The Winter Solstice

"The third light of Advent is the light of the beasts-

All await the birth, from the greatest to the least."

Last Sunday, we lit the third candle in our Advent wreath.  I read a story called Robin Redbreast from our book, Lighting the Way to Advent by Annette Fronz.

This past week, we talked about the Winter Solstice and what it means. Grant started off the week on Monday with "clay day" where he modeled a ball with the fingertips of his right hand behind his back.  We also did his penny whistle lesson and he is now learning the song, Mary Had a Baby.

I read Grant a story about the solstice from the book, Circle Round.  In the story the sun was tired from shining so bright for so long so night held him tight so he could rest. On earth, the children asked where the sun had gone and the older ones told them if they thanked the sun for all he does for them, he may come back again in the morning.  They began to say their thanks and sun began to feel younger and younger.  The children also lit candles and kept them in a safe place to keep vigil over them during the long dark night.  As every flame is a little spark of the sun's flame, when the sun saw them it made him feel even younger and he was ready to be "re-born" the next morning to the songs of the children and older ones welcoming him back.

Afterward, Grant and I made a sun crown. 

Grant finished up the lesson with some reading.

Later in the afternoon, I sent Grant up to tell Johanna she could come down from nap time (that's a figure of speech, since most of the time she refuses to take a nap).  Afterward, he starts walking down the stairs saying how generous Johanna was because while she was supposed to be sleeping (uh-hum), she put shoes out in front of Grant and Julia's doors with little gifts in them from her room.  How cute is that? Our own little Saint Nicholas!

We had a busy morning on Tuesday, so we didn't get anything done in the way of school.  We did manage to bake and decorate gingerbread cookies in the afternoon, though.

Keeping with the "animal" Advent week, we cut pomegranates into slices and tied twine on them to hang on the trees for the birds (and other critters) on Wednesday.  While I was helping Johanna get suited up to go outside, Julia thought she would help out by putting her own coat on. Not only did she get it on backward, she put it on backward AND upside down!  I do appreciate her initiative!

She tried to put her boots on too, but that didn't go so well.

After the 30 minute "suiting up" session, we headed outside to sled and hang up the pomegranate slices for the birds.

I guess our Christmas vacation came a little early.  We were busy on Thursday morning, and unfortunately, on Friday Cory and I attended a funeral for one of our good friends.  His death was tragic and unexpected, and he will be missed.

Next week we will be lighting the fourth candle of Advent, as well as getting ready for Christmas. This means wrapping presents, baking, sewing and knitting for Mom, and lots of free play time for the kids (maybe a little sewing for Grant as we finish up the gift we are working on for Julia.)

I probably won't be on the blog much until after the holidays, unless something "blog worthy" comes up, which is definitely possible!

Merry Christmas!