This & That: November 2011

If you've been following my blog for a year then you might remember my 25 Days of Christmas fun! CLICK HERE to read what started my desire for 25 Days of Christmas.

It's November 10 and for the past few days I have felt myself sinking. S I N K I N G! I read a blog last night that spoke of depression- another lady, a stranger, who hadn't struggled in her entire life started having occasional periods of depression AFTER she had postpartum depression. I felt so glad to hear someone else was struggling with it. And it was similar to mine. Never struggled before having Alison. I don't know if I struggle this time of year because this was the time of year I had postpartum (Alison's b-day is tomorrow) or if it's weather related or financial or what.

I am trusting Christ to carry me through this season until the sun shines brightly again- literally and figuratively. Without Him I would not have any hope.

So back to the point... it's time to start planning the daily activities. I will definitely do some of the same things I did last year. I'll add to my list and I've already asked the kids to give me some ideas. Last year I started planning at the last minute which made some of the activities impossible. Now is the time to start getting things in order. I'm putting things on the calendar this year instead of deciding the night before.

Click on the links below to see what we did last year:

If you need help getting ideas here are a few to help you get started: (ideas taken from 24/7 Moms' blog entry)

25 Days of Christmas
1. Present advent calendars to your children
2. Sing Christmas carols together then eat yummy cookies
3. Visit Santa Clause and have their picture taken
4. Go shopping and allow each child to pick out a new ornament
5. Attend a Holiday event
6. Host a family game night and invite another family
7. Take kids to pick out your Christmas tree
8. String pop corn
9. Build a Ginger bread house
10. Serve Sparkling cider with dinner
11. Bake cookies together
12. Paint holiday scenes on your windows
13. Coloring night...each year color in the same book and date it
14. Have a happy Birthday Jesus party, invite the neighbor kids
15. Make Christmas cards
16. Movie night….popcorn and yummy treats
17. PJ Night...everyone gets a new pair
18. Go for a ride and look at all the decorated houses
19. Have dinner by the Christmas tree picnic style
20. December 6th St Nick Night. Have kids place their shoes out with carrots and apples in them and while they are sleeping replace with a small gift
21. Make homemade fudge
22. Decorate your Tree
23. Make Christmas gifts
24. Host a Christmas craft club for your children and their friends
25. Help a family in need ...choose ways to teach your children to give.
26. Make or purchase Thank you gifts for community service workers then take your children around town to drop them off.
27. Red or Green night….Serve food in these colors, decorate the table in these colors
28. Tell the Christmas story and place a light in your window inviting Jesus into your home
29. Make paper chain garlands
30. Snowman night—decorate table with snowmen be creative
31. Ice Cream night ..make sundaes or go out
32. Take kids shopping for Daddy or Siblings or Grand Parents
33. Wrap gifts…. kids love to help
34. Bake a pie
35. Make a sugar cube castle
36. Elf hunt
37. Let your kids decorate their bedrooms
38. Bake a gingerbread man and tell the story
39. Play bingo with dollar store prizes...invite your neighbors over
40. Advent wreath
41. Learn about another Countries traditions
42. Celebrate Hanukkah
43. Tell the Christmas story and wear costumes
44. Dec 22nd first day of winter..take a day trip to the snow
45. Have a slumber party by the tree

This & That

Friday, November 11, 2011

November 10 on 10

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Let the Planning Begin

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