Mama New Year's Resolution...#2 and #3

My second Mama NYR is to reduce the time that I spend on the computer and on the phone. Now, my friends would probably laugh at this stamement because I am hard to catch on the phone, and I rarely check messages. However, how many times do I have to say, "not now mommy is on the phone or working on the computer"? The only time I do talk is usually in the car. My girls will be watching a dvd in the car or listening to music while I have a precious quiet moment to talk on the phone. I need to work on a balance. I hope to work on incorporating my girls into my phone and computer time rather than letting these two wonderful pieces of technology take precious time away from my two even more wonderful girls!

My third Mama NYR is to make sure my girls watch less television. Television is such a time trap, but less face it...it can be a great distraction for your kids when you are desperately trying to get something accomplished! I was one of those when I first had LaLa that said I would NEVER, EVER let her watch anything but educational things! Does PBS Sprout count as educational? I also tend to leave the television on as background throughout the day...I need to be more creative, huh?

Check back tomorrow for my last two Mama New Year Resolutions! Next week, I will be posting our fun New Year Activities...yummy 2010 pancakes, my edible hat...umm...experiment in the works, and more! Enjoy your New Year's Eve!

Mama Drama Rule #96: Use New Years as an opportunity to look back and figure out what worked and didn't work. Then, begin an entire new year ready to start over...better, smarter, and refreshed!

Mama New Year's Resolutions...#1

My Mama New Year's Resolutions....

the new year's resolutions that I made to be a better parent...a better mommy...in 2010.

My first, Mama New Year Resolution (NYR) is to focus on what's important. The little distractions in life that takes my attention or create anxiety are not where I should have my focus. 

What's important to me, as a parent?

My relationship with God, my husband, my children, my family and my friends...in that order. If it gets out of order, it can often result in a domino effect.

Now, when I'm fretting over something else, I hope to be reminded that...it's not where my focus is suppose to be in 2010!

Check back the next few days to see my other Mama New Year's Resolutions...

Mama Drama Rule #95: New Year's Resolutions must change in your heart and your mind!Otherwise, they become worthless!

Hmmm...what to do with your little ones during winter break?

Creating our number "train" game on the floor of the playroom.

 What to do with your little ones while you are hard at work putting away Christmas and trying to get everything back in order after the holiday and guests? Well, when I went in shock because my LaLa came around the corner saying, "Mama, I don't have anything left to do?" Little Bit, of course, was right on her heels sharing her bored sentiment. All of these wonderful toys that Santa left...and nothing to do? Is that possible? I think the true problem was..."okay, mommy...we've played by ourselves while you did your 'to do's' and we need some mama attention now...right now!"

LaLa so proud of her number game!

So, I  bargained for a few more minutes to finish my task. Then, we began working with numbers. Little Bit can count to three with help. She knows this means...about to go down the slide or about to do something, but she does not know they are numbers...we're not quite old enough for that yet! We pulled out some fun sheets for LaLa to trace numbers and Little Bit to color...with our new, fun crayola items! Then, we cut them out and played lots of games with them. We mixed them up and put them back in order. We would pull one out of the bag then go off to find that many of an item. For example, when we pulled out 9, LaLa ran to point to apples and oranges in the fruit bowl. Yep, there were 9! It was a fun and learning activity that we just threw together! Lessons learned: Sometimes the best learning activities for your kids will be those spur of the moment...by the seat of your pants...kind of fun! It was a fun alternative to flashcards. It developed one to one correspondence, counting forward, counting backward, writing and recognizing numbers 1-20.

LaLa had to show her daddy the games she named "the number train game". They enjoyed the games all over that evening!

Other fun ideas:

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  Need to organize your pantry? Let your little ones build with your cans or play with your pots. It'll give you some time to get it done!
  
  
  
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  Bundle up and go for a walk! Talk about how things look different in the winter!
  
  
  
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  Make a bird feeder and put bird seed out for those hungry birds toughing out the winter!
  
  
  
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  Make a chalkboard wall for your kids to create their masterpieces!
  
  
  
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  Bake!
  
  
  
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  Bring in a bike or a trike or a cozy coupe...yes, inside the house! Clean it first...esp. the wheels. It will have a great deal of novelty because it's inside!
  
  
  
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  Reinforce pretend play...make a puppet show (even make your own puppets), play store, play trucks or tea party...show your kids how to pretend! Try not to look at the clock and enjoy the pretending yourself!
  
  
  
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  I am going to try this tomorrow...while cleaning the bathroom or a closet (if it has a mirror) let your kids draw on it with dry erase markers.
  
