Happy New Year

Our family is enjoying some well deserved time off from lessons. We are spending time together with family and friends. The boys have been busy playing with their toys and games they received during the Christmas holiday. I have been playing with my bread machine. It was a gift and I am crazy about it, I have been reading recipe books from the library and making plans for baking all sorts of breads.

My husband is out of work and looking for employment. It has been difficult but I am sure with faith and prayer we will get by as we did this December. I hope to contribute in helping our family by making crafts to sell and also selling Homeschool materials on Ebay.

We are looking forward to the new year and hoping that the changes we make in our lives as Christians, as parents, spouses and as a homeschooling family make a difference.

We wish you and your family a Happy New Year and look forward to sharing more of our homeschooling adventures.

Nature Study: Plans for January

During the Holiday break from Homeschooling, I'll be working on lesson plans for January and looking at February. I have never been one to plan a whole year of month for that matter because things change on a weekly basis around here.

In looking back, we have enjoyed our Nature Studies that we did in the Fall. We stopped once the weather changed but then I realized that winter is one best seasons for young children to begin a Nature Study because there is less activity than in other seasons like Spring and Fall.

This will give my youngest son a perfect opportunity to participate by observing without the many distractions that he encountered in the Fall. My oldest son enjoys our Nature Studies and has missed them greatly so I am sure he will be thrilled to hear we will be resuming them this coming month!

Our only drawback is that it is difficult to find animal tracks where we live. It does not snow in our area and we are surrounded by gravel and rock in our community. Our winters are cold and dry for the most part so I think that I am going to focus on what animals I know are in our area (skunks, squirrels and possum). We are going to study them as well as learn about the winter's affect on trees, plants and wildlife here.

This January, we will be studying Animals and Plants in winter with books, observations and experiments. I found a great experiment with Pine cones that we will do that I will post about later.

For now I think that we will spending about two days per week devoted to Nature study and in the Spring we will expand it as needed.

Posted in our left sidebar are lists of links for Nature Study resources as well as books and materials that are our favorites.

Week in Review for December 20 -25 (Advent)

This month we are homeschooling on a lighter schedule and focusing on the Advent. This week finished making our handmade gifts and ornaments. We had extended family over to visit and on Christmas Eve we went to see my parents. We celebrated Christmas at home.

For our last week of Advent the boys were excited about Christmas. I was a bit nervous because sometime ago my husband lost his job and we were unable to afford gifts but by faith we knew that as long as we were together as a family our Christmas still was something to celebrate.

On Sunday, we re-read the book "God gave us Christmas" by Lisa T. Bergren. You can read our book summary and review of the book HERE.

We talked about the reason for the Season and why Jesus is so important in our lives and not just on Christmas. My older sister "D' and her family stopped by and gave us three boxes of ready to bake cookies. It was the perfect gift since we had planned to bake cookies as part of our celebration of Christmas. The boys enjoyed having their cousin play with them. She had a lot of fun playing games and visit with my sons. We gave my niece a Coat Hanger Snowman that we made as a gift to her. She told us she would hang it in her room. It was a pleasure to have them visit.

On Monday, we read "Christmas in the Manger" by Nola Buck and "the Animal's Christmas Carol" by Helen Ward. We baked cookies and sang Christmas songs. The boys and I watched "Mickey Mouse's Once upon a Christmas" and drank hot cocoa with our cookies.

Tuesday, we read the book, "B is for Bethlehem" by Isabel Wilner. We had read the book earlier in the month but my youngest loves it so much we read it again this week. Instead of using the Popsicle sticks puppets we made throughout the month, the boys opted to play with our homemade Nativity that we made. They reenacted the Nativity for me and their Daddy.

On Wednesday, we read some the boy's favorite Christmas books. We read "Where is Christmas Jesse Bear?" by Nancy White Carlstrom, "Mouse's First Christmas" by Lauren Thompson and "Snowmen at Christmas" by Caralyn Buehner. I read one of my favorites to the boys: "the tale of three Trees" by Angela Elwell Hunt and "the Little Fir tree" by Margaret Wise Brown.

