Merry Christmas

Project 52: First Theater Experience

We don't go to the theater very often. About once a year actually. And we decided awhile ago that the kids would be fairly old before they went....
We decided that each child would get to go to the theater with just mom and dad and it was finally Liam's turn. We surprised him this last weekend by taking him to see the new Muppets movie. He had a blast and I think it just confirmed our idea of waiting until the kids are older.....makes it a super special thing that they will remember for a long time.

By the way, the movie is fabulous. My husband, who is a HUGE Jim Henson and Muppets fan loved it!

Project 52: Glimpses Into Motherhood

December Days, week 1

Last year I started a special thing during December to make the celebration of Christmas extend. It's an "advent calendar", with slips of paper telling about a daily activity. Each day we do something like make clove oranges, learn about how Christmas is celebrated through out the world, bake cookies, watch movies......the list goes on.
Last year the slips were put into decorated toilet paper rolls. It was pretty cool. But this year, my mom and I made a beautiful Christmas quilt with pockets on it and we're using that instead.

So, here's our first week:

Jon and I put together the Play Mobile advent calendar my parents gave the boys and revealed it on the first day (the boys are LOVING it!)

Christmas Tree Painting with Paper ornaments, and Christmas tree hunting:

A little Elf friend (I have the Elf on the Shelf to thank for this idea...someday I hope to get the book but for now this little guy will work)

When we were reading about how Christmas is celebrated around the world, we read this: The Russians use to celebrate Christmas with great joy and happiness before the Revaluation of 1917. They used to stroll up and down the streets with stars on the end of sticks that they called Stars of Bethlehem. The people went to church services and shared a special meal at home. After the Revaluation the Soviet Government banned Christmas. What the Russians do today is celebrate New Years Day with a special tree decorated like we do ours for Christmas and they have a New Years Day Children’s party. The children join hands and sing songs as they walk around the tree. They wait for DYET MOROZ Grandfather Frost, and his helper SYYEGORACHKA The Snow Maiden to bring them their gifts.
So, we decided to make Stars of Bethlehem for ourselves!

We have also cut paper stars, watched a bunch of Christmas movies, made Jar Luminaries (out of baby food jars---the perfect size for tea lights!) and learned how to say Merry Christmas in Spanish---- Feliz Navidad!

We've been having lots of fun! Come back next week to see more!

Nutcracker 2011

I have wanted to go watch my best friend's daughter dance in the Nutcracker every year since she started dancing (around age 4----she's 9 going on 10 now). It's never worked out for one reason or another. This year when Pam told me Natalie was going to be Clara this year, I knew I had to make it work. And I needed to bring Liam.
So, we did.
And had a ton of fun. Natalie danced so beautifully, the costumes (many of which Pam made! My friend is amazing! I don't have the bravery needed to work with satin. Eek)  were gorgeous and it was lovely.

I am very glad we went. Thanks mom and dad for watching David and Heidi!

Project 52: Hugs

Because sometimes you just need one...
And kid hugs are the best.

Project 52: Glimpses Into Motherhood