The 12 Days of Learning: Keep Christmas Alive!

On the twelfth day of Christmas, we celebrated epiphany

by making candles and starry cinnamon toast.

Well, Christmas has come and gone and although we had a wonderful holiday full of special family memories, we forgot to blog. I will take the blame. I was so excited to have everyone home and around for the holidays that I basically took up all of their time and before we knew it, December 25th had come and gone and so did the family. So sad. I am a firm believer in extending the Christmas season until the VERY end and warm feelings that we all have with friends and family as long as possible.

One activity that we have at preschool is our Epiphany celebration. This is a fun activity to do at home, as well. The children listen to the Christmas story with the emphasis on the three wisemen who followed the star to Bethlehem.

A fun book to read at home is Humphrey's First Christmas by Carol Meyer.

Then each child makes an Epiphany candle. It is a small white votive candle decorated with shiny star stickers. It is a simple project and can be made much more elaborate if your family wants to participate and make one at home. I have seen large three wick candles on a pretty candle holder and also a simple taper decorated with glitter. Make it special and make it your own.

Just grab this stuff.

And let your kiddos do this!

The most important part of this candle is when you light it. You can light this candle at meal time or for bed time story time. Light it whenever you want to gather your family together to share stories of the day and exchange times of when you let your "light" shine or saw someone else "shining ther light" during the day. Shining your light might be passing a smile out to someone, sharing, being patient, being kind or just listening to someone.

To extend the activity, make star cinammon bread:

1. Use one piece of bread

2. Let your child spread butter on the bread and sprinkle it with Cinnamon Sugar.

3. Then cut it with the star cookie cutter.

A simple, not too sweet snack to extend the activity!

Make this activity your own and enjoy the season. Remember, Jesus was God's gift to us and is with us everyday, not just on Christmas Day. The celebration shouldn't end on December 25th. Light your candle as a reminder to let Christmas live in your life everyday.

12 Days of Christmas: Epiphany Cookies

On the 10th Day of Christmas my grandkids gave to me,

lots of cookies to decorate and eat.

We are back from a wonderful Christmas holiday, filled with tons of family memory making.

Did you know that the TRUE 12 Days of Christmas start on December 25 and end twelve days later on January 5? These twelve days after Christmas is also known as Epiphany, the time when the three wise men followed a star to meet the new King, little baby Jesus.

Baking cookies is a fun tradition in most families during the holiday season and is a great way to extend the holidays. It is not only a lesson in math and science with the measuring, pouring, counting spoonfuls, etc., it can be a Bible story or a devotion.

1. Star Cookie Cutter: The angel told the three wise men to follow the star and, when they did, it took them to Bethlehem where they found Jesus. They gave Him their gifts: a bag of gold, a jar of frankincense, the perfume of flowers sort of like potpourri, and a special box of myrrh - the perfume of spices.
2. Heart Cookie Cutter: The heart represents love. What do you think of when you see the heart? Do you know that God loves you and He loved you so much He gave you a sacrificial gift, His Son, Jesus? Sacrificial? What's that? Well...do you have something that you really love -- more than almost anything? You only have one like it - maybe a special blanket - and you give it away. Well, that's what sacrificial means. Let's say all you had in the whole world was one dollar and you were hungry but you saw someone else who was also hungry. You took your dollar and bought the other hungry person food. That would be giving a sacrifice.
3. Cross Cookie Cutter: The cross represents life. The cross represents Jesus, the reason for the season. The baby Jesus grew up and He learned to walk and talk and became a man. He went to the cross and died for our sins. Jesus went to Heaven to be with His heavenly Father. When we believe in Him, He forgives our sins and then, one day, we will live in Heaven with Jesus forever.
4. Candle Cookie Cutter: The candle represents light of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 5:16 says we are to let our light shine. Our faith, thoughts and feelings are to be full of light. Light gives a welcome feeling. Christmas gives a special opportunity to let our light shine. We can tell others about Jesus and that Christmas is His birthday.

