Lucy: copywork – Hail Mary, “do people still think it’s ok to kill people” discussion
Samantha: copywork – “Jesus, I trust in you.” (she’s not ready for copywork)
Both: magnet dolls, Plants vs. Zombies, bread making, yoga
Night and morning prayer at the new prayer space is going really well!
Lucy: copywork-Hail Mary; made video of Clare
Sam: polishing silver candle stick
Both: floor puzzle, magnet dolls, helping unpack, candy land
Reinstated family night prayer
Homeschooling journal:
Sewing lessons of various sorts. Alphabet puzzle. Discussion of St. Jude and the fire on his head in the picture. Why we don’t fight over books – they tear. Cats eat mice.
Homeschooling journal:
We had a good trip to the zoo with Katie, Cylis, and Micah this morning. Lucy told Cylis about the Spanish moss, and we saw the tiger and black bears moving around and the white alligators up close. Most of the time we let the kids play in the water at Monkey Hill, then the thunder started and we had to make a run for the shelter in the swamp exhibit. Lucy panicked at the thunder. We finally walked back in the rain after lunch, and got to the gates just as the sun was coming back out.
This afternoon has been melt-down city.
Lucy and Samantha tell the story:
At this point the girls were distracted by Craig making chocolate-peanut butter cupcakes and the story ended.
In the space of an hour tonight, the girls’ imaginative play included two hilarious and touching games. The first was “Mass”, complete with Goldfish and water intincture for communion, the girls taking turns as priest, and a fantastic version of “Hosanna to Jesus the King” of Lucy’s own creation.
When that was finished, Lucy announced that we were going to do what the man on the computer was doing (Craig was watching the State of the Union): she would stand up and talk, and we would all clap. The speech sounded roughly like this: “Blah, goobdy-glah, ookie jimbas.” It was quite hilarious.
Homeschooling Journal:
Visited the Farmer’s Market and Whole Foods. The girls are getting to meet lots of new vegetables since Craig has decided we’re going to try to eat as “raw” as possible. Yesterday I brought in the last bell peppers from the garden and each of the girls ate a whole one like an apple. (They were small.) That made us really happy. Lucy also was chewing on cabbage like a dinosaur.
This afternoon we went with the Justice Walking group to the nursing home and the girls got to watch us sing Christmas carols and talk to the residents. Lucy barely said a word, but when we left she said she liked it and wanted to go again.
We also cleaned the living room and they played dress-up all evening. I think that covers it.
Homeschooling Journal:
Dug Christmas books out of attic and read Lily the Lost and Found Lamb, Merry Christmas Strega Nona and Cajun Night Before Christmas. The girls indulged in a Veggie Tales Christmas movie. We started the Christmas-tree-setting-up process – sweeping and assembling stand parts are done.
Homeschooling Journal:
Continuing to try and convince Samantha that she doesn’t want to keep wearing a wet diaper, that the floor is not the appropriate place to pee, and that clothes are very effective at keeping you warm.
Play-doh and cookie-cutter session before lunch.
Lucy came to Mass and got to hear about the Immaculate Conception at Youth Group. Samantha stayed with B-Bob and Mimi and learned to sing “Jingle Bells”.
Homeschooling Journal:
Visited the farmer’s market and grocery store. Read Art and Max; Watch Out, Little Wallaby!; and Arbor Day Square before naps. Craig read some other books in the afternoon. Went to Adoration at AOL this evening, and then got a Christmas tree.
Only two months since the last entry…
Homeschooling Journal
Lucy’s BD party was Sunday (the 5th), so cleaning, baking, pizza making, and socializing all occured.
Lots of dress-up, including one “queen” being chased by one “tiger”.
The manger scenes are out, and were in constant use for a couple of days. Lucy remarked several times that she “can’t wait for baby Jesus to come”, as the whole thing is a little empty without Him.
Trip to the zoo with Dad for Lucy’s actual birthday.
Trip to the library today for story time (Christmas themed). Lucy made a beautiful paper stocking with sequins on it, and demonstrated her superior cutting and gluing skills. Samantha demonstrated her tearing and glue-spreading skills.
New books from the trip include, Josephine Wants to Dance; Did Dinosaurs Eat Pizza?; Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening; The Legend of the Candy Cane; Art and Max; Watch Out, Little Wombat; and Arbor Day Square.
We returned Brother Juniper; Martha Doesn’t Share; Jamberry; Cinderella; and whatever else I’m forgetting.
Advent project today was to paint ceramic ornaments. Lucy did a snowman and Samantha an angel. They are quite colorful. Craig called Lucy “Picasso”, but she was very meticulous about making sure all the edges were perfectly covered. She’s coming into her own with the art things now, I think, and really enjoys painting, stamping, cutting and gluing, and the like.