Christmas activities

Every few days we've been trying to do a new activity as a family as we prepare for Christmas. On Sundays, the atmosphere is a bit more reverent (as much as that is possible with little kids), but most of the time we act in more of a celebratory fashion. We ARE celebrating, right? I believe God has invited us to the party and said, "Bring the kids, too!"

So here a couple of our recent favorites:




On Monday, we talked about the legend of the candy cane and then made homemade candy canes! Yikes! It was truly a science experiment!




On Wednesday, we talked about how Martin Luther put candles on a fir tree to resemble the moonlight in the forest that he saw as a beautiful display of God's creation. Now we put lights on our own Christmas trees! So we made a Christmas tree cake (that fell apart when we tried to add the icing), placed on it sugar cubes infused with peppermint extract, and then lit the sugar cubes! They cake burned with blue flames for a minute before we devoured it! Fun and messy - sorry I don't have a picture of the flames.

Hoofing It

We walked the hill Sunday for the first time this season. And the first time ever with 4 kids. Not an easy task, but not as difficult as you might think. I guess we've learned the tricks. Annie's carrier went into van on Saturday before I took the van to the bottom of the hill. So when it came time to walk, Annie went into the sling covered up with Ben's blanket (no reason to double the effort of carrying 2 kids' blankies). Aaron and Katie could only take with them what they were willing to carry. The ice scraper and extra snow shovel went into the car as well (because it's easier to shovel up the hill than down). Getting everyone bundled up takes several minutes longer than a normal departure, but worth the effort.

Actually, if you can tolerate the whining, it's really not that bad!

an evening at home

Chad was out of town Friday and Saturday of this weekend, so the kids and I decided to just stay home. What a treat! We are so often running to "do something" or "see someone!" We pulled out all the leftovers, filled our plates with whatever suited us, and just spent the evening together.

Before dinner, we talked about the Christmas tree and it's significance. Then we made some decorations using toilet paper rolls, peanut butter, and birdseed. You can imagine the mess!! These decorations went outside on a small Charlie Brown Christmas tree for the deer to enjoy!

At dinner, we had a heavy discussion about the troop that deployed yesterday from the local armory. The kids at the elementary school and, in fact, many people in town, were outside in the dreary rain to cheer and wave as they drove away - eventually to stop in Iraq. What a ridiculous world to require such wars - and then to find a way to explain them to children.

So after our meal of leftovers, we cuddled on the couch to watch a Christmas movie with only a pause in the middle for the making of milkshakes. One Bible story, a chapter from another book, the nightly brushing of teeth, and they were all asleep within minutes.

Annie needs one more feeding, I need a shower, and then I plan to join them. At least half of the four will awake in my bed in the morning because there's room for them tonight. But Chad will be here tomorrow night and then they know it's back to their own beds! But I'll tolerate it tonight because they are growing so quickly - this won't last long, I know!