{this moment} – A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you’re inspired to do the same, visit Soulemama to leave a link to your ‘moment’ in the comments for all to find and see.
I have fallen behind on blogging for the Alphabet Path. In an effort to catch up, I’m going to post one blog here about letters M through S. We’ve been continuing along with the Alphabet Path plans, so for the main plans (including faith, art, letter formation, nature study and language) you can head on over to Serendipity. Serendipity also has tons of picture book suggestions, so head over there for ideas.
Here are the highlights from our Alphabet Path studies, along with a few photos.
M is for…St. Martin de Porres and mice, so we made mice using cupcakes, m & ms, and homemade marshmallows (I think the first two pictures are actually Monday morning muffin making).
M is for…Martin Luther King, Jr. I blogged about this picture here. We read about Martin Luther King, Jr. in Martin’s Big Words and If a Bus Could Talk.
N is for…numbers. We used sidewalk chalk to practice number patterns. Then Joseph and William had to find nature items to match their numbers.
O is for…oops! I forgot to take any photos and the only thing worth noting that we did this week was learn about owls.
P is for…The Story of Ping. We took a little detour from our Alphabet Path routine and did a lapbook about Ping during P week. It was a nice break.
Q is for…quicksand. We read The Quicksand Book by Tomie de Paola and the kids were wildly amused with the idea of quicksand. So we read it over and over and over again. We know quite a bit about quicksand now.
Q is for quilts. Due to my lack of planning, we didn’t actually sew or quilt, but we did flip through some quilt pattern books and Joseph found a pattern he really liked called Nelson’s Victory. I drew the grid for him and using his colored pencils (and his color choices) he colored in the block. The picture of Joseph and William on the floor is actually them sitting on their completed quilt block. The word quilt in this family usually translates into picnic, so it only made sense that when Joseph finished his quilt block, that they pretended to have a picnic.
R is for…recycling. We attempted to make our own recycled paper. I didn’t realize that the Ad Sack is not the same thing as regular newspaper. It was all about the process not the product.
S is for…stamps. We did lots of stamping…great opportunity to practice spelling and patterns.
S is for…stickers. Auntie Jane had sent the kids some valentine sticker puzzles, which we put to good use during S week. Joseph also did some sticker stories where he chose stickers for a picture and then wrote a story.
We’ve also been continuing with our Right Start Math and The Ordinary Parent’s Guide to Teaching Reading, amongst other things. Here are some random photos of the past few weeks of school (not Alphabet Path related):
On Ash Wednesday, we set our prayer altar for Lent. Joseph and William covered the altar with a purple cloth and added a Lenten wreath with a purple pillar candle to the center. We had gone to the local plant nursery earlier in the week to choose small succulents, which the boys added to the altar as a reminder that Lent is a desert journey. An empty bowl to symbolize fasting was placed on the altar. And, of course, a Lenten prayer altar would not be complete without a crucifix. The cross you see hanging on the wall near the altar hangs there year round, but it is especially appropriate for this Church season because it depicts each of the Stations of the Cross.
On Ash Wednesday we talked about fasting and making sacrifices. Joseph and William each chose something that they wanted to sacrifice during Lent (William chose candy; Joseph chose candy and chocolate). They wrote their sacrifices on slips of paper and added them to our fasting bowl. I’ve been quite impressed with how well they’ve stuck to their fasting. Even when we went to Austin to visit and Dad offered Joseph a jelly bean, Joseph replied, “No, thank you, Grandpa. I’m fasting from eating candy this Lent.”
Joseph, William, and I painted the wooden letters for the word ALLELUIA (white with gold glitter sealer) and REPENT (purple). On Ash Wednesday, we buried the ALLELUIA letters (since we won’t be using that word again until Easter Sunday) and then added REPENT to our altar.
This year on each Friday during Lent, instead of The Way of the Cross, which we usually do, we are meditating and praying the Stations of the Cross, guided by the book The Story of the Cross. We added a beautiful wooden dowel tree with these incredible Stations of the Cross ornaments. Once Holy Week arrives, we will switch our Stations of the Cross ornaments with the Holy Week ornaments.
Aside from focusing on the Stations of the Cross, we are also devoting our time during Lent to the parable of the Good Shepherd (my reference books for teaching the parable are Celebrating the Church Year with Young Children and The Good Shepherd and the Child). I introduced the parable during the first week just by telling the story. Then later in the week, I retold the parable as I introduced the materials. After the lesson was over, I set the materials aside, but within the kids’ reach. I’ve seen the materials used again and again as they tell each other all about Jesus, the Good Shepherd. Those little sheep get a lot of exercise following the Good Shepherd around! Today during Mass, Joseph was looking at a book of stories about Jesus and was thrilled to find the story of the Good Shepherd. Neither of them have quite made the association between the sheep and ourselves, but I imagine, given time, they will. Each week we will continue to listen to the parable, use the materials, and reflect upon what we’ve learned.
