I heard this thought on the radio broadcast Music and the Spoken Word. What a great reminder to slow down and remember what we are celebrating.
Delivered By: Lloyd D. Newell
"The bright lights and joyful sounds, the festivities and parties all mark with excitement the Christmas season. But now and again this time of year is also filled with stress and worry, with frustration and exhaustion, made all the more poignant because of the celebrations that surround us. Sometimes we celebrate Christmas in ways that actually keep us from feeling the joys of the season.
One woman, after a hectic day of mothering and shopping, found herself so impatient with fellow shoppers that she thought to herself, "Wait a minute, get a hold of yourself. This isn’t what Christmas is about.” Perhaps in our desire to get just the right gift or arrive at just the right time, we become irritated with someone who is slower than us, frustrated with long lines and inflated expectations, or annoyed with the shortcomings of those around us.
Normally we try to be kind and thoughtful, but ironically, in the midst of the celebration of the birth of perfect kindness, we may be more unkind than usual. Perhaps we act this way because, in our efforts to commemorate and even bring "joy to the world,” we feel drained, worried, and worn out. As a result, we may miss the essence of this entire season.
Christmas is joyful and glorious because of how we live it, not necessarily how we celebrate it. Now might be a good time to slow down a little, simplify, and find joy in what is, not what might or could be. Take time to reflect, to ponder the meaning and message of this sacred season. Live Christmas by showing love and kindness. Share Christmas by smiling and cheering up someone who seems discouraged. Extend Christmas by giving generously, even anonymously, of your time, your heart, your goodness.
The best way to feel the joy of this blessed season is to live Christmas."
www.musicandthepspokenword.com
Program #4186
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Sunday, December 19, 2010
A Christmas Carol
The kids had an awesome experience performing in A Christmas Carol last weekend. They practiced hard for over two months, and the final product turned out so great! This is the first time our homeschooling group has put on a play since we have lived here. They were even in the paper, and Spencer was on the front page! The kids made a lot of good memories and even better friends.
There were 40 home schooled kids that took part in this play.
Spencer played the part of Bob Cratchit. Through this he discovered he loves acting!
Kami was one of the Cratchit children.
Spencer and Lindsey were asked to play prelude music before the play started.
Spencer also played a waltz and a jig for the dancers during Fred's Party
Lindsey's main part was "Fran" young Scrooge's sister. She also played some smaller parts- a caroler, a person in the street,a girl at Fred's party, and Fred's maid.
Laughing at a joke during the party
Playing prelude.
These are all the moms and other ladies who helped put on the play. It is awsome what you can accomplish when you all work hard together....I made some good friends too!!
There were 40 home schooled kids that took part in this play.
Spencer played the part of Bob Cratchit. Through this he discovered he loves acting!
Kami was one of the Cratchit children.
Spencer and Lindsey were asked to play prelude music before the play started.
Spencer also played a waltz and a jig for the dancers during Fred's Party
Lindsey's main part was "Fran" young Scrooge's sister. She also played some smaller parts- a caroler, a person in the street,a girl at Fred's party, and Fred's maid.
Laughing at a joke during the party
Playing prelude.
These are all the moms and other ladies who helped put on the play. It is awsome what you can accomplish when you all work hard together....I made some good friends too!!
Friday, December 10, 2010
Deck the Halls
Tis the Season! Putting up the tree is one of my favorite Christmas traditions!!
Ryan, Lindsey and Porter skiied high and low in the back country to find the best Christmas tree, and they found it! A tall skinny little guy!
Ryan, Lindsey and Porter skiied high and low in the back country to find the best Christmas tree, and they found it! A tall skinny little guy!
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Social
Thought I'd write a quick blurb on the social life of my home schooled kids. It's always a big question, and a big reason people decide not to do it. But if there is a need, we need to make an effort to fill it. That is something we have done this year....
I knew this year we needed to do more about Lindsey having more close friends. So we brainstormed together, and she came up with the idea of a cooking club. I let her plan it and lead out. She loves to cook, so we formed the club around her interests. We had so much fun putting it together and organizing it, and has been going really well! She has 17 other homeschooled girls her age coming once a month for a recipe exchange. Besides a sample of their recipe, they bring a copy of it, and they are compiling their own cookbooks. The girls are also taking turns giving reports on a country of their choice, and sharing a food from that country. Lindsey also came up with themes for each meeting, such as crazy hair day. She is the one who welcomes everyone and takes charge....I just stand back and let her go.
Spencer and Porter have a science club. Each month the boys read the same book about a great scientist, then come together to talk about what they read. Each meeting two of the boys give a report on a scientist of choice. We are studying the scientists in chronological order. So far they have learned about Archimedes, Galileo, and Leonardo D'Vinci.
Spencer is the oldest in his group, and the leader. He is really cute with the younger boys....in this picture he had all the boys lined up saluting him, and marching outside single file for a game.
Here they are performing an experiment with a pulley. They are pulling a boy who is sitting on a chair across the room.
What a cute fun group of girls. This is a picture on crazy hair day!
