2012 was marked by both tragedy and triumph for our family. Perhaps one of the biggest personal highlights came with the launching of The Unlikely Homeschool...the written chronology of this homeschooling journey that God has called us to.
New Year's Eve Countdown Bags
While planning for our annual New Year's Eve party, I came across some great family-friendly ideas. As has been our tradition for the past four years, we will be inviting one of our very favorite families over to help us count down. Like us, they have a whole brood of kids. Besides enjoying an appetizer buffet, we typically spend the evening playing table games. But this year, with the help of my New Year's Activities Pinterest board, we'll be mixin' it up a bit.
I found this super cute countdown to New Year's bag idea and can't wait until our party when all the kids can take turns opening up a bag o' fun!
I've prepared five party bags by writing an hour increment onto each one. When the clock strikes that particular hour, one lucky Little will open the bag to reveal a special treat. Between bags, we will eat, play table games, and eat some more!
Wanna take a sneak-peek into our bags?
- 8:00 Handmade charade cards to use in Family VS. Family charades
- 9:00 An ice cream scoop and sprinkles to announce a "Build your own sundae" dessert bar
- 10:00 A DVD of a kid-friendly movie (Usually by 10:00 the kids are starting to get too hyper and need a quiet activity.)
- 11:00 Glow-in-the-dark bracelets/necklaces to wear for the remainder of the night
- 12:00 Noise makers to celebrate the new year
Got any big countdown plans?
Geography Club: Peru
A few weeks ago, our Geography club gathered for a morning in Peru. Out time together began by coloring a Peruvian map and flag for our Geography notebooks. Next came a game of Four Ecosystems, a geography version of the classic game Four Corners.
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My Christmas Gift To You: A Hot Cup of Wassail Cider
Merry Christmas, all!
For the past few days, I've been ponding what to give you for Christmas. As I've mentioned before, I love to share tins of homemade goodies with friends and family. Alas, none of these mint truffles seem to want to fit through my computer screen.
But, I suppose if I can't give you a sample of any of my favorite Christmas treats, I'll have to do the next best thing...
So, here it is...my Christmas gift to you...
Christmas "Thank You" for Sunday School Teachers
We have five kids. Each one has a few Sunday School teachers and women's Bible study teachers. A few of them have additional Wednesday night club leaders and Junior church teachers. Needless to say, that adds up to a whole lot of people...31 to be exact...that pour into the lives of my children every week...voluntarily. Except for the occasional hug from one of the kids in their classes, most of these children's ministry workers, never get the proper "thanks" and recognition they deserve.
Christmas time has always brought the perfect opportunity to show our gratitude for all the many hours of service these volunteers provide. One of our Advent Countdown Activities has always been to make some kind of edible treat for each of them.
This year we chose to make Chocolate Pretzel Treats. With only three basic ingredients and easy-to-implement instructions, the kids were able to make them from start to finish all on their own...even my 3-year-old!
Homeschool Co-op Christmas Party, 2012
Just like in 2011, our homeschool co-op gathered for a morning of Christmas fun. We packed the day with games, treats, and gifts. Here are the highlights...
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We began with the Nativity story. I put all the pieces to our Little People Christmas Nativity Playset
in a gift bag. Before beginning the story, I passed the bag around and instructed the kids to each pick out one piece without looking.
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in a gift bag. Before beginning the story, I passed the bag around and instructed the kids to each pick out one piece without looking.A Toilet Plunger??...$1 Store Gift-Giving
"A toilet plunger for Nana for Christmas??...SURE...she'll love it!" I say to my wide-eyed tot as he eagerly plops a residential-grade plunger into the cart.
A toilet plunger...a box of wiggly eyes...a diploma display frame...a bouncy ball that flashes light as it bounces...
All have been considered potential purchases for our annual BUY A GIFT FOR GRANDMA AND GRANDPA night.
Co-op Christmas Party, 2011
Just because my kids don't attend a traditional school does not mean that they can not enjoy some of the fun of special holiday parties and group programs. One of our favorite holiday happenings is to get together with our homeschool co-op to celebrate with a kid-friendly Christmas party.
