Can't Get Enough CHRISTMAS!
We started the season with a tree lighting ceremony the week of Thanksgiving. I was shocked to see the show they put on in our sweet little town. It was a production to say the least. An orchestra, carolers, swing dancing, a sing-a-long, talking snowmen, real life reindeer, and fireworks. All under the Christmas lights lining the street.
My Christmas Boy
Waiting for the Tree Lighting to Start
Snow Bunny
Playing with London
Mommy! Look! Elves!
FIREWORKS!
Back at home we have been busy decorating our new house! 
Patiently Waiting to Help Mommy Decorate the Tree
Found His Christmas Toys
FINALLY!
Christmas Snuggles in Christmas Jammies
We found an indoor playground with Christmas trees in the building:
They Love Shiny Things ;)
Can Mommy Take Your Picture?
Silly Boy
The girls and I found an OUTDOOR playground to play in while Barrett was in school
My Little Elf
"Hi-ya Candy Cane!"
Cutie Waiting for Kisses
Peek-A-Boo!
Sweet Sisters
Playing in the Light Tunnel
They Crack Me Up
Christmaaaaaas!!!!
My Other Little Elf
Ugh! Bestill my heart!
We Always Love Playing with Aunt Mary
Brother's School Gave Us Balloons
Balloons Are Her Favorite
Perhaps the best thing we've done so far is a new tradition I just heard about. I saw a friend post online that she "planted candy canes" with her daughter. The next morning, she found "full grown" candy canes in her jar where she planted the seeds the night before. I took it an ran with it. We had so much fun doing this! And I totally felt like I was back in my teaching days: back in my element!
First, fill a jar with powdered sugar because it looks the most like snow.
I decided that this would be "magic snow" from the North Pole. So I kept it in the refrigerator most of the afternoon.
Second, tell husband to give the kids a bath so you can set up downstairs.
We read this book every year, so I brought it down to the tree to help set up this little magical moment.
I struggle sometimes with finding the balance between Jesus and Santa during Christmas. Santa is SO EASY to use to get the kids excited about the Christmas season. But with littles, you REALLY have to work at keeping Jesus as the focal point. Santa is easier for them to understand. As they get older, conversations will deepen. And I can use the belief in Santa as an example of what faith is. We follow the Jesus Storybook Bible Advent Reading Plan each night with the kids.
That's why I love this book: Candy Cane Christmas by Helen Haidle. As the narrorator describes the candy, she shows you how the candy cane symbolizes the birth, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus in a sweet, nursery rhyme rhythm that holds a preschooler's attention.
Without a book, you could use a poem like this to explain the meaning behind the candy cane. Maybe it's the teacher in me, but I always love a good book to help me explain things.
Next, hide a candy cane "seed" somewhere.
We just so happened to have some Hot Tamales in the house. So I put one in each of our tiny stockings that hang on this table.
Then ... It's Storytime!
Not Going to Lie ... Thoroughly Loved EVERY Second of This Christmas Moment
Freshly Bathed Kids
Christmas Jammies
All Three of Them Snuggled Around Me
By the Christmas Tree
Reading
All While Knowing I Was About to Show them SomeMommy Christmas Magic
Moving On: I told them that there was some special, magic snow from the North Pole under the tree.
Guess Who Found It!
See That Look on His Face? Christmas Magic
Nailed It!
Then I made them go on a scavenger hunt to find our "seeds." Didn't take long to find them in those tiny stockings! Mommy gives really good clues :)
Last, we each planted a seed in the magic snow.
So Excited to See What Happens Tomorrow!
Checking on Our Candy Canes
They're Growing!
Whoa! I Bet Tomorrow We Get to Eat Our Candy Canes!
The next night I replaced the little Candy Cane sticks with full size Candy Canes. And they sat in the refrigerator all night waiting for the kids to find them the next morning!
Mmmmm! Yummy!
So Excited!
We found an indoor playground with Christmas trees in the building:
The girls and I found an OUTDOOR playground to play in while Barrett was in school
Playing in the Light Tunnel
Perhaps the best thing we've done so far is a new tradition I just heard about. I saw a friend post online that she "planted candy canes" with her daughter. The next morning, she found "full grown" candy canes in her jar where she planted the seeds the night before. I took it an ran with it. We had so much fun doing this! And I totally felt like I was back in my teaching days: back in my element!
First, fill a jar with powdered sugar because it looks the most like snow.
Second, tell husband to give the kids a bath so you can set up downstairs.
I struggle sometimes with finding the balance between Jesus and Santa during Christmas. Santa is SO EASY to use to get the kids excited about the Christmas season. But with littles, you REALLY have to work at keeping Jesus as the focal point. Santa is easier for them to understand. As they get older, conversations will deepen. And I can use the belief in Santa as an example of what faith is. We follow the Jesus Storybook Bible Advent Reading Plan each night with the kids.
That's why I love this book: Candy Cane Christmas by Helen Haidle. As the narrorator describes the candy, she shows you how the candy cane symbolizes the birth, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus in a sweet, nursery rhyme rhythm that holds a preschooler's attention.
Without a book, you could use a poem like this to explain the meaning behind the candy cane. Maybe it's the teacher in me, but I always love a good book to help me explain things.
Next, hide a candy cane "seed" somewhere.
We just so happened to have some Hot Tamales in the house. So I put one in each of our tiny stockings that hang on this table.
Then ... It's Storytime!
Not Going to Lie ... Thoroughly Loved EVERY Second of This Christmas Moment
Freshly Bathed Kids
Christmas Jammies
All Three of Them Snuggled Around Me
By the Christmas Tree
Reading
All While Knowing I Was About to Show them Some
Moving On: I told them that there was some special, magic snow from the North Pole under the tree.
Guess Who Found It!
See That Look on His Face? Christmas Magic
Nailed It!
Then I made them go on a scavenger hunt to find our "seeds." Didn't take long to find them in those tiny stockings! Mommy gives really good clues :)
Last, we each planted a seed in the magic snow.
We put our magic snow, with the planted candy cane seeds, back in the fridge right away so the snow wouldn't melt. After the kids went to bed, I broke some candy canes into little sticks. I think I probably only used 3. (We planted 5 seeds.) I stuck the candy cane sticks really far down so they look like little candy cane sprout-lets budding out of the snow. You could use Tic-Tacs, then peppermints, then miniature Candy Canes as your "seeds" grow as well. I was just working with what I already had.
The next night I replaced the little Candy Cane sticks with full size Candy Canes. And they sat in the refrigerator all night waiting for the kids to find them the next morning!
All Ready for The Big Reveal in the Morning!
He Found Them!
Caaaaaandy!!!
This is just Christmas Part 1. We still have so much to see and do before Christmas Actually Gets Here!
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