Monday, December 21, 2009

Christmas Fun

What fun we've been having lately! This will be a bit eclectic, but will show how our family has been enjoying our time together lately. Prepare to be overwhelmed by lots of pictures. :)

For the second year in a row, we dipped pretzel rods in almond bark and loaded on the sprinkles and mini-chocolate chips. Some of these became treats for Jacob as he studied for his finals (yay, he's done now!).


A good friend gave us these animal stencils. We decided to carry the idea even further by cutting out the stenciled animal shapes and gluing them on a big Noah's ark poster. We hung it on the wall in the girls' room.


The girls played "Christmas cookies" quite happily one afternoon, using cookie cutters and a homemade cookie sheet made of aluminum foil and cardboard.


One of their Christmas gifts will (hopefully!) be play-food cookies made from this tutorial, on a toaster-oven-sized cookie sheet (the cardboard one is great but I know it won't last very long!).

Here's "us girls" at an ECFE party:


During an ECFE class we did the next activity, and it was so good we just had to repeat it at home: cookie cutter painting. I love this because you set out one or two plates with just a small amount of paint, and the kids can dip in the cookie cutters and can paint without making a huge mess. Honestly, I know painting is SO good for kids--but it can get so messy that we don't often do it at home! This idea was both fun and kept the mess at a minimum.

With all that said, here's the pic! I had the girls paint wrapping paper, and Sofia said this one was for her friend Daniel, since he loves trucks.


We also made Christmas wreath ornaments with pipe cleaners and beads. Kardelen kept making more and more! This activity also brought out patterns, and Kardelen made up her own patterns as she threaded on the beads.


Two more fun Christmasy activities: making applesauce-cinnamon ornaments (Not great. Kids shouldn't touch the dough because cinnamon irritates their skin. I'll do it by myself next time.) and, tonight, waiting for sugar cookies to come out of the oven.


Last picture: the girls at their tap dance class! They started last month and LOVE it. It brings back lots of memories for me!


I love my family!

5 comments:

baili said...

so cute i just loved it ,have a wonderful life and amazing Christmas,god bless you

Laura-IH said...

What lucky girls to get to do so many fun activities! Every time I come across felt food online, I think, "I want to make that with Heather." We need to get together, soon! Thank you for your sweet e-mail, BTW! : )

Me said...

SSSOOOO CUTE!!! I can't wait to come this jan!!!

outdoor.mom said...

i love your photos!! So much fun seeing them all :-) I will have to try that cookie cutter painting! Kardelen looks sooo much like you with that cheesy grin :-) Its so heather!!

Thank you so much for your posts. I so enjoy them all. Ever since your phone conversation, we keep saying to each other "i like it" like Sophia did with Debbies gifts!!

Can't wait to see you all!

Lesley said...

So great to see what you've been up to and I loved all the creative, festive things you do with your girls! Hope you had a great Christmas and maybe we can get together on one of our trips your way in the future! :)