Countdown to Christmas - Names of Jesus Recap...

During the Advent Season, the days leading up to Christmas, Preston, Callen and I did something I found on Spell Out Loud.  It was a Names of Jesus Chain, which helped us not only countdown the days to Christmas, but also learn more about Jesus - the Reason for the Season!  

Our Names of Jesus Chain!

The boys enjoyed pulling a chain link off every day, and watching it go from long to short!  We also learned some new ways to refer to Jesus, like Rose of Sharon, Bright & Morning Star and Friend.  =)

Along with that, we colored an ornament for each name, which we found here.  Most of the time Preston did the coloring, but occasionally Callen or I did one.  The final product on our tree branch is quite lovely!

Very colorful, indeed!

And we also filled in the Usborne Advent Calendar to Color.  There was a door or window scene to open and color for each day December 1st through 24th.  This was Callen's favorite part... he LOVED coloring on this book.

Working together (Callen coloring my table!)

Final product!  Definitely one-of-a-kind!

I enjoyed doing something this season that helped us focus on the real meaning, Jesus!  

Christmas 2011 Recap...

My goodness, I have a serious Christmas hangover.  I'm not the only one, right?  Geez.

Christmas Eve...

My parents came over, we all went to church for the Christmas Eve Service at Grace Fellowship Church.  It was really good - loved the music!  When we got back home, we ate delicious food like taco chili, my mom's tuna sandwiches (YUM!), Nutella Tarts, brownies, tamales, cheddar bacon dip, and so much more.  Then we got to open presents.  We mostly watched the boys enjoy their gifts.  They got books, clothes including a winter coat for Preston and cute monkey pjs for Callen, a tent/tube thingee to climb around in, a puzzle, a Glow Station and more!  My parents really spoiled those kids!  Michael got a tool and I got a Dutch Oven (yay!). After the kids were in bed (finally!), Michael and I stayed up and watched It's A Wonderful Life.

Christmas Morning...

The boys got to check their stockings, and then peek inside the Santa bags to see what their big gifts were.  Preston got a kid-sized guitar and Callen got a toy box for his room!  Then we headed back up to GFC for the Christmas Morning Service.  It was the exact same program, but the boys and I were helping with the nursery and Michael was helping with the stage.

Christmas Day...

After that, we came back home and gathered things up and went over to Michael's parents' house for lunch and more gifts.  We had the traditional ham and cheese sandwiches and potato chips, along with lots of sweets, of course.  And then, yes... more presents!  We again, mostly watched the boys tear into their haul (again, they were totally spoiled!).  They got more books (lol!), more clothes, a dinosaur, a car, a giant stuffed Scooby Doo, a neat art set and more!  I got some kitchen gadgets (yay, a garlic press!) and Michael received some gift cards to Abuelo's and Lowe's!  And we got a cotton candy maker!  We brought over Michael and Preston's guitars, and along with the piano and the various toy musical instruments they have, the family did some Christmas carols.  Lol.  It was kinda ridiculous.    

We hung out some more, Michael took a nap, the kids played.  Then, as soon as we got in the car to head back home, the boys crashed... we took more naps at home.

When I awoke from my nap, I opened the front door to turn on the Christmas lights and there was a box on the front porch that said "To The Clarks."  Inside were some toy trucks, a duck hunting game, some clothes for Michael and me... and an envelope of cash.  Michael and I just started crying, it was such a blessing.  We don't know where it came from, but thank you, Jesus!  The money is definitely going to help with paying for our car repairs (our car is in the shop right now to get the head gasket and water pump replaced).  We are still just in shock about the whole thing.  God is such an amazing provider!  I know He is.  It's still just such a neat thing to experience it like this!  

Merry Christmas, y'all!

Homeschool Recap, Dec 23rd (Christmas Break)...

In my life this week...

Christmas is merely days away.  DAYS!  Like... two!  Whooooaaaa!  Ok.  So, I made a last minute decision this past weekend that we would go ahead and take this week off of school too (was already planning to take next week off because Michael will be off of work all week then).  I'm glad I did.  It's been a nice break, for sure.  On Thursday, we found out that our car needs a major engine repair.  Our ONE car.  Yikes.  So, today I'll be calling and maybe visiting some mechanics/shops trying to find a place that can a) get us in and out quickly and b) not cost us an arm and a leg.  Not sure either of those is even feasible, but we'll see.  Sigh. The car will be paid off in May.  Figures, huh?

On top of that, Callen fell flat on his face last Saturday night, and I'm not sure, but he might have broken his nose.  It was crazy.  I felt so bad, but I didn't think there was much we could do.  His nose was swollen and he got some bruises around the top.  The next day I was able to poke it a bit and he didn't flinch or fuss, so I figured it must not be hurting him.  He kept pointing to his nose and saying "Boom!" like he was retelling the story of how it happened.  Poor kid.

A few days after the fall.

What's not working for me...

Broken car.  Broken laptop.  Yep, the lap top is still in disrepair.  We got the inverter part delivered (finally!) that we thought would fix it.  Nope.  Still dark.  So, we've ordered a back-light bulb and we'll see if that will fix it.  We're trying these low-cost options first, next will be to replace the whole screen... and after that?  Nothing.  We can't afford anything else at this point.  Christmas, broken big ticket items, end of the year bills due... it's been a bit trying around here the past week.  I know God will provide, though.  He always does.  So, it's not hopeless.

I'm praying for...
A blessed Christmas for everyone!  We've had a rough week, and could use some joy and peace.  I know nearly everything I wrote about this week was negative and depressing.  But Jesus is the reason for the season and with Him, there is only joy and love and hope and peace and prosperity!  I know that He is the greatest gift of all and He lives in our hearts!

In our homeschool this week...

Well, ever since I announced to Preston that we'd be taking two weeks off for Christmas break, he has been saying, "I wish it was January 2nd so we could do school again."  What?  This is the same boy that complains nearly every morning that he doesn't wanna do school.  Silly kid.  We have been doing Fall, Winter and Christmas activities, though... so we are kind of doing "school."  I had some Fall activities printed and ready to go for a while, we just never had the time (or energy) to work them in.  So, I figured, hey... earlier this week was still Fall, so we did 'em.  Preston liked it.  He traced and colored leaves that I had flattened from our various trees around here.  He also completed a little booklet about signs of Fall.

Our workboxes this week!

Then, on Thursday, we read books about the First Day of Winter!  And we have been reading Christmas books all week, of course, too!  See our book basket post from this week here.  We did lots of baking earlier this week as well... Nutella Fudge and Pumpkin Spice Cookies, which we gave to the neighbors and our delivery people (UPS and USPS mail carrier).  It was some delicious stuff!

Advent/Seasonal activity: Our first full week of doing the Names of Jesus Countdown Chain from Spell Out Loud.  Each day we take off a chain link, learn about that particular name for Jesus, color an ornament from here and put it up on our tree branch.  Preston is also doing the Advent Calendar to Color from Usborne each day as well.  Callen wanted in on the action this time around, and has lovingly scribbled his additions to the Calendar.  But that makes it all the more special.  =)

We are using My Father's World First Grade. See our curriculum here.
Blog Hoppin' with:

Homeschool Kids Who Don't Do Anything...

This is adorable. And... oh, so true:


"And we have the same great teacher every Fall!"