After reading the books on trees, we made some Craft stick Christmas tree ornaments as gifts for family. The boys helped me paint them and after they were dry we glued beads on them to make them appear as Christmas trees. We worked on wrapping our handmade gifts and hung the extra tree ornaments on our tree.
I was still worried about what we would do as gifts for the boys when my older brother and his wife told me that they were going to get a gift for the boys. I was surprised and touched.

Christmas Eve, we visited my parents. We were so happy to see my Mom and Dad. My youngest took to talking with my Dad about the books we read this month and what crafts we made. My sons were eager to give my Mom her gift bag filled with the handmade ornaments and votive candle holder we made. She opened her gifts and loved them. My mom immediately hung them on her tree.

I felt overwhelmed that my parents, my two brothers and my sisters thought of us this Christmas. My older sister "R' gave us some Scholastic books for the boys that she bought at the school (that she teaches at) and my younger brother gave us some money to buy gifts for the boys. The boys were unaware of the gifts so we told my family they would be saved for Christmas morning.

That late afternoon, my hubby left in search of gifts at a children's thrift store. The owner was closing his shop but when we heard my husband's story, he opened his shop to let him look around. My husband was able to find some toy for the boys and he thanked the man. I felt truly blessed that there are still people who have love in their heart to care for others. I thank my brothers and sisters for their love and support.

While we did not have much under our tree this year, what we did have much of was Love and appreciation for family.....

That night my husband and I placed the gifts under the tree and we were reminded of our 11th anniversary that night. We were also reminded to our first Christmas as a family at the hospital with our preemie son. Christmas means so much to us and I am so happy that we are together, that I have my parents, my brothers and sisters in my life. Thank you Lord for the many blessings you have given us in the past and for those you continue to give us in our lives....

Christmas with Family

Pictured above my parents who have been married since 1954, a total of 55 years. My Dad is 78 years young and my Mom is 73 years young.

We went to visit my parents home. While there, my older brother stopped by and it was a treat getting to see him and my parents. My older brother was kind enough to leave a gift for each of my sons for Christmas.

We were so happy to see my Mom and Dad. My youngest took to talking with my Dad about the books we read this month and what crafts we made. My sons were eager to give my Mom her gift bag filled with the handmade ornaments and votive candle holder we made. She opened her gifts and loved them!

We enjoyed Nachos at my Mom's and some good talk about past Christmases. Speaking of past Christmases, we looked at my Mom's tree and talked about the handmade ornaments she had on it. She did not have as many on the tree as in years past but it was beautiful seeing her Country Christmas tree. Many of my brothers and sisters will not be together this Christmas. My older brother and his family are traveling in of town to see relatives and two of my sisters host Christmas in their homes with family. We hope to see them soon.

The boys and I had fun at my Mom's home. The food was great and it was a wonderful time to see family. In looking at the photo, I was surprised to see how much my boys have grown. It seems now long ago they were babies and then toddlers... now my oldest is 10 years old and my youngest is age four.

We posed with my Dad by the tree. My little boy "Turtle" wanted to be by his Grandpa. My oldest son looked on from the background.

We enjoyed visiting them as my younger brother and his wife who live with my parents. My brother gave me a DVD of Journey's greatest hits (music videos). He knows that Journey was my favorite band when I was in high school. Tonight I plan on watching it with my Hubby after the boys go to bed.

It was a nice to get a updated photo of me and my hubby of 11 years on Christmas Eve. Happy Anniversary my Love... Christmas Eve, 11 years ago you told me you could spend the rest of your life with me and I am so happy you did.

Merry Christmas everyone...

Christmas Memories: "Our First Christmas 1999"

Christmas time holds a special meaning our in hearts. Christmas eve marks our anniversary as husband and wife since 1998, we had our first son in December the following year and we have spent many times together in the hospital during the Christmas time with our first son. I want to share with you our first Christmas together as a family because it means so much to me and my husband.


Our First family Christmas was spent at the Hospital in the NICU. We had our son prematurely on Dec. 1st of 1999 weighing 2 pounds 4 ounces (with an apgar score of 1). He was to remain there until late January.

We had been through so much during that month of December from the very beginning worried about our son's life, having had many medical conditions as a result of being born prematurely.


