1. “Plat will pluck plump plums plus fat figs”, my five-year old read this sentence today in The Ordinary Parent’s Guide to Teaching Reading. Ladybug was beaming after she finally mastered it. Lesson 50 was a challenge with its beginning blends of BL, CL, FL, GL, PL and SL. It has taken us all week to go through, however I am very proud that she stuck with it and has learned much.
2. Every Wednesday, my friend and I meet and try to teach our children the basics of the Chinese language. Kathy has taken the lead of this instruction and created fun flashcards for the kids to learn their colors and numbers. This past weekend, she invited us over to view a Kai-Lan movie and arranged fun craft projects. Thank you Kathy!
3. The girls and I are having a lot of fun with our 12 cookies of Christmas project, this week we made scary pumpkin cut-outs . Check here on Tuesday to see what we will bake next!
4. Monday was the 40 Days for Life mid-point rally. David Bereit, National Director of 40 Days for Life, spoke at our local rally. Please click here for more details and pictures of the event.
5. Sleep has been problematic for me this week. I am not sure why, but I have not being following my own advice of going to bed early. I know I feel better, and am more patient with the girls if I get more sleep. Does anyone have advice on how to fall asleep?
6. My big holiday event is Thanksgiving. For 13 years, Rick and I have hosted this dinner in our home for his family, which usually includes about 20-25 people. Next week I am to start preparation for this meal. My first task is re-painting of ten wooden folding chairs that I purchased from a church bizarre for $5 a piece. They are currently forest green, and I am going to paint them chocolate-brown.
7. 7 Quick Takes Friday is hosted by Jennifer at the Conversion Diary. Please check much more quick takes here.
A Simple Twist of Faith 
Pray the Rosary when you are ready for bed. You should be relaxed and peaceful, so hopefully you can drift off………..
I’m a big fan of 40 Days for Life! The Bereits go to the same church we do; I know Margaret through our mom’s Bible study group. I haven’t had the privilege of praying with David at a 40 days For Life vigil or rally (yet), but we have served coffee and donuts together after Mass! 😀 They’re a beautiful family and fantastic people.
What a small world, Sharon! When you see the Bereits again, please let them know what an inspiration they are. I did not introduce myself to David to the rally, however I enjoyed listening to his powerful witness.
Falling Asleep. 🙂 This is where I excell! I really do, most nights it’s pillow and gone! but there are some nights that since I’ve gotten a bit older and been sucking back too much diet soda that I will be up and down. The key is to tell yourself you are going to sleep. No TV, no books, nothing before bed. You climb in and you lay there, you focus on your breathing and you pretend you are on a cloud, and every breath moves your cloud like a rocking chair and next thing you know? you don’t remember anything and zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzeds are in your head.
Hot bath or one decade of rosary works for me.
Like the crown on you. You would make a nice queen!
Isn’t an awesome feeling when your child starts understanding how reading works? I’m sure she is proud of herself and you should be encouraged by a job well done on your part. I love having readers, but the struggle to teach reading wears me out sometimes.