Ink (also available from Sacred Heart Books and Gifts and Holy Heroes. You can see pictures from when we assembled our Paschal Candle Kit here OR find directions to make your own in the archives)
- 6 Flowers and Birds Easter Eggs
- Nordic Ware Spring Lamb 3-D Cake Mold
- Good Shepherd Statue
- Spring Holy Week Ornaments from Jesse Tree Treasures
- Religious Icons Easter Egg Wraps
- The Garden of the Good Shepherd: A Sticker Calendar to Count the Fifty Days of Easter by Peter Mazar (Scroll through all of our past Good Shepherd’s Garden Parties in the archives. Find the overview post here.)
- Kid’s Garden Seed Collection from St. Clare Heirloom Seeds
- Ceramic Golden Egg (You can read a little about my family’s Golden Egg tradition here.)
Prize #2 – Hand Embroidered/Sewn 100% Wool Scapular sponsored by StellaMarigoldArt (winner chooses the cord/length – value $45.00)
Prize #3 – Hand Painted Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary sponsored by Catholic Folk Toys (value $40.00)
Prize #4 – Two Personalized Pillowcases from Prayer Pillowcases (winner chooses styles, free personalization included – value $39.90)
Prize #5 – Little Girls’ Rosette Veil sponsored by Robin Nest Lane (value – $38.00)
Prize #6 – Mary’s White Dress with Blue Cape and White Veil sponsored by The Little Habit (doll and shoes not included – value $35.00) Receive FREE SHIPPING from The Little Habit until March 15th with coupon code ROSESFREESHIP.
Prize #7 – Immaculate Heart of Mary Print and Set of Three Our Lady of the Angels Greeting Cards sponsored by Three Archangels (value $30) – For a Limited Time Save 10% with coupon code Discount10
Prize #9 – Infinity Veil sponsored by Robin Nest Lane (winner can choose favorite color – white, black, brown, cream, natural (linen colored), gold, silver, cranberry red, and blush pink – value – $27.50)
Prize #10 – Your Choice of one Notebook sponsored by Mama’s Notebooks (value up to $24.99) Notebooks are 10% off at present. One of the following coupon codes below can be used in addition to the sale: Buy three books and get one of equal or lesser value with coupon code TRGE15 or save 5% with coupon code FAST5
Prize #11 – Treasure and Tradition: The Ultimate Guide to the Latin Mass sponsored by St. Augustine Academy Press (value $24.95)
Prize #12 – Spring Holy Week Ornaments sponsored by Jesse Tree Treasures (value $22.95)
Prize #13 – St. Philomena Youth Bracelet sponsored by Gail Giron Designs (value $22.00) Save 10% on all First Communion Items with coupon code Eucharist15 which ends May 1, 2015.
Prize #14 – Set of Five Gloria Series Books (includes: The Mass, Favorite Children’s Prayers, The Rosary, The Hail Mary, and The Holy Family) sponsored by Sacred Heart Books and Gifts (value $15.00)
Prizes #15, #16 and #17 – Easter at Ephesus CD sponsored by De Montfort Music (3 winners – value $14.59 each)
Prize #18 – St. Michael Sports Medal and your choice of 3 Magnetic Bookmarks sponsored by Catholic Child (value $14.45)
Prize #19 – One Sheet of Personalized Holy Cards (winner’s choice) sponsored by Keepsakes by Carrie (value $10.75)
Prize #20 – Variety Set of Post Cards sponsored by Audrey Eclectic Folk Art (value $10.00)
{this moment}
Stacks of Books on Christmas Morning
- Word to Caesar
- Door to the North
- Belisarius: The First Shall Be Last
- Saint Patrick: Apostle of Ireland (perfect for the month of March!)
- Spring Tide
- Band of Brothers: E Company, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne from Normandy to Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest (Captain asked if his dad picked this book… Why, yes, he did… It isn’t exactly one I would have chosen, but he has enjoyed reading and discussing it with his dad.)
- A Child’s Introduction to the World: Geography, Cultures, and People – From the Grand Canyon to the Great Wall of China (He loves History/Geography and has really enjoyed this book!)
- Scorpion Mountain (Brotherband Chronicles Book 5) (This was definitely the biggest hit in the stack, even before he noticed what was inside!)
- Sun Slower, Sun Faster
- Ethelred Preston: Or the Adventures of a Newcomer (He loves all the books by Fr. Finn!)
- Claude Lightfoot: Or How the Problem Was Solved
- That Football Game: And What Came Of It
- Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library (This was the first he read and he really enjoyed the story! Thanks for the recommendation, Charlotte!)
- The Ruins of Gorlan (Ranger’s Apprentice Book 1 – a hardcover to replace the paperback. He received the rest of the hardcovers to complete he series for his Ranger’s Apprentice Birthday!)
- Mini Weapons of Mass Destruction: Build Implements of Spitball Warfare
- The Mad Libs Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Travel
- Beautiful Stories from Shakespeare for Children
- The Tasha Tudor Book of Fairy Tales
- Molly: An American Girl (OOP Box Set)
- The Christmas Barn
- The Crystal Snowstorm
- Betsy’s Up and Down Year
- Willow Wind Farm: Betsy’s Story
- Legends and Stories of Italy
- The Mitchells: Five for Victory, Canadian Summer, and Friendly Gables (I’ve had these stashed away for years! So excited to finally give them to our oldest daughter!)
