The Story In The Carols

I don't like to leave things unfinished.  This post will, for me, just tie it all up neatly.  

This December was unexpectedly harder for me.  This is why the posts just quietly stopped. 

But we didn't stop.  My Christmas enthusiasm was carried by my children, one in particular, who continued to celebrate and make memories even on the days when I couldn't.  

And that for me was a gift; knowing that they have caught, and cherish our traditions of the past years.  

This was my present from Butterfly... She gets it :)

We attended a Christmas parade with friends.

Crystal and Butterfly with Friend #1

Blossom and Crystal with Friend #2

Arrow and Cedar watching the bikes.

We finished our Story Beads.  I managed to finally find the crotchet cotton I wanted to use, rather than wool.  

Butterfly set up little things around the house to add to the festive feel.

*Broken Glass Jelly*

It's No Fairy Tale

For a few months a little group of home educated children practiced a play written by a home educated young lady.  Butterfly, Blossom, and Crystal were all a part of the production.

They were very privileged to be able to record their little show at a radio station and have it aired just before Christmas.  This was a really neat experience.

Listening carefully to the radio man.

Blossom speaking her lines.

Butterfly speaking her lines.

Crystal speaking her lines.

The choir

Butterfly sang a duet

Crystal surprised us by singing a solo like an angel!

She is a natural.

The group performed the play at our local home educators end of year break up.

Centre of photo Blossom, Butterfly, Crystal

Crystal singing her solo

Butterfly dancing

Butterfly singing her duet

Blossom and Crystal dancing

Blossom and Crystal dancing

To listen to the radio broadcast online  *It's No Fairy Tale*

Blossom speaking @ 1:37
Butterfly's duet @ 4:39
Butterfly speaking @ 7:07
Crystal's solo @ 7:53
Crystal speaking @ 9:00

Merry Christmas

~Lorna

The Story In The Carols Day 8

Today the angels were found in the Sylvanian house living room holding a picture of Bethlehem once again.

Bethlehem was the city of King David's family.  Jesus was descended from that family line and therefore was descended from earthly royalty as well as being the Son of God.

Christmas Bead Story

Star Bead - A very bright star appeared in the sky.

 Cedar opened the book today.

Here is my trusty creative girl making a nativity out of cookies!

~Lorna

The Story In The Carols Day 7

Our angels were holding a picture of a little town in a desert.

O, Little Town of Bethlehem is our carol.  I was interested to learn, a few years ago, that Bethlehem means "house of bread".  Jesus is referred to as the "bread of life" and he was born in a town whose name is "house of bread".  God sure loves to have every finest detail in there!

Christmas Bead Story

2 Green Beads - The shepherds go to see Jesus.

Today's book was opened by Blossom.  Cedar chose the counting book.

The girls are in a little Christmas play being put on by our local home educators group.  I snapped these at their practice.

Butterfly and her friend singing a duet.

Dancing Angels

Finale

~Lorna

The Story In The Carols Day 6

Today the angels hid in the tree with a picture of a manger.

Today's carol is Away In A Manger.  We talked about our response to Jesus as sung in the 3rd verse.  Christmas is a time to reflect on our response to the birth of Jesus and all that it means.

Christmas Bead Story

White Bead - An angel appears to shepherds keeping watch in the field and tells them Jesus has been born.

 Today's book, Follow The Star, was opened by Crystal, and Blossom chose Frosty to read.

Our snack today was White Chocolate Popcorn with Christmas sprinkles.

FINALLY DECORATING THE TREE!

Slightly blurry, much fun.

~Lorna

The Story In The Carols Day 5

Just a short post for Day 5, a day late.  This is due to the fact that to add to one broken down vehicle, vehicle #2 broke down on our way home from collecting our Christmas tree.  Then to discover that vehicle #3 we hoped to use until we could fix the work van had a blown out tire!  Not such fun today.

However, before that sad wee note, we did do our little activities.

Today the angels were holding a picture of Mary and Joseph watching over the manger.

The carol was Silent Night.  I talked to the children about how night feels, and what "the dawn of redeeming grace" means.  Redeeming Grace is actually what Christmas is about.

Christmas Bead Story

Purple flat bead - Baby Jesus, the new king, is born. Purple represents royalty.

Arrow opened todays book, Silent Night.  I am always a bit amazed when these things match up without my planning!  Crystal chose the book, The Steadfast Tin Soldier.

 Here are the boys carrying the tree to the van.

~Lorna