Decorating the Doll House

Yesterday for our advent activity we decorated the doll house.

We made a Christmas blanket for the bed.

I was going to whip up a blanket on the sewing machine

but Bailey wanted to stitch it by hand.

She worked diligently

and said (more than once)

"I can tell my friends I made it myself!"

Oh, she is so my daughter.

Now Cinderella Barbie is Warm.

We also made a pipe cleaner tree.

Martha told me how.

It was a simple project but

it did take quite a while just to do the tree

Which of course then needed to be decorated.

We made candy canes and garland and

little teeny tiny ornaments from beads.

Bailey made the star all by herself

(I tried. She rocked.)

We added a few other things-

a little wreath, garland, and a few other odd decorations.

Bailey is using the presents

from her birthday

and having fun with the new theme.

Dana's Christmas Gift

Dana-don't look!

I've finished a bag for my girlfriend Dana.

Her son Ivan has undone at least two of her knitting projects in the last year.

Completely pulled them apart.

(Can't you see the look of amazement on his face as he unravels it row by row?)

So when I found this tutorial

and spied the tied top

I knew it would be a perfect place to stash her knitting.

I hope she likes it!

Welcoming

One of the things we try to instill in our children is the true meaning of Christmas.

The story of Jesus' birth and why He came to earth and what it means to them.

We also don't want them to drive us bonkers.

I had seen the Elf on the Shelf and I never really got excited by it.

So we found a project that ties nicely in to Christmas while rewarding our children for good behavior.

We made cradles for baby Jesus. We set the cradles in a very visible location in our homes. We let the children know that each time we catch them doing something caring, loving, unselfish, etc they will get to add straw to Jesus' cradle. The goal is to have a cradle full of straw to welcome Jesus on Christmas.

The kids have really loved this. One of our rules is that you don't get straw if you ask for it. We made our cradles from little picket fences Dana had found in our local craft store but I've seen them made from paper towel rolls, too.

We started this craft discussing what a King's bed would look like. It was a great opportunity to talk about the significance of Jesus being born in a manger. We also went over the fruits of the spirit (something we had discussed in length over summer) and the positive attributes that we should display. This was a great lesson for the 6 year old crowd but could definitely be shortened or skipped for the younger crowd.

I don't know if we'll keep the cradle or make another next year (I hate to waste but putting the craft together gave a great basis for discussion). Either way I think this is a great addition to our holiday traditions!

Mama’s Holiday Wish List Meme
TodaysMama and Provo Craft are giving away a sleighful of gifts this holiday season and to enter I’m sharing this meme with you.

1. What 5 items are on your holiday wish list this year?

1. Clean dishes when I go to bed on the 25th.

2. An audible squeal of excitement from each of my daughters over one of her Christmas gifts (not necessarily the ones we bought her).

3. No H1N1. Or Influenza. Or anything that makes you sneeze.

4. Free shipping for all the gifts I send out.

5. A rich dude to give me money and to tell me I can only spend it on crafting and sewing supplies.
2. What is your favorite handmade gift you have received?

A picture my daughter drew. And in close second, the Christmas stocking Dana made me.
3. What handmade gift have you always wanted to tackle?

Handmade Christmas cards. I can't figure out how to do them cute and inexpensive.
4. What was the best Christmas gift you received as a child?

A huge teddy bear (well, I thought it was huge at the time)
5. What items are on your kid’s wish list this year?

A nativity set and a guitar (among 100 other things!)
6. What is your favorite holiday food?

Dessert (don't make me choose)
7. What will you be hand-crafting for the holidays?

I can't tell that! It will ruin the surprise!
8. What is your favorite holiday movie?

That's like choosing a favorite child. (Okay, maybe not. But I do like them all-even the cheesy ones)
9. Favorite holiday song?

Silent Night
10. Favorite holiday pastime?

Baking with my kids.