October Plans for Second Grade

In October, we will continue to follow the lesson plans in our Waldorf Essentials curriculum. We also will have lots of fun celebrating Halloween and Dia de los Muertos. We actually prefer Dia de los Meurtos to Halloween these days. Remembering our ancestors and telling stories about them is such a nice change to the usual gore and scariness.

Circle Time

Gathering Verse
Pledge of Allegiance
Yankee Doodle (We're learning a new patriotic/American song each month.)
Five Little Pumpkins
 Five little pumpkins sitting on a gate.
 The first one said, "Oh my it's getting late."
 The second one said, "There are witches in the air."
 The third one said, "But we don't care."
 The fourth one said, "Let's run and run and run."
 The fifth one said, "I'm ready for some fun."
 Ooooh, went the wind and out went the light
and the five little pumpkins rolled out of sight.

Pumpkin Pie (Found in Jodie Mesler's "Autumn Song")

Hallowe'en (Found in "A Journey Through Time in Verse and Rhyme." Just the first verse.)


Spanish

This month we will be focusing on Dia de los Muertos. It is a Mexican holiday. We've already talked a lot about Mexico, but you can probably never know too much about our neighbor to the south. :)

Ernesto the gnome is having a big fiesta with all his amigos in Mexico. Dia de los Muertos is coming and he is having a fiesta at his casa and must get ready. First, Ernesto wakes up and says hola to his animals. Then he opens the window (abre la ventana) and asks, “que tiempo hace hoy?” Have the children tell you the weather in Spanish.

Now Ernesto is getting ready.  “Que hace Ernesto?”

Me estoy bañando  (I am bathing.)

Me estoy secando  (I am drying myself.)

Me estoy poniendo los pantalones. (I’m putting on my pants.)

Me estoy poniendo la camisa…(los calcetines… los zapatos…) (I’m putting on my shirt, socks, shoes, etc.)

Play Mientras que Viene el Lobo.  http://www.mamalisa.com/?t=es&p=3370

Then Ernesto makes caleveras de azucar for his fiesta. Soon his amigos arrive. They are wearing skeleton face paint and big, decorated sombreros. Together they all sing, “esqueletos.”

Sing “Esqueletos.”  My kids love this song!!!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORsWE4ZyiFw

Our recipe this month will be making and decorating Calaveras de Azucar. Be sure to order your molds early! Have fun celebrating Dia de los Muertos. It is NOT Mexican Halloween, though we allow our celebrations to overlap week wise. Dia de los Muertos is remembering loved ones who have passed on. Displaying their pictures and things they loved. Leaving food offerings on their graves. It is not a fear of death but almost a celebration of it, which is why the skeleton faces are decorated, pretty and smiling. It's not about scary. We love it.

Handwork

We will be practicing mixing knitting and purling by knitting a washcloth that is two rows knit, two rows purled.

Music

Recorder lessons 3 and 4 from Jodie Mesler's "Living Music From the Hear, Vol. 2"

Main Lesson

This month we will focus on fables. Each week we will do a kind act to exemplify one of the lessons from a fable that week. Each story will be accompanied by an art lesson, either painting, drawing, or modeling and then Jane will retell and summarize it the next day in her Main Lesson Book. This month we will begin learning parts of speech too. So in her summaries she will have to write each noun in red and each verb in blue.

I'm not going to name each fable here, they're in the curriculum, but I'll list the act of kindness.

Week 1 - Send a note of encouragement to someone going through a hard time.

Week 2 - Send a thank you note

Week 3 - Send a card to a soldier https://www.operationgratitude.com/writeletters/

Week 4 - Clean out toys and clothes and donate to Good Will. Ask each child to give up something they still enjoy.

Math

Because of how the calendar is working out, there will be a week at the end of September/beginning of October without Main Lessons. We will have math lessons that week and continue to practice math through skip counting, verbal math, and board games.

Science
In honor of Halloween, let's learn about a scary ocean animal. Sharks! Books, maybe this kit. https://www.amazon.com/Discover-Dr-Cool-Shark-Science/dp/B00500EKU6

Spelling

k12reader.com spelling lists 6-9 for grade two

Plans for Holy Week

There are so many things that I want to do to celebrate Holy Week with the kids. As always, I plan big and then pick and choose what it seems like we can handle each day.

