:: 1 ::
Because we can never have too much talk about books, I thought I’d share the titles of books I’m giving my children for Christmas. These were totally fun purchases that I’ve been collecting for a few months now. The best buy was the copy of Cheaper by the Dozen, which I found at a library book sale over at the beach for only fifty cents! So here’s the collection:
• The Monkey and the Crocodile • A First look at Animals with Backbones and A First Look at Animals Without Backbones • Green Darner • Animal Homes • Defeating Jihad • Cheaper by the Dozen • Big Red • Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH •
Even though they each get their own books, they will eventually all read them all (well, except the Jihad book, of course). I felt like it was a little overloaded on nature study books, but their grandma bought something like 15 books and shipped them to my house, and they are lots of adventurous stories by the likes of N.D. Wilson, Jonathan Rogers, and Andrew Peterson … so everything will be fine. (I always worry that my second-born is a little too obsessed with nature.)
:: 2 ::
Every year, I try and add a couple titles to our Christmas book collection. This year, I added these two … I guess they would both be called picture books. The Nesbit book isn’t heavy on pictures, but it’s small and bound in the way of a Dr. Seuss hardback.
• The Glorious Impossible • The Conscience Pudding •
:: 3 ::
I will be putting my Advent plans (aka DecemberTerm Circle Time plans) out there when I usually do, which is to say sometime after Thanksgiving. I don’t plan it until the feasting is over! If you are looking for Advent plans now, you can check out these beauties from Pam’s site. They were created by Jessica and I think they are adorable!
:: 4 ::
The latest Scholé Sisters podcast is now live!
Don’t let the title fool you — it’s not a bunch of gushing about Thanksgiving. We talk about how, philosophically speaking, gratitude intersects with scholé, and we also go through a list of thankfulness prompts that will reveal a bit of the more recent history of the classical homeschool movement, bloggers, and more!
:: 5 ::
Most of you know that we give three gifts for Christmas around here. (Yes, a couple books tied together counts as a single gift.) We have three categories: something to read, something to wear, something to enjoy. If you are looking for gifts in the “something to enjoy” category and you are feeling a bit stuck, might I suggest some nature gifts that reach beyond the nature journal?
:: 6 ::
You can still get free instant access to my pretend life coach, Mystie’s, Get a Grip, Get a Gameface mini-workshop. It’s great — you should definitely do it if you need some encouragement and perspective.
And when you buy The Art of Homeschooling course, I have a deal for you! Use the code afterthoughts at checkout to get 20% off. 🙂
:: 7 ::
I’m trying something new starting this week. We’re doing Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors as a read aloud. Just a normal read aloud. I thought I’d try it out and see how it works to just read a bit of it most days they way we do with other things. So far so good, but it’s only been a few days. I’m hoping that this is a way to incorporate Shakespeare casually into our lives. I like the idea of him being woven throughout, you know?
:: 8 ::
I know I will get in trouble with some of you if I skip the article links, so here is your link feast!
- This Is How Steve Bannon Sees The Entire World from BuzzFeed News
- Apparently, BuzzFeed publishes real news? This was a fascinating read.
- Love Warrior from Housewife Theologian
- A needed book review.
- An adult version of the Little Tykes toy car is legal, and it can go up to 70 MPH from Shareably
- I want one.
- Grandma Texts Wrong Teen About Thanksgiving, Invites Him Anyway from The Huffington Post
- Because we all need a feel-good article about now.
10 Comments
We’re getting together with extended family interstate over Christmas and all the nieces & nephews are getting books from us. My dd’s suggestions were the Redwall books & Jonathon Rogers – of course, she likes both. Glorious Impossible is beautiful, although I skipped the narrative and just used the gorgeous art. The Love Warrior article was very interesting, and sad.
Ok I’m back. Went to Nancy’s blog after yours. Found out that Biola has an Advent Calendar online that includes songs, scripture, art, and poetry!!! Have you used it before? Personally or as a family? I want to check it out, but they will not let me click on the dates yet. Grr. Since this is your alma matter, you have all the answers, right? Ha!
I’m not a Biola alum but I love their Advent Calendar. I read/look/listen myself every day and if it’s particularly lovely I add it into our family Advent routine. They have one for Lent, too. It’s such a tremendous addition to devotionals for Easter and Christmas.
I signed up for email notifications for both. Pretty excited to check it out!
Some of the things are too contemporary for my taste, but overall there is an incredible amount of loveliness for the eyes and ears and mind. You are in for a real treat!!
Well, you guys just got me signed up, too! Thanks!
Never heard of Jonathan Rogers!! But he has our last name. So that must mean we have to check him out. At least that’s what I’m telling my hubby. 😉
You may be edible for a ‘family’ discount:)
I’ll take it! ?
Ooooooo! I recently scored not one but TWO copies of the L’Engle Giotto book at our local Book Bank – for free! I look forward to adding that into our line up this year. You’ll have to tell me what you think about Gorka’s book after you read it and not just listen to me rant about how right he gets it:). It’s a fascinating book. I must abstain from buying any more books for this season, but I do look forward to a review of Nesbit’s Conscience Pudding from you for a possible 2017 addition:).