Angel of the Week

...and Advent Calendar Days 3 & 4.

Saturday we spent ALL DAY at our friend Becky's house with her adorable daughter Ellie and super cuddly son, Holden. We did crafts, ate lots of food, played with lots of toys, ate some more, and watched a movie...or two! For dessert, homemade Snowman cupcakes...they were amazing!

Here is a picture of one of our crafts:

Cut up crayons melted into a mold creating a huge multi-colored beautifully Christmas shaped crayon. You can't see it very well from the picture below, but they are three dimensional.

Then, we came home and colored with them...of course it took everything in me to let them actually use the crayons as, well, crayons.

Then, we started preparations for our secret advent activity, which was completed tonight!

Here's a clue:

If you are family, watch your mailbox's...

And...Alex and Grace really had to use their thumbs for this one! :)

The MOST IMPORTANT news is that Alex is 'Angel of the Week' at school this week.

He gets to be the special helper, line leader, bring in his favorite book, the list goes on and on!

As 'Angel of the Week', we also got to make a posterboard all about Alex!

It was so fun going through old pictures and memories.

I love that he is so creative, has great ideas and thoughts, and a WONDERFUL memory!

What an AWESOME kid!!!

AC- Day 2

Tonights activity was on the delicious side...Christmas Rice Krispy treats.

This is one of those activities that just doesn't get old.

There is lots of counting involved, and separate and distinct responsibilities for everyone.

MMMMmmmmm!!!

Tonights book was Jingle-Jingle by Nicola Smee.

It is about a sleighing cat, dog, pig, duck, and horse.

It's very repetitive so the kids are able to 'read along'.

This book was a gift from Uncle John last Christmas.

Advent Calendar 2011 - Day 1

Our Advent Calendar kickoff began with our traditional New Jammies!!!

I LOVE how much these kids love new jammies!

Alex was especially impressed with the front pocket on his shirt.

And the buttons, I could go on and on about the buttons...they love the buttons!

This year Chris and I have decided to have an activity each night, and read a Christmas book each night. At first (after wrapping 24 Christmas books) I was hesitant that this isn't really teaching the 'spirit of Christmas'. But, after trying to convince the kids NOT to unwrap any of the twenty-three remaining books (and Grace failing...twice), I now see that this is an excellent lesson for them in self control!

Tonight we read the book, 'Elf on a Shelf'!

I wonder where he will be tomorrow morning???