I really liked the ideas for scripture study and a little craft and activity for each day found here.

Of course we'll continue our tradition of Easter in Eggs. You can find instructions for how to put your own together here. I remember this fondly from growing up and my kids look forward to it every year.

Now that we live in California and have many, many palm trees all over, I would like to do a bit more for Palm Sunday. At the very least we will try to put one on our nature table. You can of course make your own palm leaves with green construction paper and scissors.

Earlier this week we made a Resurrection garden. It's beginning to sprout. This Friday we'll put crosses on the hill and cover the opening with a rock. On Easter Sunday we'll roll it back. I really like these directions.

I think we'll incorporate it into homeschool this week too. I'm going to have the kids handsew little bags for their Easter egg hunt. Then of course we'll also dye eggs. And then devil them with my favorite recipe.

Thursday a Jerusalem Dinner. I thought about doing a Passover dinner, but as we'll be covering so much of Hebrew culture and history in grade three, I think I'm going to save that for then. So we're going to do a Jerusalem dinner, which will just be filled with foods that would have been eaten during Jesus' time. We'll eat it on the floor and then discuss Jesus washing his disciples feet and maybe try it ourselves.

What do you like to do?

A Simple St. Patrick's Day

So you woke up today and forgot it was St. Patrick's Day. Your kids showed up to school in purple, the leprechauns didn't trash your house, you blew it.

Or maybe you just don't do big St. Patrick's Day celebrations.


That's just fine. Because I'm going to give you a few ideas that you can easily pull together to round off a very nice and simple celebration.

Waldorf celebrations focus on nature, simplicity, and rhythm. They usually incorporate something special that day with food, a song, and a story. I'm adding in a few other things that you can pick and choose from. But all of this can be done in about an hour and TA-DA! You did St. Patrick's Day.

So I'll give it to you fast.

Tell THIS STORY.

Sing THIS SONG.

Make THIS BREAD.

Eat potatoes, or corned beef, or anything green.

Try THIS IRISH DANCE.    (Warning: you will get tired and feel silly.)

Go on a walk and try to find clover, or green things, or whatever.

Paint a rainbow.


Feeling overwhelmed? Just do the story and song. The kids will love it and it takes ten minutes.

12 Bunny-Free Easter Ideas

We don't do the Easter Bunny over here. Or Easter baskets. Very little chocolate. Definitely no fake grass, spring chicks, etc. We do dye Easter eggs (I can't be a total grinch). I love to focus on the REASON for Easter, but I find the bunny silly and creepy (although I love Santa, go figure.) And the rest of it just seems like second Christmas.


However, we've been having a very nice Easter week over here, and you can too! I've gathered my favorite ideas. Some of these we've done, others we plan on doing, either this year or in the future.

So here you go, Ways to Celebrate Easter without the Bunny

1. Easter in Eggs - This set of 12 eggs tells the story of Easter. Its very easy to put together and kids love to do it over and over again.

2. Learn about Passover and make Matzoh bread. My kids enjoyed pretending we were the Israelites as we made the breat and then Moses came to tell us to leave Egypt and we had to run around the backyard, and through the pool. I hope that's not sacreligious, because my kids now know all about Passover and Moses and keep talking about it.

3.Talk about Christ in the Garden and then plant your own garden. You can even make this a faith garden and talk about how we get our faith to grow.

4.Learn about the Last Supper by washing each other's feet at dinner. Then go out and do service for someone.

5. Dye eggs with natural materials. Carrots, beets, spinach, etc.

6. Make this three crosses artwork.


7. Make these palm Sunday crafts and talk about the Triumphal entry.

8. Go on this Good Friday nature walk.

9. Make Resurrection Cookies.


10. Make Resurrection Rolls.


11. Do these Seven Days of Easter Devotionals
.

12. Watch this video. Or this. Or this. Or this.

The perfect cookie recipe to make with the kids.

Peanut Butter Blossoms!

This is another one of my kill three birds with one stone activity.

Unwrapping the kisses is great for fine motor skills. I counted the mixing by hand and ball-rolling as our sensory activity. And it was some yummy Christmas cookie making.

