Advent Calendar

I have been so looking forward to doing some fun things with the kids over the holidays. Last Christmas was such a blur with a newborn, and then this summer was so stressful preparing for our move.....I am ready to have some fun!!

I have been working over the last few weeks on putting activities and items together and decided to also introduce an advent calendar this year with Addison and Graham. I want my kids more than anything to know and appreciate the real reason we have Christmas, but I also want them to learn the "other" fun traditions too. Addison is finally getting to an age where she's starting to "get" it.

I found this advent calendar on Etsy....oh, don't even get me started on how much I love Etsy!

Each day, the kids will open a box on the advent calendar and find a slip of paper. It will always give them a clue (or at their age tell them where to look) for their "surprise". It will also include the day's activity and a scripture that will help to tell the Christmas story.

Here is a glimpse of what each day looks like. I made two copies. One to cut up and put in the advent calendar, and one for me so I would remember what we were doing each day and where to hide the surprises!

This year I purchased this adorable Little People Nativity set from fisher price online. I will include parts of the set each day in the box so that the kids can begin to tell and play the story as we learn a different scripture each day.

I am also excited because we are going to introduce this guy this year! Nothing like a little motivation for good behavior, right?

Each day I'll also put one of the Christmas books from their collection out that we'll read. We have a lot of Christmas books, but we don't have enough to do one every day, SOO.....

I also looked under the App Store for Apple and found free Christmas apps and read along stories that we can do. So fun....and free!!!

Speaking of Apple apps...

I found an app where you can call Santa on your phone...not free but could be money well spent over the next few years.

Can you imagine?

Addison throwing a fit right in Target..... "Uh oh", "I'm going to have to call Santa and tell him about this."

Sometimes in the box, I'll include little surprises that I found at the Target $spot, or even some things that we've already had or been given to us by grandparents. Some of these things they've forgotten about, so it will be new all over again and won't cost me a cent!

Like these...

they were gifts last year, but I'm introducing them to the art of regifting this year!

Target dollar spot finds

I'm keeping everything in this big tub so it's hidden, but semi-organized for me to find it each day.

The following may be information overload, but I am mainly including this so that I can have it to look back on next year. I'm also not ashamed to admit that the teacher part of me sometimes misses that organizational high I get when I just completed a rock star week of lesson plans. It's messed up, I know......I also wanted to share with my friends so activities and ideas that I found, and am looking forward to you sharing some traditions or neat activities you do in the comments section.

Enjoy!

Lastly, because Addison is so into singing lately....not well, I might add, sadly, I believe she has inherited my ability, but she loves it nonetheless. So...we will be working on learning a new song each week.

Here we go...

December 1

Activity: Elf Yourself

Surprise: Little People Mary & Angel

Scripture: Mary lived in the little town of Nazereth. One day, God sent the Angel, Gabriel, to see her. "Don't be afraid, Mary", said Gabriel

Song: Jingle Bells

Book: Room for a Little One

December 2

Activity: Name our Elf

Surprise: Elf on A Shelf

Scripture: "God has a special plan for you. You are going to have a baby. You must call him Jesus. He will be a great King," said the angel. Mary was confused.

Song: Jingle Bells

Book: Elf on a Shelf

December 3

Activity: paint our nails Christmas colors

Surprise: red & green nail polish

Scripture: "The baby will be God's Son." Gabriel explained. "God is great; he can do anything." Mary smiled, "I will do whatever God asks me."

Song: Jingle Bells

Book: Santa Kid

December 4

Activity: Sea World with grandparents

Surprise: Little People Joseph

Scripture: "Joseph was going to get married to Mary. When he heard about Mary's baby, he was worried. That night while Joseph was sleeping, God sent an angel with a special message.

Song: Jingle Bells

Book: Bob & 6 more Christmas stories

December 5

Activity: make ornaments

Surprise: ornament craft kit (Target find)

Scripture: "Joseph", the angel said. "Don't worry!" God wants you to marry Mary and take care of her. Mary's baby has been made by God's Holy Spirit. The baby's name will be Jesus. One day he will rescue God's people." Now Joseph was happy to marry Mary.

Song: Jingle Bells

Book: Llama, Llama Holiday Drama

December 6

Activity: color in Christmas stocking (You can find this printable here).

look at Christmas lights and drink hot cocoa

Surprise: markers for coloring, Donkey & Wagon for nativity set

Scripture: Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem. It was very busy because people had come to be counted just as the Roman dmperor had wanted.