  
  
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  build a town with blocks! give them a building...run off to do a task...run back and praise their efforts just in time to give them a new building idea. In the end, spend a few minutes helping them make signs for their town. Best of both worlds...you get quick tasks accomplished and play with your kids!
  
  
  

Good luck keeping your little ones busy during this school break and in your attempts to start the New Year off organized!

Mama Drama Rule #94: The best activities with your kids will be the ones you create from your heart...not necessarily the ones that take forever...and cost!

Christmas Memories

This is the way my husband looked for all of Christmas Day...head behind the video camera...narrating the day! I'll appreciate it one day...right?! Aunt Julie is right there as well...with her camera...as usual!

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas! There has been no time for blogging with all of the wonderful festivities lately! We were so blessed to have lots of family and friends spend time with us this past week! This year was especially fun for me because LaLa is really getting old enough to understand Christmas. Every time we did something, she was so into the moment and the activity. The excitement is truly contagious. Robert and I were talking how there are some days and some times when you think back to how quiet and easy those day BC (before Children) were! It was a great time where we enjoyed traveling and being on the go! Our lives have definitely changed with two young kids, but we wouldn't change it for the world! Christmas is more special when you share it with children! They have this genuine excitement that you can't help to share!

Christmas afternoon when my family comes over...looks like morning all over again!

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were the best ever...yes, I say that every year! We spent Christmas Eve making cookies together, going on a drive to look at lights and sing songs, and getting ready for Santa's visit. We read The Night Before Christmas (which we had to read the reindeer names six times!) and the Christmas Story.

All of these wonderful presents...what was Little Bit's favorite? The candy canes, of course! She had one in each hand most of the morning! Once she discovered these in her stocking, LaLa had to open the rest of her gifts (I don't think either minded the 'sacrifice'!) Oh well, it's Christmas!

On Christmas morning, the girls were so cute sitting at the top of the stairs in their Christmas jammies waiting to come down to see what Santa left them! We had two special surprises! After we opened all of our presents, the girls found a special present hidden in another room! It was a baby care center that includes a bathtub, cabinets, a baby doll closet, high chair, and changing table! That's the best kind of surprise when you think all the presents have been opened...only to find one more! Wait, our door bell rang...who could it be? Yep, it was Santa! Although I thought (and inwardly laughed) I heard tires speed away...Santa must have traded his sleigh in for a white denali like my parents..hee hee! The thought of them running back to their truck and speeding away makes me laugh...hard! It's debatable though...because LaLa and Little Bit were certain Santa threw them down from the reindeer drawn sleigh right to their front door! Two wrapped pillow pets were the mysterious door step presents! LaLa really wanted one of these. That commercial certainly must have some sort of brainwashing secretly placed inside of it because I often have the jingle stuck in my head too!

"Pete and Repeat!" LaLa lounging with her Uncle BoBo (coined by the girls for my brother, Jimmy or Jimbo!). She is enjoying her Leapster that Robert's parents and Santa gave her! By the way, Mama enjoys these games too!

Little Bit waits patiently for Uncle Bobo to open the cookie monster that he and his girlfriend, Katie, bought her! Did you notice her cute, little Elmo slippers her Mimi and Gumpy gave her? She would keep them on 24-7 if she could! It's several days later and she has them on!

Okay, patience only lasts so long when you're one! Let me help you...BoBo...I need my cookie monster!

LaLa enjoying her new Lego table.

Robert, LaLa and I after LaLa's preschool play. What a cutie?!

LaLa at her Christmas Choir performance at Church. Whatever will we do when Little Bit gets as many activities as LaLa? Mama will definitely need more sleep by then!

Later that day, family came over to open presents and enjoy lunch. Mimi (my mom), LaLa and I even had the opportunity to sneak away and watch Alvin and the Chipmunks...the sequel! My three year old keeps singing Beonce's "All the single ladies...".  How am I going to explain that one at preschool!:) This seemed like a really busy holiday season. I think the older your children get...the more running and celebrating you do. It is a lot of fun...but really exhausting at times trying to juggle it all! So, after dance recitals, several weekends out of town, traveling, Preschool parties and activities, church parties, services, and activities, family and work parties, etc...I am glad to say that Christmas Day was a nice, relaxing day.
Now....to get Christmas decorations and all of these new, fun toys put away! Wish us luck!

Mama Drama Rule #93: Two rules for one!  Instead of dreading the putting up all of the holiday decorations, take an opportunity to enjoy and savor each item!

