Wednesday, December 9, 2009

"O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree"

Last night we decorated the tree. I was so excited!! Pandora playing Christmas music, Cookies out on a platter, coffee brewing and hot chocolate for the kids. We did have a wonderful time but at times it was hard to hear the music due to Guy David snoring!! :( The kids did a great job.I did not even rearrange any ornaments ( yet ) I am pretty picky about the tree. I like the red distributed evenly amongst the tree. I get razzed about this often. I wish I was this picky about being organized. LOL Jonah was so excited about each ornament he found in the box and he wanted to put every single one on. We usually have a 10 ft tree and this year it is very small compared so we may just have too many ornaments on the tree. LOL





















This is an ornament that is actually a long nail to remind us of the reason behind a Christmas Tree. It represents the nails used to hang Jesus on the cross! I love this time of year. I love reminiscing as I look at each ornament. Some are so special but not as special as the little hands hanging them on the tree!!!

My Kind of School Day

Our friends Eric and April and their family came to Pa for a visit. We had planned a home school coop for when they were here but it ended up being cancelled due to sickness. So, we decided to get together anyway. We have always wished we lived closer to one another because we both think we would have a blast homeschooling together. We got together in the morning and while April did a writing workshop with the older children, I read the book "The Little Red Light house and The Great Gray Bridge" and did some lessons out of Five in a Row w/ the little ones. This is a great story about how we all are important and have a purpose. Sometimes our purpose seems so insignificant and not important at all but sometimes ( or should I say always) there is something greater going on that we know nothing about or just do not understand. Here is my favorite line from the book.. "I call to the airplanes", cried the bridge. " I flash to ships of the air. But you are still master of the river. Quick let your light shine again. Each to his own place ,little brother!" Oh , I love it!!! Once the schooling was done , we had lunch. I loved seeing my table so full! :) After lunch we were off to the Apple Farm. It was a great day! I enjoyed getting to know Jordan, Christian, Adam, Maria and Eden a little bit better. They crack me up and I will now read Eric's blog in a whole new light!! LOL I wish we could have more school days like this one!!!





























Quick go shine your light everyone!!! Each to his own place,brothers and sisters!! :)

Fun at The Clayground

We went to The Clay Ground for the very first time about a month ago. We were going in to cancel the field trip that we were suppose to have there that day . Some of the kids were sick who were suppose to go. Once we stepped inside we did not want to leave. Such a creative and friendly atmosphere. I really did not have any extra money but could justify Christmas gifts. :) The girl who worked there , Alana, was so patient and helpful w/ the children. I was amazed at how gracious she was w/ Jonah, who's creative mind was just working double time.First we worked on a mug for Daddy.It will be his Christmas present. Jonah wanted to put dots and swirlies all over it. Wow it is hard to have all 3 work on one gift. LOL
He finally decides to paint the whole handle. Like I said... Alana is a saint!! And of course we love her name. But do feel a little possessive of it. We thought it would be fun for the kids to put their hand prints on the mug! :)We couldn't be done already!! I could have stayed there all day!! It was exactly what I needed on that day and a great treat after Jonahs dentist apt. I was feeling immense Mommy guilt about the cavities as well as just having a very bad day the day before. So ... we had to stay longer and while they were working on the mug, I saw a platter that someone else had done and immediately thought of my mother in law. She hosts Thanksgiving every year and some were going to be missing this year so I thought this would brighten her day!! Hand print turkey,thumbprint pumpkins and thumbprint and fingerprint turkeys. It was hard to pass up and hard to give up!! :) Thank you Clay Ground for brightening my day!!! It is a good thing you are not closer!!