A few other Lenten plans (ideas from The Lent-Easter Book): We will be painting the river rocks we found on our trip to Austin. We’ve been calling them our prayer rocks so I imagine we’ll add the word “Pray” to each rock, along with whatever else the kids paint on them. We’ll add them to our nightstands as a reminder to pray before falling asleep. We also found a silver pail that I’ll paint the word “Prayers” on and as the kids pray throughout Lent, they can add a strip of paper to our pail, hopefully filling the pail before Easter. I found a neat book by Stormie Omartian called What Happens When I Talk to God that both kids have been reading and re-reading. Sometimes Joseph closes his eyes tight for a few moments and then opens them, looks at me, and says, “Can you guess what I was doing? I was praying. I know you couldn’t hear me, but God could.” And William now spontaneously stops what he’s doing to declare his love for God. I love that they’re learning to pray all the time, not just at our established prayer times. Our last big Lent plan was to make t-shirts, which we did last week so we can wear them throughout the season. Joseph and William each chose what they wanted their shirts to say.
What are your plans for Lent? Please leave a comment and share your thoughts or a link to your Lenten journey.
Outside my window…there’s a gentle breeze ruffling the curtains.
I am thankful…for my friend Virginia. While the kids played, I soaked up her wisdom.
From the learning rooms…we are on letter T on our Alphabet Path. We’ve also been hard at work at some Kumon workbooks and these Rod and Staff preschool workbooks. Joseph and William both keep asking for more.
In the kitchen…waffles with fruit syrup. We added just a dash of V8 Fusion to our peaches and strawberries this morning for the syrup…mmm, mmm.
I am wearing…jeans and a purple tank top with a butterfly on it…a flashback to my college days.
I am creating…scenarios and solutions in my head as I continue to slowly read and digest Liberated Parents, Liberated Children. Now if only I could remember my solutions when under pressure.
I am reading…Building Better Families by Matthew Kelly. My sister has been raving about it for months. I’m finally going to see what she’s so excited about.
I am listening…to the hum of the computer. That’s it.
I am looking forward to…a visit with Mom soon.
I am remembering…a few weeks ago when we went to the park. I was taking pictures of the kids as they were climbing a tree and Joseph kept making a funny face. Finally I asked him if something was in his eye and he opened both eyes and replied, “No, can’t you see? I’m winking.”
I am pondering…Elizabeth’s blog and her adventure in storybooks this year.
One of my favorite things…watching Daxson fly the kids through the house while they sing the theme song for Superman.
Here is a picture for thought I am sharing…
Nothing beats the taste of a homegrown vegetable. Especially when you planted it yourself, helped Mommy water it, and watched it grow. (Don’t worry, little Roo…you’ll be able to join in the fun soon enough!)
Outside my window…it’s sunny and beautiful. I think Mother Nature forgot to send winter our way. Yesterday was in the mid-80s. We were wearing shorts and sweating out in the sun. Today it’s supposed to be low 70s…a beautiful spring day.
I am admiring…Joseph’s attention to detail. He has been saving his commission to buy Henry the green train. He finally earned enough and bought the train. After playing with it for awhile, he brought it out to me and told me that there must be some mistake. Henry wasn’t the right size. After further explanation, I learned that he read in Henry the Green Train (by Rev. W Audry) that Henry was bigger than James, but smaller than Gordon. He showed me his toy trains Henry and Gordon and sure enough, they were the same size. I told him he had two choices. He could either write to the company and explain their mistake or he could just play with them as they are. He said he wanted to write a letter so I told him to start it with “Dear Sir.” Off he went. A little while later, he brought this letter to me:
He proudly mailed the letter yesterday and is waiting for their response. Let’s hope they send one.
From the learning rooms…finishing up S week (we spent two weeks on this splendid letter!) and hoping to post one big blog to catch up on our Alphabet Path.
In the kitchen…homemade baking powder biscuits with sausage and smoothies. A special Saturday morning treat.
I am wearing…gray shorts and a blue t-shirt. Proper workout attire.
I am creating…a blog about our Lenten plans…hoping to get it posted before Lent is over!
I am going…to adoration this afternoon and looking forward to a few moments of peace with the Prince of Peace.
I am reading…Abandonment to Divine Providence by Jean-Pierre de Caussade.
I am listening…to the dishwasher running, the rhythmic click of Andrew’s swing as he naps, William asking me to get him some tape, and Joseph reading his “shopping list” to me as he runs around the playroom trying to find all the things on his list. I am amazed that I can listen to so many things at once.