The number of ingredients are so small that no one will get bored or fidgety and you won't get frustrated. Learning to scoop the peanut butter into a measuring cup is good for their little hands to do, too.

So turn on some Christmas music and get baking!

Peanut Butter Blossoms
makes about 18 cookies

1 cup peanut butter
1 cup sugar
1 egg
18 chocolate kisses


Instructions:

1. Mix peanut butter, sugar*, and egg. Have child mix by hand. It's ooey, gooey, and so much fun!
2. Roll into balls and put on ungreased cookie sheet.
3. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes.
4. While baking (or before you even make the dough) have your child unwrap the kisses. Immediately press them into cookies after removing from oven.
5. Enjoy!

*I like to make this recipe with 1/3 white sugar, 1/3 brown sugar, and 1/3 powdered sugar. Or 1/2 and 1/2 brown and white sugar. So, if you're making this with older kids you can thank me later for the built in lesson on fractions!

Your presence is a present

Dear Self,

It's the holiday season. And you know what that means. We are in full multi-tasking mode! You know what I'm talking about.

You've got a pie crust in the oven. Sweet potatoes boiling. Kale sauteeing. You're adding to your list of last minute grocery shopping while checking pinterest for preschool ideas. All the while your daughter is painting forty different pictures and you have to admire and comment on each one. You decide to start a five minute pick-up before hubby gets home. Then the baby wakes up and you decide during all of this that he really could use some good face time with you, since it's been a while.

And during all of this. You've forgotten something.

(Hint: It's the kale. It's totally burnt. Don't look at it. Definitely don't taste it. Just put the pan in the sink and run it under some water. Maybe count yourself lucky that you were able to use that particular item from the CSA box without actually having to eat it.)

And this isn't the first day something like this has happened. Yesterday you ruined the fancy cheese cakes because you were in too much of a hurry to let your cream cheese thaw out.

Suddenly you stop, to breathe, maybe for the first time since lunch. (Did you have lunch?) And you wonder what else you're missing.

Because tomorrow, it might not be kale or cheese cake. It could be that new technique Jane is trying with her art. Or maybe one of Max's crazy dance moves. Maybe it will be a chance to share your love or testimony with your children. Or just one of those so special cuddle sessions with a baby that will be grown all to fast.

Yes, you are an expert multi-tasker. But this holiday season you don't have to be. I'm giving you a break. In fact, I'm ordering you to take one. Because what your children want more than pumpkin pie from scratch, real cranberry sauce, scented paints, perfect decorations, and a sparkling clean house, is you!

Jane didn't care about your pie or sweet potatoes today. She just wanted you to help her hang her paintings around the house and then admire them.

And so this is your new goal for the holidays. To slow down and be still. It won't kill the holidays to take a break, sit down, and cuddle. In fact, it might just make the season.

Your presence, your absolute presence, is the best gift you can give your children. And the best gift you can give yourself. So sit down, breathe, smile, look into those faces that you love so much. And just be here!

Don't let your mind wander to the perfect facebook post for this moment. Don't pick up your phone to snap the perfect shot. This moment is perfect just the way it is. With you here.

You can't make memories for the future without being here now.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have crescent rolls and cranberry sauce to make all while watching Mickey's Christmas Carol.

Much love,
Amanda

PS Don't count on the crescent rolls turning out either.

Meaningful Thanksgiving Traditions, Crafts, and Songs for Kids

The day after Halloween I turn on the Christmas music. It's tradition. It's fun. And I'm not going to stop. Ever.

But that doesn't mean I go straight to celebrating Christmas. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, and an important one to get us ready for Christmas. What better way to prepare to serve our fellow-men, celebrate the birth of our Savior, and give and receive gifts, than buy remembering everything we are thankful for?

You can find tons of Turkey crafts on pinterest. I'm not going to give you that in this post. Not color-by-numbers, or construction paper pilgrim hats. Those things are great, but what I'm going to talk about are a few more meaningful things to do this Thanksgiving. Things to become traditions and memories.

The ideas I have here have been gathered over a lifetime. Some of them are traditions from when I was a child, the things I remember. Some of them are traditions in my family now, and others are traditions I'm trying to start this year. Still others are traditions from other people. Do not feel overwhelmed by ideas, or like you need to do EVERYTHING! Just pick the activities that speak to you. Traditions are supposed to provide connection, not frustration.

