Creating

My wonderful friend, Peggy, taught me how to make these beautiful, quilted Christmas balls. Even Shalayne is trying her hand at a few. They will make great gifts, if I don't save them for my own tree!

Barista

Travis has just finished his training for Starbucks. My Barista looks pretty sharp, don't you think?

I love Christmas!

As Christmas draws nearer (only 35 days to go!), my mind turns to ways I can make this season celebrating Christ's birth more meaningful, and yes, even fun, for my kids. It was easier when they were younger; they don't get as excited as they used to about making gingerbread houses, although they do like to eat them- but they still do help with Christmas baking or chocolate making- and they don't care to do math questions on a Christmas tree page! They also won't allow me to play Christmas music until December 1st! (December 1st is the first day of Christmas in our house, beginning with celebrating Greg's birthday.) No matter what their ages though, I feel it is important to take the time to reflect on why we celebrate, to slow down in a world gone mad over consumerism, and to connect as a family.
Over the years, we incorporated 'Christmas School' into the month of December in place of most of our regular studies. We're still learning, just in special, different ways. Even if you don't homeschool, you can use many of these ideas to make December special and more meaningful. Below is a sampling of things we have done over the years.

Christmas School Ideas

Language Arts

Read together- as many Christmas stories as you can

Memorize: scripture, poems, the real 12 days of Christmas (did you know that each of the symbols represents a Christian principle?)

Christmas cards/letters- kids address in best penmanship
-kids write notes for in cards
-kids write the Christmas letter (a fresh perspective!)

Have kids write Christmas stories as gifts

Frame kid’s handwriting or poem as gift

www.abcteach.com/directory/theme_units/month_to_month/l_december/christmas/
www.teach-nology.com/worksheets/misc/christmas/
www.edhelper.com/Christmas.htm

Math

Construction and measurement- have kids design and create gingerbread houses
www.recipelink.com/ch/2000/december/mrfoodchristmas1.html

Sewing (patterns and measurement)

Baking (shopping, measuring, doubling recipes)
www.kidzone.ws/math/christmas/

Geography

Stamping Christmas cards (with postage stamps, that is!- where in the world is each card going? Find that country on a globe)

Study Christmas traditions around the world

The Arts

Make music together

Attend concerts, stage productions

Play Christmas music- study the classics, however, the exposure alone is good and painless!

Great Artists- Understanding the Arts (Homeschooling Today)

Science

Crystal Snowflakes http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/winter/crystalsnowflake/

Study winter birds- create snowman for birds with seeds, popcorn, etc.
-decorate a tree for birds (as above)

Snow experiments

Animal Tracks http://42explore.com/animaltracks.htm

Ice cream-the science of making your own!

Unit Studies-pick a theme

Operation Christmas Child Activity packs (geography, world history, crafts)

Homeschooling Today magazine (Dec. issues)

Nativity http://www.first-school.ws/activities/bible/nativity1.htm
http://homeschooling.about.com/od/holidays/ss/nativityprint.htm
http://akidsheart.com/holidays/christms/nativity.htm

Above all, enjoy Christmas with your children and the real Reason for the season!

Mystery in the Library

The other night in the library, when many characters were out of their books enjoying a sojourn in the night air, a crime was committed, grim and grave, right in our own library. As a result his Majesty Henry VIII- that famous monarch from the English history books- has disappeared. Gathered are the characters that were present in the library at the time of the nasty deed. Fortunately Master Sherlock Holmes is here to investigate, so the perpetrator of this heineous crime will no doubt be revealed as the night proceeds.

So began our homeschool night of mystery. With almost 40 people (seven families) involved, we were hosted by the Conways in their beautiful home (big enough for all of us- must be 4000 sq. ft. +). Everyone dressed up and the costumes were fabulous! What fun we had! This was a mix and mingle game, with lots of goodies to nibble on besides, and it was a blast to watch the interaction of all the characters from little Baby Bear (Robin Contos) to Sherlock Homes and Mr. Watson to beautiful Cleopatra to Captain Hook. And my, oh, my, you would never guess who committed the nasty deed!