Catholic Icing

5 Reasons Why You Should Attend Homeschool Conferences

2013-06-19T14:20:46Z

Going to Catholic Homeschool Conventions has been a real joy, and I wanted to share with you the reasons why they’re worth the travel time and the babysitter. (Click here to find a list of Catholic Homeschool conferences). Here are 5 big reasons you need to attend Catholic homeschool conferences in real life.

Reason number 1: The inspiring talks! I just love going to the talks, and it’s not the same as listening to them on CD later. Most of these conferences bring in great speakers! It’s also great to be able to go talk to the speakers at the end of the session, shake their hand, ask your questions, and even get them to sign a book.

Reason number 2: Flipping through books in real life. Even though you can order pretty much anything on the internet now-a-days, it can be pretty hit or miss. There’s so much you can instantly tell about a book by simply flipping through it. It’s also nice to talk to the people behind the tables about your curriculum needs, and your child’s ability.

Reason number 3: Used books. It’s great to save some money by buying the used books! The used books are why the seasoned hoemschool moms show up early, and head straight for the Seton table with their rolling crates.

(At some conferences, they also have a place where they buy back used books as well)

Reason number 4: Free Shipping and Show Specials. That’s right- not only is everything without shipping prices, but a lot of tables have extra deals at the conferences. Even I do this with Catholic ABC’s!

Reason number 5: Meeting the amazing people! I saved the best for last. Connecting with people in real life is invaluable. I always leave these conferences feeling refreshed, rejuvenated, inspired, and ready to come back and homeschool with passion!

Now, before you flit off to a homeschool conference, make sure you are prepared! I highly recommend reading the ebook from Raising Arrows, Homeschool Convention Survival Guide. It’s a free ebook, and there are no hoops to jump through to download it. Easy peasy.

At the National IHM Conference (which is happening this weekend in Virginia!) you can also expect conveniences such as confession offered throughout the conference so you can just pop in, and a mother’s lounge where you can nurse your baby in peace. I can’t come to the National IHM Conference this year, but if you want to check out Catholic ABC’s, stop by the Catholic Schoolhouse booth. She suggests the book to go with their programs, so she has some to sell.

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Curriculum Written by Me - Catholic ABC's!

Catholic Preschool Curriculum

for homeschooling or co-op classes

Catholic Icing IRL- and a giveaway!

2013-06-14T02:48:24Z

For those of you who are aren’t nerds like me, “IRL” means “in real life”. You’re going to need to know that to make it through this post. *grin*

I’ve been going to more homeschooling conferences lately, and I wanted to give you all a glimpse of what Catholic Icing is like IRL.

IRL, you guys like to call me “The Catholic Icing Lady”- which is awesome. I love it! I also have a lot of people ask me IRL how I pronounce my last name. Well, it’s Ra-bi-doo- like Mountain Dew, but with rabbits. If you mispronounce my last name, it won’t bother me at all. In fact, I’m not even likely to correct you.

IRL, Catholic ABC’s is actually quite large. I find it’s more appealing to children that way. People are really shocked when they order it and it arrives at their house. I guess it’s hard to tell the real scale of things on a computer screen.

Ok, just kidding!!! My dad helped me make this giant version of Catholic ABC’s to take to shows, and I love it! I’m thinking about turning it into a huge Catholic Icing guest book for all of you to sign at the shows. I think I would really love that.

These pictures were taken at the National IHM Conference in Virginia. That one is coming up here again really soon!

IRL, when you write a check for Catholic ABC’s, you have to fill it out with a cupcake pen.

IRL, I actually had one a kid start eating the sprinkles out of the cup once. Aaaaahhh! I suppose it’s my own fault. Sprinkles are technically made to be eaten.

I give out rosary kits to anyone walking by IRL. You get a card with directions, a rosary song, a rosary snack idea, and of course- a baggie with a pipe cleaner and 11 pony beads.

IRL, I sometimes have my children with me.

I wonder if the IHM people thought I was out of my mind requesting a name tag for her? So cute though, and totally worth it even if they did.

