Top Ten for 2013

Top 5 Most Read Posts

1. Preschool Sunday School: Good Attitudes

2. Preschool Sunday School Jesus talks to the Woman at the Well

3. VBS Institute 2013

 

4. Gearing Up for Colossal Coaster World 

5. Be Our Guest: 8 Ideas for the Guestroom

 

(Ok...I think my readers like to read about Sunday School and VBS!)

My 5 Favorites

6. My Week on Tour with the VBS State Team

 

7. The Temptation to Say "No" 

8. My Little White Church

9. Sunday School with My-4's and 5's: Father's Day and the 10 Commandments

 

10. All in the Name of Science 

 

Baby Jesus Ornament

  

  Several years back I made ornaments like these with preschoolers while we were serving in Texas.  I have kept the pattern for years, because it was just so simple and easy for preschoolers to make.  I got the general idea from the Lifeway Preschool curriculum, but I think I made a few adjustments to make it even simpler.  Here's how to make the very simple Baby Jesus keepsake ornament:

Start with a circle cut out of cardstock.  I like red. I used a cup to get a good circle pattern. Add a Bible Verse.  I chose, "Jesus was born in Bethlehem."  Matthew 2:1   This would also be a good time to put the child's name and the date on the back!  Punch a hole in the top center.

Cut out patterns for Baby Jesus' body.  Circles and oblong shapes. Children glue the head to the body with a glue stick.

Cut raffia into 2-3 inch pieces.  Children uses liquid glue to place the "hay" for the manger on the circle.  Don't cover up the verse!

Cut select fabrics.  Use ones like above that look like Bible time cloth.  Wrap Baby Jesus in the swaddling clothes and secure with liquid glue.  Trim as needed. 

Draw "sleeping eyes" and a mouth for baby Jesus.  Add the twine or ribbon to hang.

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

Be Our Guest~~~8 ideas for the Guestroom

     I'm excited to share with you a LINK to my guest post on the Schoolhouse Review Crew Blog.

 

A few more posts from the Schoolhouse Review Blog you might enjoy....

Head off the Winter Blues

Christmas Books Round-up

Favorite Family Christmas Traditions

Preschool Sunday School~Peter had Breakfast with Jesus

I had a wonderful Sunday morning with my sweet kiddos as we learned about how Jesus taught us and showed us how to be loving.  Jesus was loving by cooking breakfast for friends after he worked a miracle to provide a net full of fish for them. 

Making a pattern with fish....

...and putting them on a stringer.

Auburn fans may notice the orange-blue-orange-blue pattern!

The children really enjoyed this activity.  This net I got years ago comes in handy for so many Bible lessons!

Acting out the story in the block center.

Building the boat for the fishing disciples.

We used "net" from a recycled fruit bag.

Puzzle Center: Working a puzzle from the kit.  We also worked a similar wooden puzzle during group time.

I set up our Book Center with Christmas books and the Nativity Scene.  (This is something easily done at home for children or grandchildren!)

Okay...somehow the Wise Men snuck in there!  I placed them in the corner to show the children they were still traveling...but I guess they just couldn't wait!  :)

 

 

Our Life Verse:
"All things work together for good for those who love God."
Romans 8:28

(Sound like a long verse for preschoolers?  You should hear my 4-year-olds say it! Amazing.  Oh...and the verse is repeated several times in other lessons.  I like that!)

Christmas in the Dining Room

     Here's a little peek at my Dining Room this year...

I was excited to have my new candlesticks to incorporate into my Christmas decor this year.  I just added some some candles I had on hand along with magnolia and boxwood cuttings.

This year we decided to place our Advent wreath on the dining room table.  This way, we make sure not to forget our readings.  (We also do our family devotions this way.  It has worked well.  We are already all together!)  This year we are enjoying Dad reading Tabitha's Travels. 

I decided to keep my china cabinet very simple this year...just adding a little holiday cheer on my cake stand.

These cute little snowmen are actually salt and pepper shakers.  The trees belonged to my Mammaw, so they are extra-special! 

Special Offer for My Readers from Science Naturally!

 

Special Offer for My Readers

Give the gift of learning with books that will have an impact. Science, Naturally! is offering my blog readers a great price on award-winning math and science books. If you buy any 3 books, the 4th one is free -- and shipping is too. You get 4 great books for just $29.95! Keep them together as a set or use them as stocking stuffers.

These publications are as entertaining as they are educational! A great gift for the kids in your life, they encourage a lifetime of curiosity about the world around us. Just visit sciencenaturally.com, add any four books to your shopping cart, then enter coupon code SKBSFS at checkout.

                  
                    *The coupon code is good until February 14th!
                    * You can read my review on Science Naturally HERE.

 

Schoolhouse Review Crew: December Posts

During the holiday, Schoolhouse Review Crew is taking a break from reviewing homeschool curriculum, but not from providing lots of great articles for you from their reviewers!  Check out these blog posts from my fellow TOS homeschool blogger moms who are full of creative ideas:

Christmas Recipes Round-up

 

 Family Traditions

Creating Christmas Traditions

 

Advent Idea Box

Ways to Incorporate Field Trips into Your Homeschool 

More to come all month long!  (Even from yours truly!)