After baking the cookies, frost them or lightly dust them with powdered sugar. Divide them onto plates, making sure that each plate has at least one of each shape. Let your children help distribute them to family and friends.

Even though the receivers of these decorated cookies may not know the meaning of each of the cookie shapes, those who made them do. Meanwhile, the "bakers" have learned a bit more about the story of Christmas and the message of Christ...and special memories are made.

We forgot to take pictures of our cookie making! But enjoy this one!

12 Days of Learning: Rice Baby Jesus

On the sixth day of Christmas my mommy gave to me,

a brand new little baby. (I'm not pregnant!)

We started off by reading the Christmas Story in our little board book Bible. It is VERY Baby appropriate. Each Bible story is two pages long, maybe 10 sentences and very colorful!

Then we played a bit in his new Sand & Water Table! Thanks Grammy!

If you are still looking for Baby/Toddler gift ideas, I totally recommend getting one of these. These are great, AWESOME, amazing, and fine motor development galore!! Fill up both sides with all kinds of fun stuff; sand, water, oatmeal, bubbles or in this case...rice!

Then we made a little baby Jesus! This is a straight up steal from ELP. Who knows if we will make it back to the US for Carter to make one there...so he gets one here! (And now, I'm crying, no joke...why did I have to type that!?)

Step 1: Fill the pantyhose or knee high stockings just a bit, then knot it. This makes the head.

Step 2: Fill the rest up with even more rice, then knot it! Makes the body!

This is how you hold the baby!

Step 4: Swaddle him up and draw a face!
Step 5: Give that baby some love! And Carter is loving the baby! Sweetest thing ever!!!

Teacher Tip:

Kiddos not only need to be nurtured but they need to learn how to nurture. It is such an important social and emotional skill! It is OKAY and wonderful for little boys to love on a baby doll!! He will be a great Daddy someday!

12 Days of Learning: Reindeer Aprons

On the fifth day of Christmas, Rudolph gave to me,

a reindeer apron to match the reindeer painting.

Looking for a fun activity and a gift a loved one will cherish and use year after year? This is a great spin off the reindeer hand and foot painting Suz did! I would say, great for kiddos old enough to wear the apron and help baking some Christmas goodies!

Well, go to you local Hobby Lobby, Walmart, Michaels, etc. Sarah, not too sure where you would go for this in China. I think it is time to move home :) Purchase white aprons. They are VERY inexpensive and can be full or just half aprons.

With fabric paint, paint your child's hands brown and have them place them side by side.

Then connect the handprints with a brown paint pen in the shape of a triangle. If they are old enough...let them do it! It may be crooked or wobbly but all the more special!

Add two large googly eyes or paint them on

and a big fluffy pom pom for the nose.

A mom made these for our Breakfast with Santa last year and they were adorable. I don't have one of my own at home. Hint hint! But wearing these while baking Santa's cookies will make it extra special!

12 Days of Learning: Snowmen ornaments (Handprint ornaments)

On the third day of Christmas my Grandkids gave to me,

A handprint ornament for our lovely tree!

These Christmas ornaments are extra special made with your child's handprints are on them. GUARANTEE...anyone who receives a present with your child's handprint on it will proudly display it year after year (especially grandparents and other family members. Remember to make one for your tree too!)

Step 1: Paint your child's hand with white acrylic paint

Step 2: Lay the ornament in child's open hand and have them

gently close their fingers around the ball. Remove the ornament

and you have 5 little snowmen on a bed of snow.

Step 3: After it has dried, add the details with paint pens or sharpie markers.

Step 4: Make it pretty by tying a pretty bow on the top and you are done!

A nice tradition would be to have a handprint ornament or a photo ornament of each year as your child grows up. Then you can pass them down to your child when they leave. As for my grown children, NO, you don't get them, not yet. You need to come over and see your ornaments. Maybe you can have them next year. :)

12 Days of Learning: Snowman Soup

On the second day of Christmas, Carter is share-ing...

some Snowman Soup for friends in our building.

