Meeting Santa

I love it when a photo absolutely cracks me up. This picture is sooo my kids:

Ian trying to be the perfect kiddo although very uncomfortable on this stranger's lap, Lilly refusing to smile for the camera--her I don't care what you think,
I hate this--body language.

But, when I said, "Ian, tell Santa what you want for Christmas," Lilly came alive. I couldn't hear what she was saying, only a lot of "princess" this and "princess" that. I swear I heard "princess" ten times in five seconds.

Ian's list was well rehearsed: dragon castle and Optimus Prime and Bumblebee Transformer costumes.
Shhh . . . don't tell Ian, but Santa's already got those things "in the bag," so to speak.

Bass Pro's Winter Wonderland set-up is pretty darn cool. Beautiful.

And after the much-hyped Santa trip, we enjoyed a late dinner at McAlister's with lots of giggles and Ian and Lilly making us laugh so hard--I wish that dinner could have lasted half of forever.

Jingle Bell Rock, Lilly's favorite Christmas song, came on the radio on the drive home. We didn't even mind when we were stopped by a train crossing. Starbucks' Peppermint Mochas (mom and dad) and candy canes in hand (Ian and Lilly via Santa), we were having a moment.

Don't you love those nights when all the world just seems right?

Me too. Wishing you many such moments this season.

On the Second Day of Christmas

Today, I placed red and green food coloring into my kids' advent stocking to make . . .

Christmas Play Dough
(Christmas because it's red and green--that counts, right?)

1 c. flour
2 T. cream of tartar
1/2 c. salt
2 T. oil
1 c. water

Put all ingredients into sauce pan. Cook on medium heat until dough forms a ball. Turn out on table and knead until cool.

Press your finger into the dough to make a valley. Let your child drop red or green food coloring into the valley. LET SIT FOR A FEW MINUTES, SO LITTLE HANDS DON'T TURN COMPLETELY GREEN/RED. Show child how to fold and knead, fold and knead carefully until the coloring has soaked in just a bit. Then, they can knead their little hearts out, working the coloring into the dough. Repeat this process until desired color is reached.

This kept my kiddos busy for 45 minutes, at least!

Add festive cookie cutters and craft sticks for cutting.

Every Who Down in Whoville . . .

. . . Liked Christmas a lot, especially when it involves homemade hot cocoa!

Christmas Countdown
Day 1:
Enjoying a cup of cheer with mum and papa while watching The Grinch Who Stole Christmas (animated version).

Fluffy hot chocolate (our family favorite; kids love making it):
8 tsp. sugar
4 tsp. baking cocoa
4 c. milk
1 1/2 c. miniature marshmallows
1 tsp. vanilla extract

In a saucepan, combine first four ingredients. Cook and stir over medium heat until the marshmallows are melted, about 8 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla. Ladle into mugs.

Oh, and we add red sprinkles, of course!

Encore

Coming back to KY3 on December 13 to share some more Christmas ideas!

And isn't Paula Morehouse teeny? She's sweet as can be--even helped us set up, take down, and walked us to the door. Very nice. So was Debbie Enlow, who produces the show. I've known Deb since she was in college and am so proud of her!!

Meanwhile, Nathan was playing a great Kenneth, saying, "Anything else, Miss Lemon?" at every turn. Anyone else out there a 30 Rock fan?

Advent How-To

Welcome! Following are three ideas to help you count down to Christmas with your children, all while reinforcing the true meaning of the season. Filler ideas found at the end of the post.

Stocking advent
Inspiration for this idea found here.






Supplies: felt; assortment of random buttons, beads, sequins, brads and ribbon I had on hand
Not a seamstress? No problem. Make paper stockings.

December Boxes
Inspiration for this idea found here and here.


Purchase 25 craft (paper mache) boxes from Hobby Lobby. Paint. Add numbers and embellishments.

Supplies:
Poster frame: Hobby Lobby, $16 (or use coupon for 40% off)
Paint: Craft Smart acrylic, Pale Blue; Apple Barrel acrylic, Leaf Green; Folk Art acrylic, Cardinal Red
Circle numbers: Every Jot and Tittle
Other numbers: Thickers
itty bitty numbers: Cut from scrapbooking paper sheet, Teresa Collins, Documented
Adhesive chipboard: Cosmo Cricket, Jolly by Golly (available locally at The Scrap Nook)

Happy Birthday Jesus! 7 day Scripture/Countdown


Cut 7 strips of paper. Write/print and glue one of each of the following verses on the backs.

Chain link 1:
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

Link 2:
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were sore afraid.

Link 3:
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people

Link 4:
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

Link 5:
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

Link 6:
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying

Link 7:
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Luke 2:8-14 KJV

Children remove a link in the chain each of the seven days before Christmas and read the scripture on the back.

Supplies:
Jenni Bowlin, mini Bingo Christmas cards
Transparency: Creative Imaginations
Arrow sticker: daisy d's
Paper: Making Memories FaLaLa and Glittered Poinsettia Red FaLaLa and Flocked Dot
Letters: my stash--can't remember but I think I bought them at Hobby Lobby

You've made them. Now what???

Ideas for filling your stockings and boxes:

• candy (my least favorite)
• event tix for that day (The Nutcracker, etc.)
• Bible verses
• Nativity figures
• A message to your child telling of a special craft you'll do that day, a seasonal baking project, or a trip you might be taking to serve food for needy folks, etc.
• Small craft supplies for a project you want to do that day
• A clue to something in another location

Beginning December 1, I'll be posting daily, counting down to Christmas. Keep checking back for Christmas ideas and recipes, and just the general day-to-day of this busy home!

The Place to Be

Busy, busy, busy . . . getting my craft on . . . preparing for my 15 minutes of fame (or 4, actually) . . .

KY3 morning show this Saturday, Nov. 28 at 7 a.m.
Me.
Sharing some Christmas countdown crafty-ness. Three ideas to help you answer that "How long until Christmas?" question your kids have already asked a dozen times.

Sneak peeks:

Ali fans might recognize this idea:

Plus a nativity countdown still in the works.

Directions and detailed photos will be posted on my blog this weekend.

And now, on to more important things. I am thankful.

For my honey, Nathan.
xoxo, sweets.

For this guy (and his soccer medal, earned last night):

And for the spirited, chatty, teensy girlie behind these big brown eyes:

Who and what are you thankful for? Happy Thanksgiving, dear blog reader!

Rock n Roll Ruth

Growing up, I always knew she was the coolest mom on the block.

All the neighbor kids would come over to see her hula-hoop. She was legendary. The hoop never fell. Never.

And she could play Ms. Pacman on the Atari until her hands were blistered. No level was too difficult, no ghost too quick for her. She beat the game. Every. Time.

In Kid World, those two talents made her a superstar.

I'm still struggling to keep up with her. She's tweeting, Facebooking, and mastering every app on the planet for her smart phone. She's even listening to my music. (It's just bizarre to come to your mom's for lunch and hear Coldplay streaming from the stereo.)

But now, her cool points have skyrocketed. My mom's piano music is on iTunes. Find it here and here. It's also on Amazon.com. Go here and here.

What will she conquer next? Did I mention she recently got an electric guitar? (I think all those Guitar Hero whoopin's against dad finally went to her head.)

She claims she won't get serious about learning guitar until there are no grandbabies left to hold.

Not sure I believe her. More probable: she'll be playing Chris Martin's "Fix You" guitar solo by Christmas. Rock on, mom. Rock on.