There's a Wocket in My Pocket

There's a Wocket in My Pocket!,  by Dr. Seuss.

My son enjoys reading this book with me. Reading the story together provides a great way to familiarize young children with rhyming words and teach them the correct pronunciation of sounds.

Barry, the Bravest St. Bernard

Barry: The Bravest Saint Bernardby Lynn Hall, Random House Step into Reading, Step 5

This is a wonderful true-life story about the St. Bernards at the Great St. Bernard Monastery in the Pennine Alps (located between the valley of Aosta and the Swiss canton of Valais). The story focuses on a dog named Barry, who rescued more than 40 people from avalanches. My children (ages 3, 5, and 6) listened intently as they learned of the relationship between Barry, the boy who trained him, and the Augustinian monks.

The Crucifixion

by Grace (age 5)

The Facts of Life

Peggy Ga. provided an article on the connection between abortion and breast cancer.

Christine B. reminded parents that if they are discussing the birthing of a baby or “the facts of life" with their children to ask them not to share the information with other children, as that responsibility belongs to a child’s parents.

She also recommended Fr. John Hardon’s tape set, Catholic Sexual Morality. The tapes cover the following topics with faithful adherence to the teachings of the Catholic Church:

• Elevation of Chastity by Jesus Christ
• Christianity and Sexual Pleasure
• Psychology and Christian Chastity
• Sexual Pleasure Outside of Marriage
• The Morality of Sex Stimuli
• Modesty and Prudence
• Prayer and Chastity
• The Eucharist and Chastity
• Confession and Growth in Chastity
• Chastity and Sanctity
• Chastity and the Pro-Life Movement
• Chastity and Eternal Life

This tape set and others are available from Eternal Life, www.lifeeternal.org, for $35.00 plus shipping.

Happy Times in Noisy Village

Happy Times in Noisy Village, by Astrid Lindgren, Bethlehem Books

Since learning about the children of “Noisy Village” a few years ago, they have found a special place in our home. Catherine loves reading about the antics of these lively Swedish children who live on three adjacent farms in a small village. This book (reprinted by Bethlehem Books in the Fall of 2003) and The Children of Noisy Village make great read alouds for the entire family.

Little Flowers Mother Daughter Tea

We celebrated our first Little Flowers' Tea on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.

Coloring

Mothers and Babies

Little Flower Sisters

Coloring

Tea

Tea

Mother and Daughter

Giving a Rose to Our Blessed Mother



Giving a Rose to Our Blessed Mother

 

Giving a Rose to Our Blessed Mother



Little Flower Coordinator and Daughter

Little Flower

Ready to Answer a Question

Little Flower and Friend's Baby Sister



Little Flower



Little Flower

 

Little Flower

 

Little Flower Coordinator and Daughters

Little Flower

Little Flower



Little Flower

Little Flower

Badge Presentation



Little Flower

 

Group Photo

Singing Immaculate Mary

Crafts

Mary L. suggested a woven heart-shaped pocket that can be constructed using two contrasting colors of paper or fabric such as felt. A handle can be added at the top to convert the pocket into a basket for gift-giving. This is a great Valentine’s Day or Marian activity.
Peggy Gh. displayed a Christmas ornament or decoration that is made from a styrofoam ball and fabric. Various pieces of fabric are cut into miscellaneous sizes and shapes. The edges are then pressed 1/4 inch into the styrofoam ball using the end of a butter knife. The pressure of the styrofoam holds the fabric in place so no glue is needed. Tassels and other ornamentation can then be added. A loop of decorative cording can be added at the top of the ball for hanging.

Carol T. shared a Dover Book on the Twelve Days of Christmas with the group. The book is full of beautiful stained-glass like pictures displaying the Twelve Days of Christmas on a thick semi-transparent paper. Children or adults (because it did look like fun!) can color, paint or use markers to fill in the pictures which can then be hung in the windows of your home. She recommended another book to complement the Dover Book called The Real Twelve Days by Haidle which explains the origins and meaning of the 12 Days of Christmas.

Carol also shared a book published by Catholic Heritage Curricula called A Wreath of Flowers that contains many craft ideas focusing on Our Lady. It would be ideal for use during the month of May.

Donna Bisogno shared several of the traditions that her family uses to help keep the focus of the holidays on Christ and the Church rather than Santa:

* St. Lucia's Feast Day – She chooses one of her daughters to wake other family members by going from room to room dressed as St. Lucia and carrying a tray with danishes and candles. (They choose to have their daughter carry candles on the tray rather than wear them on a wreath around her head as St. Lucia did). When all are awake they gather in the living room to eat the danishes and enjoy warm drinks together.

* St. Nicholas’ Feast Day – The children put their shoes out by the front door (or fireplace). St. Nicholas fills the shoes with little treats and nutritious snacks while they are sleeping.

* Manger - Family members place a piece of raffia (makes less mess than hay) in an empty manger under the Christmas tree each time they do a good deed, make a sacrifice, or give some other gift to Jesus during Advent. When Jesus is laid in the manger on Christmas Eve, he has a soft full bed of "hay" on which to lie.

Another option - each time a family member gives a gift to Jesus, they write it down on a small hay colored slip of paper and place it in the manger.

The Ghigleri family celebrates Epiphany by processing through the house singing "We Three Kings". The children carry the three wise men, and gold coins, frankincense and myrrh (all purchased at Vercillos) to place in the family manger scene. Other than the Christmas tree and manger lights, the lights in the house are turned off and the adults carry candles.