Christmas Events

We got to do some new things that we thoroughly enjoyed. Matt had a total of 17 days off from work (Dec. 24 - Jan. 12) and it was quality family time, at home.
*Christmas in the Park - SBC Outreach (serving popcorn; Micah learned how to use the machine); *SBC Winterfest - we took Micah's friend Kevin M.; *Santa fly-in at Deer Valley airport; *SBC Christmas Eve service; *Christmas Eve and morning in our home, in our pajamas!; *An evening drive looking at Christmas lights; *Day trip to Flagstaff for sledding; *Matt joined us on a trip to the Barton Home; *New Year's Eve hosting soup & games (until 8pm); *Afternoon at CrackerJax; and lots of playing and organizing (new things in - old things out).

Merry Christmas!!

We're home!! The last time we had Christmas at home Lilly was a newborn and we hosted all 4 grandparents (2007). It's a little blurry to me, haha! We recently had visits from all the grandparents and so here we are ... not traveling and Matt home for over 2 weeks.
We did it!! We completed our Jesse Tree for the very first time. It was wonderful!! A great celebrating and learning experience.

Jesse Advent Tree

This month our heart focus and school focus are parallel with one another. This is a great year for putting huge efforts into our Jesse Advent Tree. Lilly is old enough to sit with us, get the ornaments out, and hear the message through our daily devotions. Micah is old enough to take it to a deeper level, if he asks to. This is only our second year to stay home for Christmas (the last time was 2007, when Lilly was a newborn), so we are actually going to complete our Jesse Tree this year. How exciting!!!

Our verses: The Christmas Story in Luke 2, those from the Jesse Tree, Isaiah 9:6, and emphasizing the one and only purpose of Jesus' birth. To save us!! To be our Savior!! What a perfect time to reflect on what God's purpose is for our lives. He has one!

Grandma & Grandpa Rich's visit

We decided not to have official school time during Grandma & Grandpa Rich's visit. But, it was a learning experience in time for relationships, playing games, and special outings. We had some Christmas festivities to celebrate with them including our church's Christmas Concert and the Phoenix Zoo ZooLights. We spent one full day at the Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium.

And more patterns

Can a person have too much fun learning? We made gingerbread houses from scratch and decorated with leftover candy (Halloween and before).

More patterns

As a science project we colored pasta noodles overnight and made necklaces the next day. Our necklaces, obviously, were patterned. Lilly enjoyed this one with us. We then used those same patterns to integrate our verse: Romans 12:2 "Do not conform yourselves to the patterns of the world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God - what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect." (Synonyms for patterns: standards, habits, routines)

Worldly Patterns - orange = lying; purple = stealing; blue = selfishness; green = love of money.

Godly Patterns - orange = praise God; purple = read Bible; blue = pray; green = love others.
(Anyone from the Beth Moore Esther study might say we could do some ciastic structuring here.)

Christmas patterns

For math this week we're learning about patterns. Micah took the camera around the house in search of patterns, we made patterns with the blocks, and made some pattern paper chains for the Christmas tree.

Stockings - AB AB pattern

Letters

Micah frequently requests being able to send a letter or drawing to a friend or relative. Great teachable moments. Maybe you've been the receipient of one.

An officially published book

We sent out Micah's Illlustory Book this week! Whooo hoo. It's entitled: A Butterfly's Trip to the Moon.