Gifts for May

Hundreds of dewdrops to greet the dawn,

Hundreds of bees in the purple clover,

Hundreds of butterflies on the lawn,

But only one mother the wide world over.

Taken from Only One Mother ~ George Cooper

Scenes from my mama journal ...

Exploring His Creation in May ~ Did you get up early enough to see the meteor showers on April 22nd?  If not, check out these snapshots of God's wonder light show!  And why not keep eyeing the skies this month using these Sky Maps to guide you? 

Poetry in May ~ Surrounding you mamas with beautiful words this month:  A Prayer for This House by Louis Untermeyer to maybe print off and hang on the wall?  And for those who spotted this post on Facebook, The Power of a Parent's Words, and it made the heart twinge and the head nod in affirmation, then Her Words by Anna Hempstead Branch may be a sweet read for you this month.  

Inspiration for Moms in May ~ Inspired to Action is consistent in bringing practical tips and useful resources to this mama's inbox.  Mom Heart Online also provides daily reads to encourage and spur us on in this motherhood journey that we all are walking through.  And yes, these free printables to encourage on the hard days!?

Making a Memory in May ~ This video on how to make framed silhouettes is perfect for helping to make a keepsake this month. And this mommy and me journal is a sweet idea to start sharing with your child once he is ready to read and write!

May your month be filled with much momminess and sweet memories! ~ Jessica

Gifts for April

The roofs are shining from the rain,

The sparrows twitter as they fly,

And with a windy April grace

The little clouds go by.

~Taken from Sara Teasdale's poem "April"

Scenes from a spring nature walk and the workings 

of a paper mache globe.

{Psst ... Have you heard?  April 22nd is Earth Day?}  

Exploring His Creation in April ~ Take a tour of our home called "Earth" through these amazing snapshots taken from space ~ a fantastic perspective!  And these quotations from astronauts as they look back at the earth as they travel into space are rather fascinating.  Perhaps preview and choose one or two to share with your child?

Poetry for April ~ "Geography" by Eleanor Farjeon and "The Spinning Earth" by Aileen Fisher are the first two poems found at the top of this poetry website.  We've been enjoying "Geography" quite a bit around here lately.

Reading for the Book Baskets in April ~ To prepare for Earth Day, how about some readings to help share a 'green' message?:  Little Critter: It's Earth Day,  Saving Water and Energy, Recycle, The Three R's: Reuse, Reduce, Recycle,  E is for Environment, It's Easy to be Green, The Adventures of an Aluminum Can, Reduce and Reuse, Our Earth: How Kids are Saving the Planet, Living Green: A Turtle's Quest for a Cleaner Planet, Where Does the Garbage Go?  {Please take time to preview these books as I feel that they would be beneficial for learning, but have not had the opportunity to read all from the list.}

Making a Difference in April ~  Thinking about joining in on a community Earth Day event?  Registered events are listed here: Earth Day Canada, or check your local newspaper for events near you.

And these activities just for kids?: Act for the Planet - a campaign designed just for kids!  Or for further  environmental awareness, these online games at EcoKids  and Green Planet for Kids are chock-full of eco-friendly ideas.

Making a Memory in April ~ Get your hands dirty by digging into these kid-friendly recipes of dirt cups, ants on a log, butterfly cookies and bug brownies!  Too fun!

Something for the Fridge Door in April ~  A sweet something to print off here, or here too, to help remember the beauty gifts that this month holds.  

Something to Hum Along to in April ~ Barlow Girl has a version of this traditional hymn: For the Beauty of the Earth, David Crowder's version of All Creatures of Our God and King, and this pitch perfect rendition of All Things Bright and Beautiful.  A bit of sound wonder to fill our living spaces.

May your month be filled with much discovery and appreciation of the creation all around you ~ Jessica

Gifts for March

Sea Shell, Sea Shell, 

Sing me a song, O please!

A song of ships, and sailormen,

And parrots, and tropical trees, ...

Of fishes and corals under the waves,

And sea horses stabled in great green caves.

Sea Shell, Sea Shell,

Sing of the things you know so well.

~ Taken from Sea Shell by Amy Lowell

Scenes from afternoons at the seaside.

Exploring His Creation in March ~ March 20th marks the first day of spring this year.  Why not plan a spring nature hunt using this list , or find your own spring treasures and record them on this nature journal page.  

While at home, gather the family around to marvel at His creation through these springtime photos. And this artful rendition of This is My Father's World  is sure to add more beauty to your day.

