I’ve had the best time sharing our homeschool highlights with my email list this month. So much so that I’ve decided to make them into a blog post.
So, if you receive my emails, you’ve probably read through these already. Although it’s a year away, you can pin this page for ideas for next year, if you’re interested.
If you like what you see and you’re not on the email list, be sure to scroll down and sign up! I love chatting with you guys and I love sharing about our homeschool with you. I’m so glad you’re following along with us.
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Here’s what we are….
Imagine each section starting with this statement. We are diving in to multiple senses here, and I’ll be sharing what we are eating, hearing, doing, thinking, watching, and reading!
READING
1 – We started a new Christmas read aloud, “The Christmas Pig”. It’s written by J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter series, so I am very interested to read through it!
2 – I recently picked up an oldie yet a goodie to read this season. The book, “Women of Christmas” is one I read with an amazing group of women at a bible study. I enjoyed it so much a couple years ago, and it has been the perfect, easy read for me during my morning devotion time this year. This book is written by Liz Curtis Higgs and focuses on the stories of Mary, Elizabeth, and Anna pertaining to the Christmas story. She goes verse by verse and I love how she incorporates different versions, as well. It’s definitely a book I can see myself reading again and again!
DOING
1- I went to the Dollar Tree last week and bought plain, wooden nutcrackers for $3. They were unpainted and perfect for a fun craft. The girls and I have been working on painting them the last few days to gift to some people. They are turning out so cute. I love handmade gifts like this and the fact that they were only $3 a piece is even better!
I did see the same type of nutcrackers on Amazon. You can purchase a few of them for a pretty great price. Check it out here. I will say that the Amazon ones seem a little smaller than the ones I found at Dollar Tree.
2 – Each afternoon when my youngest goes down for a nap I try to choose one thing to do with my girls to celebrate the season. Sometimes it’s as simple as read a book together or color a picture. Other times it’s more elaborate and messy, like painting! Our favorite activity from this past week was making paper snowflakes. What a simple craft that brings so much joy and fun! I’ll link for you the site where I found some templates that helped us with the designs. For the last couple years we have made these and we tape a string to them and hang them on the ceiling above our kitchen table. It’s our own little Winter Wonderland in Texas.
EATING
1 – We made a nativity lunch this past week, and it turned out so cute. Check it out in my Christmas Picture books blog post!
2 – This week was all about the puppy chow (or muddy buddies some may call it)! We made three different batches. One we enjoyed for ourselves, but the others were to share with loved ones. I’ll link the recipe I found. I really like to keep puppy chow simple. I don’t like adding in extra things. I will say that I may have changed the 1/2 cup of peanut butter to a “heaping” 1/2 cup and the other change was that I like to use a different cereal for my puppy chow. Have you heard of Crispix? It’s half corn, half rice. It’s a little crunchier and more airy than the Rice Chex, and I like it better! Give it a try if you’ve never had it. We love it!
HEARING
1 – Last weekend, I was with some friends and the topic of the Proverbs 31 woman was brought up. I’m familiar with it, but there was something in my heart that wanted to dig deeper. I felt like I knew it but didn’t KNOW it…if you get what I mean. Anyway, it’s been on my heart a lot this last week as I’ve studied it and prayed about it.
Well, not too long after that, I came across a podcast related to the same topic by an author that I really love. She opens up the podcast describing Proverbs 31 as the chapter that both “encourages and discourages women…” She does an awesome job diving in to each verse and talking about it with today’s world in mind. It really gave me a sense of peace about the chapter, and I hope it can do the same for you.
2 – I’m far from planning ahead for homeschool in January. I want to get through Christmas first, but I did listen to a great podcast from Read Aloud Revival that talked about simplifying our curriculum choices. It was very encouraging and helpful. She even asked, “If you could only keep five things for your homeschool, what would it be?” That’s a big question! Could you answer? I thought about it for a while, and I think I have a good list. I know I’ll be keeping her tips in mind as I plan after the holiday break.
WATCHING
1 – One day last week called for a picnic lunch and a movie. The kids watched “Superbook: The First Christmas”. If you’re not familiar with the series, I highly recommend it. Two kids and a goofy robot travel back in time to experience bible stories together. We saw the episode on the Prime app, but I believe the Superbook YouTube channel has full episodes as well.
2 – I’m so excited to share this one! Have you ever read, “The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey”? It’s a beautiful Christmas story that is loved by many! We added it to our home library last year, but this year I discovered there’s a movie! We watched it last week, and it’s awesome! It’s just as sweet and wholesome as the story. There’s definitely some differences but the main part of the story is there and it really was so well done! If you’re bored of the usual Christmas movies or if you need something simple this week as you eagerly await Christmas – read the book and watch the movie! It’s so good. Oh! And the best part is it’s FREE on the Prime app right now.
THINKING
1 – This holiday season I cut out some of the extra subjects in order to keep this season flexible. I’ll be honest, we are a little over two weeks into the month and my feet are dragging each morning to complete our work. So, I’ve decided to wrap up our math and language arts units at the beginning of this week and leave the rest of December for some Christmas fun with my kids.
I hope to read more books, bake a little, and create some simple crafts. However, if I wake up and feel it necessary to just rest, I’ll do that too. What I’m really thinking is – I’m ready for the break. So we are taking it early! (Just a few days!) And I’m not sad about it. I’m really looking forward to making memories with the kids the next couple weeks.
2 – The other day I asked my 3-year-old to pick up all the nativity pieces off the floor and set them up in their spot. A couple hours later, I walked past her set up and I was looking at the backs of the majority of the pieces. (see photo) The wise men and the stable animals were facing the “wrong direction”. I was used to seeing them all set out nicely to the side so you can see all their faces, and then it hit me. They’re looking at the baby Jesus. Isn’t that just like this busy season? We’re trying to line everything up perfectly and check all of our to-dos to make sure everything is just right. In this moment, I’m stopped in my tracks as I learn a lesson from my little one. The goal is to look at baby Jesus. That’s the real message of the season. Although I may fail at times, it was just the message I needed in that moment.
Rejoice in the birth of our Lord and Savior. May the blessings of Christ be upon you and your loved ones this season and into the New Year.
Merry Christmas!
This Month’s New Blog Posts
Homeschool Math Curriculum Switch
Logic of English Foundations A Review
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever – Book Review
Inexpensive Christmas Cards for $30
Christmas Picture Book Activities
