My Week in Review/Weekly Wrap-Up December 20

We finished up school this week and have continued to focus on Advent.

Our tree is decorated

Our Advent chain is getting shorter and shorter (I can't believe Christmas is literally days away!)

The Jesse Tree continues to fill as we learn about the geneaology of Christ

I have put up the memory tree (a tree I made with photos of loved ones who have passed away)

And Mary and Joseph are getting closer and closer to "Bethlehem" (I found that beautiful little state on Ebay, believe it or not)  Our church has as beautiful display with a similar (but a bit larger) making its way through the hilly 1st century streets to the manger.  It is stunning.  I will try to remember to take a picture of it this weekend.  Until that display went up, I had never seen a statue of Mary expecting and being led on the donkey by Joseph.

Not Advent related, but worth mentioning nonetheless, lol--  one night I picked up a pattern and some elastic for Kiddo #4.  By the next afternoon, she was wearing her Winnie the Pooh pajamas.  She amazes me!  :-)  In class, she is working on a dress.  In another week or so, it will be done and I will be happy to post a picture of it.

We have also baked, attended an Advent prayer service at church and the kids went on their annual shopping trip with their grandmother.  She takes them to a store (actually several stores!) where they can pick out gifts for each other and for my husband, parents and I.  They so look forward to it.  It is something very special they do together and I love how excited they still get over picking out (and then wrapping and actually giving) the gifts to each other and us.

CAN I ASK YOU ALL A FAVOR?  Home to 4 Kiddos was nominated in the "Best Homemaking or Recipes Blog" category of the Homeschool Blog Awards.  Would you kindly vote for us?  Just click on the circle to the right of "Home to 4 Kiddos" and click VOTE.  You can vote once per day per device.  Thanks SO much.  Click HERE to bring you to the voting page. 

I hope you and your family have a wonderful last weekend of Advent!  God bless!

Linking up today with:  My Week in Review,  Homeschool Mother's Journal, Weekly Wrap-Up, Show-Off Friday, Learn and Link and It's a Wrap, Friendship Friday and Friday Connection and Family Fun Friday and T.G.I.F. Linky Party and Let's Homeschool High School and This Week and Collage Friday

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Homeschool Mother's Journal/Weekly Wrap-Up December 21

Another week over and we are now done school until the new year!  Yay!  :-)  Kiddos 1 and 2 finished their Algebra mid-term exam and thus begins our Christmas vacation. (that means I have 4 days to finish getting ready and I am NOT ready yet!!)  :-)

What non-Algebra was accomplished this week?  lol.  We continued our Jesse Tree ornaments/study as well as reading special and meaningful books.  There was math for Kiddos 3 and 4 as well as grammar and reading.  But, they thought that Christmas baking and the taking of our Christmas card photos were much more fun.  :-)

There was also more cold and snowy weather and we thought that our Advent prayer service at Church would have to be cancelled.  It wasn't, and it was absolutely beautiful.  Kiddo #4 volunteered to help, and she got to hold a basket of votive candles as the congregation came up and each took one to bring back to their places and illuminate.  I read at the service and was humbled at the opportunity.

We had our last classes at church for the year on Thursday and Kiddos 1 and 2, as well as the other volunteer teen helpers, were remembered with gift cards.  I thought that was very sweet.  We teachers, who are also volunteers, lol, were given a lovely statue of the Holy Family from our pastor.

On Friday afternoon, as I continued to bake, my mom took the four children out for an annual shopping outing.  It is a very special one, because the kids get to pick out gifts to give to each other, as well as to my husband and I and my parents.  They always come home very excited and eager to wrap up their surprises.  It warms my heart that they are so very enthusiastic about giving.  Kiddo #4 went along for the ride, but if you remember, she made everyone a gift in sewing class and has already wrapped them secretly in her room.  :-) 

My posts this week:

Happy Birthday Kiddo #3

Homeschool Mother's Journal/Weekly Wrap up

Apple Crisp (in the microwave!)

Try a New Recipe Tuesday

Books to help celebrate Advent and Christmas

Free Printable- Foreign Language Flashcards

What we are looking forward to this coming week:

Christmas!!!  :-)

Have a very blessed and beautiful Christmas with your families and friends!

Linking up today with:  Homeschool Mother's Journal, Weekly Wrap-Up, Show-Off Friday, Learn and Link and It's a Wrap, Friendship Friday and Friday Connection and Family Fun Friday and T.G.I.F. Linky Party and Let's Homeschool High School and This Week

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Books to help celebrate Advent and Christmas

(affiliate links included)

We, like many other families, have favorite books that we like to read every Advent in preparation for Christmas.