Service Projects

Doorbell ditch the Thanksgiving turkey on the front porch of someone who could use a little help this holiday season.

Set up a canned food drive in your neighborhood.

Help deliver food for a Food Bank or homeless shelter.

Crafts

Make the napkin rings or nameplates for the table. Pinterest has tons of ideas

Make this

"Give Thanks" nature garland.

Cooking

Make a pumpkin pie completely from scratch. (Meaning straight from the pumpkin)

Read "Cranberry Thanksgiving" and make the Cranberry bread recipe in the back.

Have your smallest helpers slather the butter on the turkey. Great sensory experience and they are "helping". 

Older kids can help peel potatoes, make the jello, etc. Do not slave away in the kitchen all by yourself!

Make these Rhodes "corn" rolls.

Songs and Fingerplays

A Turkey is a Funny Bird

The Pilgrims and the Indians

I am Glad for Many Things

Over The River and through the Woods

Gratitude

Make a "Thankful Tree" and add to it every night. There are lots of really cute ideas on Pinterest. But I just hand draw mine on a big piece of butcher/easel paper and cut rectangles from construction paper for the "leaves".

Follow this link, to download a Thanksgiving ABC book for your kids to illustrate. Makes a great keepsake.

Give Thanks Garland

This Thanksgiving garland was so easy and a fun project to do with the kids. We got to go outside, find pretty treasures, and then review our letters! That's like 4 birds in one!

You could make it say anything you want. And you could do it any time of year, using whatever you find on nature walks or in your backyard.

First, gather up your nature materials. Get lots of different things. We were able to get all of ours from our back yard. You may have to search a little more and go on a walk, or to a park. The picture below is how our table looked when we were finished. Get lots of stuff.

Write your letters on cardstock with permanent marker. Hand your kids some glue, and have them go for it. I only had glue sticks and a hot glue gun. The glue sticks worked great for the leaves. But the berries, and larger leaves and flowers required the hot glue gun.

All the letters looked great. But these were my favorites.

The kids actually did most of it. I did the H, N, and T, since they required the glue gun. I technically did the A, too, but it was Max's design and he brought me all the berries to hot glue.

This craft is basically free and really cute.Because we're in a rental, I didn't want to put holes in my wall, so I had to make do with hanging it from the stair railing. Yarn and clothespins look cute, but I'm sure there are numerous other ways to hang up your letters.

This was fun and the kids loved it. Try it!

Veteran's Day Ideas for Kids

So I had lots of ideas to celebrate Veteran's Day and teach my children more about the men and women who make this country great. Unfortunately half of us are sick with an awful head cold! So that rules out the parade we were going to go to.

But...

If there is a parade in your area, you should totally go!

Other ideas.

Talk to your children about what a veteran is.
Tell stories about some of the veterans that may be in your family history.
For older kids, learn the words to "God Bless America" or "America the Beautiful," etc.
For younger children, the songs on this page work well for introducing the concept of veterans.

I really liked this little mini-book to make and read to your kids. It's the poem "In Flander's Field." What's great about this, is that it is short enough to read to the younger set. You can explain what the poem is saying as you go along and then kids can color the pictures. The poem presents some good ideas and topics of discussion for the older set. It's a powerful poem. It's so important to introduce our children to quality, and classic, literature. Take advantage of this opportunity.

If possible, visit a memorial. Our city has put up 1000 flags in honor of veteran's day. We may go over today and practice some counting.

Looking for a service project? How about making cards for The Red Cross' "Holiday Mail for Heroes"?  You can find the guidelines and information here.

Happy Veteran's Day everybody!

Halloween is coming...

It's going to be super fun!

Fourth of July: More than just red, white, and blue

When I was trying to plan preschool for this week, I knew that I wanted to have the theme be Fourth of July. But I was super disappointed with what I found on the internet as resources for preschool. Most of it was just various, cutesy crafts, painting fireworks, or decorating with red, white and blue. All those things are great, of course, and they are nice to do. But I wanted a lesson plan that really celebrated America and all I was finding was fluff.