With everything going on, we did not get a tree or decorate our home. I guess we felt because we were missing our baby, we could not celebrate without him. I was feeling sad about not having my son with us at home. My husband and I decided to spend Christmas Eve and Day with our baby. We could celebrate together as a family even though we were in a hospital.


We decorated our baby's isolate and hung a stocking for him. To my regret, we were not able to get him presents because we did not have any money. The gift we gave him was the love we had for him and we shared our faith in God.

Still, I went home worried about my baby's first Christmas. That morning I awoke with a high fever and could not see our baby. I cried so much. I knew that I could not see my son that day with a fever. My Hubby went on ahead and I stayed home praying to Jesus asking HIM to remember our son this day and to bless him.

Later that morning when my husband arrived at the NICU, he called me crying... I thought the worst but he told me that our baby was not forgotten on Christmas day.

He went on to tell me that Santa Claus visited the NICU to see all the babies. Santa stopped by our son's isolate and left him presents. He got a baby blanket and stuffed toys. The nurse left us a small photo that showed Santa looking in on our precious son. God showed us that He loved our son and used Santa to bring my son his first Christmas. We still have that photo and I will never forget that day.

To think that people who did not even know us gave my son a handmade cap, baby books and blanket. They remembered him. Christ and Christmas never forgot my son and made a tough Dad like my husband break down in tears of joy and a first time Mom fill with the spirit of Christmas in her heart.

Yes there is the spirit of Christmas even in a hospital on Christmas day. God was showing us He is everywhere and that no place is too far for his Reach and that any child no matter how sick or no matter how small is worthy of His Love and His compassion...

I wish you and your family many new Christmas memories that you will be creating this Season. Keep Christ in your heart and keep the Wonder of Christmas alive all year long.

With love,
Our family

Craft Stick Christmas Trees

This year we made a new ornament for our Christmas tree and as gifts for family. The boys loves the way they came out and so do I. We had some large craft sticks that are about the size of tongue depressors.

We used a total of four craft sticks for make each tree ornament. One was used as the trunk of the tree, one was used as the bottom branch, one as the third branch from the top (it was trimmed and sanded to be shorter), and one stick that was cut and sanded to be the top two branches.

We painted each one with green acrylic paint and while they were wet, we sprinkled some silver glitter. We let them dry for several hours.

After they were dry, the boys and I glued some 6mm beads that we had left over from some Thanksgiving crafts. The beads look like ornaments on our Craft stick trees. Lastly we glued a silver star on each one (that we cut out from a used gift bag we saved from last year).

We hung ours on our Christmas tree and saved some to give as gifts. The boys enjoyed making them and I plan on incuding them in a gift bag I am making for my Mom filled with handmade gifts that the boys and I made together. We will be seeing my parents later this evening and I can't wait to see her face when she gets her gift. She loves handmade ornaments. My youngest placed some of his paper tube poinsettias in the gift bag for Grandma.


We read some wonderful books on the Christmas tree and a Folktale on the Three trees.
The Tale of Three Trees: A Traditional Folktale by Angela Elwell Hunt, illustrated by Tim Jonke.
In this traditional Christian folktale, three small trees stand living on a mountaintop who share with each other their dreams for when they grow up. The first tree wished to hold treasure and be the most beautiful treasure chest in the world, but instead was made into a feed trough for farm animals. The second tree wanted to be the strongest ship to carry powerful kings but instead was made into a small dinghy. The third tree did not wan to leave the mountain top, he just wanted people to see him as they look up to heaven and think of God, but instead was made into rough logs.

As tears pass by, the three trees forgot their dreams but they are then surprised by the way that their dreams come true. The first tree indeed holds the greatest treasure, the Christ child. The second tree carries Jesus, the King of Kings and his disciples across the sea in a storm. The third tree was placed atop a hill as a cross carrying Jesus as he was crucified and every time people thought of the third tree they would think of God.

Our Review:
My sons were curious about what "the Tale of the Three Trees" was about. They sat and listened as I read the story. We found very touching tale and I loved the fact that it was told this way. I especially took to heart its message that even though things don’t always go according to our own plans, God has something better to give us.