Song: Away in a Manger

December 7

Activity: make reindeer cookies

Surprise: Little People innkeeper and inn at Bethlehem

Scripture: Mary and Joseph had traveled for a long time and they needed a place to sleep, but all of the inns were full.

Song: Away in a Manger

Book: Sandra Boynton

December 8

Activity: Fingerpaint with Christmas colors

Surprise: fingerpaints, Little People stable & animals

Scripture: "There is a place where you can stay." said an innkeeper at last. He showed them to a warm, dry, stable.

Song: Away in a Manger

Book: The Old Lady who Swallowed a Bell

December 9

Activity: Play with Christmas playdoh and cookie cutters

Surprise: playdoh & Little People Jesus

Scripture: That night, Jesus was born. Mary wrapped him warmly and laid him to sleep in the hay.

Song: Away in a Manger

Book: Dear Polar Bear

December 10

Activity: Go to the zoo for "Jungle Bells"

Surprise: Little People shepherds and sheep, lip balm

Scripture: The shepherds were busy looking after their sheep. Suddenly, an angel appeared, surrounded by God's dazzling light.

Song: Away in a Manger

Book: Sandra Boynton

December 11

Activity: Santa Claus cotton ball craft (find it here)

Surprise: Christmas socks

Scripture: The shepherds were very scared. "Don't be afraid!" the angel said. I bring you good news of great joy for everyone!

Song: Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer

Book: Olivia helps with Christmas

December 12

Activity: buy a gift for another child

Surprise: bubble bath and Santa hats to make bubble bath beards at bathtime

Scripture: "Today in Bethlehem, God's special King has been born!"

Song: Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer

Book: Sandra Boynton

December 13

Activity: make grandparents cards (craft can be found here)

Surprise: M&M candy canes

Scripture: You will find the baby lying in a manger wrapped in swaddling clothes.

Song: Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer

Book: God Gave Us Christmas

December 14

Activity: go to aquarium

Surprise: Christmas candles & stickers

Scripture: Then the sky was filled with lots of angels singing to God.

Song: Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer

Book: Sandra Boynton

December 15

Activity: make homemade Christmas granola to give to neighbors and friends

I found these at Target in the dollar spot!

Perfect to hold treats

Surprise: ingredients for making treats

Scripture: "Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on Earth!"

Song: Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer

Book: Sandra Boynton

December 16

Activity: select toys of our own to give away to other children.

Surprise: a new Christmas app to play with

Scripture: The shepherds were so excited. They said to each other, "Come on! Let's go to Bethlehem! Let's see this wonderful thing that has happened!"

Song: Silent Night

Book: Charlie Brown Christmas

December 17

Activity: make holiday pretzel treats (recipe here)

Surprise: Starbucks card to go get hot cocoa at Starbucks, ingredients for treats

Scripture: They ran to the village and found Mary and Joseph. There was the baby, lying in a manger.

Song: Silent Night

Book: Little Reindeer

December 18

Activity: make spiced tea (Daddy's favorite)

Surprise: Ho Ho Holiday matching game (printable here), Movie Elf

Scripture: Then the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about Jesus.

Song: Silent Night

Book: Gingerbread house

December 19

Activity: make reindeer cake pops

I have an obsession with cake pops. Please tell me you have been to Bakerella's site! She has a book out now that is on my wish list as well. Maybe Santa will bring it to me this year!

Surprise: Little People 3 Wise Man

Scripture: About this time some wise men saw a bright star in the sky.

Song: Silent Night

Book: Christmas Tale (free interactive book by Apple)

December 20

Activity: make a wreath collage out of scraps of wrapping paper

Surprise: How the Grinch Stole Christmas DVD & Little People camels

Scripture: They knew it told of a birth of a special king, so they began to follow the star as it guided them to Bethlehem.

Song: Silent Night

Book: How The Grinch Stole Christmas (Apple interactive book)

December 21

Activity: write a letter to Santa

Surprise: Tickets to go to the Children's Museum & Christmas village printable

Scripture: The star stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were filled with joy!

Song: Jingle Bells & Away in a Manger

Book: Jingle all the Way (Interactive free book by Hallmark)

December 22

Activity: make a train cake and decorate with Nana & Poppy

somehow, I don't see our turning out quite like this.....

but we're going to do our best using this

Surprise: Polar Express DVD to watch after making the cake

Scripture:They entered the house where Jesus and Mary were and they fell down before him and worshiped him.