I am looking forward to…visiting this quaint little quilt shop in Austin again. Mom discovered Kim’s shop, Hennig House Quilt Shop, this past December and took the boys and me out to visit while were were there last month. Kim’s shop is awesome! It’s filled with beautiful quilts, delightful fabrics, and lots of patterns to spark your creativity. Kim just recently published her first book Story Time: Picture Books to Stir a Child’s Imagination. It is filled with incredible applique patterns for making children’s quilts. I enjoyed the opportunity to visit with Kim, while the boys enjoyed the opportunity to feed Kim’s goats. If you’re in the Austin area, add Kim’s shop to your list as a must-visit.
Around the house…tried soaking the shower curtain liner (one of those fabric microfiber ones) in Oxy-Clean. Didn’t get it clean. Put it out in the sun to bleach it. Still didn’t get it clean. Already tried Nature Bright. I guess I may have to finally give in and use a little Clorox. Or just buy a new liner.
I am remembering…a tiny little blessing born three years ago.
It’s hard to believe that we just celebrated his 3rd birthday. Happy Birthday Alex! (Thanks for letting us help blow out your candles!)
One of my favorite things…little babies…here’s Stephanie with little Harrison, who just recently turned 2 months old.
Here are some pictures for thought I am sharing…
{this moment} – A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you’re inspired to do the same, visit Soulemama to leave a link to your ‘moment’ in the comments for all to find and see.
Sometimes I repeat myself. Again and again and again. Even I get tired of listening to myself. It’s especially common for me to repeat myself when it comes to reminding the kids to pick up their toys. I remind them over and over again that when they’re done playing with something, they need to put it away…where it belongs, not where it’s convenient. It’s not that they’re opposed to cleaning up. They just don’t think to do it on their own.
Last week the kids were playing outside and I was planting some vegetables in the garden. I had the box with the gardening gloves and the garden tools out. William came by to see what I was doing and decided to put on his gloves. “Don’t forget to put them back in this box when you’re done, William.” “Okay, Mommy.” Off he went and the gardening gloves were out of my sight and out of my mind. I finished the planting, put back all the tools and put the box up on the shelf in the garage.
Early the next morning, I was standing by the open kitchen window, preparing breakfast when Daxson came out of his office. “Do you see what that squirrel has?” Daxson asked through the window. I looked but I only caught a glimpse of something white as the squirrel took off up the tree. “What was it?” I asked. Daxson and I both watched as the squirrel scampered up the tree to the very top branches and into her nest. “A garden glove.”
William overheard us and ran to the window. “My glove!” he exclaimed, “I need it!”
For once I didn’t have to say anything. I didn’t have to lecture. I didn’t have to explain. He saw the consequence of leaving toys out. Actions really do speak louder than words.
As I sat there thinking about it, I thought it strange that all the other toys were picked up. Everything except the gloves. Daxson walked over to the tree where the squirrel had taken the glove and found the other glove hanging on a branch. Suddenly it dawned on me. Grandma Nury had been over here the day before and I vaguely remembered she and Joseph had been playing a game of hot and cold. I wondered if maybe the gloves were the items for the game. I called and asked if she had seen the garden gloves and she said, “Oh yes, Joseph and I were playing hot and cold with them. I hung both gloves on a branch toward the bottom of the big tree. They should still be there.” I laughed and told her the story of the squirrel. It turns out maybe even Grandma Nury learned a lesson from the squirrel!
It’s been a week now and the glove is still in the squirrel’s nest. I imagine she found it to be quite comfy. We all laugh about it now (even William). While I’d like to say that this made such an imprint in my children’s minds that I never have to remind them to put their toys away, sadly that is not the case. But at least now instead of repeating myself over and over and over again, I just have to remind them of the squirrel and the glove and they quickly put things away…where they belong.
Joseph and I attempted to make our own recycled paper yesterday. We completed the process together, him reading the directions and both of us following each step. We cut up newspaper, soaked it in water, added cornstarch, drained it, pressed it, sprinkled glitter on top, and left it to dry. When we were done, he joyfully announced that he was going to go and make some more recycled paper in his kitchen and off he went. I cleaned up our mess and carried on with my day.
Soon he brought me a small container that was filled with cut-up paper. He was so proud. He had gotten his scissors and cut the paper all by himself. I praised him gently, telling him how straight his lines were. I told him he must be so proud of himself. He was. He carried on with the paper making process. I carted Andrew off to bathe him.
Joseph kept me informed of his progress. “Mommy, I added water to the paper.” “Mommy, I pretended this was the cornstarch and I mixed it.” “Oh, Mommy, I’ve got a great idea. I’m going to pretend that another piece of paper is the foil with holes in it so I can drain my paper.” His voice was filled with joy.