Poetry for March ~ Some poems to savour over snack time or to share while pausing during an afternoon stroll:  Caterpillar, The Little Turtle, Forgiven, or Pippa's Song.  We also enjoy Douglas Florian's seasonal poem books.  His poetry book for spring is called Handsprings.  

Readings for the Book Basket in March ~ A book basket full of Lent and Easter readings has already been prepared for us here.  {Thank you Holly!}  

{One other story that we like to read near Passover is Mrs. Katz and Tush.  If you are interested in having a Passover meal this year, Ann Voskamp guides us gently in one way of doing it well, here.}

Making Memories in March ~ An Easter garden that is this easy?  These delicious yet gospel filled croissants? These plastic eggs for the kids to tell the story of the cross over and over again?  And  something sweet to make the day special like these chocolate nests or homemade Cadbury creme eggs?  For the ambitious, perhaps some egg decorating inspiration from a pysanka making expert?

Something to Hang on the Fridge Door in March ~ Or print these words onto card stock and they would look lovely, in a frame, on a wall, in your home...

Worship during March ~ A couple of Lent/Easter playlist songs that have been being played daily around here: God of Justice and Kindness.  What's on your playlist this month?

May this month be filled with much pondering and grace! ~ Jessica

Gifts for February

I will make you brooches and toys for your delight

Of bird song at morning and starshine at night.

I will make a palace fit for you and me,

Of green days in forest

And blue days at sea. 

My Valentine ~ Robert Louis Stevenson

Enjoying His Creation in February ~ Are you planning to join in for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count?  Whether formally tallying bird sightings or simply enjoying fluttering creatures from our window, this event has made it onto our calendar.   To attract more birds lovely to your own backyard,  these birdfeeders look fun to make and seem pretty easy too!

Poetry for February ~  Could you invite your child to pen a bit of original poetry this month?  Perhaps the topic could have something to do with love?  

{Wouldn't it would be fun for students to email me their poems and then have their names put into a draw for A Child's Garden of Poetry DVD!?  Some  guidelines for writing words poetic are highlighted here: Poetry for Kids. Perhaps I'll put my pen to paper too, and share a poem or maybe two ... {smile}}

Readings for the Book Basket in February ~ If you are interested in learning about the origins of Valentine's Day, then these two books, which have made their way into our book baskets, may be of interest to you:  The Story of Valentine's Day by Clyde Robert Bulla and Saint Valentine by Robert Sabuda.

Being a Good Friend during February ~ This stitched card idea is currently a work in progress.  Taking homemade cards and little gifts to our neighbourhood friends is a bit of a tradition on Valentine's.  Just to share: one of our favourite friendship books for little girls is this one from Emilie Barnes.  {There's a little boy version too!}  And this printable study on friendship looks to be quite insightful too!

Making a Memory in February ~ A beautiful way to share love verses with the family! And I find that I keep going back to Sally Clarkson's words on her Valentine traditions.  She continues to inspire me.

Something for the Fridge Door in February ~ Love verses to remind me that the first step to love is patience.  

Words during February ~ Something to watch and listen to often this month.   Living grateful for His Love.  

May this month be filled with much love and friendship! ~ Jessica

Gifts for January

In the winter time we go

Walking in the fields of snow;

Where there is no grass at all;

Where the top of every wall,

Every fence and every tree,

Is as white as white can be.

Taken from "White Fields" by James Stephens

{First Snow Scenes ~ Dec. 19th}

Getting Out into Creation in January ~ Finding time and motivation to bundle up and step out into the biting outdoors can be a challenge.  Your nose may get nipped and your toes may numb, but a cup of warm cocoa after the adventure will make the chilly air a joy.

While out and about, keep your eyes open for animal tracks in the snow and mud.  Identify any spotted tracks using one of these reference guides available here or here.  A great book to order from your local library to introduce animal tracks to your children is: Big Tracks, Little Tracks.  In addition,  this animal clue activity looks like fun too.

Filling the Book Baskets in January ~ This month, {out of all of the months}, is the one to cozy up under couch blankets with wonderful stories to warm the heart and the afternoons.  This month we've added stories about dog sledding and the Inuit to our book baskets:  Very Last, First Time, My Arctic 1, 2, 3, Out on the Ice in the Middle of the Bay, The Bravest Dog Ever: The True Story of Balto, The Littlest Sled Dog, A Sled Dog for Moshi, and A Team Like No Other.  And this list of wintery picture books has a collection of quality reads that look perfect for this chilly month.

