Today is our last day of formal school work for the year. I wanted to finish off in style so I used my old friend Catholic Mosaic and planned a Poinsetta tea. This was very simple. First I reviewed some words to look for and the copy work on our white board prior to reading the story. This is helpful to Ryan, knowing what he is going to be asked ahead of time allows him to find clues in the story. That is the current approach Iam using in improving his comprehension. 
I served peppermint tea (Celestial Seasonings) with candy cane stirrers and poinsetta cookies made with cutters from Gooseberry Patch which are, sadly, no longer available. Then I read Tomie de Paolo’s wonderful book The Legend of the Poinsetta. We also dipped into The Legend of the Candy Cane. 
Later on we will be making poinsetta flower fairies.
It was a lovely way to end school for the season.
How special MaryEllen, and what a lovely day you all had!! We also read this one today and I can’t wait to make the poinsettia people with Violet!! I think we’ll just have to try the peppermint with candysticks, yum! Have a splendid rest of Advent and enjoy your end of the year relaxing 🙂 Blessings!
Mary Ellen,
What great ideas to go with dePaola’s book! I love the peppermint stick stirrers for the hot chocolate!! YUM!