Before FIAR co-op: If Jesus Came to My House

Playing a little catch-up as usual.  We just started back to school today after a long break.  This was also Christopher's first day back to class and we like to keep a similar schedule so that we can have off on the days that he is home.

We had a really productive day today!  I'm going to enjoy it as I know not all days will go so well . Probably not even tomorrow!  We'll do our best though.

This is our last Before FIAR co-op with the book If Jesus Came to My House.  We started with a devotion and the story of Jesus meeting Zacheus.  The children were enthralled with seeing the story come to life with felts.  (I use ours more often!)

We also talked about JOY - putting Jesus first, then others and yourself last.  I wanted Eliana to have a picture with the blocks since this is also her middle name.  

A cardboard house is always so much fun.  It was a great way to practice knocking at the door and inviting someone in.  Also taking turns and sharing.  

For our craft, the children made beautiful flowers.

They started with coloring on coffee filters.  They each did several of them.

Then they were squirted with water to make the colors run and look more like watercolors.

I love seeing my little princess at work!  I meant to take a picture of her with her finished flower, but forgot to.

This cute house even had a doorbell to ring!

For our snack, we had a fancier table and talked about treating our guests specially.  You can see one of the finished flowers along with our snack of apples and rice krispie treats.

Meanwhile the older kids were participating in the Mad Scientist Club.  They read a chapter in the book and then each of them brings something as a show and tell.  Lego creation, drawing, craft item, etc.  We also have a question and discussion time and then after snacks - its time for experiments!  What a treat it was on this day to have one of the Dads come and lead the activities for them!

This was an experiment to see if you could lift up another person using only your breath!  (Blowing into a plastic bag)

They all loved having a turn at this one.

This was another fun one!  Put vinegar into a bottle and then add baking soda.  The reaction of the two will blow up the balloon!  See this blog post for more details on doing it yourself.

Another fun day with friends!  Looking forward to more fun times together!

Blessings
Leslie

Christmas

Looking back, I can say I am so very thankful that we were all feeling great on Christmas day!  :-)  We have had quite a month of sickness it seems.  Spread out and usually only hitting one or two of us at a time.  Its been quite wearying actually.  We are all really hoping that the germs are about gone and that soon we will be past all of this!

We have a traditional opening of one gift on Christmas Eve - new pajamas.

 Eliana was delighted when she saw that she received "Princess" pajamas.

 We don't get up too terribly early thanks to some very patient kids!  Everyone on the steps waiting to go down and open stockings.

 I love stockings!  Its one of my favorite parts.  Everyone really likes this!

 A Thor pez dispenser.

 And Superman too.

 Daniel made some of his gifts for others.  Here is Thor's hammer/lightning for Rebecca (and a new pair of sunglasses).

 Love all the hugs that are shared on this day.  I could have posted lots of pictures of hugs.  :-)

 A new doll.  (And its been so cute to watch her playing with her and dancing with her as she watched the Tangled movie!)

 It was a Lego Christmas for the boys.  Rebecca gave them all Legos (as did others).

 This kept them busy and having fun for quite some time!

Eliana really liked helping people open their gifts.  :-)

 Some people are harder to take pictures of than others who are willing to pose.  ;-)

 New robe and make up box.

 Oh, did they have fun with this gun!

Spiderman fan.

Our birthday cake for Jesus was made from cupcakes this year.

 Merry Christmas!  We are thankful for the gift of Jesus!

with love
Leslie

Pre-Christmas happenings

Just wanted to post some of our pre-Christmas happenings in one post.  Between the sickness that has plagued our family on and off for the last month, I don't always feel like we have gotten much done.  Its fun to look back at the pictures and see these sweet times.

We were late picking out a tree, but found one locally and at a good price.  (Good thing too since we all pooled our available money and had just enough to get the tree.)  

 This is the one that we picked.

 We visited the Journey to Bethlehem with friends again this year.  Its a fun tradition that we all enjoy.   There is always a long wait which is perfect for playing games and having snacks.

 And coloring.  And just being with family and friends.

 Our decorating was postponed several times due to sickness and so we had our tree decorating when Christopher came home!  It was fun having him with us and two of his friends too!  :-)

 Daniel is so excited about all of the traditions and couldn't wait to put the ornaments and the star on the tree.

 While we were pulling out ornaments, someone found the freshly baked cookies.  Looking a little guilty here, isn't she?

 So many ornaments.  The kids have one from each year of their life.  (Except this year which I haven't done yet!  Eek!)

 Always fun to play and laugh and enjoy friends.

 Decorating a gingerbread train and house were also on the agenda.  Daniel was pushing to do many of the activities that we did this year.  I'm thankful for that too!  Christopher and Isaiah worked on the train while Rebecca and Daniel worked on the house.  Joshua was planning to be the judge.  LOL

 I need to take some "final" pictures with everyone and their creations.

We also attended church at the DPAC this year.  (Durham Performing Arts Center.  Its a really nice place  which none of us had been to before.)

 I tried to take some photos, but nobody was really wanting me to do that.

 Willing to smile if you ware with a friend.

 I just loved Eliana's dress and you can see some of how full it is in this picture.  Daniel and Joshua came up with their outfits this year.  Looking sharp!

 A picture in front of the tree on Christmas Eve.

 A picture of our meal.  We do a nicer meal on Christmas Eve and then snack food on Christmas day.  This year we had salmon, sweet potato casserole, tomato and mozzerella salad and asparagus.

More later of Christmas day.

We have more sickness at our house which I hope will be gone soon.  This has been a hard month.  Thankfully most of what we have had has been gone in a day or two.  Praying for health.

I hope your Christmas was filled with the joy of knowing Jesus as God's gift to us!

With love
Leslie