Making Time for Art in January ~ The girls and I will be watching this video together and decorating the windows with these fanciful snowflakes - apparently it's all in the fold!  You may also find these wintery art ideas from the archives helpful in planning your January artistic pursuits.

Speaking Words of Poetry in January ~ Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost found us a couple of years back, and we keep coming back to it every January.  This poem is available in a picture book format and this recitation I came across this year. Beautiful always.

Making a Memory in January ~ Sweet tortilla snowflakes are super easy to make and delicious.  A perfect snack for a sweet memory.

Filling the Home with Music in January ~ Vivaldi's "Winter" is a must listen sometime this season.  Listen to the music.  Can you identify the instruments heard?  Can you interpret the music through movement?  How about drawing in a music journal the colours, feelings, and images portrayed through the music?  Simply enjoy the music.  For further study of Vivaldi Making Music Praying Twice has a lovely biography.  

Worshiping in January ~ Added this song to my playlist last month.  Perhaps an anthem for this new year.  Sing along with me this month?

May this month be filled with much warmth and growing aspirations ~ Jessica



Gifts for December

Villagers all, this frosty tide, 

Let your doors swing open wide, 

Though wind may follow and snow betide, 

Yet draw us in by your fire to bide:

 Joy shall be yours in the morning. 

 ~ taken from Christmas Carol by Kenneth Grahame

I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, 
but will have the light of life.

Enjoying His Creation in December ~ Nature Detectives always has a bundle of easy printables and activities to help make outdoor time even more wonder-full.   Elisabeth Foss shares some evergreen resources and ideas that can follow up a visit to a Christmas tree farm.  And possibly the lyrics of this song could be used for copy work this month?  

Poetry for December ~  Is a Christmas poem recitation one of your family traditions?  If not, perhaps a few ideas to get you started?  I'm looking at this poem for this year: Long, Long Ago, but in the past we've done the chorus of this song: C is for the Christ Child   and What Can I Give Him.

Readings for the Book Baskets in December ~ A couple of personal favourites are The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey and The Legend of the Candy Cane.  Looking for more ideas for good reads this month?  Find amazing book lists here and here.

Art for December ~ A perfect gift for dad? This idea is too fun for everyone involved! And these ideas for homemade nativity scenes?  We'll have to tackle at least one of these this year!

Music for December ~ Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite and Handel's Messiah are both worthy to listen to sometime this month.   And a version of Messiah including narration? Something to listen to while stringing popcorn?

Drama for December ~  Christmas Charades or a family nativity on Christmas Eve make for inevitable laughter and some lasting memories.  Oh, and this printable nativity for the kids to reenact the Christmas story again and again.  Perfect!

Making a Memory in December ~ Something for both mom and the kids to get their hands into - holiday scented playdough ~ easy to make and a great gift for the neighbour kids.  

Worship for December ~ One of my favourites for this season.  Oh, and this one too! 

May this month be filled with much worship and memorable moments. ~ Jessica

Come and worship, Come and worship, Worship Christ the newborn King!

Gifts for November

No shade, no shine, no butterflies,

no bees, no fruit, no flowers,

no leaves, no birds, No-vember. 

~ Thomas Hood

Scenes from Lighthouse Park

Enjoying His Creation in November ~  November can be an interesting time to observe and record weather.  For the younger student, this printable weather station may bring a bit of wonder to his weather watching endeavours.   For the older student, filling in this weather chart will help hone in his observation skills.  

And these wonderful nature reads here and here can be downloaded for free!  Lovely to read to the children or to have them practice their reading with.  

Poetry for November ~ A few poems to share with the children this month as the cool winds set in and the animals set up their winter homes: The Mist and All,  The Squirrel, and Autumn Fires.

Readings for the Book Baskets in November ~ During this month a few books about Remembrance Day and war are finding their way into our book baskets:  A Poppy is to Remember, Remembering John McCrae, and There Come a Soldier.  A teacher's guide pieced together by the Canadian Legion may help further learning, especially the poems and stories near the end.

Being a Blessing in November ~  Some practical ways for mom and children to love on those around them ~ giving a bit of encouragement to those who may need it this month.  

Making a Memory in November ~ This handmade gift list may be the perfect list to check off as we approach December.  And here are some great visuals.

Praise for November ~ Listening to this song when needing to seek a bit of peace in the home.  I hear the girls singing along in the other room ...

