08/31/2015 Saint John of Rila

Happy Monday everyone!

I hope you all had a great weekend. We enjoyed our visit to Dormition Skete in Buena Vista and had a very busy weekend after that! 🙂

Today we remember Saint John of Rila. He is a very special saint to those in Bulgaria as he was a spiritual ascetic in Bulgaria. He was orphaned when he was very young and went to work as a cowherd to provide for himself. One day he lost a cow and her calf. His master became very angry with him, beat him, and told him to go find the pair. He did find them, but they were across a raging river. He was able to retrieve them by saying a prayer, throwing his coat on top of the river, and walking across it. It is unknown at what point in his life he was tonsured a monk, but he did flee into the wilderness and lived in a cave for 12 years. After that, he began living in the hollow of a tree. Aside from the grasses around him, he survived by eating beans that God allowed to grow right next to his home. The more people learned of him and his miracles, the more they came to visit him. Trying to flee celebrity, he moved into the mountains once more and spent the remaining time of his life in a cave.

Your life was a foundation of repentance and a model of compunction, an image of consolation and spiritual perfection, equal to the angels, O venerable one. You persevered in prayer, fasting, and tears, O Father John; intercede with Christ God for our souls. – Troparion, Tone 1

For our circle time this week we are using:

• The Monday Song (from the Garden of the Theotokos)
• 5 Little Monkeys
• Humpty Dumpty
• The Itsy Bitsy Spider

We worked on our main lesson out of the Garden of the Theotokos. We talked about Thursday today, and how we remember two things on Thursdays. We remember the 12 Holy Apostles and Saint Nicolas. We talked about who the Apostles were, that they were Jesus’ followers, and how they preached and spread Christ’s teachings around the world. Then we talked about Saint Nicholas and how he loves children very much and is a special Saint for children to pray to. He is the real “Santa Claus”.

For our “Our World” lesson we did a work page out of the Get Ready For Kindergarten workbook about different types of food. We talked about healthy foods and foods that are special treats. Then I had Theia play with her food cutting kit and she served us all up some healthy veggies, fruit, and bread.

For our “Letter” study, we traced the big “B” and the little “b” on a work page out of our Brain Quest workbook.

Next, we had “Structured Play Time” where we worked on puzzles.

Lastly, we worked on chanting. We studied the Tone 1 Troparion using Tone Tutor 101.

That was the end of our day! I will let you all know what we are up to tomorrow!

In Christ,

D. Kyriake

08/27/2015 The Forefeast of the Dormition of the Mother of God

Hello Everyone,

I hope you all had a nice day. Today was our last day of school for the week. We finished the first week! Yay!

Today is the Forefeast of the Dormition of the Theotokos. We are coming to the end of the Dormition Fast, and tomorrow is the Feast of the Dormition. We will be going to visit the monastery in Buena Vista tomorrow for the Feast Day – it is the Feast Day of Dormition Skete!

The Theotokos was visited by the Archangel Gabriel three days before her repose. He reveled to her that she would pass in three days time. All of the Apostles came to her bedside, from wherever they were in the world, by way of clouds, so they could be with her when she reposed. The Apostle Thomas was late, and when he came to say his goodbye, thats when it was revealed that she was translated into heaven. The Troparion of the Forefeast brings us together on this day in gladness. The Theotokos is about to depart from earth to heaven.

Dance with joy, O peoples! Clap your hands with gladness! Gather today with fervor and jubilation; sing with exultation. The Mother of God is about to rise in glory, ascending from earth to heaven. We ceaselessly praise her in song as truly Theotokos. -Troparion, Tone 4

For our circle time this week we are using:

• The Angels (from the Garden of the Theotokos)
• My Cross (from the Garden of the Theotokos)
• I am a Little Toad
• 6 Little Ducks

We worked on our main lesson out of the Garden of the Theotokos. We talked about Wednesday today, and how the cross is celebrated on Wednesdays. Also, how Wednesdays are fast days. We talked about the cross and all that it symbolizes. It can be a sad thing to remember, because it was the tool used to kill our Lord Jesus Christ, but it is also a symbol of victory over death. Christ rose from the dead! We talked about how St. Helen was able to find the true cross of Christ. I let Theia decorate her Wednesday page however she wanted. So, she chose to color it pink and then glued on sequins.

For our “Our World” lesson, we did a work page out of the Get Ready For Kindergarten workbook about what objects in the house belong in which room of the home. For example, in what room would you find a bed?