We are making some fun little Christmas gifts to share with some of the people who live in our building. This includes friends, front desk, house keeping, room service (sad, we know them too well), and John's (my husband's) co-workers because, yes, we all live together. Smile!

There are different ways to make Snowman Soup (aka: Hot Chocolate).

However, I have no way to get most ingredients. But, I do have this stuff, for some SUPER SIMPLE fun:

That is right...you see some packets of hot cocoa. :)

I used:

• Cocoa Packets
• Hershey kisses
• Pocky Sticks (Chocolate dipped cookie sticks)
• Ribbon
• Jars (Cost $1!!) Check your Dollar Store, Hobby Lobby and even CVS!

1. I simply alternated the Hot Cocoa, topped with kisses, tied up in a ribbon!

2. The FINAL touch will come when I print these Snowman Soup Poems and mat them with construction paper!

Teaching Tip:

Get your kiddos involved! This is a fun way to teach measuring! Even if you do it the "Sarah-way" they are doing math. Some of the very first skills taught in Pre-K and Kinder are patterning. This is also WONDERFUL pre-reading skills.

Example Lesson:

Timmy, a pattern is something that over and over again in the same order. We are going to make a pattern with the Hot Cocoa. Vanilla, Mocha, Vanilla, Mocha, Vanilla....What do you think comes next? Mocha? You got it! You know patterns! Can you pour the packets in the jar and keep the pattern going? The Vanilla packets start with the letter V and we know vanilla is white (keep the box up for reference) and the Mocha starts with the letter M and is more brown (do the same).

We are going to leave these anonymously on the door steps as a little surprise to spread Christmas Cheer! Who doesn't LOVE coming home to a little treat waiting for you!

Talk about the act of selfless giving. Why is it harder to give without acknowledgement? Explain that God wants us to give selflessly and read:

John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that he gave us his only Son, so that whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

12 Days of Learning: Advent

On the first day of Christmas my mommy gave to me:
Yummy Advent Cookies!

Tonight is the second Sunday of Advent. Celebrating Advent with your children can be flexible to meet the needs of your family. You can add bible versus, carols, discussions, whatever works for your family. There is a mom in my multiple group that has a great tradition for Advent. The first Sunday of Advent she gives her children a new Christmas ornament in celebration of the season. Each ornament is specific to what that child likes! I am thinking I will steal this idea!

Advent is Latin for, "the coming", waiting in anticipation leading up to Jesus' birthday!

Tonight we lit our Advent candles on our Advent candle holder Auntie Sarah sent us from Norway. (Sarah and John lived in Norway before they lived in China... did you know they are world travelers dwellers?)

Here is a little break down for you:

First Sunday of advent : Hope
light one purple candle to symbolize Hope
Prayer
Read Isaiah 60:2-3
Extinguish the flame

Second Sunday : Peace
Light two purple candles - Hope and Peace
Prayer
Read Mark 1:4
Extinguish the flames

Third Sunday : Joy
Light two purple candles (Hope and Peace)
and one rose to symbolize Joy
Prayer
Read Isaiah 35:10
Extinguish the flames

Fourth Sunday: Love
light all four candles - Hope, Peace, Joy and Love
Prayer
Read Isaiah 9:6-7
Extinguish the flames

Christmas Eve
After Sunset...
Light all four candles and add the fifth white candle
(the light of Christ)
Prayer
Read Luke 1:68-79 and Luke 2:1-20
Keep the candles lit a bit longer, or safely
throughout the evening.

And for dessert we made our own Advent candle! Of course everything with my kids revolves around food. They just love to put everything in their mouth still.


Supplies Needed:
Icing in a squeeze tube,(red or yellow)
Rolled Wafer Cookies
Fudge Stripped Cookies

Not pictured Fudge Stripped Cookies

First Step:
Set out the cookies. Mine are red because that is all they are selling right now at HEB.

Watch out for the little hands.

