December 6th - The Christmas Story

Luke Chapter 2, acted out with Little People. They retained some and were able to re-tell us the story. They definitely know that Christmas is Baby Jesus' birthday.

December 5th - Frisco Stake Nativity Display

The Frisco Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints held its 8th annual Nativity Display this weekend. We took the kids knowing it would probably be short-lived. Brody and Ella both enjoyed seeing over 200 nativities and recognized "The daddy, the momma, and the baby Jesus." Ella had a great time pointing out all the animals. The picture below was one of our favortie nativity scenes, it almost looked like it was made of sand. Brody's favorite was the one made of legos. They had a large creche set up with costumes so that you could see yourself in the nativity as well. Brody and Ella liked that, until Ella fell off the stool and screamed...loud. She is fine and was happy to continue on looking at the animals. Like I said, we knew it wouldn't be a long outing - but it was worth it.

Brody and Ella in the manger scene

December 4th - A.W. Perry Homestead Museum

Tonight we went to Carrolton to the A.W. Perry Homestead Museum's Victorian Christmas event. It was a fun night. First thing we saw Santa and both kids were delighted to be able to go up to him and say hello. Santa was fantastic too...he told them that he knew the elves had said they had been good and he told them he loved them. As we left he said, I will see you Christmas Eve...but you won't see me! Pure joy on the kids faces = more fun for us old people. It was great - Im bummed the picture turned out blurry though

We then went to a petting zoo. The kids touched rabbits, ducks, chickens, goats, a cow and a donkey. Ella squealed and squealed. We can tell she is going to be an animal lover. She asked to see an elephant and was a little bummed they didn't have one of those to pet. Elephants are her current favorite animal.
There was a craft station to make old fashioned Victorian Christmas ornaments. People in the Victorian era didn't have what we know as ornaments, so they used buttons and wire to make their trees festive.We tried to warm up with some some hot cocoa - the event was outside and it was a freezing 28 degrees. Thank goodness for hats and gloves! Ella must not like her gloves anymore because she freaked out any time we tried to put them on her. Daddy got a kick out of asking her if he could put them on her just to see and hear her reaction. Both kids now look like there faces have been sunburned from being so cold outside! We'll be using lots of Aquaphor this winter...

We waited in a long line to tour the victorian home there. While we waited they had carolers there to sing to the crowd. Once we got inside the kids were restless and determined to touch everything they weren't supposed too, and it was getting pretty late so we made our way out and went home.
The museum grounds were pretty at night and the moon was almost full so even though it was so cold, it was fun to be outside and enjoy the season. We'll have to go back again when the kids are old enough to appreciate how different our lives are than back in the early 1900's.

December 3rd - Letter to Santa

Today we practiced cutting again. I had the kids cut out pictures of things they'd like to ask Santa to bring them for Christmas. Then they glued them onto paper together and Brody wrote his name and Ella's name and Santa's name.

The finished product

* As a side note...Brody has memorized how to spell a few words, one being "Mom" When he came downstairs and saw our stockings hung up he said (in a very distressed tone of voice) "Mom, I thought your name was spelled M-O-M" I had to try to explain to him why I have two names. He is quick to notice stuff like that.

December 2nd - Shopping for Gifts

I saw this idea on a website to give your kids $1 and let them pick out anything they wanted to give to someone. We chose the grandparents and the kids and I went to the dollar store and I let them pick out gifts to wrap and give to their grandparents. We didn't want to spoil their surprises, but here are a few photos of Brody wrapping...

Snow Day!

We woke up to snow falling this morning! It was exciting for us...mostly because Brody has been praying for snow for the last couple of weeks...I realize there isn't a ton, and by the time we were outside it was back to cold rain that melted it quick, but for a few minutes we enjoyed it.

Ella was not a fan of being cold!

Standing over our snowman...

Not everything is bigger in Texas

December 1st - Crystal Snowflakes

Today we did a "science experiment" We shaped pipe cleaners into snowflake shapes and then tied string around each arm of the snowflake. Then we boiled water and poured it into mason jars. The kids then put lots of borax into the jars and we submerged the snowflakes. Now we have to wait until tomorrow to see if it worked. It is supposed to form crystals on the snow flakes. We shall see...more details tomorrow.

If your interested in doing this yourself, I got the instructions at: http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/winter/crystalsnowflake/

The kids took turns spooining the borax in to "super-saturate" the water

The half-way point...we had an accident with one and the crayon we tied the snowflake to fell in the water and melted, so we may have a pink snowflake tomorrow.