No matter how many years we have read them, or how old my children get, we all still look forward each year to reading our favorites.

Some of these include:

Merry Christmas Strega Nona by Tomie dePaola

The Legend of the Poinsettia by Tomie dePaola

The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski

The Littlest Angel by Charles Tazewell

The Night of Las Posadas by Tomie dePaola

The Christmas Tree by Julie Salamon

These stories touch your heart and soul and really help in preparing for Christmas.  If you haven't read any of them, I would strongly suggest you read them with your family.  You won't be disappointed.  :-)

Come see the favorites of my Crew mates here.


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Homeschool Mother's Journal/Weekly Wrap-Up- December 14

Sorry that this post is late.  Come this time of year, my online time is much reduced and special family time becomes the priority.  :-)

I truly cannot believe that another week has come and gone, but it was a good one and I am grateful.

If there were two prevailing themes this week, they would be snow and Advent.  We have gotten snow three times already and have been decorating, baking and preparing for Christmas.

(putting out the manger scene)

Our special focus on Advent continued with our Jesse Tree ornaments (chronicles the genealogy of Jesus) and reading special stories.  Sometimes the kiddos like to do the reading. (or mom coerces them to, lol)

There was also preparing for Kiddo #3's birthday.  His sister baked him a chocolate fudge cake in an elephant pan.  For those of you who don't know him, he just LOVES elephants.  :-)

His special wish was to spend his birthday at the zoo.  It was 25 degrees, but we bundled up, braved the elements and had much fun. (thank goodness to indoor places to visit to warm up!)

Yes, there was still reading, Algebra and other subjects being done (not too much fun photographing kids doing their math, lol), but there is definitely a different spirit in the air- one of anticipation, preparation and joy and we are trying to enjoy every moment.

Posts this week:

Advent and Christmas Giveaway

A Photo a Day- Taking Pictures in all Different Settings

Homemade Coffee Cake (delicious and super easy in the microwave!!)

Try a New Recipe Tuesday

Happy Birthday Kiddo #3

What we are looking forward to this coming week:

Advent prayer service at church on Tuesday

Finishing up schoolwork for 2013

More baking, reading and Advent fun

Linking up today with:  Homeschool Mother's Journal, Weekly Wrap-Up, Show-Off Friday, Learn and Link and It's a Wrap, Friendship Friday and Friday Connection and Family Fun Friday and T.G.I.F. Linky Party and Let's Homeschool High School and This Week

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Homeschool Mother's Journal/Weekly Wrap-up December 7

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  :-)  I didn't post a weekly-wrap up last week, as we were away for the holiday.

So, this will be a 2-week wrap-up!  :-)

Last week-

We were in Hershey, PA.  Got to see and do all kinds of wonderful things include see how chocolate is made, make our own, have fun in Hersheypark, make our own personal flavor of Turkey Hill ice cream, see beautiful Christmas lights, make our chocolate Christmas ornaments, visit ZooAmerica and so much more.  I will write specific posts on many of these things, as to do them justice and to give more information (and great photos!) to others if they may be interested in visiting those places as well.  It was also Kiddo #4's birthday while we were there.  What a great place to celebrate a birthday!  :-)

Posts from last week-

Homemade Fudge
$250 Timberdoodle Giveaway
Try a New Recipe Tuesday
Lots of Great Deals Going On
Happy Thanksgiving

This week, we have been doing our regular math work, for example, but have completely changed our focus to Advent.  We are reading special books, lighting our Advent wreath, making our Jesse Tree ornaments, taking the rings off of our Advent chain, memorizing Scripture verses, making crafts and doing baking.  It is wonderful to be able to put our focus where it belongs this time of year.  A highlight of our week was attending the Hits Deep Tour Concert with tobyMac, Mandisa, Chris August and many others.  I am so grateful to have been given the money to buy the tickets. Kiddos 1 and 4 attended with hubby and I and were dancing, singing and with thousands of others. Truly a fun, invigorating and uplifting evening!  We are all still hoarse!  :-)

Posts from this week-

Keep Christ in Christmas- our Advent traditions
O Christmas Tree Linkup
Some favorite cookie recipes for Christmas
Christmas Freebies
Try a New Recipe Tuesday
Hearts for Home Blog Hop
Celebrating being 10 at Chocolate World

What we are looking forward to:
4H meeting and activities on Saturday
Advent prayer service at church on Tuesday
Kiddo #3's birthday on Thursday
Decorating our Christmas Tree