A Christmas Tea shared between Little Ladies

I am not a photographer by any means so please forgive the lack of picture taking talent of these pictures! I wish my friend Hope was here to take pictures. She is one of the little ladies mamas, and she takes beautiful photographs! However, she had a doctor's appointment. We were fortunate that "DADOO" (AKA her mother in law) could bring her for the fun!

The little ladies had so much fun! It reminded me that this is what Christmas is all about. My girls may not remember their Christmas parties at school or their performances, but I want them to treasure the memories of gathering with good friends and sharing joy with one another. I tried extra hard to use my patience and incorporate my girls in all of the planning for the Christmas Tea. They helped set up platters of food, make gifts, and plan the festivities. Yes, it takes twice as long, but hopefully, they will remember and appreciate that one day too!

We had three precious little ladies join us for Christmas Tea. They are friends that my girls have known since they have been born. As three of the older girls begin preschool, we seem to be going in all directions all the time! It was nice to get them together to play. For the menu, we kept it simple with some PB & J sandwiches, veggies, chips, and fruit. We had some yummy cupcakes for dessert. Of course, we also enjoyed tea! It was quite funny because LaLa and I worked very hard the day before setting the table with a table cloth and place settings...however, when Little Bit woke up, it was like Godzilla tackles the Christmas Tea Table. We decided that in consideration of the two little girls (both one) that we had better forgo the "extras" and keep it simple!

My mom found cute dress up items at the dollar store! These were the perfect touch to our Christmas Tea. I wrapped them in a big, mysterious box that the girls opened before they began eating.

It included: dress up high heels, bracelets, necklaces, and spring hats.

Wreath place settings had each little girls' names. The monogrammed bows were their Christmas "gifts" from the girls. These were part of the "settings" that we moved to "higher ground" out of the mini Godzilla (AKA Little Bit's reach)!

Little Bit all dressed up enjoying being a "Big" girl.

The Ladies enjoying tea...and friendship.

This little picture of LaLa's friend, MM, made me laugh. She was so cute to pose for the picture. All of the little girls brought their favorite babies to the party who also had their own table. We made matching scarves for the girls and the babies with some extra fleece that we had. We simply cute long rectangles to the appropriate size. Then, we fringed the edges. Other activities that we did were to sort medium pom poms by colors using tweezers (this is also a great activity to build fine motor skills). We also did some Christmas crafts and played some games. The two toddlers did very well keeping up with their big girls!

My two sweet little ladies after enjoying a day of friends and tea!

Mama Drama Rule #92: Take a moment and enjoy a cup of tea with friends...at any age!

LaLa is a Sugar Plum Fairy...or so she says!

My Sweet Ballerina!

is all smiles...

with her cheesy posed smiles!

She was so cute at her watch & party day at ballet! Mimi, Little Bit, and I went to watch LaLa strut her stuff! At first, she wouldn't move. She just stood still and looked around! Then, Little Bit started clapping and yelling for LaLa. That was all the encouragement that she needed! She started dancing her heart out! I was such a proud mama! LaLa had the opportunity to choose a guest to join her out front. Fortunately, she chose Little Bit to dance with her. My girls were great dancers! Then, we enjoyed a fun party with all of her ballerina friends!

He's Missing!

"LeeRoy", the ELF, is lost. If found...please secretly place him back in my house before my kids realize that I sincerely cannot find him...and this mama is running out of excuses!

Well, LeeRoy, our elf friend, is still visiting us and causing chaos around our home. He's been an interesting addition to our holiday festivities. Robert and I have been rather creative lately because he has been missing for several days. We think he is in our house somewhere...but where?! Hmmm...the mystery continues...so, in the meantime, I guess we will have an ELF alert out!

What are the benefits of having an elf?

When something goes wrong...the elf did it...silly elf?! I accidently 'moved' the precious Rudolph Gingerbread House that the girls created, and the roof just slid right off! As I heard LaLa coming around the corner, I thought fast! LaLa, did you see that?! The elf, the elf, he just ran right out of here! He was on the gingerbread house roof! She thought it was hilarious. Most of you know...in a three year old's world, a collapsing gingerbread house could have been disastrous! Not so thanks to the missing elf!

Hopefully, we'll find him before my kids actually notify the police out of serious concern! I can imagine trying to explain that to a confused officer!

Mama Drama Rule #91: Think Fast...or at least faster than your kids...and your husband!

A Frosty Evening

Hold a cookie up to Little Bit & this is the happy, eager, little face that you get...

A FROSTY evening...