Although they are displayed in a cupcake stand, I’ve never had any children try to eat my business cards.

These pictures with the teal table cloth are from the Kansas City Catholic Homeschool Conference. (I couldn’t bring my awesome wall and giant book on the airplane, but I still brought my sprinkles.)

I loved everyone I met IRL at this conference so much that it kinda made me want to move to Kansas! Here I am with Delena, Kitty, and Shannon. Delena actually wrote all about the conference (including hearing me speak) on her blog, so be sure to check that out!

I usually run a “show special” on my books at conferences, so you can save a little money meeting me IRL.

IRL, I like to sprinkle confetti on my table so it sparkles.

And in the same way I like to come back IRL with prizes for my kiddos, I like to come back with stuff for you, too! This past conference, I brought you guys back a cute Catholic rag doll!

I wish I could have gotten one for all of you, but hey, you know how it is in a big family, and the Catholic Icing family has now grown to over 13,000 members! (Btw- that is just so amazing! I could never thank you all enough for reading!) {{hugs!!!}}

Ok, so I only have 1 adorable Catholic doll to give away, but whoever wins gets to choose whichever one they want. The doll is provided by Jacob’s Toy Box. She sews these herself, and they are so stinkin’ cute! I love their funky yarn hair! The red-headed nun is my favorite.

For your chance to win, just enter below. The only thing the email addresses will be used for is picking the winner.

For updates on where you can find me next, always check my Calendar tab at the top of the blog. Although don’t bother checking right now, because I’m not planning on going to anymore conferences until next Spring.

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Curriculum Written by Me - Catholic ABC's!

Catholic Preschool Curriculum

for homeschooling or co-op classes

Make a Holy Water Bottle Craft with Catholic Kids

2013-06-06T13:31:08Z

We made these Holy water bottle necklaces when Anabelle was Baptized, and this was such a fun craft for Baptism! It got the kids involved, gave them something to look forward to, kept them occupied, and I got to teach the kids about Holy Water. Score!

Making these was super easy!

Supplies Needed to Make Holy Water Bottle Necklaces:

Necklace Sand Art Bottles from Craft Store (We got ours at Michael’s. They were a little more than $1 each, but came in packs of 3. They didn’t come with sand, but if memory serves I think they came with tiny funnels. You can order them for less than a dollar each with free shipping if you order by the dozen. Also, Oriental trading has CROSS SHAPED ONES!!!! *squeal with excitement!*)
Religious stickers (You can get them at Catholic shops, or a Christian supply store, or sometimes the Dollar Tree, or you can order them.)
Letter Stickers or sharpie marker for labeling as “Holy Water”
Holy Water (You can get this at any Catholic church. There’s usually a dispenser somewhere around the vestibule.)

Give your kids the bottle necklaces, and let them decorate with stickers and/or sharpie markers.

The only “rule” is, it needs to say “Holy Water” on there so that people know. The religious stickers can also be an indicator.

The kids really did a great job with these! While they are decorating, you can teach them about Holy Water. I absolutely loved this post about Holy Water. Totally recommend that you read it.

When they’re finished decorating, it’s time to tie on the strings. We hung cheap crucifixes from some of the strings to dangle down. You could also string them up with actual beads- that would be really cute! We were just keeping it simple.

We made these as a Baptism craft with Anabelle’s Baptism coming up later that week. So when we were finished, I held onto them until the big day. (I knew letting the kids keep them until the Baptism day would just end up in lost bottles, and tears on our way out the door to the Baptism. Thought I would do what I could to head that off.)

Then came the big day! The kids were super excited to bring and fill their Holy Water bottles. After the Baptism, they filled the bottles straight from the Baptismal font.

Our priest was clearly taken by this. In fact, they started to take away the Baptismal font as soon as the Baptism was over. I thought we would just fill our bottles in the vestibule, but as soon as Fr. Ted saw the children with their bottles, he had them bring the Baptismal font back.

That little one filling her bottle in the picture above is my niece. It’s so fun to live in town with family again!