Isaiah 55:8
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, said the LORD."

Here is wishing you and your family a blessed Christmas.

Week in Review for December 13 - 19 (Advent)

Homeschooling Week 15
This month we are homeschooling on a lighter schedule and focusing on the Advent. This week we put up our Christmas tree and made ornaments to hang. We had a visit from family and talked about the days of Christmas past.

My mother gave us some ornaments as a gift and passed on some older ornaments that have been in the family. I received a used bread machine from a famiy member
who knows that it will be put to good use here. I love the smell of fresh baked bread and now I can make all sorts of bread for my family. I intend to start baking this weekend!

This Sunday we read about the visit of the Magi (the three Wise men) in Matthew 2:1-12. We also read the book "the Nativity" by Julie Vivas which tells the story of the three wise men.

We made Stars out of contact paper and tissue paper. We made Popsicle stick puppets of the three wise men that we printed online at DLTK. We will be using the puppet figures and others we will be making throughout December to act out the Christmas story. We found a great idea for Star Snowflakes from Ramblings of a Crazy Woman that we plan on making the week of Christmas.

For Character Building, we talked about sharing (Hospitality). Romans 12:13 which says "Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality."

We had a discussion about sharing our home and friendship with others.
I asked the boys several questions:
“Who can we share our home and friendship with?
When people come, how can we made them comfortable?
(examples” offering food, a place to sit. Talking with them, have a clean home when they visit, etc.) It is my hope to teach my sons the importance of helping and sharing with others. I know they are still young but it is better to teach them this now while they are still under my wing.

On Monday, we read the Little Drummer Boy by Ezra Jack Keats. It is one of boys' favorite stories. We are getting from the library a DVD copy of "the Little Drummer boy" so this weekend we plan on viewing it.

For Arts and Crafts, we made gifts. We made a Snowman Votive and Angel candle holders out of tissue paper and modge podge. Next week we will be reading Snowman books and making snowman crafts for fun and family.

In the evening we decorated our tree and taking out some of the ornaments brought back so many memories. Speaking of Christmas memories, I will be sharing with you next week a favorite Christmas memory of ours that touches our hearts.

If you are wondering why we put up our tree in mid December, I'll explain: My husband grew up with his family tradition of trimming the tree on Christmas Eve while my family would decorate the tree on the first of December. We compromised over the years and begin decorating our tree between the 10th and 14th of December since our oldest son and hubby's birthdays are on the first week of December and our wedding anniversary is on Christmas Eve.
This year I was nervous about handing ornament since in years past our youngest always grabbed ornaments off the tree but this Christmas season he was all into decorating the tree. The boys made some angel felt ornaments with me and they made Candy cane Angels to hang as ornaments. We even read some books on the Candy cane.

On Tuesday, we read the story of when Herod Becomes angry, Jesus' family Flees, Jesus grows in Matthew 2:13-23 and Luke 2:39-40. We wrapped our handmade gifts (explaining how the paper protects the gift and how God's sovereignty protected Jesus).

For shared reading, we read the book "God gave us Christmas" by Lisa Tawn Bergren and "the Legend of the Poinsettia" retold and illustrated by Tomie de Paola. After reading this beautiful story, we made Poinsettia ornaments out of toilet paper tubes. You can read how we made them HERE. To read our book reviews of these two books, click HERE.

Wednesday, we read why Jesus came? 1 John 4:9 and John 3:16
We talked about how Christmas is a celebration of Christ's birth.
How can we keep the true meaning of Christmas. Here is what we explained to the boys:
1. Think about the Christmas story and how much God loves us.
2. Spending time together as a family doing things like decorating our tree, driving the see Holiday lights, going to church, visiting family.,etc
3. Giving gifts to someone who may not get a gift. Telling them that God loves them.
4. Making gifts instead of spending a lot of money buying them.
5. Celebrating Jesus' birthday (we are going to bake a mini pound cakes as birthday cake for Jesus).
6. Giving of ourselves a a gift to Jesus: I explained that we can add good habits in our lives or do special projects. This month we are going to donate clothing and used toys to charity.
7. Praying to Jesus each day for His help to keep reminding us of His Love for us.