Song: Rudolph & Silent Night

Book: Target Dollar Spot book

December 23

Activity: go visit Santa and bring him the letter & perform Christmas concert for Nana and Poppy singing the songs we've learned

Surprise: shaving cream to be used to make snowscape (play and get messy!)

Scripture: They gave him gifts of gold because it was the perfect gift for a King.

Book: Review the Christmas story using Children's bible

December 24

Activity: Addison is going to retell the Christmas story using the Little People nativity set.

Surprise: Tonight the elves will come and fill our stockings!

Scripture: They gave the gifts of Frankincense because it was used to burn in worship of God and myrrh to show that Jesus would die for our sins.

Book: Night Before Christmas (Apple interactive book)

December 25

Merry Christmas!!

Ok, if you're actually still reading this, I'm impressed! I think that was my longest post ever.

Now....please share some fun activities/traditions you do with your family!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

I have been in a little bit of a blogging drought, but I promise to get better soon.

We had Mark and Jacqueline with us for four wonderful days last weekend and I didn't take ONE picture!!!

Too busy having fun...

"Show me your turkey!!!"

That was a little shout out to my Chi-O girls, right there....

And for the book.....

Wish you were here....no seriously, we do!!!

Sass

I have known from day one that my firstborn was a firecracker.

She has had spunk that has made me want to scream and laugh at the same time.

Case in point today.

She was taunting our dog, Harley, for the umpteenth time.

This has been her favorite pastime lately.

She will run around with a snack or toy, lay on him or even act like she's going to kick at him...

This is not Harley's favorite pastime.

He growls whenever she walks his way now.

So as soon as I see her taunting him again today, I tried to take a deep breath and begin a conversation that I have already had many times with her.

I got down to her level, exhaling slowly, and said in as calm of a voice as possible,

"Addison. Do not tease Harley. Do not even pretend or act like you are going to kick him. He. does. not. like. it. "

to which she replied, just as calmly.

"Mom. What. Is. Your. Problem?"

2 going on 16.

I'm in for it.

Beach babes....in November

I am still pinching myself that we LIVE here.

Well, not here, exactly, but 5 minutes from here.

Audra and Miles asked if we wanted to go the beach today, and I was like, "today?" People go to the beach in November?

No, I didn't really say that, because I didn't want to embarrass myself when I'm still trying to make friends, but yes, people go to the beach every day out here.

And now, I think we will be joining them....a lot.

And you know what the best part was?

I mean besides the fact that it was a cool 65 degrees...

You don't have to wear a bathing suit!!!!

I mean, let's be honest, that's why I avoid the beach half the time anyways.

So we just packed up some snacks, toys, and a blanket and headed out.

The kids had a blast! Addison loved running through the sand and Graham loved following after her.

Here are a bunch of random photos. Please excuse the random photoshop playtime.

I'm glad that Andy wasn't here to see this....

I'm talking about the sand, nevermind the fact that it's pink.

Like her glasses? She stole them from her brother, like pretty much everything else.

Good thing, he's a good sport..

and not nearly into accessories like she is.

C'mon....

you know you want to play too!

Come visit us!!!!

The zoo and the cat's meow

We went to the San Diego zoo today with our neighbors. It was a lot of fun, but we were all completely worn out. I think we just saw about a third of it, and we probably walked up and downhill for about 4 miles. It's huge.

Before I show pics from that...here is my little cat's meow herself. This is mainly for Nana, who bought her the outfit, but she loved it, and I thought looked pretty cute for church on Sunday.

So here we are at the zoo. Miles, is about a year younger than Addison and 7 months older than Graham. They all have a lot of fun with each other.

Cute little Koala...Addison enjoyed this guy....I think she had seen one on a Wiggles DVD about a ganglion times, but never in person.

Taking in the elephants...

Graham took in the views most of the time from the stroller, but loved seeing all of the animals....and started making noises like a monkey when we saw the gorillas.

Um....maybe one of the funniest signs I've ever seen. We stayed out of range.

Audra and Miles looking at the polar bears

Addison is over the stroller. At least there were plenty of places for her to run around in and wear herself out so that all she wanted to do was be IN the stroller.

When the kids were melting down, we stopped for a snack. We got a bag of pirate's booty, a pretzel, and a diet coke. $19

The coke was $12. I'm not kidding. But it came with an extremely cool souvenir cup that I was told I could bring back on my next visit for $1 refill. I'm a sucker.