My little brother was the altar server for the Baptism. Even though he is 11, he even had fun with this. In fact, while we were decorating the bottles, we had my 15 year old brother-in-law staying with us, and he made one, too. So this is a craft for all ages!

I’m telling you, these kids were excited about some Holy Water! This craft has got to be one of my favorites.

And of course, everyone loves a wearable craft.

We have had these for months now, and the kids still love them. They have nails in their rooms that they hang on. I will admit that some of them leak a little if you turn them on their side, but it’s not a problem when they’re hanging on their nails. And if any Holy Water leaks, hey, extra blessings.

*disclaimer*- don’t let your kids get strangled with these.

Related Posts:

Educational Baptism Video for kids
Holy Spirit Dove Craft (from paper plate) for Baptism
Holy Spirit Handprint Dove for Baptism
Make Adorable Catholic Baby tees for Baptism
Baptism Party Ideas

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Curriculum Written by Me - Catholic ABC's!

Catholic Preschool Curriculum

for homeschooling or co-op classes

Adoration Craft for Catholic Kids

2013-06-12T05:24:13Z

Pope Francis is having the first worldwide hour of Eucharistic Adoration on the feast of Corpus Christi (which means Body of Christ). Corpus Christi is falling on June 2 for 2013- that’s this coming Sunday! The Vatican is holding this hour from 5-6 in Rome, and we’re all supposed to adjust for our own time zone.

Here are the starting times for the worldwide hour of Eucharistic Adoration in the United States:

11am Eastern
10am Central
9am Mountain
8am Pacific

I made this simple craft to get kids involved with this day of Adoration.

I’m going to call this the mix-and-match-Monstrance-craft because there are a lot of variations you can use!

Start with the world- this is really simple to make. I used this technique with a coffee filter, some markers, and a little water splatter.

To craft the Monstrance, I simply folded up a piece of paper (like I was cutting a paper snowflake) but I used yellow instead of white. I folded another piece of paper in half long ways to cut out a stand for the Monstrance, and a little cross for the top.

For the middle, I made the same Jesus flap that shows the true presence in the Eucharist for kids.

You could also pair the world with a doily Monstrance, or a handprint Monstrance. Likewise, you could use your profile to make the stand if you want.

Just glue all the pieces down with a glue stick. We glued ours to half a piece of black poster board- I love how the colors pop on the black background!

That’s it- fast and easy.

Or if you want, you can make your own 3D Monstrance out of pool noodles. See? So many possibilities!

Don’t forget to join in for this worldwide hour of Adoration with your kids!

—

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Curriculum Written by Me - Catholic ABC's!

Catholic Preschool Curriculum

for homeschooling or co-op classes

Honoring Mary in the Month of May with Kids

2013-05-29T23:30:51Z

Since the month of May is dedicated to Mary, it’s a great time to honor her with your little ones!

Some years, our family has a May crowning or makes a May altar for Mary.

This year, our family… moved across 3 states, had a case of the shingles, completed a police academy, delivered a baby 12 minutes after arriving at the hospital on the same day the academy sprayed my husband in the face with mace, came out with a new book, lived with my parents for 9 months while closing on a house, moved again, made new friends, started a Catholic Schoolhouse program, and then moved another family with 2 additional small children into our home for 3 months.

Although this has been a crazy year, I didn’t want to go through the month of May without doing something special with my children to honor Mary. So we kept it simple.

First, the kids picked some flowers from our ~~weed bed~~ garden.

After Mass, they took them over to the Mary statue outside.

They knelt down, and we all said a “Hail Mary” together.

Simple. Beautiful. Totally to the point. (This picture reminds me so much of the Fatima children.)

Anabelle is a too small to know what’s going on, but she was there too. Such beauty in a big family- just tuck the little one into your life- they’re along for the ride.

See? Living the Liturgical year with your kids can be easy. No prep, no money, no clean up, and no hassle!

Related Posts:

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Curriculum Written by Me - Catholic ABC's!

Catholic Preschool Curriculum

for homeschooling or co-op classes