New Years Eve

New Years Eve we spent with friends sledding and visiting and having a good time.  We were home around 10ish and popped some party poppers. 

Between the Holidays

We took a much needed break and had tons of fun the week between Christmas and New Years.  Grandma was out of school for the week as well, so we spend each day playing, sledding, reading, and having fun. 

A Christmas Break

So, I have grand plans for studying 29 different countries around the world and learn about the way they celebrate Christmas.  We have completed 18 of the countries and even though we are having fun and learning a lot, I just need some time away from it.  With thoughts to all the little kiddos and the tragedy that took place last week.  I’ve been having a hard time wanting to stay in the swing of things.  Those littles were the same ages as my two, and I am so thankful that mine are happy, healthy, and safe.  I want to spend time snuggling in front of the fire, reading Christmas books, playing games, doing crafts and enjoying each other!  We will still study the remaining countries, but I think it will be more laid back and relaxed. 

Christmas Around the World Day 17: Russia

Today we studied Russia. We sure enjoyed looking at the beautiful cathedrals in St. Petersburg. We even started coloring our very own St. Basil’s Cathedral.  We learned that Russia is the worlds largest country and it is in both Europe and Asia.  The people in Russia are called Russian and speak Russian.  Merry Christmas in Russian is S’Rozhdestvom Khristovym!  Russians recognize a similar character as La Befana who they call Babouschka.  She also is thought to have turned away the Three Wise Men and now delivers treats on Epiphany Eve.

 

Work board.

Notebooks.

 

Chris hanging out in Abby’s room.

 

Abby says she has been having bad dreams and if she sleeps on the floor outside Selena’s door, Selena’s dream catcher works for her.  We really need to get her dream catcher made!  Also, do you see my cute new slippers that I got as a Hanukkah gift from the girls?  I LOVE THEM!

Christmas Around the World Day 15: Israel

 

Today we studied Israel.  We already knew that the Jewish people of Israel celebrate Hanukkah.  We chose to celebrate Israel today, because today is the last day of Hanukkah for the year.  We ate traditional foods and played traditional games.  It was a really fun family day!

Latkes!

Challah with dinner. 

 

Pizza Hut Book It party!  Abby’s first since starting kindergarten.  Yum!

Selena was the big dreidel winner!

The last night of Hanukkah.

Chris :)

Christmas Around the World Day 14: Denmark and Finland

 

 

Since Rachel was flying home for Christmas, we decided to take her out to breakfast.  And where else would we go during our trip than IHOP!  The girls shared a Danish International Passport breakfast.  Yummy crapes!

When we got up (which was too early for Mommy) we watched the “Happy Turkey Day” Wild Kratts show.  If you haven’t heard of Wild Kratts, you are really missing out.  It is one of the best kid shows currently on tv.  When I say on tv, I mean on local tv, we don’t have cable or dish, just plain old abc, cbs, nbc, fox, and pbs.  While I was in the shower, Selena drew this picture.

You can see the two turkeys, one flying.  The other one has the important parts drawn in detail, including the turkey beard, waddle, beak, tail fan, claws and the snood.  The girls think that snood is one of the funniest words they know.  The tree has acorns on it, Selena let me know that turkeys, as well as white tailed deer eat acorn.  Later that night, we took the girls to Cabela’s and low and behold, there were some stuffed turkeys there, and we were able to identify the parts on a real turkey!  And look who was stuffed next to them…

White tailed deer!

Morning table.

So, back to the main topic of the day.  We studied Denmark and Finland today.  Our ancestors come from both Denmark and Finland so that was interesting to talk about.  One interesting thing is that the spelling of our last name has an ‘en’ instead of an ‘on’ because of our Danish heritage.  In both Denmark and Finland there are mischief causing creatures.  In Denmark they are called Nisser or Julnisser and in Finland there are Tontut gnomes.  These creatures must be appeased with rice pudding or porridge. 

Work board

Chris on the international tree.

Christmas Around the World Day 13: Sweden

Santa Lucia Day

We learned a lot about the land of some of our ancestors, Sweden.  Santa Lucia Day, December 13th, is a very important day to Swedish people.  Throughout history, St. Lucy’s Day or Santa Lucia’s Day is one of the shortest days of the year.  It is ushered in by one of the families daughters dressing like Santa Lucia and bringing sweet rolls and tea or coffee to the parents.  The girls enjoyed this activity.  Father Christmas visits Swedish boys and girls at Christmas time. 

We made Santa Lucia wreaths for our heads and decorated some paper dolls.

 

Morning table and hours of playdoh fun!

Work board with Chris!

 

Jelly horse candy and chocolate wafer bar.

 

Dinner table and the sixth night of Hanukkah.

Christmas Around the World Day 12: Saudi Arabia and 12-12-12

DOZEN donuts!

Dozens day!  12-12-12!  We started out the day by doing “dozens of fun” things.  We went to Jump and Bounce to play, then to Krispy Kreme for a dozen donuts.  After that we went to Walmart and looked for things that we could buy in dozens. 

Our country for the day was Saudi Arabia.  We learned some very interesting things.  Miladun Said means Merry Christmas in Arabic.  The kids make wreaths out of marigolds. 

Work board.

 

 

Jump and Bounce fun!

 

   

   

Things that come in twelves at Walmart.  Holiday bubbles, bracelets, underpants, numbers on a watch.

Did you know that there are 12 colors in the tertiary color wheel?

 

Chris hanging out on the shelf.

 

Work page and the International Tree.