Christmas is Here! Gift Edition

We gave Lincoln a bunch of costumes for Christmas. It got pretty awesome! (Look for Ellis photo bombing!)

Christmas Countdown: Christmas Eve Scenes

--Lincoln asleep at the candlelight service
--Uncle Sam with a random playmobil that turned out to be an Uncle Sam!
--stockings!
--storytime

Christmas Countdown: Day 23

We had the activity suggestion that we learn the names of Santa's reindeer, but learning the names of the 15 other members of Mr. Cool's family is much more important! Here are a few scenes from our very merry Christmas with all Lincoln's beloved paternal family!

Christmas Countdown: 21 & 22

I love when the calendar suggests something simple--like sitting in the dark and enjoying the lights. When we hit the point of the year when there is so much night, it is beautiful to think of all the light in the world!

Christmas Countdown: Day 20

Our calendar suggested Lincoln help wrap gifts, and he did some--mostly he is just incredibly excited to keep secrets. If you ask him what we are giving anyone, he says, "Shh! Don't tell!" Mr. Cool said he could be a secret keeper!

Christmas Countdown: Day 19

Today we were wrapping up baking and gift wrapping, and the calendar suggested we make a marshmallow snowman. Thanks to a recent Family Fun magazine we one-upped them and made a marshmallow gingerbread man!

Christmas Countdown: Day 18

Today our calendar suggested we share Christmas memories. I got out some cookies, made some cocoa, and we made a great new memory.

Christmas Countdown: Days 14, 15, 16, 17

Whoops. Life happened. Honored mom. Bathed boys. Said good-bye to a faithful horse. Finished wrapping gifts. Back to Christmas fun tomorrow.

Christmas Countdown: Days 12 & 13

We have been learning about Christmas around the world--so today we made St. Lucia buns! Yum!

Yesterday, our countdown calendar suggested we make an elf hat--we bought clearance reindeer antlers instead!

Christmas Countdown: Day 11

Wow, even with Rice Krispies, gingerbread house building is tough. With only minor yelling, we survived--although I know now that I really need to work on my frosting skills!

The close-up on the windows highlights a candy design Lincoln did all by himself!

Christmas Countdown: Day 10

We are running behind--which I think is always the story around Christmas. We finally got started tonight on a Christmas treat--a gingerbread house with walls made out of gingerbread Rice Krispie treats! These smelled amazing, and we are just waiting for them to harden and then we will start building tomorrow. As a fan of Jan Brett's The Gingerbread Baby, Lincoln insists we also have a gingerbread boy to go inside. We may be busy bakers tomorrow!

Christmas Countdown: Day 9

Well, we it wasn't quite The Best Christmas Pageant, but it was pretty surreal to be a stage parent, making sure my boy was in costume and ready to head on stage. While he has a pretty boisterous personality if you are part of his circle, in large groups he can be reserved. He didn't sing, although he knew the song, but he was quiet and adoring at the manger. And he knows he is my darling angel! Next year, though, he wants to be a wise man.

Christmas Countdown: Days 7 & 8

Yesterday, Lincoln got to decorate his room--and he chose to hang his moose family up! Merry Chris-moose, everyone!

Today, by a blessed coincidence, our Snoopy calendar suggested we learn a new Christmas song with friends--and today was our Christmas program rehearsal! It was incredibly fun to watch my little preschool angel.

Christmas Countdown: Days 5 & 6

We were Christmas shopping yesterday, so today we had to play catch-up! We tried to craft some bird treats, but so far one has been stolen by a fat squirrel. We did have fun making them, and Lincoln learned he didn't like birdseed!

We also made some weather predictions, and without trying, we all made different ones! I will have to have a special surprise for the winner!

Christmas Countdown: Day Four

Today, we wrote a card. We send out our letters in February, but Snoopy suggested a card, so we wrote one. I asked Lincoln which of his friends he wanted to send a card too, and he chose one of my friends. I think she'll like the card.

Christmas Countdown: Day Three

Snoopy suggested we donate some toys to charity and we will happily do so, but again that is not a great photo event. So today I will tease a few knitted gifts. I can always change tags based on the response!

Christmas Countdown: Day 2

Our Snoopy calendar's idea for today was to watch a Christmas video, but who wants to see pictures of that? We also pulled out mom's special Christmas cookbook (all of her favorite Christmas recipes, handwritten and decorated) and made hot cocoa and spice tea mix. Yum!

Christmas Countdown: Day One

In honor of my mom, a huge Peanuts/Snoopy fan, I found a Peanuts Christmas Countdown calendar. Today, we were making paper snowflakes. (Each day has a craft/activity.). Lincoln was loving the chance to use scissors, but mostly cut his paper into oblivion.