Tonight for movie night, we all enjoyed watching Frosty the Snowman & Frosty Returns. We enjoyed a fun Frosty game this afternoon that completely amuses small children. We would hide our little stuffed snowman and sing this rhyming song...

"Frosty, Frosty, where did you go?

Frosty, Frosty, you're made out of snow.

Where did he go?

I just don't know?"

Then, the hider would help the finder by saying cold or freezing like a snowman when the finder is close to finding him or hot or melting like a snowman when the finder goes away from where he's hiding. As we normally do on Fridays, we enjoyed a homemade pizza. We made "snowman" with marshmallows, but I think we ate more than we used! We also made some "snowman" sugar cookies and some "snowman" fruit kabobs.

Here are some fun snowman ideas for your own "snowman" fun!

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  Snowman Fruit- Super YUMMY but the bananas just wouldn't stay on the stick?!
  
  
  
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  Snowman Cheese ball & crackers-yummy! Kids loved helping the snowman melt as they ate him!
  
  
  
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  Snowman cookies-ours were yummy but definitely NOT these CUTE!
  
  
  
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  Our snowman craft- It says 2+ but Little Bit placed snowballs on glue dots just fine. LaLa took over the other parts.
  
  
  
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  Dress your Snowman Computer Activity
  
  
  
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  Cute Snowman Treat-This is a friend's blog that shares her recipe with detailed directions on how to create cute snowman pretzel treats!
  
  
  

We had "SNOW" much fun! We'll post some of our pictures from our Frosty Movie Night and of our fun Christmas Activities next week!

Mama Drama Rule #90: Living memories with your little ones is a great way to keep your own childhood memories close.

I realized this tonight as we watched Frosty. I remember the excitement and the fun to cuddle together watching these Christmas shows with my own family! Now, as I had the opportunity to do the same thing with my own kids, it made it even more special!

Silent Night...a Mama Can Only Wish!

I need to learn how to fix the date on my camera?! Anyway, I don't know how well you can see this picture. Isn't her little belly poking out so cute? I had to sneak in and take it in the dark. I thought it was so sweet! Max, our yorkie, is (also known as 'Houdini' in our house) managed to get out of his baby gate blocked room. Once he managed to escape, he found his way to his best buddy, LaLa. Of course, LaLa made it quite easy for Max to climb into bed with her because she was sleeping on the floor! She has been sleeping on a little pull out kid sofa for a couple weeks now because she wants to sleep in her little sister's room.

She told her daddy that she loves her room, but her sister just needs her so much. LaLa said she guesses that she will just have to keep sleeping in there with her sister. I'm not so sure that Little Bit really expressed that she needs big sister there! LaLa has a beautiful room, with a four poster queen size bed, yet she still chooses to get her little flannel blanket and sleep night after night on the floor in her sister's room. Now, with her little watch dog nearby and her little sister in her crib...she's sure to have pleasant dreams. Now, maybe mama will even get a full night's sleep...one can only hope!

Mama Drama Rule #89: Sleep becomes one of your highest and most neglected priorities when you become a mama! If I had to bet, sleep would be one of the highest rated priorities for most mamas! I would choose uninterrupted, blissful sleep over food, shower, or even a shopping spree! Sweet DREAMS!

A Christmas Deal & a Confused Mama!

A Deal...
A friend of mine called me yesterday with some exciting news! She had just shopped at Toys R' Us and discovered...on accident...that the Dream Time Playskool products were on sale. Not just on sale...but ON SALE! If you have a little girl (or maybe even a little boy) in your life, you really need to check these out. They are marked down. Then, they are marked down an additional 70%. I purchased the Sweet Lily Dream Town Castle and some of the accessories. The Rose Petal Cottage and the castle were $29.99 each. The 'furniture' was $7 to $10, and the food and accessories were $5 to $9. Normally, the furniture is about 45 dollars! I am already finished with my Christmas shopping, but I am putting these up for LaLa or Little Bit's birthday.

& a CONFUSED Mama...
On a side note, I have to tell you about just one of our crazy moments...yes, one of many!

"Mommy, can I have gum?”

"No, LaLa, no gum."

"Then, why do I have gum in my mouth?"

"LaLa, where did you get gum?" (We don't do gum in our house...until your five...I don't know what I am going to do when she actually turns five and wants gum. She currently thinks this is law of the world right along with the speed limit.) "Open your mouth!" LaLa opens her mouth confused.

I look into her mouth. "LaLa, nothing is in your mouth."

"The dentist at preschool said I have to clean my gum and my teeth so they're healthy."

