Sparkle Stories Blog
A home for Sparkle audio stories, crafts, recipes, and kind words!
Junkyard Tales Audio Advent Calendar Printable Coloring Page: Day 11 – Starlight
The Junkyard Tales Audio Advent Calendar Day 11. Though the other mice have full bellies and are sleeping comfortably in the shed, Starlight is awake and wondering what to do. Then she sees a bright star shining overhead and realizes it is a sign — the star formation! The snow has stopped and it’s time for the mice to go home!
Martin & Sylvia's Audio Advent Calendar – Day 11: "Storytelling Surprises"
In this Martin & Sylvia's Audio Advent Calendar story,"Storytelling Surpises", it’s a grey day, and everyone is grouchy. Nothing is quite right! What to do today? Momma gives Martin and Sylvia a fun storytelling exercise to help them decide, and all three are surprised by the magical answer.
Junkyard Tales Audio Advent Calendar Printable Coloring Page: Day 10 – Fredland
The Junkyard Tales Audio Advent Calendar Day 10. Late at night by the Beaver Pond, Fredland the Moose wakes from a powerful dream — a dream that shows him his Junkyard friends need his help! So off he goes, through the snow and wind, until he hears two familiar voices in the distance. The trip from the Beaver Pond to the Junkyard is long and windy.
Martin & Sylvia's Audio Advent Calendar – Day 10: "Library Magic"
In this Martin & Sylvia's Audio Advent Calendar story,"Library Magic," when Martin is trying to decide what to make Daddy for Christmas, he gets the perfect idea from an unexpected source.
Junkyard Tales Audio Advent Calendar Printable Coloring Page: Day 9 – Harriet the Hawk
The Junkyard Tales Audio Advent Calendar Day 9. Right when the Junkyard animals are all worried for the young mice and Spiro, Harriet Hawk arrives with good news: she has seen the mice and Angus and Spiro. All are safe! This reassures everyone except Zippy who is determined to help his friend.
Martin & Sylvia's Audio Advent Calendar – Day 9: "The Warmth of Wool"
In this Martin & Sylvia's Audio Advent Calendar story,"The Warmth of Wool," what do Christmas Angels and sheep have in common? Find out today in Martin & Sylvia’s Advent adventure to the Brown’s farm!
Friday's Kind Words: Ever-more-important
You guys are doing such fantastic (and ever-more-important) work! ~Stefani Farris
Junkyard Tales Audio Advent Calendar Printable Coloring Page: Day 8 – Spiro
The Junkyard Tales Audio Advent Calendar Day 8. When Spiro learns that the young mice went out on their own, he doesn’t want to wait for a plan to be formed — he wants to help them NOW. So he puts on goggles, straps a flashlight to his head, and protects his paws with plastic cups, Super Skunk is coming to the rescue!
Martin & Sylvia's Audio Advent Calendar – Day 8: "The Elf"
In this Martin & Sylvia's Audio Advent Calendar Day 8 story, "The Elf," it is the day that Martin and Sylvia’s family decorates their Christmas Tree. And what is that hidden in the branches?
Junkyard Tales Audio Advent Calendar Printable Coloring Page: Day 7 – Angus
The Junkyard Tales Audio Advent Calendar Day 7. Angus the Camel arrives one morning ready take the mice to the fairgrounds. But when they arrive, they are not feeling as very brave and adventurous as they did when they left. No, now they feel very small and alone… and they begin to notice that the sky is thickening with snow clouds.
Sparkle Kitchen: Eggs in a Poke
Also called “eggs in a hole,” “eggs in a basket,” and (in Great Britain) “toad in a hole,” eggs in a poke is simply an egg cooked in a piece of toast with the center cut out. Because we're in the midst of the holidays it's easy — and pretty fun — to use a holiday cookie cutter to make a shape.
Martin & Sylvia's Audio Advent Calendar – Day 7: "The Tree"
In this Martin & Sylvia's Audio Advent Calendar story, "The Tree," Martin and Sylvia enjoy the apple trees in their yard! Today the apple trees lead them to another very special tree – and the children are ever so delighted.
Exploring the Dry Gables Series - "Get Your Ducks in a Row"
Clang! Clang! Clang! The school bell is ringing, and we don’t want to be late for our Dry Gables’ school teacher, Mr. Seamus O’Conner.
Junkyard Tales Audio Advent Calendar Printable Coloring Page: Day 6 – Peanut
The Junkyard Tales Audio Advent Calendar Day 6. The five young mice offer their idea to Sergeant, but are disappointed by his response. Peanut then proposes that they show the other mice how resourceful they can be — and trek to the fairgrounds… on their own! The mice often talk about the star formation.
Martin & Sylvia's Audio Advent Calendar – Day 6: "The Bakers"
In Martin & Sylvia's Audio Advent Calendar Day 6 story, "The Bakers," Martin and Sylvia aren’t sure this 6th day of Advent is going to be so magical — they are just running errands with Daddy. But when they get to the bakery, they get a surprise invitation that turns their afternoon into sweet fun!
Junkyard Tales Audio Advent Calendar Printable Coloring Page: Day 5 – The Rowlands
The Junkyard Tales Audio Advent Calendar Day 5. When the five young mice encounter the French Canadian racoon family, they learn from Roger Rowland, the father, that what people truly value is money.
Martin & Sylvia's Audio Advent Calendar – Day 5: "Christmas Books"
Oh, how Martin and Sylvia love to pull out the Christmas books each December! This year they enjoy a little something new.
Pulling out all the holiday books is one of the highlights of early December in our house. Here are some fun book related activities to try today.
Storybox Playlist: Preparing
"Make your house fair, as you are able" is one of the most memorable lines from the Advent song, "People Look East" — it is all about preparing your house — and yourself, for all the emotion, excitement, family and indeed, transformation of the holiday season.
Junkyard Tales Audio Advent Calendar Printable Coloring Page: Day 4 – Georgia Bean
Ben’s plan for finding treasure is particularly inspiring and exciting for the young mice — Peanut, Dreamy, Bono, Melvin and Starlight. But when another mouse, Newberry, wants to join, Peanut hesitates. He knows that “all belong” in the Junkyard, but he also knows that Newberry will slow them down.
Martin & Sylvia's Audio Advent Calendar – Day 4: " The Advent Table"
In this Martin & Sylvia's Audio Advent Calendar Day 4 story, "The Advent Table," Martin and Sylvia’s family creates an Advent Table each year to celebrate the season. This year, they get to go on an Advent hunt for something special to add to the decorations.