Then, for our “Number” study, we reviewed the number Zero and did a work page on “0” out of our Brain Quest workbook.

For our “Structured Play Time” we had a pretend picnic on the living room floor – complete with watermelon, chocolate milk, sandwiches, carrot sticks, and cake for dessert. Some of our favorite stuffed animals joined us!

Lastly, we worked on chanting. We studied the Tone 8 Troparion using Tone Tutor 101.

That was the end of our week! I hope you all have a great weekend – we will be back on  Monday.

In Christ,

D. Kyriake

08/26/2015 Saint Tikhon of Zadonsk

Hello Everyone!

Today was a very busy and very fun day. We had liturgy this morning at the Saint Maximus chapel here in Colorado Springs because today is the Feast Day of Saint Maximus the Confessor. We would like to wish many years to all of the faithful here that attend the Chapel of Saint Maximus as well as to the girl’s cousin, Max Tadros, and our dear friend Max Mills! Our Bishop made a special visit to do a Hierarchical Liturgy which was very special for those who attended.

Another Saint who we commemorate today is Saint Tikhon of Zadonsk. He received the monastic habit when he was 34 years old. He was ordained as the Bishop of Voronezh and served as bishop for seven years before retiring to the Zadonsk monastery for the remainder of his life. He was found to have wonderworking relics that healed many faithful.

From your youth you loved Christ, O blessed one. You have been an example for all by word, life, love, faith, purity, and humility. Therefore, you now abide in the heavenly mansions, where you stand before the throne of the All-Holy Trinity. Holy Hierarch Tikhon, pray for the salvation of our souls. Troparian -Tone 8

For our circle time this week we are using:

• The Angels (from the Garden of the Theotokos)
• My Cross (from the Garden of the Theotokos)
• I am a Little Toad
• 6 Little Ducks

We worked on our main lesson out of the Garden of the Theotokos. We talked about Tuesday today, which is the day we remember Saint John the Baptist. We talked about how Saint John was the Forerunner of Christ, born to the Theotokos’ cousin, Elizabeth. We talked about how Elizabeth and the Theotokos were pregnant at the same time and how when the Theotokos came to visit her cousin, Elizabeth, Saint John leaped for joy knowing that they were in the presence of Christ! Saint John was also known as Saint John the Prophet, so he has three titles – Saint John the Baptist, Saint John the Forerunner, and Saint John the Prophet. He is such a special Saint that we remember him every Tuesday.

For our “Play Time” today we went outside and played with sidewalk chalk! Theia actually drew a sun all by herself with the sidewalk chalk!

Next we worked on the big letter “A” and little letter “a” again. We did a work page out of our Brain Quest book where she had to find all of the big “A’s” and little “a’s”. She also used socks to make shapes of the big letter “A” on the floor.

For our “Structured Play Time” we made some fasting and gluten free chocolate chip cookies. Yum!

For our “Art” we made some really cute octopuses out of toilet paper rolls, paint, google eyes, and sequins. They turned out really cute!

That was the end of our day! I will let you know how tomorrow goes.

In Christ,

D. Kyriake

08/25/2015 Holy Martyrs Anicetas & Photius

Hello Everyone,

I hope you all had a wonderful day. Our day has gone very well so far. 🙂 Today we commemorate the Holy Martyrs Anicetas and Photius. Emperor Diocletian had made a trip to Nicomedia to persecute and kill the Christians there. Saint Anicetas was the governor of Nicomedia. He boldly confessed his faith in Christ and was arrested and tortured. They threw him to the lions, but the lions only fawned over him and played at his feet. He was subject to other tortures before his death. His kinsman, Photius joined Anicetas in his martyrdom and they both suffered in Christ together.

Your holy martyrs Anicetas and Photius, O Lord, through their sufferings have received incorruptible crowns from you, our God. For having your strength, they laid low their adversaries and shattered the powerless boldness of demons. Through their intercessions, save our souls! Troparion – Tone 4

For our circle time this week we are using:

• The Angels (from the Garden of the Theotokos)
• My Cross (from the Garden of the Theotokos)
• I am a Little Toad
• 6 Little Ducks

We worked on our main lesson out of the Garden of the Theotokos. We talked about Monday today, which is the day of the angels. We talked about how their are nine different types of angels and how they all have different jobs. Then we focused on talking about our guardian angel.

