christmas craft.

sunday morning we found ourselves

teaching bible hour and the story of Jesus' birth.

we needed an quick craft.

we cut the bottom off of a paper bag.

and then cut slits about an inch down.

folded the slits over and then made a paper baby wrapped in a blanket.

Jesus in the manger. voila.

would make a perfect weekday night craft.

a bit naughty.

little miss 16 months old.

is in the 6% for weight.

and 95% for head size.

she is clearly a burket.

she loves to sleep.

and to dance.

she laughs when she eats sweet potatoes.

and throws random items in the garbage.

she will rip off all hair bows. socks. or shoes.

she adores any animal

cats. dogs. and chickens.

she pulls ornaments off the tree.

and screams a lot.

she may in fact be the worlds messiest baby.

she may even hit you.

but she lights up when she smiles.

and is happiest just sitting in your lap.

little miss 16 month old lila, I do love you so.

but you just may be on the naughty list.

nice.

dear santa,

for christmas I would like...

christmas socks, a toy from santa, and paper flowers for my teacher.

oh, and a present for my sister.

love, trent

I am pretty sure he is at the top of the nice list.

christmas countdown.

on top of our christmas cards and stockings we hung our advent calendar.

velum envelopes filled with little tags.

the envelope has the number,

and the tag has the activity.

that way when you have a day that involves:

four hours in the ER-five stitches-flat tire-set of new tires-parking ticket

and a yellow crayon left in the laundry-type-of-day.

you can easily swap the "make gingerbread house" tag,

for the "sing christmas songs" tag.

nice.

other tags included:

 cards, crafts, camping under the christmas tree,

try a candy cane, try apple cider, try decorating vegan cookies,

letters to santa, see santa (someone's decoration will do), see christmas lights,  

make, wrap,  and deliver presents, 

my personal favorite... make a snowman at the beach. 

deck the halls.

no chimney? no problem.

the stockings were hung by the bathroom with care.

in hopes that saint nicholas soon would be there.

christmas cards on a line...bakers twine.

that'll do the trick. it'll work just fine.

a break.

thankful we can sleep in, kinda.

thankful for spending all day with my two.

thankful for seeing it all. seeing every smile.

thankful for time to play.

thankful he has the whole world in his hands.

thankful for time to chill out.

thankful to watch them grow. create. and learn.

thankful they share. their love for one another makes me glow.

thankful he has learned to put on his own pants.

thankful for her. her little toes. and big personality.

thankful for her slobbery dirty smile.

thankful for him. his joy. his words. his outlook.

thankful for a good book.

thankful they both are now eating whole apples.

no peeling. no cutting. 

thankful for a whole week at home.

to eat popcorn with a minnie mouse hat on.

I knew I went to college for the right thing.