"Oh, yeah, you do, but your gums in your mouth are different than bubble gum or chewing gum. Then, I try to point out her gums in her mouth."

She shakes her head at me and says, "Oh, mommy, you get so confused sometimes."

By the end of this conversation, well, by the end of most conversations with LaLa...I am thoroughly confused!

Mama Drama Rule #88: Sometimes as a mama, you just have to smile, shake your head and nod! Some of the best conversations that you will have with your children will be those that do not make any sense!

My Kids are Bouncing Off the Walls!

Can you find what's wrong with this picture? Hmmm...where do I start? First, in Georgia, we have had some cold, yucky, rainy weather. Unfortunately, we cannot get rain and freezing weather at the same time! A snowy Christmas would be great, but it seems that we are only getting one or the other.

Now, what do you do with two little ones that are going stir crazy? One day last week, I was in this predicament! It's too cold or wet to go outside. Mama has a lot on her to-do list trying to get gifts made and/or wrapped, goody bags fixed, baking completed and so on. Well, I got to the point of desperation. On one of my trips out to the garage, this box with our jumpy house caught my eye. Yes, I inflated it in my living room! I told you it was desperation. I thought my kids were bouncing off the walls before. Now, they were actually bouncing off the walls! Fortunately, the jumpy house worked perfectly. They were completely entertained for almost an hour! This is amazing for a three year old and a one year old! At one point, I realized that this was probably the longest consecutive time that I have had to accomplish tasks in a very, very long time!

They were amused for so long that I finished a lot of my work, and by the time they were done with the jumpy house, I could have time just for them! I thought the irony was just hilarious that my kids were driving me crazy because they were bouncing off the walls! Who would have thought that letting them literally bounce off the walls would be the solution!

Now, did you find what was wrong with the picture?
1. Bouncy house in my house.
2. My poor Christmas tree lived through the event.
3. Every ball that we own in our house was now placed in the bouncy house.
4. LaLa put a diaper on Little Bit...on the outside of her pants. She said Little Bit asked her to. I doubt that! Thankfully, she still had one on normally!
5. LaLa took her pants off. She said she couldn't jump as high because her pants were heavy.

Does any of that matter if your kids are safe, happy, and entertained? No...not at all!

Mama Drama Rule #88: A jumpy house can be the best way to alleviate your children's wiggles! It's basically a room with rubber walls. They go in as completely crazy, hyper, and driving their parents' nuts; however, they come out calm and completely worn out!

A Daddy and His Girl

Have you noticed that I have been completely slacking on the picture posting effort around here? It's just so busy...I can't keep up!

My sweet LaLa has been so excited...The Princess and the Frog...premiers today. Her daddy told her that if she was a good girl at school and all day that he would take her out on a date. You have never seen a little one so excited! What's even better is that she has noticed that when her daddy and I go on a date, I guess I tend to get dressed up...you know like maybe wear matching clothes, shower, and even makeup! So, she had this all in her little three year old mind!

Little Bit and I are home getting everything ready and packed for a three hour trip in the morning to a family Christmas function. That requires a great deal of preparation with two little ones!

LaLa decided that she had to wear a crown and her hair just right. She put her chapstick on three or four times. She even wore her princess high heel shoes. Her daddy came in from work and didn't know what to think. He said, LaLa, don't you want to put on some tennis shoes? I gave him that look like you better say she is just beautiful and go with it!

I reminded him as they were leaving that these are moments that she will hold onto forever. It's a quick trip to the movies for him, but for her, it's how she will base her concept of "dates" in her future. She should not expect any guy she ever dates in her future to treat her any less than a princess... It's a moment where she truly feels like her daddy's princess and has his undivided attention and admiration. What little girl wouldn't be excited about that?

Have fun my sweet princess!

Mama Drama Rule #87: Every girl needs to feel like a princess sometimes!

A Perfect Mama

This is an old picture from last summer...but it just reminded me how fast my little girls are growing up.

There is no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one

- Jill Churchill

 

Mama Drama Rule #86: The best you can do as a mama is the same as what you tell your children...always do your best!

A Book We LOVE!

Tickle Monster by Josie Bissett

Little Bit received this book and the tickling mitts that go along with it for her first birthday, and it has just become a favorite in our house. I would highly recommend it for Christmas gifts this year! It is great for any age...and my husband loves to read it because he gets such a reaction out of them. My one year old lifts her shirt to show her belly and says "tickickle mama". I believe the mitts are sold seperately, but they are totally woth it! LaLa and I are also working on rhyming words, which is quite interesting with a three year old. This book is great for language patterns and rhyming! Plus, this is one book that you won't get tired of reading...and we all know how that is when you have the SAME book multiple times every night over and over! You know when you try to skip pages thinking your tired little one won't notice. Of course, they always notice though and you are totally caught!

