Keeping Mommy on her Toes

I am ten months old. January 19 I pulled myself to a stand for the first time on February 3. My mommy was surprised to see me standing up, holding onto the chair as she walked past the living room. The next day, she took this photo. February 4 I started to crawl on my…

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Habemus Papam

After praying our extra Rosary this morning for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, our future pope, the Church, and our world, we tuned into EWTN online to watch for the smoke. I had told the children that I thought we would have a Pope today. We were all very excited to see the white smoke. After…

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Saint and Chapter Books for Young Boys

Last month, I received and replied to the following question from a friend: Christine, Do you have any recommendations for saint books or classical chapter books for a 7 yr old boy. Pius needs some reading and all I’ve ever done is girl oriented. E Some books that come to mind are: Encounter the Saints books – Anthony…

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Lenten Gardening Observations

Patrick: “Oh, look at the purple flowers! I like Lent because that is when the flowers start to come up.” Theresa: “By the time Easter comes, the garden is full of flowers and it looks beautiful.” *The children were observing miniature irises that bloomed on Ash Wednesday. I failed to take a picture of them…

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What We’ve Been Reading – February

Preschool – Second Grade Read Alouds Annie and the Wild Animals by Jan Brett Bible Stories for Little Children under the approbation of Cardinal McCloskey (excerpt here) The Boy Who Loved to Draw: Benjamin West by Barbara Brenner The children found Benjamin West’s making of his homemade brush very funny. Brigid’s Cloak by Bryce Milligan Catholic Children’s Treasure Box Books by…

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Preschool – Where to Begin

A couple of months ago, I received the following question from one of my husband’s old friends: I would like to begin some more formal homeschooling of Juliette, especially in her Catholic faith. Can you point me to a curriculum, or any specific books or resources that you would recommend for that age? My slightly…

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Pre-Lent Daybook

Outside my window… It is still dark, but I can hear planes flying over our house. In the kitchen… I am thinking about what I should make for dinner tonight. I am listening to… the sound of Kieran breathing as he lies next to me. I am so thankful to God for our little boy.…

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The Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary

On Thursday, as I read to my children about Candlemas or the Purification from St. Catherine’s Academy Gazette, I could not help but comment to them about the virtues of Mary and the virtue of humility. A couple of weeks ago, our pastor spoke about Our Blessed Mother in his Sunday sermon. On the Friday…

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What We’ve Been Reading – January

I know that books are really good when I check a title out for a younger child and an older child is excited to see the book and reread it. Two series of books that my older children fondly remember and were excited to see in our library basket this month are the Jenny Linsky…

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March for Life 2013

On the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, January 22, my husband and four oldest children participated in the March for Life at our State Capitol. We were all going to go, but Kieran was sick so I stayed home with the four youngest children.  My husband told me that the turn out was great.…

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Christmas Favorites

Patrick was thrilled to receive LEGO Lord of the Rings The Battle of Helm’s Deep. Needless to say, it was built in less than a day. Thankfully, he and Finnian also received some Lego bricks from their grandfather which allow for more creative building. Patrick is slightly familiar with the stories of The Lord of the…

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