Free Printable Endangered Species of the World Coloring Pages

Earth Day, which replaces the original holiday Arbor Day is celebrated in the United States on April 22. Here's a free printable booklet, Save our Species, with information, activities and coloring pages exploring endangered species in the US and world. The purpose of Earth Day is to celebrate our earth, educate people and explore ways to protect our natural resources. Protecting our earth include supporting our animals, plants and habitats. Earth Day reminds us that we rely on the earth for sustenance and the earth relies on us for care and safety. Exploring and understanding endangered and threatened species helps us to learn better ways to care for our environment as a whole.  Free Printable Earth Day Endangered Species Coloring Activity Booklet 

Free Printable Holi Festival of Colors Crafts, Worksheets

 Holi is the Indian Festival of Colors. It's celebrated on the full moon, called Phalgun Purnima or Pooranmash. It comes in the Hindu calendar month of Phalgun. Holi falls in late March to early April in the western calendar. Indians celebrate by tossing colored powder or spraying each other with colored liquid. Here are free printable Holi crafts, greeting cards and worksheets to help kids understand Holi. Teachers, use these for social studies. Homeschool parents, why not explore Holi with kids? Free Printable Holi Festival of Colors Crafts, Worksheets 

Free Catholic Easter Worksheets, Printables, Activities

The Easter Triduum -- Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Vigil -- makes up the three most sacred days of the Catholic liturgical calendar. As a homeschool family, we spent Holy Week, from Palm Sunday to Easter, doing Lent activities. Here are free printable Catholic worksheets andFree Catholic Easter Resources and Activities
resources. Pope John Paul II spoke of the family as the primary educators of children. He encouraged families to set up altars in their home. Whether you homeschool your children or not, parents have a special vocation to teach the faith. These lessons, devotions and crafts help children and families explore that faith more deeply.

Celebrating St. Patrick's Day, Irish history

St. Patrick's Day is a feast day, celebrated on March 17, in the Catholic liturgical calendar. Like Valentine's Day, it has also become a major U.S. holiday. Patricus, a Roman Briton was taken from his home as a slave, but returned as a bishop to bring Christianity to Ireland. Speaking as a descendant of Irish immigrants, I'd like to see the day celebrated with fewer green shamrocks and more focus on the religious and cultural significance of the holiday. Here are ways to celebrate the man we call St. Patrick and explore Irish traditions with kids. Celebrating St. Patrick's Day, Irish history with children

Mazel Tov! Activities to Celebrate Purim

Mazel Tov! February 24-25, 2013 celebrates Jewish Purim. That's 14 Adar in the Hebrew calendar. Hebrews celebrate Queen Esther and her cousin Mordechai for defending their people from decimation in Persia. The story is read in the Torah Megillah (the book of Esther in the Bible). It tells about King Ahasuerus and his wicked advisor Haman and how faith triumphed. Here are resources for Jews and gentiles to explore Purim and embrace the holiday more deeply. Kids will love making paper graggers. Mazel Tov! Activities to Celebrate Queen Esther and Purim

New Orleans Super Bowl 2013 Recipes Cajun Courtbouillon, Gumbo, Jambalaya, Etouffee

Our daughter moved to Lafayette, Louisiana from Michigan. Prior to that, we'd never traveled in the southern U.S. It was a treat to visit and sample local Cajun and New Orleans creole dishes. Many became family favorites. I recreated our Louisiana experience for my husband's birthday. Here's a northerner's version of catfish courtbouillon, jambalaya, gumbo and crawfish etouffee.  Louisiana Cajun Menu--Courtbouillon, Gumbo, Jambalaya, Etouffee 

Costumes, Not Booze Are the Best Part of Mardi Gras

 What's the best part about Mardi Gras in New Orleans? According to the Huffington Post, most people prefer the booze cruises. I disagree. For me, Mardi Gras is all about the parades, music and best of all the wonderful costumes. Would Mardi Gras be as fun without the alcohol? Absolutely; teetotalers get to enjoy all the color and flavor without the hangover or the unpleasant after-taste. I actually have more fun because I didn't miss everything in a drunken fugue. Costumes, Not Booze or Food, Are the Best Part of Mardi Gras