So I had to come up with something on my own. I'm sharing some of what we are doing early so that you can do it with your kids, if you would like. Red, White and Blue is nice. But a beginning introduction to what makes America special, our flag, and some American history is better.

First, the flag. This was easiest part because you can find F is for flag worksheets, crafts, lesson plans, etc. Be sure to count the stripes. What does each strip represent? What does each star represent? What are the colors? Who made the flag? All of these questions can be discussed while working on one of the various flag crafts you can find around the internet.

Second, What makes America special? Every day we are briefly discussing what makes America special. I am using the rights guaranteed in the First Amendment as our guide. Here I've included the pictures and quick explanation for each. With younger kids, just this explanation will do. These explanations are, obviously, very simplified. But we're talking about 3-5 year-olds here. With a little bit older kids you may want to discuss further, maybe do a little playacting or something.

Freedom of Religion: We can go to whatever church we want.

Freedom of Speech: We can say whatever we want.

Freedom of the Press: The news can say whatever it wants.

Freedom of Assembly: We can meet with whoever we want.

And now for the big story of the week! We are talking about Paul Revere! I decided to tell the very simple story and then read (the very abridged) poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. When reading the poem I use the following pictures, a lot of expression, and a ton of sound effects. You HAVE to keep your kids attention. Once Paul Revere takes off on his horse, intersperse throughout the rest of the poem the sound of a horse galloping, followed by "The Redcoats are coming! The redcoats are coming!" (I know he didn't really yell this, but it adds to the drama of the story so I keep it in.) I've included my abridged version of the poem below along with the pictures I use for it. Be sure to make the picture of Paul Revere "gallop". Get into this! It's fun.

Here's a video of me doing it with the kids. They were thrown by the camera, but Jane is usually a lot louder with her sound effects. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eN1corvDqw&feature=youtu.be

Listen my children and you shall hear

Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere,

He said to his friend, “If the British march

By land or sea from the town to-night,

Hang a lantern aloft in the belfry arch

One if by land, and two if by sea;

And I on the opposite shore will be,

Ready to ride and spread the alarm

For the country folk to be up and to arm.”

Meanwhile, his friend through alley and street

Wanders and watches, with eager ears,

Till in the silence around him he hears

The muster of men at the barrack door,

Marching down to their boats on the shore.

Then he climbed the tower of the Old North Church,

And startled the pigeons from their perch

By the trembling ladder, steep and tall,

To the highest window in the wall,

On the opposite shore walked Paul Revere.

Now he patted his horse’s side,

But mostly he watched with eager search

The belfry tower of the Old North Church,

And lo! as he looks, on the belfry’s height

A glimmer, and then a gleam of light!

He springs to the saddle, the bridle he turns,

A second lamp in the belfry burns.

A hurry of hoofs in a village street,

Struck out by a steed flying fearless and fleet;

That was all! And yet, through the gloom and the light,

The fate of a nation was riding that night;

It was twelve by the village clock

When he crossed the bridge into Medford town.

He heard the crowing of the cock,

And the barking of the farmer’s dog,

It was two by the village clock,

When he came to the bridge in Concord town.

He heard the bleating of the flock,

And the twitter of birds among the trees,

You know the rest. In the books you have read

How the British Regulars fired and fled,—

How the farmers gave them ball for ball,

From behind each fence and farmyard wall,

A voice in the darkness, a knock at the door,

And a word that shall echo for evermore!

In the hour of darkness and peril and need,

The people will waken and listen to hear

The hurrying hoof-beats of that steed,

And the midnight message of Paul Revere.

Well, I hope you're inspired!

Let it go...Christmas won't be perfect.

I recently saw some people on a forum saying that they love Christmas but they hate the stress. They don't like the stress of buying the perfect present and hosting the family get-together, and all the baking and cooking, and in general trying to make everything perfect and magical for the kids.

If you are looking to create or have the perfect Christmas you are setting yourself up for disappointment. Who's to say what's perfect anyway?

 Today the kids and I made Santa hats out of construction paper, cotton balls, and as you can see from this picture...lots of glue.

Yeah, okay, nobody's project ended up looking like a Santa hat.

But we did get a real nice Cumulus cloud going over here.


