Advent - Preparing Our Hearts

We are now in the Advent season and I am always looking for something to make it more meaningful for our family. A time to reflect and prepare our hearts rather than get caught up in all the craziness that seems to come with the Christmas season. I want our children to truely know what we are celebrating at Christmas. And so I was thrilled to find two books that we will use this year. We have gone through the Jotham's Journey series in the past and I highly recommend them but being that we finished the third book last year it was time for something new.

The first book I found was written by a homeschooler. It is called Countdown to Christmas by Amy Puetz which has family friendly classic stories and activities for each day of December until Christmas Day. Being that I procrastinated, I haven't received the book yet but hopefully tomorrow. You can view a sample chapter online.

The second one is a free downloadable printable book from Ann Voskamp, a gifted writer who always points the way to the cross through her words. This is so easy to go through and we began last night. I went walking through our fields in search of red dogwood branches to use for our Jesse tree and there are printable ornaments at the back of the book. I love the symbolism and the visual of the tree for the children to see our family history -- God's family. I am so excited to have this resource!

[caption id="attachment_782556" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Seppy put our first ornament on our Jesse Tree"][/caption]

What will you do to prepare your heart?

Ministering in the nursing home

Last week the children and I along with a few other homeschool families from church dressed up as Pilgrims and Indians and had a Thanksgiving hymn sing at a nursing home.

[caption id="attachment_782547" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="You can see George and Tank here."][/caption]

When I was growing up my Grandma would frequently take my sister and me to visit her sister in a nursing home so I came to enjoy visiting and bringing joy to other residents as well. I have wanted my children to have that same experience and this has been the perfect opportunity singing every few months.

[caption id="attachment_782548" align="aligncenter" width="414" caption="Seppy sings along but always with a serious expression."][/caption]

Our first visit was a little intimidating for the children, especially as a sweet lady in the front row was missing an eye, something you don't see every day. She made them comfortable though by being very engaging in her conversation with them. Tank was too nervous to sing in front the first time but this time he was happy to sing for the residents. In the beginning Seppy hung behind during greeting time, our summer visit he simply waved, this time he went right up to those folks and happily shook their hands. Oh the joy on peoples faces when they greet the children. That is my absolute favorite thing about being at the nursing home.

[caption id="attachment_782546" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="Wish it wasn't blurry but I love this picture!"][/caption]

What a wonderful way for each of us to learn to give of ourselves and serve others, as it doesn't come naturally.

Next month -- Caroling!

Hungry Caterpillar and Butterfly Cakes

This year for Missy and Seppy's birthday cakes I suggested ideas of what I wanted to make. Missy had originally wanted a little cottage with a Strawberry Shortcake doll next to it that we saw online but I was going for something a little faster being that I needed to make two. I was going to make Seppy a firetruck but decided I'd rather not make loads of red frosting as it takes so much coloring to make it a nice color. In the end I found a cute idea for the Hungry Caterpillar cake out of cupcakes and thought that would be super easy and what child doesn't love that book? I convinced Missy that she needed a beautiful butterfly to go with it.

I don't really like how either cake turned out. I am not as good at frosting a cake and putting decorations on as I am at piping frosting on. Piping stars or whatnot on a cake covers imperfections much easier and looks more pulled together. Missy said hers was the most beautiful cake and I guess she is the only one I really needed to please.

[caption id="attachment_782539" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Wish I would have taken the picture during the day so the colors wouldn't be so off. "][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_782540" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="More like the very sloppy caterpillar. Not at all what I envisioned but I didn't plan it out, I just went with it. :)"][/caption]

My Baby Boy turns 3!

[caption id="attachment_782534" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Seppy at 1 year"][/caption]

So my  baby boy is really no longer a baby, although I try to keep him one as long as possible. :) While we celebrated Friday night, today is officially Seppy's birthday. He enjoyed a pancake breakfast and was happy to see the pink ribbons in his doorway from Missy's birthday had been replaced with blue ribbons today. He also had a few phone calls from Grandparents and Daddy this morning and was so proud that people wanted to talk to him! Tonight we watched his new "pwesent" -- "Toy Story 3"!

Seppy is a sweet easy-going little boy. He loves to give hugs and cuddle and I adore that! His favorite place to be is where the "kids" are and he does most everything they do if possible. He spends quite a bit of his time with his big sister who is a bit bossy with him but he really enjoys her in spite of that. They typically play really well together.

Seppy has been my longest sleeper and will often put himself down for an afternoon nap when he is worn out (keeping up with the big kids is hard work!) sleeping for 2 - 3 hours. Seppy still sucks his thumb when he sleeps and loves his blue blanket and if he does't have that then cuddling with me and holding onto my hair will do. :)  He is potty trained now but has yet to be consistent on the other end but we're getting there anyway.

Seppy's favorite color is blue and his favorite song is "Deep & Wide", although he also likes to run around the house singing "Holy, Holy, Holy" over and over.

I have enjoyed my little boy so much watching him grow and develop and I know I have said it before but this "break" so to speak without having another baby has been so nice for both him and me. I am so thankful for Seppy. He is a joy and a delight to each of us!

Happy Birthday to my little boy!

[caption id="attachment_782535" align="aligncenter" width="328" caption="This is his cheesy smile but still adorable. I'm working for my "perfect" photo of him. "][/caption]