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The Kids’ Gardens

August 12, 2015 By Laura 5 Comments

After intending to for far too long, I am finally sharing with you our kids’ little gardens, today!

All 4 of our kids help in our family gardens at some point or other through the gardening seasons; although some do with more joy and ambition than others. There is always some weeding, dead-heading flowers, or picking vegetables, that needs tending to. I do much of it myself, but sometimes I could use another pair of hands, and the company is nice sometimes, too.

But just prior to the gardening season in 2013, I pitched the idea to the kids, of having their very own little garden.
I explained that they could plant and grow whatever they wanted, but they were also responsible for keeping it up. That meant keeping it weeded, watered, dead-heading their own flowers, and generally tending to it with love.  Not only that, but after their father built the frame base, they had to be a team and prepare the bed themselves. They all loved the idea, and each have had their own little garden ever since!


It may have been more work than they anticipated, that first year!  Because although we have had loam brought in by the truck full for our other garden beds, we had a perfectly good dirt pile next to the driveway that we didn’t really want there.  It had been overgrown with weeds and grass, though. Basically, it was less of a dirt pile any longer, and more like a grassy hill, riddled with rocks! So they did work hard, like a team. The boys dug the hill up, pulling and shaking out the grass and weed clumps, and putting shovel fulls earth onto the handmade screen on the wheel barrow.  The girls sifted the dirt through, to remove all of the rocks, and then wheeled the barrow over to the garden bed, and dumped the dirt in.

That was the less than fun part. But they made the most of it, and it was good and done for many years to come.
Now let’s look at their gardens, today…. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Gardening, Homeschooling, Parenting, The Big Picture, The Homestead Tagged With: Catholic-blogs, Catholic-families, Catholic-kids, Celosia, creative-gardening-for-kids, garden photos, Gardening, gardening-ideas-for-kids, homeschooling, kids-gardening, kids-gardens, lessons-in-gardening-for-kids, painted-garden-rocks

Calvary Hill Planting | A Kids’ Lent Project

February 26, 2012 By Laura 29 Comments

020_easter-empty-tomb-calvary-hill-plant-kids-project-150x150

When Lent comes around, it’s difficult enough for us as adult Christians, to decide in which ways we’d like to embrace the 40 days leading to Easter. We are led by 3 things: Sacrifice, Prayer, and Alms-giving.  But as parents, we also want our children to take part in some way, and fully realize the significance of this period of time, too!  Attending Mass (especially through Holy Week), hearing the Scripture relating to Jesus’ death and resurrection, and witnessing (or participating in, depending on the ages of the children) their parent’s participation throughout Lent, certainly helps build their understanding of the importance of this season in our faith. 

However, I was thrilled last year, to come across this great project for the kids, that really invited them to be involved in some significant way even more, throughout the Lenten Season!:


020_easter-empty-tomb-calvary-hill-plant-kids-project
Calvary Hill

As parents instruct the kids how to build this project, and plant and water the grass seeds, they have the opportunity to teach, or further discuss, the reality of the death and resurrection of Jesus, why and how He died, and what that means for all of us!

 This Calvary Hill plant needs to be nurtured and tended to by the kids, throughout Lent. By Easter, it is beautiful plant, symbolic why we celebrate. It makes for a wonderful Easter table centerpiece, and can also be put outdoors to keep for many months!  We put ours out near our gardens, on our potting bench.  It can also simply be placed right into a garden bed, or on a deck. We trimmed the grass down when necessary, and kept it watered, enjoying it for long past Easter.

001_calvary-hill-plant-supplies Pictured here are some of the supplies you will need.

Here is a more complete list: 

  • Organic Seed Starting Mix (we used Jiffy brand)
  • Organic Hard Winter Wheat Berries, OR, Winter Rye (we used Winter Rye),
  • a large (12″) flower pot dish (w/ no drain hole),
  • a small (4″) flower pot and it’s dish,
  • small rocks (for drainage),
  • a pail
  • pail and shovel, with some water, for mixing soil.
  • some straightish-sticks of any kind, for the crucifixes
  • brown twine to tie together crucifixes
  • probably a glue gun

002_easter-kids-lent-project First will be creating Jesus’ tomb: Lie the small pot on it’s side, in the center of the large pot dish, with the opening of the pot a couple of inches or so from the inside edge of the big dish. The small pot is representative of Jesus’ tomb. You just want to be sure you leave room for the dish to that pot, to be in front of the pot opening, and room to roll to the side, which will serve as the stone in front of Jesus’ tomb.
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003_kids-lent-project Fill the whole bottom of the large potting dish with small rocks on the 3 sides of the small pot (Jesus’ tomb), supporting it to keep it from rolling. Smaller rocks than we used are acceptable and may even be more suitable and manageable. We just grabbed some from our driveway! 
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004_mixing-soil Next, in a pail, add water to some Organic Seed Starter Mix . . . . . .

