Well, I have just enough time after Christmas Day to pop up a few pictures and wish everyone a happy 25th. We celebrated at home just the 7 of us. It was lovely. We skyped some people, played with new toys and ate tons of not so healthy foods. Hopefully I can share more later, but for now – I hope that whatever you celebrate this month was amazing!
Tag Archive | stockings
The November Nutshell
And now for November… another month in a rather long nutshell!!! I have to admit… with all the Christmas stitching, school, swim lessons (cooking for the twins) and actual sales and commissions… my blog has languished a little.
Of course November is the month of AMERICAN Thanksgiving… ever confusing on a THURSDAY no less. This was an unusual one for us as Nana and Baba headed off to Florida to spend it with the other grandkids… but we persevered.
We had leaves to bag up still… great exercise for the boys and they were even relatively willing. Of course you can see the amazing colours better on a previous entry where we had the whole family out there dealing with the leaves on the ground HERE.
We did leave time for some mini fashion. Trinity is already able to wear some of the rather funky and fun clothing left to her by her cousin Gabriella when they left for Florida!
Of course we had to take advantage of the week of free online books through Bookit this month as well. Each one narrated with terrific pictures.
We had a blast learning about and building our own volcano. Science has always been the one thing we have struggled with in our homeschool life. Getting enough in, being organized but the whole family is quick to jump on board with a good craft and activity… add in chemicals (even ones as benign as vinegar and baking soda) and a little explosion and even Echo was there for the fun. This was the first time I sat down and talked to them about things like earthquakes and really looked into what damage a volcano can do to the land and the people around it.
Our November was full of visits with our favourite baby and his brothers… Jeffrey is definitely growing like a weed!
We also made it outside to enjoy the snow. What a difference from last year’s excessive cold and snow!!!
At the end of the month we pulled out the tree and fixings which of course is one of my favourite backdrops for photos. It always feels like the season is coming when we bring out the stockings. I am very proud of how they turned out. Though Ken STILL does not have a special stocking. You can check out the full blog post of family photos HERE.
A few helpful Thanksgiving books:
- Gobble Gobble CRASH! A Barnyard Counting Bash by Julie Stiegmeyer
- Turkeys on the Family Farm by Chana Stiefel
- Thanksgiving by Natalie M. Rosinsky
- Arthur’s Thanksgiving by Marc Brown (a fun read with a good lesson)
- Thanksgiving Is… by Gail Gibbons
Our Thanksgiving was spent with Aunty Judy, Uncle Jim and Cousin Robbie. It was quiet and fun and full of delicious food! We were so thankful they could make it to the meal that the kids planned and shopped for! The twins were real troopers making up the grocery list and doing the choosing at Sam’s Club themselves!
I snuck in a ladies outing with Nana over at Renee’s. We made woven fabric baskets and played with Mystro. Not the simplest craft but not impossible. You can find the instructions HERE thanks to Terry Atkinson.
School wise we have seen an influx in art interest. Art for Kids is win win with us!
Add in some completions and workbook interest…
And some rather amazing Halloween lapbook completions!
I think we accomplished much of what we had hoped to this November. Add in swimming and scouts, Sunday School and choir and we have become way more busy than we expected! Thank goodness the arctic chill has not appeared! Do enjoy the overflow images for the LONG belated month of November HERE.
The Many Faces of Christmas Eve
Of course being a major day for us, our first in Minnesota there are lots of pictures to share… so enjoy a glimpse at our celebrations here in the USA!