Christmas 2007

The Christmas season has passed all too quickly this year. We didn't get to do a lot of the things I had hoped for. The crafts, the treats, the outings, the lessons. We have spent a great deal of this season working through rough times in our family and dashing around trying to "get things together" with our newly evolving home program.

We memorized Luke chapter 2 verses 8-12, as well as Isaiah 9:6, both of which pertain to the Savior's birth. We've also learned Away in a Manger and Jingle Bells. Not nearly as much as I would have liked to teach him in regards to Christmas. But something is better than nothing, and they were certainly worthwhile things to learn.

But Christmas is in less than three days now, and we're currently enjoying the laid-back routine and the atmosphere of celebration and family togetherness. I'll let you know how the rest of the season goes...

How it Went: Pictures from Our Christmas Season



Making a fruit loop necklace, December 01






Exploring the many displays at the Festival of Lights in St. John, December 7th







Visiting a stable and manger display downtown, December 08






Gone sledding, December 08






Picture with Santa, December 9








Christmas Day with some of his cousins








Hunter and Anthony, Christmas weekend

Hunter is 2 years, 9 months old

Recognizing Quantities with the Candy Game

"After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward."

Genesis 15:1

Hunter is 2 years,9 months old

Math Program - Anthony's First "Test"

Anthony passed his first "test" today. Okay, so it wasn't really a test: it was actually a problem-solving opportunity (which is quite different: see blogs on "testing" for more on this).

But nonetheless, I caught it on video that Anthony actually is absorbing everything I've been teaching him. And I'm proving to the unbelieving world that babies really can learn math.

I stepped into this math program on 100% faith. It sounded too good to be true. But I was genuinely curious: "It looks stupid, and it can't be true. But how exactly do they claim to accomplish teaching babies math?" And while I had never actually heard of anyone who was trained by this method, and even though it seemed impossible and too good to be true, there was a flicker of curious hope that said, "But what if it IS true!" I would never be able to live with a clear conscience if I didn't at least TRY it. So I did, and it has been a joyous triumph.

We are just in the beginning, and there is so much more to come. I am thoroughly excited and continually overjoyed in this discovery, and eagerly anticipate sharing our progress.

Anthony is 1 year, 1 month old

First Big Bible Verse

Hunter has memorized his first somewhat large Bible passage! (Luke 2:8-12) I have a video but it's on my camcorder so whenever I get the right cord I will be able to upload it. I am so proud of him!

"And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people..."

Luke 2:10

Hunter is 2 years, 8 months old

Making Paper Chains

Today we did our first Christmas activity - making paper chains! I had always loved making paper chains when I was a kid so I thought this would be a fun one for Hunter to do.

He did really good at this and did a lot on his own!

I showed him how to use the glue and make the links and he made his own chain of about 12 links by the time the night was done.

It was a great exercise for developing concentration, small motor skills, and patterning (red / green / red / green...).

"And two chains of pure gold at the ends; of wreathen work shalt thou make them, and fasten the wreathenchains to the ouches." 

Exodus 28:14

Hunter is 2 years, 8 months old