Next we worked on our “Nature” unit. We talked about weather (Sunny, Windy, Snowy, Rainy) and then we went on a walk outside and talked about what the weather was like. Today it was sunny with a little breeze. 🙂 Then Theia did her weather work page out of her Get Ready For Kindergarten book.

After that we began our “Numbers” study. We started with the number zero. Theia worked on her work page out of her Brain Quest workbook. She had to practice tracing the number and circle the trees with zero apples on them.

Then, we had our “Structured Play Time”. The girls both worked on a couple puzzles together.

Lastly, we worked on chanting. We studied the Tone 4 Troparion using Tone Tutor 101. Theia sang with me while we practiced chanting and Apfeya really enjoyed just listening! It was a lot of fun.

When their daddy gets home Theia will do her “Share with Daddy Time”.

Tomorrow is the Feast Day of our chapel, the St. Maximus Chapel. So, we will be attending liturgy in the morning at the chapel. After that we will begin our homeschool work.

In Christ,

D. Kyriake

08/24/15 Holy Martyr Euplus

Hello Everyone!

So, today was the first day of school! Everything went really well and hopefully we will all get used to the new schedule soon.

Today we commemorate the Holy Martyr Euplus. We had fun reading about his life because he was a deacon (just like daddy, as Theia said) and he was from Sicily (just like Nana’s family)! He was martyred after he was discovered preaching and reading the Gospel in secret to some hidden Christians who were being persecuted by Emperor Diocletian.

As a holy deacon and righteous minister of the Church of Christ, you contended superbly. You sailed over the sea of many torments and afflictions, O all blessed Euplus. Guide us into the haven of heaven. Troparion, Tone 4

For our circle time this week we are using:

• The Angels (from the Garden of the Theotokos)
• My Cross (from the Garden of the Theotokos)
• I am a Little Toad
• 6 Little Ducks

We worked on our main lesson out of the Garden of the Theotokos. We talked about the days of the week and how there are seven, just like how God created the world in seven days. Then we focused on Sunday, the day of Liturgy and Communion, and the day that God rested during his Creation.

We also worked on our “Our World” study and talked about all the different rooms in our home and what each room is used for. Then Theia did her activity page out of the BrainQuest book and drew what her favorite thing to do at home is.

Next we worked on our Letter “A”. Theia practiced the sound that “A” makes, then she practiced tracing the big letter “A” and the little letter “a” from the work pages in her Get Ready For Kindergarten book. Next she made the big letter “A” out of play dough.

Then, we had our structured play time and Theia and Apfeya got to play dress-up. They had a lot of fun – did you know that Elsa has a horse named Lucky who she loves to ride? 😀

The last thing that we did was Art. Today we made some pigs out of doilies. This was really cute and fun!

When their daddy gets home Theia will do her “Share with Daddy Time” and he will work on their Slow and Steady Get Me Ready Activities.

I will let you know what we are up to tomorrow!

In Christ,

D. Kyriake

Beginning the 2015/2016 School Year

Hello Everyone!

I hope you all had a wonderful summer and are ready to get back into school. We are starting our school year this Monday, August 24th. Before I start posting our daily activities, I wanted to take the time to share with you the materials that I will be using this year as well as what our schedule is going to be.

There will be quite an interruption for our schooling at the end of October/ beginning of November, when our new little girl arrives. I will be doing my best to keep up with Theia’s pre-schooling, but there will most likely be a couple weeks where we have to take a break.

So, we are working on a pre-school curriculum and will be getting a little more involved in learning our alphabet, numbers and counting, and science. We will be continuing to use the Garden of the Theotokos for our main lessons, and will also be studying our Saint’s Lives.

The main materials I am using:

• The Children’s Garden of the Theotokos
• Get Ready For Kindergarten
• Pre-K Brain Quest Workbook
• Slow and Steady Get Me Ready

I am also using this Lesson Plan and Record Book to keep everything organized.

This is the weekly schedule we will be using:

Here is my actual lesson plan for the first week of school, August 24-27, as well as the Troparion for the Saint we are learning about that day. I abbreviated the titles of the books in my lesson plan – if you have any questions feel free to message me!

You can also find the Troparions and Kontakions for the day by visiting: http://oca.org/saints/lives – just keep in mind this website is on the New Calendar and I am using the Old Calendar.

Here are some pictures from our summer for you to enjoy:

Well, I will be making my post on Monday to let you know how our first day went!

In Christ,

D. Kyriake