- Little House Nine-Book Box Set
- Shakespeare’s Storybook: Folk Tales That Inspired the Bard
- Lucy’s Christmas
- The Bantry Bay Series: The Cottage at Bantry Bay, Francie on the Run, and Pegeen (I’ve also had these for years too!)
- A Child’s Book of Saints
- Monastery Fred
- A Tree for Peter
- Saint Francis and Brother Duck
- Brother Juniper
- The Adventures of Loupio, Volume 1: The Encounter and other Stories
- The Adventures of Loupio, Volume 2: The Hunters and Other Stories
- The Adventures of Loupio, Volume 3: The Tournament
- Caedmon’s Song
- Ambrose and the Cathedral Dream
- See Inside The Second World War
 |
| Ambrose and the Cathedral Dream is currently listed at a great discount! |
- Goldilocks and the Three Bears
- Rose Red and Snow White
- Snow White
- The Princess and the Pea
- Red Knit Cap Girl
- The Snow Queen
- Mary’s Song
- Red Knit Cap Girl and the Reading Tree
- A Wish to be a Christmas Tree
- The Little Shepherd’s Christmas
- Snowmen at Christmas
- Song of the Stars
- Brother Sun, Sister Moon
- The Little Drummer Boy
The Ten Commandments Lap Book {Catechism Craft with Free Printables!}
The Ten Commandments Lap Book
And Moses returned from the mount, carrying the two tables of the testimony in his hand, written on both sides, and made by the work of God; the writing also of God was graven in the tables. ~ Exodus 32:15-16
Our seven year old is currently preparing to make his First Confession and First Holy Communion. At the beginning of the school year we spent some time studying the Seven Sacraments and creating a “Seven Sacrament Stained Glass Window.” He has also been working on studying and memorizing The Ten Commandments.
The Ten Commandments were written by God on stone tablets and given to Moses on Mount Sinai. The first three commandments show us what we must do for love of God and the remaining seven show us what we must do for love of neighbor. In addition to our daily prayers and kind deeds, we love and serve God by keeping His commandments and those of His Church.
Back in 2009 I posted pictures of our first Ten Commandments Lap Book which I made back then with one of the older boys. Last November I decided to make some modifications and printable documents for my current 2nd grader. At the time it also tied in nicely to our History studies (we had just finished reading the chapter on “The Law of Moses” from Augustus Caesar’s World) so the girls all asked if they could make Ten Commandment Lap Books too. I’m finally getting around to posting pictures along with the links to my documents to share!
This Ten Commandments Lap Book provides a perfect opportunity for reviewing the commandments with children, as well as a helpful resource for memorization!
Supplies (For Each Student)
- One File Folder (trim off the tab to create a straight edge)
- Two sheets of Grey Cardstock (cut into 10 – 5.5”x3” rectangles)
- Black Pen or Pencil
- Colored Pencils, Markers, or Crayons
- Scissors and Glue Stick
- List of the Ten Commandments (download and print my document)
- Bible Verse or Quote about Ten Commandments (download and print my document)
- Moses or Ten Commandments Coloring Page (I used a coloring page from St. John the Baptist Religious Education)
Directions for Ten Commandments Lap Book
Open the file folder and find the midpoint. Fold each side in to meet that point creating a “shutter fold.” Trim the top edge to resemble stone tablets.
Title the cover of the Lap Book with “The Ten Commandments” or you may choose to use a coloring page, glued to only one of the front flaps, to create an image for the cover.
Create 10 small “mini-books” with the 5.5”x3” rectangles of grey cardstock. Fold each rectangle in half and then fold each side in to the midpoint. Trim the top edge of each to resemble stone tablets.
Write, trace, or glue the Ten Commandments inside the ten grey tablets.
1. I am the Lord, thy God; thou shalt not have strange gods before Me.
2. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
3. Remember to keep holy the Lord’s Day.
4. Honor thy father and thy mother.
5. Thou shalt not kill.
6. Thou shalt not commit adultery.
7. Thou shalt not steal.
8. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
9. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife.
10. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s goods.
Write, trace, or glue a bible verse, prayer, or quote to include inside the file folder. We chose Exodus 32: 15-16.
Glue the tablets to the inside of the file folder in order from 1-10, leaving extra space in the center bottom for a bible verse. Glue the bible verse to the inside of the folder.
Number the outside of the each tablet.
A few more pictures of the completed Lap Book…
Additional Reading, Coloring Books, and Songs on the Ten Commandments:
The Ten Commandments by Lawrence G. Lovasik
Ten Commandments: God’s Laws for Us by Daniel A. Lord
I Believe: The Creed, Confession, and the Ten Commandments for Little Catholics
My Confession for Little Catholics
A Little Book about Confession for Children
My Confession Book
Living the Ten Commandments for Children
Exodus
Old Testament Scenes Stained Glass Coloring Book
The Commandments Coloring Book
The Ten Commandments Coloring Book
24 Catholic Songs for Children Coloring Book
Catholic Songs for Children
The New Catholic Picture Bible
The Catechism In Pictures (pictured in top photo)
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of Heaven and the pains of Hell, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who art all-good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace to confess my sins, to do penance and to amend my life. Amen.
0 Comments