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| Jingle Bells Today we are making jingle bell instruments and playing them as we sing. |
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| Jingle Bell Craft Read more about our Christmas Book Advent and see a full book list |
Friday, December 2, 2011
Christmas Book Advent Calendar: Day 3 Jingle Bells
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Christmas Book Advent Calendar: Day 2 Mortimer's Christmas Manger
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Mortimer's Christmas Manger
Today we will be bringing out our Little People Nativity. It is something we purchased last year and we love having it.
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| Candy Cane Mice Read more about our Christmas Book Advent and see a full book list |
Christmas Book Advent Calendar: Day 1-What is Christmas?
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| What is Christmas by Michelle Medlock Adams
Our activity for the day is a Christmas symbols box. I purchased a small metal box at Hobby Lobby and placed Christmas items inside.
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Candy Cane: Represents the crook or staff of the shepherds who came and marveled at the baby Jesus. Christ is called the Good Shepherd. (Luke 2:8-9; John 10:11)
Angel: Angels announced Christ's birth to the Shepherds. (Luke 2: 10-11)
Gift: Wise Men brought gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh to Jesus. Christ is God's greatest gift to the world. (Matthew 2:11; John 3:16)
Bell: Lost sheep are found by the ringing of a bell. It signifies guidance and return and that we are all precious in the eyes of our Heavenly Father
Tree: The tree of life whose branches are always green and pointed heavenward. (John 3:16)
Wreath: Heavenly Father's love for us is eternal. (Romans 8:35)
Star: The Star of Bethlehem guided the wise men to Jesus and was a sign of his birth.(Matthew 2:9-10)
Candle: Jesus Christ is the light of the world. (Mosiah 16: 9)
I will talk about the objects symbolism and meaning as we look through the box. It is something my family can use for many Christmases to come. I am looking forward to beginning the month of December by focusing on the true meaning and spirit of Christmas.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Christmas Book Advent Calender
My family is starting a new tradition this year. A Christmas book advent with a book and activity or project each day until Christmas. I first heard about this tradition long before I had my son but knew it was something I wanted to do with my children. The idea for the activity or project with each book came from Alison at Oopsey Daisy. I will be shamelessly borrowing tons of ideas from her blog. If you have a chance stop by Oopsey Daisy, there are always lots of fun projects.
I labeled my books with a free printable from Clean Mama.
What We're Reading This Christmas
The Donkey's Christmas Song
Merry Christmas Stinky Face
Baby Elf's Christmas
Who Will Help Santa This Year?
A Merry Little Christmas A-Z
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Thrift Stores
I visited my local thrift store 2-3 times over the summer and came away with a rather nice stash of Christmas Books. I was surprised by the fairly good condition most of the books were in. Some of them appeared brand new. Most of the books sold for .50 cents which made my wallet very happy.
Scholastic Book
I love Scholastic book orders. They have loads of great books in each flyer. They have dollar books and value packs for Christmas. Plus, you support your child's classroom by helping them earn free books.
EBay and Half.com
Search EBay for Christmas book lots. Half.com often has used books in good condition for a fair price. You can save on shipping by buying multiple books from the same seller.
After Christmas sales
50% off Holiday books!
Trade with family or friends
My sister and I are both having a Christmas book Advent this year. Our children are only three weeks apart and we live in the same town. It made perfect sense for us to share books in order to come up with 24. If you don't have family around you could talk to your friends and neighbors and see if they would be interested in sharing with you.
Read books that have Winter and Snow Themes
Check your book stash for books about snowmen and winter. You may be surprised at how many you have already.
Library
Use the library reserve system to place holds on Christmas books you want. Most libraries allow you to check a book out for 2-3 weeks. You can use the library books at the beginning of the advent so you can return them without incurring fines.
Start with what you have.
Finding 24 Christmas books can seem like a lot if you only have a few. Start the tradition with the number of books you have and add a book each year. Your collection will grow slowly without breaking the bank. You can also fill in the blanks with activities, coloring books and Christmas music cds.
Come back and read about our book and activity each day as we count down to Christmas. What are your families favorite traditions?
We participate in these link parties.
I visited my local thrift store 2-3 times over the summer and came away with a rather nice stash of Christmas Books. I was surprised by the fairly good condition most of the books were in. Some of them appeared brand new. Most of the books sold for .50 cents which made my wallet very happy.
Scholastic Book
I love Scholastic book orders. They have loads of great books in each flyer. They have dollar books and value packs for Christmas. Plus, you support your child's classroom by helping them earn free books.
EBay and Half.com
Search EBay for Christmas book lots. Half.com often has used books in good condition for a fair price. You can save on shipping by buying multiple books from the same seller.
After Christmas sales
50% off Holiday books!
Trade with family or friends
My sister and I are both having a Christmas book Advent this year. Our children are only three weeks apart and we live in the same town. It made perfect sense for us to share books in order to come up with 24. If you don't have family around you could talk to your friends and neighbors and see if they would be interested in sharing with you.
Read books that have Winter and Snow Themes
Check your book stash for books about snowmen and winter. You may be surprised at how many you have already.
Library
Use the library reserve system to place holds on Christmas books you want. Most libraries allow you to check a book out for 2-3 weeks. You can use the library books at the beginning of the advent so you can return them without incurring fines.
Start with what you have.
Finding 24 Christmas books can seem like a lot if you only have a few. Start the tradition with the number of books you have and add a book each year. Your collection will grow slowly without breaking the bank. You can also fill in the blanks with activities, coloring books and Christmas music cds.
Come back and read about our book and activity each day as we count down to Christmas. What are your families favorite traditions?
We participate in these link parties.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Thanksgiving Kids Inspiration
I love Pinterest and have found some great Thanksgiving ideas for children. Here are some of my favorites:
I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family. What are some of your families favorite activities and traditions for Turkey Day?
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| Free Thanksgiving Printables and Activities |
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| Thanksgiving Story Bracelet |
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| Thanksgiving Bingo |
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| T is for Thanksgiving Mommy School Packet |
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| Thanksgiving Village People |
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| Thanksgiving Books for Kids |
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| Thanksgiving Coloring Book Page |
Monday, November 14, 2011
Thanksgiving Books for Kids
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| Inexpensive Wall Bookshelves
My toddler and I have been enjoying reading books about Thanksgiving this month. Here are a few picks to help you celebrate Thanksgiving with your children.
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| The First Thanksgiving Day |
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| One Little, Two Little, Three Little Pilgrims |
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| The Very First Thanksgiving |
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| What is Thanksgiving? |
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| Thanks for Thanksgiving |
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Easy Nativity Finger Puppets
I think nativity finger puppets are darling and wanted to make a set of my own. When I saw felt nativity stickers at Hobby Lobby I knew they would be perfect for making finger puppets. The size was just right and the set was on sale for two dollars. I purchased a few sheets of felt on sale and found a pattern for the puppet backing. I sewed the puppet backs together using my sewing machine. I made a few reinforcing stitches on each puppet. The nativity figures have an adhesive on the backs, but it is not strong enough hold up to the test of time.
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| The Three Wise Men |
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| Mary, Baby Jesus and Joseph |
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| Angel and Christmas Star |
I made a pouch from a felt rectangle to hold the finger puppets.
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| Felt pouch with snap closure |
Supplies Needed:
1 sheet of navy blue felt
2 sheets of tan felt
1 sheet of brown felt
1 Square of Red felt for the pouch
Thread and Needle
1 snap
The project was easy and cost under $4.00 for all of the supplies. Eventually I would like to add a shepherd and possibly a few animals. I think the puppets will be a wonderful way to teach my toddler the Christmas story.
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