Then, while I leaned down to rinse the soap off of Roo, Joseph appeared at my side, eyes downcast and a look of pure shame on his face. “I didn’t mean to do it, Mommy. I was just trying to get some of it off.” “What happened?” I asked. “I spilled the glitter.” If you could have seen his face, it would have broken your heart. It broke mine. All over a little spilled glitter. I brushed it off. “So the glitter spilled. We’ll clean it up.” Hope filled his eyes. “Yea, we just have to clean it up. It’s not a big deal, right?” “Nope, not a big deal at all.”
I have done this to him. I have made him afraid of spilling a little glitter. How has this happened? I know.
As adults we are quick to respond. Quick to overreact. Quick to make a comment. I am guilty of all those things. Juice spills and rather than handling it matter-of-factly, I feel justified to throw in a comment like, “That’s why we don’t carry our juice around the house. You need to be careful. Now I have to clean that up.” Their self-esteem dips just a little (and their confidence in drinking from a cup plummets). Or in a rush to come inside, the kids take off their shoes in the laundry room and dump out a pile of sand on the floor. Rather than just sweeping the sand out the door, I feel justified in exaggerating a deep breath and saying, “Great. Now I have to clean up the sand you just brought in.” And their self-esteem dips just a little more (and in creeps a little doubt…”what did I do wrong?” they ask themselves). And there lies the problem. It’s not what they’ve done wrong. It’s my reaction. I have forgotten how little they are. How they are learning to do things. They try their best to do a good job (“Mommy will be so proud that I’m still drinking my juice…see, I remembered to bring it with me to the playroom so I could finish it.” “Mommy will be so happy that I remembered to take my shoes off before coming in.”) but instead they’re met with negative responses. No wonder Joseph was afraid to tell me about the spilled glitter.
It’s really not about the spilled glitter or the spilled juice or the sand on the floor. It’s about the fact that I am the adult here and they are the children. My reaction will settle deep into their growing souls and someday (perhaps even tomorrow when William accidentally spills water on Joseph’s artwork or when Andrew knocks over Joseph’s train tracks) they will mimic my response. What response would I like to see reflected in them?
This isn’t about teaching Joseph to be more careful. Yes, that needs to be taught. But with patience and love. Kindness and gentleness. There is no place for harsh criticism in raising children. I have only been teaching patience and love with my words (“Joseph, be patient…Andrew is just a baby and he doesn’t understand that you don’t need his help”) and not with my actions. Thank God for the glitter spill yesterday, so my eyes could be opened.
Outside my window…it’s cloudy and windy. The high today is supposed to be 71. Seems as though winter never really arrived here.
I am noticing…Joseph has been reading for a long time, but he has just recently found himself enamored with reading aloud to anyone who will listen. William curls up on the couch beside him and Joseph is happy to read whatever is available. It doesn’t replace our reading time together, but it certainly adds a new dimension to our day.
I am thankful…that I have Daxson. I just can’t imagine taking this parenting journey alone. I am so grateful for all the little gestures of love.
From the learning rooms…we spent this week on the letter R. I know I owe you many weeks of our Alphabet Journey. I’m still looking for a way to add hours to my days.
In the kitchen…I couldn’t help myself. We made those yummy chocolate chip cookies again. And with Ash Wednesday coming up this week, I imagine we’ll be making some homemade soft pretzels very soon.
I am wearing…black yoga pants, a navy blue t-shirt and an eggplant colored hoodie. As usual, I don’t match, but I am comfy.
I am creating…Lenten plans.
I am going…to make it to Confession. I am inspired by my sister’s idea to cleanse my soul before this upcoming 40 day Lenten journey. I cannot think of a better prelude to Lent.
I am reading…Abandonment to Divine Providence by Jean-Pierre de Caussade as preparation for Lent (this will probably take me through Lent as well).
I am listening…to silence. Daxson is feeding the kids lunch and I am writing this in complete silence, out in Daxson’s office. Amazing how a little bit of silence can be so incredibly uplifting.
I am looking forward to…celebrating Alex’s 3rd birthday.
Around the house…I need to pull out the 18 month clothes for little Roo. I noticed that his 12-18 month pajama bottoms are a little too snug.
I am remembering…the pride in Joseph’s smile yesterday when he brought out a container of squares that he had cut from a piece of paper…all by himself. Jagged little lines, perfect in his eyes…and mine, too.
I am pondering…”To achieve the height of holiness, people must realize that all they count as trivial and worthless is what can make them holy…consider your life and you will see it consists of countless trifling actions. Yet God is quite satisfied with them, for doing them as they should be done is the part we have to play in our striving for perfection.” Jean-Pierre de Caussade
One of my favorite things…snuggling first thing in the morning with well-rested, happy little children!
Here is a picture for thought I am sharing…
With Every Intention 