Day 344 - gingerbread houses

We made gingerbread houses with our homeschool group today.  This year we made the houses out of gingerbread instead of graham crackers.  I loved doing it this way and it wasn't as difficult as I had imagined.  I loved watching Courtney with her red-green pattern of gum drops.  I had to search out for more because she needed to complete it.  Claire wasn't as particular.  She and Caroline ate more than they decorated.

 Calista was much more into decorating (vs eating) this year.  She told her sisters that it happens as you get older.  Last Christmas she was 8 years old so she ate more candy.

One of the moms told the story of Jesus' birth and we had a birthday party for Jesus.  I love this sweet shot of Caroline and the twins at story time.  It was a fun, fun day for the girls.

Day 338 - bringing down the boxes

I think this is one of Ken's least favorite daddy jobs.  It's no easy task to bring the Christmas boxes down from the attic.  The girls dance and squeal with each box they see and the decorating fun begins.

The rest of Christmas 2009

I don't think we've ever had a Christmas Season so filled with activities and excitement as this one.  I'm so curious to know what they remember, enjoyed most and want to do again next year.

We made and delivered some scrumptious peppermint meltaway cookies.   They took turns crushing the  candy canes for the topping.

The girlies just loved being little elves and running up to our friends' doors to deliver the boxes.  We want to do this again next year but just plan it out a little better.  We realized later that there were many more families we would have liked to gift but we just ran out of time and cookies.  It was also really, really chilly and we didn't bring coats!  What was I thinking?

We made some handprint ornaments.  I had each of the girls write their names and the year on the back and we added a big red bow.   They were way too cute and special to give away as I had originally planned.  We'll have to make extras next year.

We made some cute little snowmen.  This was an easy and fun craft I got from Erica.  Thanks :)  We did so many crafts that the girls just started asking me each morning about that day's crafts.  I also noticed them doing so many more on their own which was exciting to see.

The older girls made some pretty tea towels as gifts for their grandparents.  I was impressed with their patience and determination to complete these projects.  Our friend Anne brought them the supplies and showed them how to do this.

It was fun to hang Christmas cards on the wall each day and see the pictures of friends and relatives.  It would actually be nice to keep these (or other photos) up year round so the girls would remember these special people.  I really need a photo wall!

The gingerbread cookies may have been my favorite recipe.  Those were hard to resist and they were so sweetly decorated.  

It's no easy task taking a Christmas photo with everyone looking and smiling.   We didn't send out Christmas cards this year and that was a little sad.   Hopefully next year!

We went to the Christmas Service at church for the first time this year.  It was beautiful and I'm so happy that we are finally able to do this together.  Last year at this time we didn't really have a church.  This year we are very aware of how the Lord has blessed us with our church family and we are so grateful.

Christmas Activities Continue

I usually like having downtime after a busy day but it has seriously been one busy day to the next.   Busy, but really fun.   It seems that there is so much to squeeze in before Christmas Day that we may need a break after our Christmas break (if that makes sense).    I want to make some notes to myself at the end of this season so I can remember what worked and what didn't for next year.  For example, making Gingerbread cookies was fun for them and they look so adorable but ... no one will eat them.  I'm the only one who likes Gingerbread cookies.  How can that be good?  So here are a few of the highlights from the past several days.

We continue to do a daily devotional with our Jesse Tree.  Daddy usually does it in the evening but if we get behind then I add one in the morning.    This is our first year with a Jesse Tree and it's been a great addition.

This Advent Box is filled with little treats, verses, scavenger hunts, activities and so on.  I usually have them do this in the morning.  Next year I'm going to pre-fill it.  I scramble around sometimes looking for an activity or treat to match what we're doing and then I end up missing a day.  Lesson learned :|

This was our candy cane day.  We read The Legend of the Candy Cane,  made some paper candy canes and then some yummy cookies.

The cookies were more difficult to twist than I had anticipated so I'm glad that I waited until the twins had nap time.  I was able to work more closely with the big girls and it was really nice.

We also had a blast making the sugar cone Christmas Trees.  I got this one from here.   They ate them immediately after creating them.

The next day we went to a friends and made even MORE cookies.  Luckily that night we were going to another friends' house to see Santa so we shared our cookies with them.   But not before Courtney got the red one....her favorite color.

Then on Friday, the much anticipated Christmas Play...The Christmas County Spelling Bee.  We were so proud of the girls for all of their hard work.  They each had a solo and a speaking part.  The play went off beautifully and I can tell they are a little sad now that it's over.

I haven't finished all of the Christmas activities I have planned so we're continuing on each day.   I planned more this year than any other.  It really makes a difference that the little ones aren't babies anymore.  I remember thinking that I'd never be able to do the fun things with the bigger girls and now, here we are!

A Fun Song

I think this song has been out for a few years but I just discovered it.  That's what happens when all you listen to is Cedarmont Kids.  :)  Even though I don't feel that this Christmas time has been as hectic as the song describes, it's a fun song with a happy tune  :)   Thought I'd share.

Nativity Silhouette

This craft was just for Calista.  I wanted something a little more challenging to do with her this afternoon and this one was perfect.  I found it at The Artist Woman and the directions were easy to follow.  I think it turned out beautifully.  

Christmas Fun Begins

I put the regular curriculum on hold so we could have a little break and some Christmas fun.  I have seen so many great ideas on other mommy blogs that I can't wait to try them all.  The twins love cutting and gluing so this was a great one to start with.  It was a preschool craft that I found here.

I love how they line things up in rows.

Sweet smiles and lots of fun.

Claire was making me laugh with her glue.  She has grown so much since the school year started.  She used to just watch Courtney and shy away from the craft.  Now she's much more confident.  I love witnessing this!