May this month be filled with much seeking and many love gifts. ~ Jessica

Gifts for October

The morns are meeker than they were,
The nuts are getting brown;
The berry's cheek is plumper,
The rose is out of town.
~ Emily Dickinson

~ something red ~

~ lichen ~

~  a wild flower ~ 

~ an old growth tree ~

~ something yellow ~ 

Scenes from last week's Forest Scavenger Hunt.  To print a list of forest wonders for you and the kids to find, click here:  Forest Scavenger Hunt Printable

Enjoying God's Creation in October ~ Enjoy scrolling through these photographs of harvests around the world and give a thankful prayer for the food on your table today.  

I must share ... in spare moments, lately, I have been indulging in Karen Andreola's book, Pocketful of Pinecones: Nature Study with the Gentle Art of Learning.  I am adoring this book ~ the simplicity and ingenuity is heart warming and inspiring for any mom seeking to share the out of doors with her child. 

Poetry for October ~ A couple of colourful printables to hang on the fridge this month? "Autumn" by Emily Dickinson  and "Leaves" by Elsie N. Brady.  Perhaps have the children memorize a piece to recite at a poetry tea later in the month garnished with pumpkin tarts or loaf.

Readings for your Book Baskets in October ~ Books about leaves, Thanksgiving, and pumpkins tend to fill our book baskets during this month:  Autumn Leaves, Fall, An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving, Autumnblings, Fall Leaves Fall!, Pumpkin Pumpkin. 

Making a Memory in October ~ October seems to call out to us to make our way to a pumpkin patch, or a corn maze, or a hayride ...! How about making a day of it at a pumpkin patch near you!  A listing of places in BC that hold such festivities can be found here: British Columbia's Corn Mazes, Pumpkin Patches, Hayrides and More... .  Don't forget your camera!

Music for October ~ Another classical song to enjoy during these autumn weeks: Autumn Song by Tchaikovsky.   Listen to the music.  Can you identify the instruments heard?  Can you interpret the music through movement?  How about drawing in a music journal the colours, feelings, and images portrayed through the music?  Simply enjoy the music. 

Art for October ~ Some inspiration for a Thanksgiving table centerpiece.  Gather leaves, pine cones and acorns.  Maybe some pretty red berries and a couple of scattered branches?  Perhaps an apple and a couple of pears and even a bunch of grapes?  Place them all in your child's hands to create a unique centerpiece filled with natural beauty this year.  

A fellow homeschooling mom shared about her thankful tree that her kids are growing this season and I thought how lovely a thankful tree would be in our home too, and perhaps yours?

Words for October ~ Something that I will be going back to read again and again this month.  Thanking Him for all things.  

May this month be filled with much thankfulness and many warm gifts. ~ Jessica

Gifts for September

By all these lovely tokens September days are here,

With summer's best of weather and autumn's best of cheer.

 ~ Helen Hunt Jackson ~ September

Sights from a Labour Day Nature Walk

Enjoying God's Creation in September ~ A trip to a local apple orchard always makes for a wonderful September fieldtrip.  Perhaps take time to browse this listing of BC orchards to find an orchard near to your home.  These apple tree sequencing cards look like an enjoyable activity to complete before your visit.  Make sure to taste test as many apples as possible and bring some home to make something from a delicious apple recipe! 

Poetry for September ~ Something to print off and have the children memorize to help remember the number of days in each month: Thirty Days Hath September.

Readings for your Bookshelf in September ~ Books about apples and country fairs often find their place on our bookshelf during this month:  How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World, How Do Apples Grow, Apple Picking Time, The Life and Times of the Apple, Come to the Fair, Daniel's Duck, County Fair.  

Making a Memory in September ~ I love the idea of a creative "first day of school" photo.  If the "first day" has already passed, any day in September will do, really!

Music for September ~ As the first day of autumn approaches, listening to Vivaldi's Autumn will add a pleasant addition to your daily rhythms.  Listen to the music.  Can you identify the instruments heard?  Can you interpret the music through movement?  How about drawing in a music journal the colours, feelings, and images portrayed through the music?  Simply enjoy the music. 

Art for September ~ Perhaps taking a closing look at Van Gogh's Sunflowers will inspire your child to design some sunflower art too like these colourful pastel sunflowers or these tempura paint bouquets.

Worship for September ~ I've been listening to and singing along with this this past summer.  Listen to and sing with me as we move into this new learning year?

May this month be filled with new beginnings and many warm gifts. ~ Jessica