Christmas Countdown 2011 - Day 8

Day 8 - Pajama Story Time at Mud Puddles

A friend of mine shared with me a great new tradition that we decided to start this year and it became our Day 8 activity of our 25 Days to Christmas. We have a local toy store that is one of those cute little shops that sells quality toys where the kids get to explore, discover, and read. When the kids were younger, we would be sure to make it a habit to visit their weekly story time, but now that both kids are in school we don't make it there as often. For the Christmas season, they were holding a special night time event where the kids could dress up in their pajamas and listen to Christmas books!

I let each of them bring a "friend"...

Austin really was happy to be there...
even though this picture doesn't show it!

It was such a treat to be able to enjoy this time with Mikayla's good friend Ellie because now that they are attending different schools they don't get to see each that much anymore! Ellie's mom (and my good friend) is the one who told me about pajama story time!

Ellie's little sister, Claire, wanted her picture taken, too!

Story time!

Waiting in line for hot cocoa...

It was a fun night and the bedtime process was so much easier that night. We got home, brushed teeth, and then they hopped into bed!

Christmas Countdown 2011 - Day 7

Day 7 - Blessing Others

This year we really wanted to instill in the kids that Christmas is not always about GETTING presents, but most importantly that it's about GIVING! We have always talked about this, but as each year goes by we make it more of an emphasis as the kids get older and understand it more. I look forward to the many opportunities we have to show the kids how much of a blessing it is for us to be able to give with a cheerful heart. Mikayla, especially, has really been able to understand this concept more and more and I can see her heart to give growing, which makes me such a proud mommy!

This year, we picked an angel off the "Angel Tree" at church.

{let's go shopping!}

On our way into the store, Grammy gave the kids money to put in the Salvation Army bucket. Now each time we pass by one, Mikayla asks to put money in. What a sweetheart!

Mikayla picked an art activity case for the Angel Tree gift.

We also purchased art supplies for one of the children in the family that her Kindergarten class "adopted" at school through the Helping Hands program.

I must admit that Austin still needs a little more work in the concept of "giving to others" since pretty much the whole time he was pouting because he wanted to buy something for himself. Oh, the joys of learning it's not all about "me"!

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In mid-November, we also had the opportunity to fill two shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child. This is something we have tried to do each year and this year we bought enough to fill two shoe boxes for two girls. It filled my heart with joy watching her be so excited about giving to others who have so little...or nothing at all!


My next mission is to create a system where the kids will start saving their money and have jars for giving, saving, and living. It's never too early to teach them ways to spend the little money they earn.

Christmas Countdown 2011 - Day 6

Day 6 - Milk & Cookies...and letters to Santa

It seems like I'm falling further and further behind in posting our 25 Days to Christmas, but here goes in trying to catch up...

Day 6 we baked up some cookies with ingredients I had prepared ahead of time and then enjoyed them while the kids wrote their letters to Santa.

{cookies in a jar}

{just dump the ingredients into the bowl}

{mix them all together}

{stir in the "wet" ingredients}

{roll them into balls}

{fresh from the oven}

{cookies and milk!}

Time for letters to Santa...

Austin told me to write that he wants a remote control monster truck, but he didn't really tell me anything else he wants for Christmas. However, a couple of days ago while riding in the car, he asked me..."Mommy, guess what I want from Santa." I replied, "A remote control monster truck." He said, "No, that's on my list, but I want a Touchpad like Daddy."

Dreaming big I would say!!

(How cute does he look writing his name?)

Mikayla wrote her own letter this year with a little help from me for spelling. I can't believe she's getting so grown up!

"Dear Santa,
I want a pink and white soccer ball and Barbie Christmas movie. I want a Pocahontas doll. Thank you."

Guess I have some shopping to do! ;)

Christmas Countdown 2011 - Day 5

Day 5 - Candy Cane Milkshakes & The Candymaker's Gift

For Day 5 of our 25 Days of Christmas activities, we made candy cane milkshakes and read the beautiful book called The Candymaker's Gift. It puts spiritual truths into a charming story of the origin of the candy cane. It focuses on the importance of Jesus, the one whose birth we celebrate at Christmas. I met the Haidles (a husband and wife author/illustrator duo) at the first MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) Bazaar I participated in where they both signed our copy. This tradition is something we started two years ago and we will continue to do this!

I bought these cute little snowflake glass mugs one year on an after-Christmas clearance. This is the first year I have pulled them out for the kids to use during special times.

{ready to make candy cane milkshakes!}

{break up the candy canes}

{scoop in the ice cream}

{pause for a picture}

{ready to blend}

{ready, set, puree!}

{ready to enjoy...yum!}

{story time by the Christmas tree}

{sipping on milkshakes while listening to the story}

Christmas Countdown 2011 - Day 4

Day 4 - The Playmobil Nativity Set

This year Ryan and I wanted to get the kids their own nativity set they could play with one of their own throughout the month of December. We have the Demdaco fragile set and I'd rather them not play with it (although they do love it!)! We've had it ever since they were babies and it's lasted this long without any accidents and I even keep it down low.

Daddy and the kids reading the day's activity after church...

They found the present under the tree and started ripping off the paper immediately! Don't you just love Austin's face here? So exciting!

Time to take out all of the pieces...

Mikayla's favorite piece is the angel...
Austin's favorite is the camel...

Setting it all up...

The kids have had a great time playing with this almost every day. Mikayla loves to reenact the story of Jesus's birth. I will read it aloud and she will move all of the pieces. It's a great way to be sure the kids are understanding the true meaning of Christmas.