Tickle Book at Amazon
Mitts for the Tickle Monster

Mama Drama Rule #85: You can never have too many books!

Elf Update: Little Elf has been quite a handful today. LaLa has talked about him non-stop. It motivated her to clean her playroom. She gave LeeRoy the Elf a special seat to watch her...just so he could let Santa know how good she was! Hmm...I didn't see this coming but maybe this will work to my advantage!

We are going to have a visitor! He's about 6 inches tall...

Okay, so I have decided to succumb to the Elf fun that I have heard others discuss. Honestly, at first, I thought it was kind of a silly concept. I also thought it would add something else for me to do in my world! However, I decided that I wanted to do a 12 days of Christmas kind of thing with our advent/counting down to Christmas Calendar. In the last twelve days, we will do something with the "Christmas spirit" in mind. I hope that it will be a fun game that will also inspire a better idea of what Christmas is about and build some anticipation of Christmas! I have plans to incorporate the elf fun with our countdown!

From what I understand, I am starting it a little late! I think it will still be a lot of fun, and I figured that it will give the kids a week to get used to the concept before our 12 days start! I could not believe all of the stuff that I have found for this Elf fun!

Our Elf is coming tomorrow! He has his passport ready from the North Pole. He has his letter from Santa explaining that my girls are in charge of the care of this little mischievous elf. They will write a secret report to Santa on what they all did during his stay. They will creatively take care of him, and each day our little Elf will be discovered in a different part of our house and into some sort of trouble! The Elf is also coming with a little notebook (a small version of a trapper keeper-remember those!-in reality, it is a recycled velcro day planner!) to keep their recordings of the Elf's mishap!

I asked my husband his suggestion for a name for our little Elf. Well, now our little Elf is named, LEEROY. Yep, that is what he chose! I'll share pictures of some of our Elf fun this week!

Here are some great resources if you want to make your own Elf Fun!
Santa and his elves-fun site for kids
Elf on the Shelf-same concept...different angle (author graduated from my alma mater)
Cute plush elf doll (I just used a mini Santa shelf sitter that I actually bought after Christmas last year)
An abundance of great ideas: printable passport, letter, report, etc.
Message Board (Yes, I'm serious! of elf suggestions and ideas and so much more!)

Let me know if you try out Elf fun this year or if you have done it in the past! I'd love to hear ideas! Our Elf is about to go leave sticky notes all over the house of places he visited and checked out during his first night. He is leaving paper punched Christmas trees lying around the house making a trail to various places! I'm not sure how much my one year old and three year old will understand the idea...but we shall see!:)


Mama Drama Rule #84: Imagination always begins with a little magic!

Ideas to Countdown to Christmas!

Hmm...21 days and counting. It's so funny to me that when I was little, I felt like waiting for Christmas lasted an eternity! Now, I am making list on top of list and still can't seem to find enough time. I'm trying to remember that child-like feeling and anticipation so my kids do not feel the adult stress and anxiety that can come with the holidays! When I feel like we are constantly looking for this and that for holiday parties, programs, and events...not to mention that last minute gift check list and menu, I try to take a deep breath and look at the holidays and the moment through my children's eyes. Then, the excitement can be absolutely contagious.

Our favorite thing to do right now is counting down the days to Christmas. LaLa brought home this cute paper chain counting down the days until Christmas from Preschool. Of course, Little Bit constantly grabs at it and takes off! We also have this little house that has a little drawer for each of the 25 days! I haven't figured out the PERFECT item to put inside the drawers, but for now, I'm using candy (yes, halloween candy that was left over) in each little section! I tell my girls that they appear in the mornings only after they go to bed! It makes them fall asleep just a little quicker! Plus, it reinforces counting and number recognition!

Here are seven fun ideas that we liked or have planned to do to enjoy each and every day during the holidays...and to count down the day until Jesus' birth!

1.  Advent Activities: recipes, activities, crafts and more for each and every day!

2.  Countdown Chain: Make a simple paper link chain special by numbering the strips from 1 to 24. Write a special message or event on each link before you stick them together in order. I used to do this when I was a classroom teacher. I was so excited when LaLa brought one home! We are working on her writing her name smaller (she writes it BIG now). So, each day, she takes off a link and writes her name on the broken link. It provides her a limited space to practice those fine motor skills! It's part of the "game" of counting down so she never questions the activity as "work"!