This isn't my first try at a Christmas project that didn't go as planned. I plan lots of things and want them to be just as I envision them and they rarely are.  Are you like me?

You may be like me, and envision a fun day of sledding, only to have it end after three minutes because one kid got snow on their chin and the other refused to wear gloves. If you are like me, you swore you were NEVER GOING SLEDDING AGAIN!  If your kids are like mine, the next day they were both talking about it like it had been fun and want to go again.

Or maybe you envision handing out neighbor gifts and singing a spiritual carol at the door, but the only thing your kids will sing is "Santa Claus is Coming to Town".

Or maybe you are trying to make Santa hats and just get a mountain of cotton balls. But in the end my kids didn't look at their project in disappointment. They'd had a blast.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that things ARE NOT going to be perfect, and like Clark Griswald, we've got to stop expecting it and setting ourselves up for failure. The thing is, Christmas is magical for kids with very little effort. They will enjoy anything you try, even if it is a complete failure. Just don't react like I did with the sledding and swear to never go again. Chances are your kids didn't think it was a failure at all.

Christmas Paper Lanterns

I was trying to think of a cost and time-efficient gift to give to my neighbors and friends. I wanted it to be handmade, heartfelt, and reflect the true meaning of Christmas. Into my memory walks this picture. Isn't it a beautiful paperbag lantern? There were tons of them my freshman year at Temple Square in Salt Lake City saying different things in different languages.


Here's my cute freshmen self with my old college roommate and friend for life, Whitney. Don't we look so cute and young? Now Whitney is in law school and I have two kids and the next time we take a picture here we will probably be going through a mid-life crisis. ;)

But that's beside the point. It was the paper lantern that inspired me. I didn't have paper bags (at least I didn't think I did. I've since found some. But making little lanterns like this isn't that hard.

Here is one of my creations from today. Not as fancy. But the same message.

I used cardstock so as to be less of a fire hazard (much less risk of the paper crumpling into the flame or anything, but tomorrow I am getting flameless tealights anyways, just to be safe). I also made some pretty ones out of green and red construction paper.

Cut a standard size piece of paper in half. On one side either draw the picture or write the word that you want on your lantern. Be sure to leave about an inch or space between your word or picture and the bottom of the paper. If you are doing a word, write it flipped backwards so that the side of the paper not written on is the side everyone will see. Then take a push pin and poke holes along the lines. You can add embellishments or add thicker lines in some places if you are artistic or know calligraphy.

When you are done punching holes, cut 5-7 darts along the bottom of the paper. Then wrap paper around a cardboard circle, folding tabs between darts over the cardboard and taping to the circle. Tape the piece of paper together at the sides to form a cylinder. Add a handle. And you're done!

This is definitely a project for older kids (at least the punching part), but if you make a lantern of white paper, your younger kids can color on the paper and that shows up against the candle light and looks quite pretty.

Once again, these make lovely gifts, and we handed some out tonight with a real candle burning in them, but will be switching to flameless. I wouldn't leave this lantern unattended for safety reasons, but it was quite fun and pretty to hold while caroling!

11 Tips for A Peaceful Christmas

I know it seems early, but I truly believe the secret to a peaceful, meaningful Christmas has to start early. Here are just a few tips and tricks that have helped me in the past and that I have learned from other great women in my life.

1. Shop for as much as possible now so you can stay out of the store in December. Christmas shop...now! Skip that Black Friday sale. Research shows that, except for a few select items the stores use to lure buyers, everything else is actually a better buy in October! I would also include food. Staying out of the stores will help you avoid long lines and holiday meltdowns from your kids. And just think how relaxed you'll feel when you aren't worrying about Christmas presents!

2. Keep the TV off or just watch movies. I love Christmas commercials, but let's face it. The last thing you need in December is for your kids to see a commercial for some and suddenly change their Christmas list and leave you in a lurch. Avoiding the materialistic side of Christmas will also help make it more meaningful.

3.  Sit down at the beginning of the holiday and write down everything you both want, and have, to do (include your kids tthoughts). Then cross off half the list. We often feel there is so much we HAVE to do to make Christmas special, but frankly, it will feel a lot more special to you and your kids if you aren't beyond stressed!