Linking up today with:  Homeschool Mother's Journal, Weekly Wrap-Up, NOBH, Show-Off Friday, Learn and Link and It's a Wrap, Friendship Friday and Friday Connection and Family Fun Friday and T.G.I.F. Linky Party and Let's Homeschool High School and This Week

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Keep Christ in Christmas

I’m participating in the KEEP CHRIST in CHRISTMAS Blog Link-Up 2013, 
hosted by

Monica at www.equippingCatholicfamilies.com

Erika at http://raisinglittlesaints.blogspot.ca/

Tina at http://trulyrichmom.com/

Laura at http://daybydayinourworld.com/

Sarah at http://onthewayhome2.com

Allison at http://totustuusfamily.blogspot.ca/

Chris at http://campfiresandcleats.blogspot.ca/

Birgit at http://designsbybirgit.blogspot.ca/

 We'll be sharing different ways, tips, stories and real-life experiences that will help us focus our Advent and Christmas on JESUS!

Please scroll down to the end of the post to see the list of link-up entries.  It is open to Christians of all denominations who observe Advent.

How do we keep Christ in Christmas?

We start in Advent.  Our entire school focus changes.  We decorate a Jesse Tree and learn all about the genealogy of Jesus.

We read many special books that keep our focus on the coming of Christ.

We do special crafts and activities

We memorize portions of the magnificat (Mary's prayer that she proclaims when visiting Elizabeth) as well as parts of the birth narratives of Jesus.  The children recite these on Christmas day.

We bake special treats

We listen to music

and we always light our Advent wreath and have special readings/prayers to go along with it.

And we never forget our Advent chain that helps us count down the days until Christmas!  :-)

What special traditions do you have to keep Christ in Christmas?  The posts below are the ones that have been linked up so far.  :-)

Equipping Catholic Families: Keep Christ in Christmas

Simply Homeschool  Living Advent Series 12/1 - 12/25

Fifth of Five     Keeping Christ in Christmas - Blog Link-up 2013

Coffee Moments with Sam     The Light of Hope

Hand-Maid With Love: CHRISTmas Presence: Keep Christ in Christmas 2013 Edition

Open Window Making hay while the Advent wreath shines

Faith Filled Freebies: Keep Christ in Christmas

Written by the Finger of God: Not Christmas as Usual

On the Way Home:  Keep Christ in Christmas

Sue Elvis Writes: Bring Christ to Others

Mommy Bares All       Why Celebrate Christmas Even After #YolandaPH

Canadian Catholic Mom         Keeping The Little Ones Focused: An Advent Link-Up

Mountain of Grace Homeschooling   Keep Christ in Christmas

Em’s Estuary: Keeping Christ in Christmas

Happy Little Homemaker: December Devotion: Immaculate Conception 

Adoro Ergo Sum:  How We Keep Christ in Christmas

JoyAlive.net: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

Home to 4 Kiddos        Keep Christ in Christmas

Embedded Faith          Boldly Be the Christ in Christmas

City Girl, Country Home         Emmanuel Is With Us. Are we WITH HIM?

Journey to Wisdom: Trusting in your Awkward Fiats

Joy of Nine9    Waiting in Joyful Expectation Like a Child

Splendor in the Home Ideas For Keeping Advent and Christmas Holy

Training Happy Hearts            10 Ways to Celebrate the New Liturgical Year

A Catholic Life Advent: The Beginning of the Liturgical Year & Source of Rich Meditations

Designs by Birgit: Elf on a Shelf and Santa Claus

Catholic Inspired: Faith-Centered Family Christmas

A Slice of Smith Life: How we keep Christ in Christmas

Catholic All Year: Three Reasons I love Advent

Mary the Defender: Christmas The Battle Begins

Truly Rich Mom: Keep Christ in Christmas

Day By Day in Our World: 40 Days Seeking Him and Keeping Christ in Christmas

Diapers and Drivel: Keeping Christ in Christmas

Raising Soldiers 4 Christ: Keeping Christ in Christmas

Rosary Mom   Keep Christ In Christmas With A Teenager

Tercets:           Keeping Christ in Christmas: Join Church Ministries

Campfires and Cleats How We Keep Christ in Christmas

Life Unabridged: Celebrating the Fullness of the Advent and Christmas Season

Homeschooling With Joy        Keeping Christ in Christmas

Mrs Domestic Bliss     Gingerbread Nativity

The Chic Traveller      Keeping Christ in Christmas

California to Korea     Keeping Christ in Christmas

Dominique's Desk       Keeping Christ in Christmas
Journey Living: Anno Domini

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