Friday Favorites ~ It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

One of our Christmas traditions is visiting the Grove Park Inn and touring the National Gingerbread House competition. Every piece of the gingerbread display must be edible and the creations come from all over the country.  It is always an impressive event.

Our son Timothy helped make this one with his brain injured adult day program.

We have thoroughly enjoyed decorating for Christmas. I really enjoy Advent more than Christmas Day itself. I enjoy the time of wonder and reflection that Advent allows. The gift giving on Christmas Day is fun, but not really the true joy of the season for me. We went with a smaller tree this year. My family was skeptical about getting a small tree. However, I really thought it would be lovely, and we have a tighter budget this year. It is filled with family ornaments and includes chandelier crystals that were passed down from a family chandelier that broke years ago. We all agree that it is perfect and wonderful.

Anne spent lots of time arranging her bedroom with a Nutcracker theme. She even bought herself a white Christmas tree from the discount store.

Our nativity and Christmas village is always fun to see again. They are like old friends coming out of the box each year.

We are doing one Advent book each Sunday. The book sits out each week until Sunday so it can be looked at, and then we light a candle and read our book.

Update on Homeschool ~ Dean completed two workbooks this week. He finished one math book and his art history book. He only has eight more weeks of Visual Arts III left. I think we will finish this course with field trips and a few documentaries of his favorite artists. His favorite classes right now are U.S. History II and World Governments. 

Anne has made huge progress with her Health class. She only has five weeks left which will most likely be filled with driving lessons. She is slightly behind in Geometry and Physical Science, but ahead in everything else. Considering how crazy her schedule has been, she is doing great. 

Blessings, Dawn