Countdown Day 10

This night David and I were both gone so the kids watched the following while we are out:

Countdown Day 9

We read the book Christmas Oranges. Here is a short story based on the same concept as the book:

The Christmas Orange

Jake lived in an orphanage with nine other young boys. In the wintertime it seemed that any extra money went for the coal to heat the old buildings. At Christmas, the building always seemed a little warmer and the food a little more plentiful, but more than this—Christmas meant an orange. It was the only time of the year such a rare treat was provided, and it was coveted by each boy like no other thing that they ever possessed.

Each boy would save his orange for several days, admiring it, feeling it, loving it, and contemplating the moment he would eat it. Some would even save it until New Year’s Day or later, much like many of us relish saving our Christmas trees and decorations until New Year’s just to remind us of the joy of Christmas.

This particular Christmas Day, Jake had broken the orphanage rules by starting a fight. The orphanage mother took Jake’s orange away as punishment for breaking the rules. Jake spent Christmas day empty and alone. Nighttime came and Jake could not sleep, silently he sobbed because this year he would not have his orange to savor with the other boys.

A soft hand placed on Jake’s shoulder startled him and an object was quickly shoved into his hands. The child then disappeared into the dark to leave Jake alone to discover a strange -looking orange- an orange made from segments of nine other oranges-nine highly- prized oranges that had to be eaten that Christmas night instead of saved, admired, and cherished until a later date. What a special gift of unselfish love had been given.

This year, may the orange remind us all of the unselfish love taught to us by our Savior and may we share that love with one another.

Countdown to Christmas Day 8

This became a tradition out of necessity in our family when I had a 1,2,3 year old and candy canes were not safe on the tree but I love to have them around to stir our hot chocolate with all season. I remembered this idea in a magazine(I can't remember which one) and thought hanging candy canes from it would be a perfect solution. Now every year we hang candy canes fromthe wreath hanging over our table.

Countdown Day 7

Watched Christmas Devotional on the computer. Words can't describe the feeling....tears were shed by all!

Countdown Day 6

Boy oh Boy did I screw it up today I forgot to have them open the door before we went to church and so seeing the Nativities at church happend but then it left me scrabbling for a quick and easy idea. Finishing decorating the house for Christmas was decided and now we have one more thing off of our list to do!!!

Countdown Day 5

We made ornaments for the tree today. The kids had so much fun painting or markering their creations:



I found the frames they painted at JoAnn's and we used the paint I had here which happens to be every color under the rainbow. Weeks ago preparing for this day I had taken profile pictures of the kids(they are so used to me lining them up to take pictures they did it with no questions asked. Before they got started painting they chose a piece of scrapbook paper and then while they painted I cut out their profiles and the background circles for them and tada cute little ornaments.

Countdown Day 4

Today we went through our old toys and donated 2 boxes full to the Salvation Army. Okay one to the Salvation Army and one to a friend. As we were boxing stuff up my sweet princess had said some of the things she was getting rid of were perfect for a friends daughter. After talking to the mother she was right, they were perfect and they will be used happily!!!

As their reward for being so willing to go through their things:



Followed by watching the movie Jack Frost!

Kids Say

Tonight at dinner as we were wrapping up eating when my little Brain says my dinner side is full. When you hear this yoiu are like HUH? When further questioned by his dad he says, "My dinner side is full but my dessert side is empty!"

Countdown Day 3

The kids are still loving the advent calendar and get so excited when it is time to see what we are going to do today. On day 3 we went to Barnes and Noble to see their beloved kindergarten teacher read to them and then we bought a new Christmas book to add to our collection:



Her books are some of my favorites and they are our laid back boys too!!!

As we were leaving it was snowing and onthe way to the car we were catching snowflakes in our mouth and counting them as we went. Ilove this time of year and the child like wonderment that comes with it!

Countdown Day 2

Today we went to Pizza Sam's for dinner and to visit Santa Claus. Our downtown is lovely at Christmas time and it was the perfect night to walk around. In front of the courthouse there is a Nativity and we stopped and talked about The Wiseman and why at Christmas we give gifts. The kids were so excited to see Santa's reindeer and then into Santa's House...who couldn't love this place. David IV kept looking around to see how everything worked which was a new approach to being in Santa's House I had never seen before. Julianna loved the dollhouse and Jensen couldn't get enough of the trains! Now I have some shy children and 2 of them were not going to sit on Santa's lap not for one minute. So our brave D4 was a great example and talked to Santa. What I realized is Santa is used to getting lists of things the children want well he wanted only one thing which perplexed the Jolly One. I thought he responded well for the situation by asking if he liked surprises and what child doesn't like surprises. To my surprise when David jumped off of Santa's lap Jensen ran and hopped right up there and exclaimed he would really like some Trios for Christmas and again surprising myself and Santa that was all he wanted and the question do you like surprise what put forth. Now it was our Princess turn to talk to Santa and she politely when asked if she wanted to sit on his lap she said, "No thank you." and they began to chat about what she would like for Christmas and again she asked for only one item and yes she likes surprises too! It was a joyous night adn I am glad we took the time for it!

Countdown Day 1

We started our countdown by remembering the reason for Christmas to begin with GIFTS! Gotcha! No but seriously we were sent one of the most precious of gifts and the reason we celebrate Christmas Our Saviour Jesus Christ. Though we can never repay our Redeemer for the sacrifice He made for us we can give Him a gift and we each chose some gifts we could give our Savior over the next year. Above are our gifts!

The kids then wrote their letters to Santa and decorated their envelopes to be sent to the North Pole. I wonder if they will hear back?

And the Countdown Begins

We started a new family tradition this year. We have always counted down to Christmas in some way but this year we thought we would do it a bit different. We bought the above advent calendar(Thank You Great Grandma Kepler!). On November 30th we presented the concept to the kids...they were so excited!!! We told them everyday until Christmas we would do something as a family. David and I beforehand made a list of 25 ideas and then depending on the day and how much time we would have that evening and the happenings in the community we would add that idea(we did not pre fill the advent calendar because things do change like the weather). To add to the excitment the time of the day varies of when they get to open the next number. I will posting here our daily adventures. Wish us luck on our new adventure!

Bulletin Board Project

I saw an idea for a bulletin board HERE.

I made a few adjustments to mine. The black dividers are not permanent, I cut them to the sizes I wanted and added magnets to the back. This way if I want to change it and make it work better for me like if I were to have more children or if one goes away to school I can change it to fit my family over time.

Art Boards

I made this at a recent craft night at church. I love how they turned out(in the picture it looks orangish it is actually RED). It also has 5 art clips and the author of the quote but I cut it out of this picture(the quote is from pablo picasso)

For a how to you can go to my ever talented friend, SWEETPEA.

A Bunch of Turkeys...and no they are not my children!!!

25 down 31 to go!!!!