In 2011, we headed to the Announcer's home to play some spirited games, exchange gifts, and binge on chocolate!
We began the morning with a retelling of the Christmas story. The Architect's wife read key passages while the children each took turns placing corresponding figures onto an Advent calendar.
What's in the Stocking Game
I always try to add a few games to our Advent Countdown Calendar activities. One that has been a family classic is the What's in the Stocking Game.
The concept is quite simple. All you need is an empty stocking and some eager kids. Secretly place an object...preferably a Christmas-themed item...into the stocking and choose a child to start the game. Instruct that lucky boy (or girl) to put his hand into the stocking, feel for the item, and guess what the hidden item is without peeking into the stocking. If he guesses correctly, he gets to choose an item to hide in the stocking for the next person to guess. (It's best if the next guesser is chosen before the item is hidden. He/she can leave the room or close his/her eyes while the item is found and placed in the stocking.)
For older kids, try hiding several items in the stocking at one time. The child would then have to identify ALL the items.
Since it is such a simple game with short rounds, it has been a wonderful way to add some Christmas fun to an otherwise busy day.
Christmas Wrapping Paper Tradition
The other morning found my oldest children sitting beneath the Christmas tree, pencil and paper in hand, quickly jotting down random notes and "clues" to the big Christmas mystery--Which presents are mine? Which presents are yours? They were desperately hoping to crack the code.
I've made it a habit of not putting name tags on any of our presents. Instead, I choose separate wrapping papers for everyone in the family. All non-immediate family member gifts have one distinct paper pattern, as well, so that when we need to pack them up to bring to extended family Christmas gatherings, they are easy to spot under the tree.
After wrapping the family gifts, I cut a small square of each paper and place the snippet at the bottom of the appropriate stocking. Eventually, the stockings are filled and the paper scrap is buried.
UNTIL...
On Christmas morning, the stocking gifts are opened first and the paper assignments are revealed!
So far this year, the kids' sleuthing efforts are completely off track. Well, all except for my daughter. She somehow Sherlock Holmes-ed herself a perfect guess, but don't tell her I said so...
The Ultimate Guide to Christmas Family Traditions
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| Photo Credit |
tradition |trəˈdi sh ən|noun1 the transmission of customs or beliefs from generation to generation, or the fact of being passed on in this way
Traditions...what bind us as a family.
all our memories, and love, and pride held together by habit
a family "language" spoken from one generation to the next
the lore that separates one clan from another
religion, culture, and nationality spelled out in action
This Christmas as you celebrate the birth of the Newborn King, may your traditions bind you closer to Him and closer to each other. Here is a list of family Christmas traditions that I hope will help you do just that...
Traditions...what bind us as a family.
all our memories, and love, and pride held together by habit
a family "language" spoken from one generation to the next
the lore that separates one clan from another
religion, culture, and nationality spelled out in action
This Christmas as you celebrate the birth of the Newborn King, may your traditions bind you closer to Him and closer to each other. Here is a list of family Christmas traditions that I hope will help you do just that...
Christmas Tradition: A Gift to Jesus
Nestled under the tree amidst the paper-wrapped packages sits a small tin box. Adorned with painted jewels and gold trim, it is anything but obscure. It was a gift passed along by a great-grandma and holds a special place under our tree and in our hearts. Despite its very ostentatious exterior, its inside is really quite plain. It typically only holds a simple slip of paper...a paper placed there by a Little One eager to be "Hands and Feet."
Countdown to Christmas with a Nativity Scene
About 25 years or so ago, when I was about my daughter's age, my mother and I were Christmas shopping and came upon a holiday store that featured a beautiful Nativity set made by famed Italian designer/family Fontanini. To say we saw a "display" is quite an understatement. The set was placed on high shelves all around the shop and completely encircled the entire place. I remember looking up at it, then looking at my mom, and instantly realizing that some of it was going to come home with us that day. "Some" being one or maybe two pieces. She instantly fell in love. And for a mother who is as un-materialistic as anyone can possibly be, this was "love" and not just a dramatic impulse buy.
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