3.  Twelve gifts of Christmas: wrap 12 gifts from the dollar store...or here's an idea (saved happy meal prizes). It really doesn't matter what it is...it's the mystery and the opportunity to unwrap them! Wrap each one and place a number on it. Each day, the child looks for the appropriate number and gets a treat! It extends the gift fun that is usually limited for morning of Christmas!

4.  Make your own calendar and place a note behind each number counting down the days until Christmas. Some of the notes could have jokes, riddles, an errand, or a 'treasure' hunt to find something in the house! This would be great for new readers!

5.  Coloring sheets for the 12 days of Christmas-so cute

6.  More coloring sheets with the words to the song

7.  For older kids-Several activities from crossword puzzles, vocabulary & wordsearch, etc.

Mama Drama #83: We should all countdown to the day that we celebrate Jesus' birth! Our kids and family will know just how wonderful of an event it is if we are excited and looking forward to it!

Little Bit tried to eat Baby Jesus!

Have you tried explaining to little ones about Baby Jesus being born in a manger? I have the cutest little Fisher Price Little People Manger Set....see, I'm getting to be a smarter mama...they can't break it! I'm also learning that with little ones...I just can't have those beautiful glass (BREAKABLE) ornaments out and the detailed (BREAKABLE) nativity scene we used to put out BC (before children)! Our Christmas tree is decorated half way down (to avoid our active one year old pulling off ornaments)! In addition, I have wonderful memories of setting up our manger with my little brother as we were kids. I want my kids to be able to manipulate it and play with it, make a lot of memories, but still fully respect and understand the meaning behind it. I bought ours years ago before they had this deluxe version, but it is a wonderful, tough little nativity scene that I would definitely recommend!

LaLa is finally getting where she understands the concept of Santa and Baby Jesus and everything Christmas. Remember teachable moments?! This was a perfect one. I wish there were more child-friendly Christmas centered kind of concepts that we could use! As we were putting it out piece by piece tonight, we talked about the three wise men, what a manger was, why Jesus was born there instead of the inn, what an inn was, why Jesus came to Earth, etc.

When you push the angel on the top of the manger, it sings Away in the Manger. Of course, we had to sing along with the angel. When the song says, "no crib for a bed," LaLa just could not understand this part because Jesus is lying in a "crib"-like thing in our manger. I explained (I thought well and simply) that it was what the animals ate out of, but that is all they had for Baby Jesus in the manger. As she put out the animals around the manger scene, she insisted that all the camels, the sheep, the horses, etc. were far away from the manger, which I thought was kind of odd. However, out of desperation that it was way past bath and bedtime, I just accepted her way and moved on with the task at hand. Little Bit sat intently the majority of the time and watched us. Periodically, she would point to baby Jesus and say, "baby". Little Bit would say, "no, that's baby Jesus."

Finally, our manger scene was all set up. I started to gather the girls up to go upstairs for baths and beds only to find Little Bit over by the manger scene with baby Jesus in her mouth. LaLa squealed her dramatic, ear-piercing scream followed by, "Nooooooooo, stoooop, you're eating BABY JEEEESUUUUS!" and snatched it away. She continued to coddle and rock this little baby Jesus figure saying..."I know your mommy had to put you in the animal's food because you didn't have a bed. BUT I put all of the animals far, far away so they wouldn't eat you in their food bowl. I should have put Little Bit far, far away too because now she's ate our baby Jesus. Mommy, maybe you should put our manger up higher before she gets a chance to take a bigger bite next time."

I thought it was even funnier that on amazon they have replacement baby Jesus'....just in case....I bookmarked it:).

Other nativity scene ideas and crafts:
homemade nativity scenes
Fisher Price's little people nativity set (also at Walmart...a bit cheaper)
Coloring Sheets of baby Jesus in Manger
Nativity Scene coloring sheets
Wonderful Site with lots of great ideas...nativity
Story of Baby Jesus...in Child-friendly language (This is a favorite site of mine that I use often with our little awana group at church)

Mama Drama Rule #82: Children are never too young to understand the special gift that God gave us!

Mr. Postman start doing your warm ups...It's Time for Christmas Cards!

My Mailman brought my mail and a package to my door today. It is cold and rainy in Georgia today. As we were talking, he said, "oh, we're just getting started. it's time for Christmas cards!" This kinda made me laugh because this has been my current new obsession!