005_ . . . . . .and mix to make some nice wet dirt!

006_ Time to get dirty!

Scoop handfuls of dirt out of the pail, and place it all around the sides of and behind the tomb, as well as right over the top of it.  Create a nice round hill. 

*Note that in these photos, you see some dirt in front of the lid and somewhat in the way here. We learned that was not a good idea, as dirt was always falling out when we moved the lid. It is best to keep it clear of any soil.

007_soil  Again, keep the dirt away from the front of the tomb, so the ‘stone’ can roll away.  But be sure the tomb is covered in the soil mixture.

009_calvary-hill-seeding Next, is planting the seed. As mentioned earlier, we used Winter Rye, but Organic Hard Winter Wheat Berries can also be used.  Either grow quickly!  Simply cover the soil with the seed, pressing down into it if possible, and perhaps cover it with some more where you can, if there is room.

010_stick-crosses Now 3 crucifixes need to be made.  We wanted to keep it simple and rustic, so we simply found some straight sticks up in our wooded area, and created crossed wrapping the twine in a criss-cross effect around the intersection of the 2 sticks.  We tied off and then cut the twine ends, but then also used a dab of glue with a glue gun to secure it.

011_building-calvary-hill-plant-easter The crucifixes can be placed into the soil of your Calvary Hill now, as we did right away.  But as a tip, they would stay in place better, if you waited a bit for the seed to sprout and begin to grow, so there is a bit of a root system established to support the sticks.


012_kids-calvary-hill-plant-project
Here is what ours looked like, all done and ready to grow!

We brought it indoors, and placed it on a plastic covered table where sunlight would be on it a good part of the day. Throughout the first week or so, the kids need to simply mist spray the soil with water, in a spray bottle, 3 times a day, to keep the soil moist, and encourage the seed to sprout.  Perhaps you can come up with a simple 1 or 2 line poem to say, while they do this, as a form of meditation.
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013_kids-lent-project
It’s growing!  The kids will be so excited to see this.

As sprouts push upward from beneath, some dirt will tumble down. This is why it is important to really try to keep the soil quite moist, until it is all held in place by the grass that grows. We thought the plastic table covering was wise, because all of the water spraying.
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014-seeds-sprouting You will also notice some seeds and seed casings being pushed up to the surface. It’s fine.


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Before you know it, you’ll have lush green grass, on your Calvary Hill!

More photos of Jesus’ empty tomb….

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017_calvary-hill-plant-jesus-tomb

018_rustic-stick-crucifixes I just love this photo.


019_calvary-hill-kids-project
On Good Friday, you can wrap a clothespin with a white piece of cloth or paper towel, or simply cover it.  The clothespin and wrap is representative of Jesus’ body.
  Then roll the stone to close the opening of His tomb.  : (
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020_easter-empty-tomb-calvary-hill-plant-kids-project
On Easter morning
, JESUS IS RISEN!  When the kids get up in the morning, let them find the stone rolled away from Jesus’ tomb, and his garments folded or rolled neatly inside. 

It is our hope and prayer as adults, that our Lenten Season practices, help draw us closer to Jesus, deepening our relationship with Him.  May your kids not only enjoy this project, but like the seeds in the fertile soil, may it help sprout a faith in their hearts, that is bound to grow within them, and help guide them all throughout their lives.

ALLELUIA!!

(We’re happy to discuss this project, or answer any questions for you, in the comments below.)