On Thursday, we read about Saint Nicholas. We read the book "Saint Nicholas" and the Book "Santa's Favorite Story." You can read of our book review of “Santa's Favorite Story and other books, HERE.

We discussed who he was, how he relates to Christmas and Jesus, and why we see Santas everywhere this time of year. The boys watched the DVD Veggie Tales “Saint Nicholas: A story of joyful giving." We talked about more ways to give and pray for those who are in need.

On Friday, we read books about the Christmas Tree. We read "The tale of the Three trees" and We made Popsicle Stick Christmas Trees as ornaments. We used 4 large Popsicle sticks to make each tree and painted them with acrylic paint and sprinkled glitter. Next week, we will be adding beads on the trees. We will be giving some as gifts and keeping some to hang on our tree.
This Saturday, we had fun making more crafts. We finished our Coat Hanger Angel and it turned our great. We used two wire hangers to make the angel and I really loved how it looks.
BOOKS WE READ THIS WEEK


That sums up our week, the boys are looking forward to next week when we visit my parents to give them the gifts we made. We will be staying home for Christmas. This year we were unable to buy any gifts due to my husband out of work for several months so we applied with Toys for tots. By faith we hope that we will be hearing from them soon.

If you are homeschooling a Preschooler, join Jolanthe @ Homeschool Creations' Preschool Corner and share what you've done this week with your child! If you have children with different ages, share your week with Kris @ Wierd Unsocialized Homeschoolers' Weekly Wrap up!

What my Child is Reading: December 13 - 19

This week we are reading books on


Here are some of the boys' favorite picks this week:

The Brightest Star by Alyssa Satin Capucilli.
The Brightest Star board book tells the story of the Nativity. It begins with Mary and Joseph and tells of Mary's visit by an angel who tells her one day she will have a baby named Jesus. Readers follow Mary and Joseph's journey to the city of Bethlehem. Mary gives birth to Jesus in Bethlehem at a stable. The book says "Angels filled the sky and a Bright star rose over Bethlehem, while far away three wise men follow the brightest star." Everyone gathers to celebrate the birth of newborn King...Jesus.

Our Review: With simple words and colorful colleges on each page, we found this story beautifully told. My youngest son recognized the baby Jesus in the book right away when he saw the cover. He loved the pictures of the animals the most. The story is simple and yet it gives a wonderful account of the Nativity to young children (the only thing we found different in the book is that Mary and Joseph are married before she gets a visit from the Angel of good news which is not accurate with the bible). What we liked best about the book was that it made us feel we were alongside with Mary and Joseph as we read the text.


God gave us Chrismas by Lisa T. Bergren, illustrated by David Hohn. The book tells the story of a little Polar bear Cub and her family as they prepare to celebrate the most special day of the year. Little cub is very curious about this special day and asks “Who invented Christmas?” When Momma bear says "God invented Christmas," she then asks “Is God more important than Santa?” Her mother replies "Oh yes, much more important."

The next morning Little Cub and her mother embark on a journey outside to find God. Through Mama’s gentle guidance, she shows her little cub that God is everywhere from the dancing lights in the sky, the freezing glaciers, to the stars. Momma explains that Santa reminds us about generosity and caring about others but it is God and Jesus that we celebrate most come Christmas. Little Cub learns that God loves her and everyone— polar bear, moose, or human—so much that he gave us Jesus, the very best gift of all. We should always thank God for Christmas.

Our Review: What I liked about the book is that Little cub's questions reflect the questions that so many children during the holiday season. My sons were drawn to the book because its story is told through animals (the polar bears) and they can grab the attention of any child. I think the author and illustrator told the meaning of Christmas best this way and my children took the story to heart. They understand that Christmas isn't Santa and what he brings but what God brought to us with Jesus' birth and sacrifice. I believe this heartwarming story takes the reader on a wonderful journey of discovery—right to the heart of Christmas.


