Author Archives: treeoflifemama

Two Christmas Tamales Stories

Posted on December 19, 2022 by treeoflifemama

I read aloud this picture book a few years ago and loved it. I didn’t realize until I read it that eating tamales on Christmas Eve is a Latin American Christmas Eve tradition. I love it! I love having traditions, … Continue reading →

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Fun, Not Boring Educational Gifts for Christmas

Posted on December 15, 2022 by treeoflifemama

You know us homeschoolers, we are always wanting some excuse to get more educational toys and games. Christmas is the ultimate opportunity! Check these videos out for some ideas. Here are the show notes for the above video, copied and … Continue reading →

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2022 Countdown to Christmas: Picture Book about Jingle Bells Story and Paper Snowflakes Craft

Posted on December 13, 2022 by treeoflifemama

Have you ever wondered how the holiday classic song Jingle Bells came to be? The author of this picture book above came up with a reasonable story about it. He took some historical license in guessing the details, but the … Continue reading →

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2022 Countdown to Christmas #4: A New Movie About the Christmas Carol “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day”

Posted on December 12, 2022 by treeoflifemama

Have you heard? A movie that tells the true story of why and how Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote the carol “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” is playing at a theater near you! Here’s a mini-synopsis told by Edward … Continue reading →

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2022 Countdown to Christmas #3: Bingeing on Christmas Picture Books

Posted on December 8, 2022 by treeoflifemama

As I mentioned in my blog over here, about my Christmas Morning Basket for homeschool, I am reading aloud two Christmas picture books a day to my son. Then during the rest of the day, I’m binge watching YouTube videos … Continue reading →

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Countdown to Christmas 2022 #2: My Christmas Morning Basket

Posted on December 7, 2022 by treeoflifemama

I love the idea of the “morning basket” for homeschooling. If you don’t know what that means, go here. It’s basically morning gathering time where you share things you are excited about with your children. For me, that means read … Continue reading →

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A Joyful Reunion

Posted on December 4, 2022 by treeoflifemama

So last week I blogged that my mother-in-law was dying. She passed away peacefully early this morning with most of her children around her. I am so grateful that for this last week, she always had at least two of … Continue reading →

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2022 Countdown to Christmas #1: Jolabokaflod, an Icelandic Christmas-y Excuse to Read Books All Day

Posted on December 1, 2022 by treeoflifemama

Wow, am I ever excited to hear about this! So yesterday I blogged that I was still basking in the glow of Thanksgiving. Well, I’m done with that. I needed to feel some Christmas cheer this morning as I drove … Continue reading →

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How Grateful I am for a Safe, Warm Home: Thanksgiving 2022 Recap

Posted on November 30, 2022 by treeoflifemama

I’m doing one more Thanksgiving story before December starts. I just have to let Thanksgiving shine a bit longer. As a holiday, it’s kind of like a less flashy sister that gets passed over quickly for people to get to … Continue reading →

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11/22/22 Tree of Life Mama’s Family Movie of the Week: Funny Thing About Love (a Thanksgiving movie)

Posted on November 22, 2022 by treeoflifemama

Somehow, I stumbled upon this movie last year, after Thanksgiving. I’m happy to introduce you all to it so you can watch it this Thanksgiving weekend with your family. It’s a good Thanksgiving family movie that the whole clan can … Continue reading →

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