Our Jesse Tree!

A new family tradition for years to come!  I had never heard of the Jesse Tree until I started looking for creative ways to learn and enjoy advent with the kids.  In a nut shell…..The Jesse tree is a unique way of celebrating advent.  The Jesse Tree represents the family tree of Jesus.  It begins with Creation and goes through the Old Testament to the birth of Christ.  There are MANY resources, ideas and books out there.  Google Jesse Tree and get a plethora of sites, blogs, books, etc.  There are free downloadable books, ornaments, ideas…..everything you need.  Well, I wanted to have something for years to come so I chose to purchase a great book

The Advent Jesse Tree by Dean Lambert Smith

This book has devotions for children and adults beginning with Day 1, Creation.  It gives an idea of a symbol to use on your Jesse Tree, memory verse, songs, devotion and prayer. 

We are enjoying cutting, sewing and gluing our ornaments out of felt.  Get creative!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The beginning of our Jesse Tree!                          Crew hanging our 1st ornament

After our devotion and hanging our symbol, the kiddos enjoy a book with Daddy about Christmas.

We are enjoying this family time and trying to focus on the reason we celebrate Christmas Day!

What family traditions do you have?  I only ask because I love traditions!  I love the idea that my grandchildren may someday be doing these activities with their families.

Brigit

Preschool with Goose!

 

I haven’t updated Goose’s preschool page in a while.  We have transitioned from only Tot Trays to a preschool curriculum.  Many thanks to Clarissa’s blog and website 

Raising Rock Stars Preschool

Goose is still young but began showing lots of interest in writing and letters recently.  She started spending more of her time on my lap watching Crew and I school than playing with her Tot Trays.  So, I decided to dedicate a few of her weekly trays to preschool work.  I found two great websites/blogs with a great preschool curriculum.  One definitely more advanced so I just pick and choose some of her great activities.  Many thanks to both of these homeschooling Moms who are willing to share all their hard work!  Thank you ladies!!!

We are currently using Clarissa’s Raising Rock Stars Preschool curriculum and it is a great level for Goose.  Crew even participates with the weekly bible verse and bible activities.

I do also use some great ideas and activities from….

Confessions of a Homeschooler

Goose at work….

Letter I Trays

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stickers, stamps and stencils!                                                 Fun fusion (small beads from Michaels)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

           Letter work                                                                         Counting

Our December Sensory Bin!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fine motor skills at their best!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signing the letter I and Q-tip painting

Counting and sorting

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Using a toothpick to poke holes tracing the letter I and let me say a little something about this bin.  I have to be honest.  I kept coming across this idea of a sensory bin and I thought she will not enjoy this for longer than 2 or 3 minutes.  Well, I decided to try it out and to my surprise this is a tray she plays with daily.  Her brother even joins in!  This month we have fake snow (from Michaels), bendable Santa and Snowman, windup penguin and Santa, Christmas colored pom-poms….really just a bunch of snow/ Christmas themed things from the $ bins at Michaels and Target.  I added a measuring cup, ice-cream scoop and some red plastic cups.  She loves it!  She transfers and scoops the snow, sorts the items inside and engages in imaginary play.  Here the characters are going on a sleigh ride…..

We are having so much fun!  Here is our board from the end of the week for our letter I and Bible time.

Are you doing something you love with your preschooler?  Please do share!