I'm on a brainstorming hunt for Christmas Cards! I love making our Christmas cards each year, but I think this year I might be stretching myself a little too thin. I've become overwhelmed with everything we have going on in our world! So, I'm looking for some great ideas...cheap, quick, and crafty ideas! We had Christmas pictures of the girls taken and of course, their Santa pictures. That is the only start that I have so far! Here are some ideas that I have done in the past or enjoyed from friends!

1. If you have a little, bitty one, there are the cutest huge stockings at the dollar store. How cute would a picture be with a baby peeking out of the stocking...a little photo editing & you could make it look like it was hanging on a mantle! Wishing your loved ones that their stockings are as full and wonderful as yours this holiday season!

2. Have one child in a (open) wrapped box with a bow on their head while the other child is the "wrapper". We did this last year. It was super cute!

3. Here is another that we have done...snap some shops of your little one or your family in Christmas clothes or jammies creating a gingerbread house masterpiece!

4. Take pictures of your little ones at the same spot every year...beside a particular object (like a animated Santa)...so you can watch the big changes each year.

5. Use those cute beach pictures from the summer with the caption...warm wishes during this holiday season!

6. Santa pictures...if your children aren't too traumatized or running away as my Little Bit did for most of the pictures, these are easy pictures for Christmas cards! This is probably going to be my lazy way out this year!

7. Take all your Christmas cards each year that have pictures and create an album...assign a page per family. I started this three years ago because I just can't bring myself to throw away pictures on the cards. I put it on my coffee table each year during the holidays. It is fun to see how the families grow and change each year!

8. Dress up the family and take a picture of your family in front of your tree.

9. Take pictures of your family or children in the city with the Christmas decorations. I had a friend (a scrapbooking genius) that used a decorated light post in Atlanta. You could see all the city's background and festive Christmas decorations. She made the picture black and white, and it was gorgeous.

10. Be creative. With fun holiday songs like You better watch out, silent night, away in a manger, naughty and nice, etc. snap a bunch of pictures and pick the caption that matches your picture rather than starting with the idea first! My favorite, which I definitely want to use one day...take a picture of your kids sleeping and use the caption, "Silent Night" or "Peace on Earth".

11. Have a friend climb on a ladder and take a picture of your family "making" the letter of their last name with everyone laying on the ground. I had a friend send me a picture with them and their three kiddos making a B. It was great! How creative!

Here are some great websites that had wonderful ideas too!

Picture Ideas
Card Idea with Child's handprint...perfect for Fridge display!
Shutterfly-the easy way!
More ideas on how to upload and use/order photos!

I'd love to hear your ideas & inspiration! I think I am going to be one of those crazy people (yeah, one of those that I so made fun of before I had kids!) and include a family update letter. With some family and friends that we send cards to, it is unfortunately the only time we hear from each other as all of lives get crazier each year! Of course, when you have kids...you want to tell everyone everything wonderful that they do too!:) You just can't help yourself!

Mama Drama Rule #81: Don't put too much pressure on yourself to create the ideal Christmas Card (or gift for that matter!) Be creative! Use what you have, make it a true picture of your family, and share joy with your family and friends!

Oh, how sad for me!

Just a note to other bloggers...when it says, "you may want to save your template on your hard drive" that's always a great idea! I managed to erase almost everything on my blog in minutes! Smooth, huh?! In hopes that I will not get the sudden urge to toss my laptop across the room...I will try to get it all up and running back to normal slowly!:)

Feel free to giggle at my unfortunate frustrations!

Tammy

The Reason for the Season!

Time to begin the 25 day countdown until Christmas! As we begin, let's remember the reason of the season!

I found this wonderful ornament at...you'll never guess it...the dollar tree! This little ornament met all of our family's criteria:

1st: It has my favorite color theme for the holiday season...the traditional red and green.

2nd: It is not breakable, which is very important in our household of little ones!

3rd: It sends a message that I wants my kids to know.

I bought several of these for ornament exchanges and hostess gifts for upcoming holiday events! I have cute boxes for them to go in...also a dollar store find! Add some pretty tissue paper...maybe a yummy treat, a note...and, voila! a sweet gift with an unforgettable message! I'm not sure if the designer of this ornament meant for the "BELIEVE" to insinuate believe in Santa or believe in Christ's birth.

For us, though, it's a great opportunity to talk about the true meaning of Christmas!

The teacher in me is always looking for a teachable moment when it comes to my kids!

"Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

(The Christmas Story can be found in Luke 2:1-14)

Mama Drama Rule #80: Create traditions that teach the deeper meanings of why we celebrate our holidays!Children learn more...when they don't realize they are learning! I knew that applied in the classroom, but I am learning that it also applies to my family and in my home!