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Filed Under: Crafts & Creations, Faith, Homeschooling, Kids Arts and Crafts, Kids Arts and Crafts, The Big Picture, Tutorial Tagged With: calvary-hill-plant, calvary-hill-plant-how-to, calvary-hill-plant-tutorial, Catholic-blogs, Catholic-families, Catholic-kids, christian-kids-project, Easter, easter-kids-projects, Easter-plant, Easter-table-centerpiece, kids-easter-crafts, kids-easter-lent-projects, kids-lent-projects, lenten-arts-and-crafts, lenten-projects, triplets

‘3 Clean Hearts’ | The Triplets Make Their First Penance / Reconciliation

December 19, 2009 By Laura 4 Comments

We are a Catholic family, and our triplets {J, O & S} made their Sacrament of First Penance/Reconciliation last Saturday!

catholic-triplets-first-penance-reconciliation

 It was a nice service, considering they were only 3 of 78 other kids celebrating the same Sacrament that day- and that was only half the class!  The other half made theirs the previous Saturday.

They all did very well, and I can say our 3 were not as nervous or hesitant as  I half-expected. I’d venture to say they were perhaps over-prepared for this first time.  They knew their Act of Contrition by heart, and were counting on saying it on their own, and were expecting a lot of the usual procedure they had learned.  But, as it were for this time, the whole class read that prayer together from their program, and many little things were done a tad differently, for the sake of getting through that many children in a timely-manner, I guess.  We weren’t really sure how the service, or Confession for each child, was going to go, so, we were ready for anything.  There were 9-10 priests on hand, and they were scattered about the church in empty pews.  Nonetheless, they know things will be a bit different from here on out, and they’re ready!

triplets

After the service at the church, there was a reception gathering at the parish center with all of the children, parents and teachers, for treats and coffee.   We only stayed for a short bit, because we couldn’t verify anything there was peanut safe, and I felt bad – so we went home and had a treat. On the way home, the kids talked about how they felt good having had their first Confession. {O} said she felt like she had a ‘clean heart’ now, and the boys agreed that’s how they felt too.  Their sweet little smiles warmed my own heart.  Of course, that was 7 days ago.  ; )  Another ‘cleansing’ is due for us all, just around the corner, as it is tradition in our family to go at La Salette Shrine every year, on Jan 1st or 2nd as well.  We always go to Mass and Penance there.

A little bit later, we took a gift card we had been given from a friend to a very nice nearby restaurant, and went and had a celebratory lunch together as a family.  Hardly anyone else was there, so it was really peaceful, and the food was really good.  Later that night we had a family-movie night.

triplets

They did receive beautiful certificates with their name on them, which will go into their ‘baby bins’. (At what point/age will we stop calling them ‘baby’ bins? lol)   Someone in the parish also made these adorable snowmen for the kids, that held little dum-dum pops. So cute.

All in all, the kids are just happy they are 1 step closer to the Sacrament they are truly looking forward to:  First Holy First Communion.  They have been waiting to be able to receive Jesus in the Eucharist, for so, so long.  That’s a day we all look forward to.

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Filed Under: Celebrations, Faith, Faith/ Catholic, Life In General, The Big Picture Tagged With: Catholic-blogs, Catholic-families, Catholic-First-Penance, Catholic-First-Reconciliation, Catholic-Holy-Sacraments, Catholic-kids, Catholics, triplets

A Simple Pentecost Sunday with Kids

June 6, 2009 By Laura 4 Comments

Our Pentecost Sunday this year was really quite simple. Not quite the more elaborate occasion we made it last year.  But it was nice anyway.  Acknowledging it was the most important thing to us, starting with Mass.  But the kids (6, 6, 6, 11) spent the morning, before leaving for Mass, trying to remember and name all 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit, the 12 Fruits of the Holy Spirit, and the 12 apostles.

But when we got home, we did decide to make some Holy Spirit cupcakes.

pentecost-for-kids_2

We added orange and yellow food coloring and attempted to make the frosting into peaks, to resemble the fire of the Holy Spirit that descended upon the apostles, of course.   Our technique and the outcome may have been a little lacking, but the kids had fun, and thought it all was awesome!


They wasted no time taste-testing one themselves, and you can bet Daddy and I joined them!  They were indeed delicious!   Such a light frosting that we whipped up.

We spent a good part of the day outdoors.  But later on in the day, as I came out from my computer cubby, I found {J} right there in his chair, intensely reading a Bible story.  Guess which one?

