Footprints on the Fridge

In the Seasonal Basket: Spring

I have been trying to be a little more focused lately on getting the full value of our library system and filling book baskets with new topics regularly.  We've been really loving our nature and art learning trails and thanks to Jessica, our Easter book basket was full to the brim this month.  Having full baskets of picture books placed strategically throughout the house serves as a constant reminder to me to spend some time with the littlest ones in the midst of busy school days and full family evenings. And I am a huge believer that a good picture book can teach an older child as much has any text book or internet research can, and do it an a way that brings beauty and joy to his heart. 

That being said, I filled a seasonal book basket with sweet spring picture books this month and we are enjoying them immensely, so I thought I'd share some titles. Here's what we're cuddling up with these sunny spring days:

• Hurray for Spring, Patricia Hubbell
• Birdsong, Audrey Wood
• Spring's Sprung, Lynn Plourde
• Tops and Bottoms, Janet Stevens
• Red Sings from Treetops, Joyce Sidman
• Mouse's First Spring, Lauren Thompson
• Around the Year, Elsa Beskow
• A Time to Keep, Tasha Tudor

I'm not posting Amazon links, because these are not necessarily a well-thought out book list I'm suggesting you go purchase.  More or less, I grab from my own shelves, the seasonal shelf, and the Caldecott shelf at the library.  I look for familiar titles, books I haven't seen yet that look lovely, and let the kids pick a few.  Some are destined to become favorites and fill the basket every year, others get returned to their respective shelves with no love lost. Nevertheless, there's something very inviting about a basket full of spring books placed next to the front porch rocker just behind newly planted window boxes. And these are the tender moments I'm looking to create. Maybe it'll help renew your focus too.

Next month's book basket themes are Mary in the faith basket, baseball in the seasonal basket, and Monet and gardens for the art and nature trail.  Any great recommendations? Feel free to leave them in the comments.

At the Good Shepherd's Breakfast Table

Last week, as I looked over the list for the Garden Party for week two of Easter, first and foremost on my mind was how to adapt things so there would be less sugar pulsing through my little guys veins.  This spring air has left them friskier than normal, the feasting has added the sugar dimension, and the start of baseball and Gatorade consumption threw food dye into the mix.  The results were, how shall I say it, less than desirable?

I quickly realized I could tweak the plan just a little bit and have a reasonably healthy breakfast to serve as our party this week.

We are a bit behind since baseball filled the schedule last week and I took a weekend trip to a homeschooling conference, so this morning, we had our breakfast of

• buttermilk biscuits (bread)
• honey butter (pot of honey)
• strawberries (fruit)
• yogurt (milk)
• grape juice (wine)

We read the lovely picture book, The Easter Story, while we ate and the kids described the events in each beautiful painting before I read the corresponding Scripture to them.

Last week, as we discussed the symbols each day, we spent a lot of time talking about the Mass and it being our chance each to experience again the solemn awareness of the Triduum and the joy of the Resurrection.

Here is our calendar on our school room bulletin board:

For more ideas and inspiration for the Garden of the Good Shepherd Easter calendar, visit Catholic Cuisine and follow the links.

Blessings to you and yours as you continue to rejoice in the Risen Christ.