Santa's Favorite Story by Hisako Aoki, illustrated by Ivan Gantschev. Upon finding Santa asleep at the foot of a tree, the forest animals think Christmas has come early. Santa explains he was taking a walk to get in shape for Christmas, but grew tired. Santa thinks that maybe the presents will be too heavy to deliver this year. Alarmed, the animals ask Santa if there won't be a Christmas anymore. Santa tells them Christmas has nothing to do with him and with that he begins to tell them the story of the first Christmas.

Our Review: The boys were looking forward to hear this book (mainly because it featured Santa) and they were surprised by it. My sons have long identified Christmas with Santa Claus and getting presents but they are now beginning to understand what Christmas is. Santa was just a person who was following God's word to spread love and share it with others. I loved it best in the book when Santa says, "Love was the best gift God gave us on the first Christmas and still is." He adds, "Love is better than any presents I can deliver." I could not put it any better. We really enjoyed this book because it puts in a child's perspective that Jesus is the reason for the Season.


The Tale of Three Trees: A Traditional Folktale by Angela Elwell Hunt, illustrated by Tim Jonke. In this traditional Christian folktale, three small trees stand living on a mountaintop who share with each other their dreams for when they grow up. The first tree wished to hold treasure and be the most beautiful treasure chest in the world, but instead was made into a feed trough for farm animals. The second tree wanted to be the strongest ship to carry powerful kings but instead was made into a small dinghy. The third tree did not wan to leave the mountain top, he just wanted people to see him as they look up to heaven and think of God, but instead was made into rough logs.

As tears pass by, the three trees forgot their dreams but they are then surprised by the way that their dreams come true. The first tree indeed holds the greatest treasure, the Christ child. The second tree carries Jesus, the King of Kings and his disciples across the sea in a storm. The third tree was placed atop a hill as a cross carrying Jesus as he was crucified and every time people thought of the third tree they would think of God.

Our Review: We originally heard about the legend of the three Trees when my one of my nieces was in a church play depicting the story. I was so drawn to the story that I wanted find a book to share it with my sons. Imagine my happiness when I found the book at our library.

My sons were curious about what "the Tale of the Three Trees" was about. They sat and listened as I read the story. We found very touching tale and I loved the fact that it was told this way. I especially took to heart its message that even though things don’t always go according to our own plans, God has something better to give us.

Isaiah 55:8
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, said the LORD."


The Legend of the Poinsettia retold and illustrated by Tomie de Paola. This story is about a little girl named Lucida who lives with her parents, little brother and sister in a small village in Mexico. Her family and other villagers are preparing for Christmas. Each year the people in the village attend the procession at church to bring gifts to the Baby Jesus.

After being asked by the church to make a new blanket for the Baby Jesus, Lucida's mother takes ill before finishing it. The little girl feels she needs to complete the blanket her mother was making, but only makes it worse by getting the yarn tangled.

On Christmas Eve, Lucida is nowhere to be found. She is sad and questioned why by an old woman. Lucida tells the old woman that she has no gift for the Baby Jesus. The old woman tells her "any gift is beautiful because it is given."

Lucida picks a patch of tall weeds and walks into the church. Villagers murmur why she is bringing weeds. The little girl places the green weeds around the stable near the manger and prays. Something beautiful happens. Each weed has bloomed.. "tipped with a flaming red star." The little girl's gift has indeed become beautiful.

Our Review: We enjoyed reading this book. Tomie de Paola's illustrations set the tone of a Mexican village and his re-telling of the story is charming. My sons liked the pictures the most because they have seen much of this type of artwork in our city and in the homes of relatives and friends. My sons are just learning about the Posada (Procession) and this was the perfect book to introduce them to it, find out why our city celebrates it and most importantly why we celebrate Christmas.

For more ideas on books about Christmas, click here.
Note: The summaries of each book we read are written by me. I felt that it is best to let our readers know that we do read each book that we review and we enjoy posting our book reviews to help others decide if they would like that book for their child(ren). Thank you.

'For more book reviews, visit Mouse Grows, Mouse Learns weekly meme "What my child is reading." and Fantastic Find's Bookworm Beginnings, a monthly sharing our favorite children's books. We are enjoying reading what other families are reading! We have added new books to our reading list for the year, after reading some families' recommendations. I hope you enjoyed our book reviews this week! Merry Christmas!