Lindsey gave a report on Sweden. This was in October when they wore costumes to the class.
Lots of yummy new food to try!
Besides these monthly groups, the kids are going to be participating in a monthly "Show and Share" where they get up in front of other homeschooled kids and share something they have learned that month. We also have field trips, and a book group. This fall the home school group is putting on A Christmas Carol, to be performed in December. Spencer is Bob Cratchit, Lindsey is Fran, and a couple other small parts, and Kami is a Cratchit girl. Porter is the one who gets to watch! They are having so much fun with all these activities, and making some good friends while they are at! We also live in a great neighborhood with another set of good kids they can play with often. I'd say social life for them is top notch!
I knew this year we needed to do more about Lindsey having more close friends. So we brainstormed together, and she came up with the idea of a cooking club. I let her plan it and lead out. She loves to cook, so we formed the club around her interests. We had so much fun putting it together and organizing it, and has been going really well! She has 17 other homeschooled girls her age coming once a month for a recipe exchange. Besides a sample of their recipe, they bring a copy of it, and they are compiling their own cookbooks. The girls are also taking turns giving reports on a country of their choice, and sharing a food from that country. Lindsey also came up with themes for each meeting, such as crazy hair day. She is the one who welcomes everyone and takes charge....I just stand back and let her go.
Spencer and Porter have a science club. Each month the boys read the same book about a great scientist, then come together to talk about what they read. Each meeting two of the boys give a report on a scientist of choice. We are studying the scientists in chronological order. So far they have learned about Archimedes, Galileo, and Leonardo D'Vinci.
Spencer is the oldest in his group, and the leader. He is really cute with the younger boys....in this picture he had all the boys lined up saluting him, and marching outside single file for a game.
Here they are performing an experiment with a pulley. They are pulling a boy who is sitting on a chair across the room.
What a cute fun group of girls. This is a picture on crazy hair day!
Lindsey gave a report on Sweden. This was in October when they wore costumes to the class.
Lots of yummy new food to try!
Besides these monthly groups, the kids are going to be participating in a monthly "Show and Share" where they get up in front of other homeschooled kids and share something they have learned that month. We also have field trips, and a book group. This fall the home school group is putting on A Christmas Carol, to be performed in December. Spencer is Bob Cratchit, Lindsey is Fran, and a couple other small parts, and Kami is a Cratchit girl. Porter is the one who gets to watch! They are having so much fun with all these activities, and making some good friends while they are at! We also live in a great neighborhood with another set of good kids they can play with often. I'd say social life for them is top notch!
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Let It Snow, Baby!
We've had quite the storm today...much to the kids delight!
Ridge's first day playing in the snow- Lindsey had fun pulling him in the sled
notice the tongue out to explore the cold flakes
Cute Kam!
Ridge's first day playing in the snow- Lindsey had fun pulling him in the sled
notice the tongue out to explore the cold flakes
Cute Kam!
Monday, November 8, 2010
It's Here!
After weeks of beautiful autumn weather (last week was sunny blue sky, no wind, and in the 60's!) the snow has finally arrived!
Kami couldn't wait to get on the snow duds and get out in the snow.
She took this picture of her snowman. The sticks are hair.
Kami couldn't wait to get on the snow duds and get out in the snow.
She took this picture of her snowman. The sticks are hair.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Pharoah for Dinner
Last year for Halloween the kids were sick, so instead of going trick or treating I made them a spooky dinner. They liked it so much they requested we started a new tradition, so we did it again! It had to be a surprise, so while Ryan took them to the trunk or treat, I stayed home and had fun getting ready!
This year we are studying Ancient History. A few weeks ago we learned about mummies and pyramids, so I thought this would be a perfect opportunity to sneak in a little "hands on" learning!
The kids had to remove the vitals to prepare this body for burial...starting with the brains using a spoon...
Coffin of the Pharaoh
Chicken Alfredo brains, Jell-o Jiggler hearts, french bread lungs...(with egg eyeballs on the side)
Lots of green salad guts, and, the funnest part to make...bread shaped like intestines!
Eeewww, gross! Or was it? They ate it, so it must not have been too bad!
Puppy thinks it's alright...
And last, the donut dessert treasure hanging in the pyramid...protectd by the sphinx, of course
It took a little work to get the gold, but they did it!
It was TOMBendously fun!
This year we are studying Ancient History. A few weeks ago we learned about mummies and pyramids, so I thought this would be a perfect opportunity to sneak in a little "hands on" learning!
The kids had to remove the vitals to prepare this body for burial...starting with the brains using a spoon...
Coffin of the Pharaoh
Chicken Alfredo brains, Jell-o Jiggler hearts, french bread lungs...(with egg eyeballs on the side)
Lots of green salad guts, and, the funnest part to make...bread shaped like intestines!
Eeewww, gross! Or was it? They ate it, so it must not have been too bad!
Puppy thinks it's alright...
And last, the donut dessert treasure hanging in the pyramid...protectd by the sphinx, of course
It took a little work to get the gold, but they did it!
It was TOMBendously fun!
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