I just love these signs, that they truly are listening, and taking it all in.   : )   When we discuss a Bible story, or get home from Mass, one or other of the little ones often go grab one of their Bibles, knowing just where to find that story in the pages, to read again.  So, as if seeing him do this wasn’t enough to please a mother, I look up, and just look at what I see happening across the room……….

{O} giving {S} a foot rub!  He looked quite relaxed, reading some Bible stories himself.  It almost brought a tear to my eye.  Not only because it was an incredibly loving sight to see, but because I was jealous!!  ; )   I love foot rubs.  Or foot squeezes.  Probably much more than the average person, and my kids are really good at giving them.

I’m wondering: Are you actually still thinking about the cupcakes as you’ve been reading along here, wishing you could have one right now?  Be truthful now!! It’s o.k. – I understand!  I would be doing the same thing!

Well, your in luck!  Because we saved you one!!

ENJOY!!

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Filed Under: Baking, Celebrations, Drinks, Faith, Faith/ Catholic, Recipes, The Big Picture, Traditions, Treats Tagged With: Catholic, Catholic Pentecost, Catholic-blogs, Catholic-families, Catholic-kids, Holy Spirit cupcakes, Pentecost, Pentecost-ideas-for-kids, triplets

When Little Catholic Kids Can’t Wait to Make Their Holy Communion

May 21, 2009 By Laura 7 Comments

We just wanted to share with you today, what can happen when little Catholic kids can’t wait to make their Holy Communion!

6_catholic-kids-pretend-first-holy-communion

Our triplets (6 year old) have just flat out had it. They have been waiting to make their Holy First Communion, fully aware of all it means and how very special it is, for at least a couple of years now.  At every Mass, they have watched us parents and their big sister go up to receive Jesus in the Eucharist. When we get back to the pew, and kneel down in prayer, one or the other often wants to whisper about how much longer it will be, before they can go up too.

First Holy Communion seasons are especially torturous for them.  For every Sunday Mass we have attended throughout the month of May, and sometimes the end of April and beginning of June too, for years now, they have watched child, after child,.. after child… receive Communion for the first time.  And they sigh, exercising all of the patience they can muster.

But this past weekend really did them in.  Two little girls in our extended family, received their First Holy Communion.  And it’ll be a whole year, before it is their turn. <sigh>.

They have had many Mass services here in our living room.  They have alternated being alter servers, readers, and the priest himself.  With tall candle sticks made of legos, toy colored strings tied around their waists as ropes, and their Bible, they’ve got it down.

But lately, Mass has evolved into their own First Holy Communion, and it has only grown more elaborate, as their need ‘for the real deal’ has set in.  I finally took photos of their service.

So we welcome you, to one of their ‘Pretend First Holy Communion’ Masses…….

1_catholic-kids-pretend-procession
The Procession
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The boys found the only navy blue attire they could come up with – their running suits.  {O} had a fine white dress on hand, and a brand new shoe-lace served as her head piece.

2_catholic-kids-pretend-pew-banners

3_catholic-kids-pretend-mass-liturgy

Before the Liturgy
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4_catholic-kids-pretend-mass-liturgy

5_catholic-kids-pretend-listen-to-homily

Listening to the the Homily
(in this case….silence. Lol)
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6_pretend-catholic-holy-communion

* NOTE: Holy Communion – *It is important to note, that it was decided among them, that it would be rather disrespectful, to actually refer to their pretend Communion, as the ‘Body and Blood of Christ‘.  When in actuality, it is their toys.  So they have come up with alternative language, as to not be irreverent:

The Body of Christ:  “Chips”

The Blood of Christ:  “Cup of Water”
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7_catholic-kids-pretend-first-holy-communion

This is it!
Holy Communion line….

Thankfully, Daddy was on hand, and agreed to distribute Holy Communion, as the priest. 8_catholic-kids-pretend-first-holycommunion

9_catholic-kids-pretend-first-holy-communion

10_catholic-kids-pretend-after-communion-prayer
Some personal prayer, following Communion.
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11_catholic-kids-pretend-recessional

The Recession.

Thank you for joining us.

Go in peace, to love and serve the Lord. 😉

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Filed Under: Faith, Faith/ Catholic, Life In General, The Big Picture Tagged With: Catholic, Catholic-blogs, Catholic-kids, Holy-Communion-pretend, how-Catholic-kids-play, triplets

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