Next: Cut the rolled wafer cookies into thirds. And 'anchor' them into the hole with icing.

I did red icing to match the cookies.

And Last: Pipe more icing around the base of the candle and add a flame!

Yummy!

And Enjoy (Note to self: Next time I will do this before bath. Ugh, first time mommy mistakes.)

Happy Advent!

A Fun Little Quote

“It came without ribbons! It came without tags! It came without packages, boxes or bags! And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What ifChristmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store? What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more?”

Even the Grinch figured it out! :)

Thanks Denise for sharing this with me!

Baby Wipe Boxes

I have an over abundance of baby wipe boxes. If you are looking for ideas on what to do with them, check out this great site. She has 10 awesome ideas!
I took idea number 2, and changed it up to fit our needs!

Supplies Needed:
Baby Wipe Box (I used Huggies because it has the rubber gripers)
A roll of ribbon

I took the ribbon off the roll and shoved it in the box. And it was kid approved! (Now, I won't find hundreds of clean wipes on the floor.... I hope.)
Holiday ribbon is half off everywhere right now... and it's not like they are ruining it, so I can reuse it. Plus it looks festive!
Sarah said she did this too, but shoved a scarf in the box ... since being in China, there is no half off sale at Hobby Lobby for her!!

Pull away! Now if you could only teach the twins to run the vacuum cleaner in the picture, we would be set!

EnJOY the Season

'Tis the season! We hear it and see it EVERYWHERE! Take stock of what you really want your children to remember about Christmas. Is it the story of Baby Jesus? Is it Santa Claus? Is it singing Christmas Carols? Is it the lighted Christmas Tree? All of these memories are special.

Since I am the eldest of the posters on this blog, my concept of the Christmas season is a little different from Sarah's and Suzie's. Now, when I was their age and had children the age of my grandchildren, I thought just like they do now. Their enthusiasm, joy, and love of the season is uplifting and fun! This is how holiday memories are made.

I, however, see it from a different perspective now. Christmas should not be a stressful time of year. Exciting, yes, but not stressful. Take a few moments to enjoy the true meaning of Christmas with your family. Make memories your children will carry on to their children. Relax and enjoy. While getting ready for Christmas is so fun, the truth is, your children won't remember the perfectly wrapped gifts, the perfect Christmas tree or the big, fluffy bows on the staircase. They will remember the warm hugs, smiles and the joyful enthusiasm and anticipation of Christmas.

Grammy's Tips:

Here's a little tip for this busy season. At the end of the day, when your floors are covered with toys and your couch with laundry, set your timer for three minutes. Take a few laundry baskets and gather up all the toys in one and throw the laundry in the other. Put them in a closet or any place that is out of sight (so that you are not reminded of what needs to be done.) Turn the lights low (the dust doesn't show:) and light the tree and candles. Take some time to sit quietly with your family and read a story, look at the Christmas cards you have received, play a short game, talk about the many gifts God has given us that are not under the tree... These feelings are what children will remember, and believe it or not, when your children are grown up these are the precious memories that you will have of the holidays as well.

Relax and have fun! Enjoy this season and the many blessings it brings.

Glitzy Christmas Pumpkins!

Fall is over and Christmas is on its way with gusto! The stores have been decorated with lights and tinsel for months, just anticipating everyone packing away the Fall decorations and finally pulling out the Holiday Glitz!

If you are looking for a fun activity for your little one to work on during your dinner prep ,"witching hour", try this fun alternative to TV. It is a fun way to bridge from Fall into the Christmas season!

1. Pull out your fall pumpkin, glue, small scraps of Christmas wrapping, ribbon, lace, bows, etc.
2. Put the pumpkin on a tray or newspaper and let your children collage the pumpkin with the Christmas supplies. Children can snip the supplies on their own, or you could offer them "Mom (pre)cut" supplies.

3. After the glue has dried, they can paint the collaged pumpkin with Modge Podge for a hard, shiny finish.

Remember, enjoy the process and HAVE FUN!!!!!