4. Get your Christmas cards made and addressed before Thanksgiving so all you have to do is send them out. If this isn't possible, think about sending out a Valentine's card instead.

5.  Remember that list you made? Write down one thing to do every day on a calendar and then do it!

6. Be sure to include at least one service project or donation in your holiday and then involve your kids.

7.  Don't let Pinterest get to you! I ran into this at Halloween, feeling like I must be a lousy mom because I wasn't doing all these awesome crafts with my kids. Make Christmas cuddly, snuggly, warm and happy. It doesn't always have to be wrapped in scrap paper and glitter.

8. Wrap your presents early so you don't have to do it Christmas eve. Just do it!

9.  Read several Christmas stories. Out loud. Feel free to bawl your eyes out.

10. Have friends over...once.

11. Read about Christ. Every. Single. Day. Talk to your kids about it.

What do you do to have a peaceful, meaningful Christmas?

Easter in eggs

This is a fun way to tach your children the Easter story. You will need 12 plastic eggs and an empty egg carton.

Fill each egg with the materials (bolded) for each part of the story, and then number the eggs in the order they are to be opened. I have included the parts of the story for each egg as well as italicized the specific thing each piece is to represent. You can also use the scripture references if you like. As you read, you will see that some parts of the story are not included in the eggs, you can fill in the spaces as you like in between eggs.

Pictures also help with telling the story. I remember doing this as a kid. Let each child take turns opening the eggs. Have fun, this can become a fun tradition for your family.

Sacrament cup
Explain how Christ in the Garden of Gesthemane asked for this cup to pass from him. Then "Not my will, but Thy will be done" and how he bled from every pore.

Luke 22:41-42

3 dimes
Explain that Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss for 30 pieces of silver
Matt 26:14-15

Twine
The soldiers bound Jesus with rope and led him to Pontius Pilate
Matt 27:2

Soap
Pontius Pilate asked the crowd what he should do with Jesus who had done nothing wrong. The crowd called for him to crucified, so Pilate said he washed his hands of the whole thing.
Matt 27:22-24

Red material, thorn
The soldiers put a red robe on Christ and a crown of thorns on his head and then hit his head with the thorns still on it. Lightly prick each child with the thorn if they want to feel.
Matt 27:27-31

Cross (made from toothpicks), nail
Christ was then crucified on a cross. They hung him there by putting nails through his hands and feet (you can lightly prick the braver of your children on the hands)
Luke 23:33

Dice
Explain that the soldiers cast lots, or played a game, to decide who got to keep Jesus' clothes.
Luke 23:35

Dirt (wrapped in a plastic baggy)
After Jesus died the temple veil was rent and the rocks were crushed (the dirt is supposed to be the crushed rock)
Matt 27:51
White cloth
Some of Jesus' followers took his body and wrapped it in linen cloth and then laid him in a tomb.
Matt 27:57-59
Rock
A big stone was rolled in front of the door of the tomb
Matt 27:60

Spices
Explain that Mary Magdalene and two others went to put spices on Jesus body so that he wouldn't stink. Have each child smell the spices (I like to use cloves and a bay leaf)
Luke 24:1-2

Empty
Make a big to-do about this egg. Say that the stone was rolled away and there were two angels sitting on it. What was inside the tomb? Have a child open the egg. It is empty, just like the tomb!
Luke 24:3-6

Cheap Easter Egg fun

This morning, we had eggs for breakfast. But, they were no ordinary eggs. They were plastic Easter eggs (for 5 cents at wal-mart on clearance, the bigger ones). I filled the Easter eggs full of different kinds of cereal. Then I let my boys choose a couple of different eggs and 'crack' them open into their bowl. They had fun seeing what kind of cereal they got. And they didn't even mind that it was mixed together. We had so much fun doing that, we decided to pack James a lunch in eggs. We put chicken casserole, some cheetos, apple crisp, and even some Sprite (in a plastic bag) into eggs and gave him a note that said something about being an 'egg'septional dad. It was a blast, although James thought it was a little gross. Oh well. I think next year, we'll have our family Easter egg hunt in the morning and I'll do cereal in most of the eggs. That way the children can eat all the food they get, but they don't have to be loaded down with sugar or keep candy stashed away for weeks.