Living
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Our Learning Week with Friends
This past week we tried something new, something we haven’t done before; we schooled the whole week with another family. As our house is rather small we set up the ping pong table out in the carport. Everyday the R. family arrived at 9am and we started with independent work. Of course there was lots of chit chat, although the children did become more self disciplined about talking as the week wore on, and they realised they weren’t getting through their work. Working in a big group was rather a different, and positive experience. Except for my oldest daughter, each of my children has a ‘pair’ in the R family,…
- Blog, Hearth & Health, Home Education, Home Education - Planning, In the Home - Organisation, Liturgical Year, Living
Living & Learning Sketch – October
Thanks to my friend Gae for inspiring me to finally organise my thoughts a whole month ahead. and ‘lending’ me her format. The first two weeks of October we will be taking ‘school’ holidays, so life will be a little different. FAITH: The Month of the Most Holy Rosary As two name days occur this month (we celebrate middle and confirmation names too) we are planning to celebrate: – 1st St Therese of the Child Jesus (Princess and my name day) with colouring, a coconut cake and modified punch, this prayer and reading Catholic Treasure Box books and other Feast Day books. – 2nd Feast of the Guardian Angels Celebrating…
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Mass Bags for Little Ones
A dear friend sent me some beautiful material, my plan was to make Mass bags for my little ones. Yesterday I completed them! An A4 size they are just the right size to fit prayer books in. The children can’t wait to use them. I had plans to give you a quick tutorial on making the bags, they were so easy once I worked it out. Unfortunately I can’t retrieve the photos off my camera so it will be all verbal. The material was a metre length, I cut into four rectangles. Turning right sides together on the fold I only needed to sew along one side and the bottom.…
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Catholic Home School Camp – Departure
Day 5 The last day arrives, as much as you wish to avoid the day of departure it relentlessly comes. Morning Mass is earlier, before breakfast. The Chapel has to be packed up, cabins emptied and clean, dining hall cleaned etc. Many have a long trip ahead of them, for some a ten hour drive, for others only two. Goodbyes are said, we linger, and then a final farewell until next year. We head home down the coast, for some to catch up on much needed sleep, others return refreshed. We all return happy in the knowledge that we belong to a community. Far flung, true, but united; by our…
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Catholic Homeschool Camp – Day 4
Day 4 We woke up Thursday to the most beautiful weather, as a morning at the beach was planned this was fantastic. After morning Mass we headed to the beach. Today we were running novelty events on the beach. Fun events such as three-legged races and ‘backwards’ races. Popular with all the children although the littlest found the co-ordination hard. We also ran running races and crab races’. Commando races were very popular and capture the flag, egg and spoon and wheelbarrow races were also popular. Of course there was time for a swim whilst we were there. After the morning in the sun we headed back to camp for…
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Catholic Homeschool Camp – Day 3
Day 3 Wednesday dawns, the weather is beautiful, perfect for a day at the beach. The day starts with Mass. Today my boys are blessed to serve. Then we head to the beach for the morning. I’m afraid I took no pictures of the beach as I was afraid of getting sand in the lenses. The agenda for Wednesday is a sand castle building contest. The children work enthusiastically and creatively. And of course there is time for a swim in the surf. Judges stroll, looking, results will be announced tonight. We head back for lunch and then catechetics. Today’s session follows a different format. Father takes the boys who…
- Blog, Celebration, Celebration - Sacraments, Faith, Family, Home Education - Sports Day & Camp, Living
Homeschool Confirmation/ FHC Mass, Einstein’s Big Day
Day 2 Tuesday dawned, the BIG day, and Our Lady’s Birthday. For the past seven years the homeschool children of our diocese have made their First Holy Communion and Confirmation at our Homeschool Camp Mass. All of my children have made their sacraments thus far, with our Bishop, within their homeschool community. (except Koala made her FHC with our parish, a whole ‘nother story;) Today Einstein makes his Confirmation. We are so excited. All of camp attends the Mass held at the local Catholic Church; five of the boys prepare to serve for the Bishop, Michelangelo is one (he is mitre bearer). A few of the girls join to make…
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Our Annual Catholic Homeschool Camp & Confirmation
Day 1 Last week saw us once again heading to the beach for a week of fun and faith with our families. It was the eighth year that we have c0-hosted the camp. We arrived Monday, before lunch. We have the same cabin as last year, we unload and hurry off to catch up with all; greet old friends, meet new ones. For eight years many of these families have been coming, we meet them but once a year so it is always wonderful to see them. We missed some special friends this year too:( Every afternoon the children have catechetical sessions. This year we once again invited a presenter,…
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A Day in Our House (2)
When I read about Angela’s ‘Not Quite Average Day’ I decided to share in the fun. As it turned out the day I picked; Wednesday September 2nd wasn’t quite average as some of the children have colds and are rather miserable, others are recovering and not quite as miserable; and life is not quite ‘normal’ as we prepare for camp. But upon reflection, perhaps this is ‘normal’ as life is fluid. 6:00AM Jem and I arise, surprisingly PC is already up and preparing to leave for work. It is audit week and this has meant very early morning starts and late nights, as PC is not a morning person this…
