Monday, November 25, 2013

25 Days of Christmas - Max and Alex version

The other day I posted a post about 25 Days of Christmas, and it was focused on the advent bags I made for the girls.  Today I wanted to do a post about the boys advent bags and their Christmas goal ornaments. Below are some pictures.....than below that are some descriptions of each day and our goals for the Holiday season.

the boys advent bags getting filled

An example of Day 6. The candle and the activity. Each bag normally has a piece of paper explaining the day



filled and ready to be hung on the tree!

Our Christmas goal ornaments for the tree

The advent tree is complete!!!

lots of bags





Christmas goal ornaments.
I had a few things I wanted our family to do over the Christmas season, but I didn’t make them a day because I wasn’t sure when we were going to do them, so instead I made some Christmas GOAL ornaments.  I have typed out a goal and put it on our advent tree, so we can take them down as we complete them, but they will serve as a reminder we still need to do it if it is still hanging on the tree.  Below are the ones I came up with today, we’ll see if Mike has any to add or I’m sure we might think of more thought the season.

Bring a meal to the Ronald McDonald House with Sunday school class
Meet a new set of neighbors and bring them a welcome gift
Donate a board game to a student in need at Lee Elementary
Bring Canned Foods for The Bread of Life Ministry
Adopt a little boy from the Angle Tree

Day 1: M & M candies
As you hold these candies in your hand and turn them, you will see….
The M becomes a W, and E, and then a 3.
They tell the Christmas Story, it’s one I’m sure you know.
It took place in a stable a long, long time ago.
The E is for the East where the star shone so bright.
The M is for the Manger where baby Jesus slept that night. 
The 3 is for the Wiseman bearing gifts when they came.
W is for Worship, Hallelujah, Praise His name.
So, as you eat these candies or share with your friends.
Remember the meaning of Christmas.
It’s a love story that never ends.

Day2: Card game, Christmas Trivia
What do you know about Christmas?
Test your knowledge and have fun learning some fun Christmas Trivia.
Included in bags were two airhead treats for the boys
Enjoy!!

Day 3: A NEW Christmas CD!
I found this CD at our Local Christian Book Store.  I thought you girls would enjoy singing along with the CD this Christmas season.
A Psalm for giving thanks. Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!
Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart.

Day 4: Happy Birthday Jesus Bracelets
Remember….
Christmas is not YOUR Birthday
It’s Jesus’ Birthday!!
Wear this Bracelet as a reminder of this.
Share any extras
Happy Birthday Jesus!!

DAY 5
Activity: Hand out Thank you notes when looking at Christmas lights. (thank you notices included)
If you go look at Christmas lights with your family, take these Thank you notes along and place them in some mailboxes.  It will make whoever reads the notes feel good about their hard work.
This is a way to be nice to your “neighbors”
“For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” –Galatians 5:14

Day 6
Today your gift is a candle
Light your candle……
READ:  Matthew 5: 14-16.
 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do
people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it
gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before
others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
SHARE: Jesus told His followers not to hide their light.
How can we be light to show Jesus to other people?
SING: “This Little Light of Mine”
This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine.
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine. 

Day 7: Gift – Flashlights
Flashlights!
Flashlights are great to help us in the dark.  They help us find our way.
Who else can help us find our way when we are lost?
JESUS!
Sing along the first verse of Amazing Grace. Let’s try to memorize it together
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

Day 8: Surprise!
I hope you boys enjoy these ornaments for your tree.  I saw them and thought of you guys.  A Looney Tunes for Max and a Mickey Mouse for Alex – both play Christmas songs.

Day 9: Send someone a Christmas card
Enclosed you will find some greeting cards.  Write a thoughtful card to someone you know: A friend, a family member, or a neighbor.  Thank them for something they have done for you or wish them a Merry Christmas.

Day 10: Be kind to your mailman day!
Think of how much mail your mailman delivers not only to everyone on his route but just to your house….Now , the month of December, with all of those extra packages and Christmas cards!
Holidays by the numbers
236
Number of years the U.S. Postal Service has been delivering holiday cheer
16.5 billion
Number of cards, letters and packages to be delivered between Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve.
2.7 billion
Number of letters mailed over the holidays.
801 million
Number of pieces of mail processed on Dec. 20, the busiest mailing day of the year.
551 million
Average number of pieces of mail processed daily.
589 million
Average number of pieces of mail processed daily during the holidays.
30 million
In pounds, the amount of mail the Postal Service will process for overseas military installations, including war zones in Afghanistan, as well as Iraq.
155,000
Number of vehicles used to transport holiday mail
3.3 billion
Number of holiday stamps the Postal Service has available this year.
97 million
Number of customers who visit the Post Office during the holidays.
47.2 million
Number of customer visits to usps.com during the holidays.
4.7 million
Number of shipping labels printed from home and office using Click-N-Ship during the holidays.

Today – leave a treat – and a kind note – for your postman (or woman) and let them know how thankful you are for what they do and wish them a Merry Christmas
Dear Mailman,
We wanted to take a day and thank you for everything you do.  Thank you for all of the mail you deliver to families everywhere during this holiday season.  Thank you for all of your hard work.  We hope you enjoy this treat and have a very Merry Christmas.
Taped to the note are some Christmas skittles!

Day 11
Activity: Craft – Make a picture or make a card out of the snowmen and snowflakes
Did you know that every single snowflake is different? There are no two snowflakes that are exactly the same! God made you different and unique as well. There is no one else like you! He had a plan for your life before you were even born. He knew what you would like and dislike and what you are going to be when you grew up. He loves you and created you to fulfill a special purpose!
 Read Jeremiah 1:5.
“Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Before you were born, I set you
apart.” -Jeremiah 1:5
 How does it make you feel to know that God has a plan for your life?

Day 12: Compliments and ACTIVITY

Max – You look so smart with your glasses.  You have so much energy.  You are the best big brother.  You are so creative. You are so genuinely sweet.
Alex – You are such a blessing to our family.  You have the best laugh.  You have the sweetest smile. You are the best little brother.
What is a compliment?
com·pli·ment - a polite expression of praise or admiration.

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.
Act of Kindness:
Look for people to give compliments to.  Not only today, and tomorrow, but all throughout the Christmas season.  Watch as you give them a compliment the smile that comes to their face.  It can be something simple, like you like their hair or their shoes, or just anything that comes to mind. 
Has it snowed yet????  Use this kit I bought at the craft fair this fall to make your own snow

Day 13: Craft – Nativity Scene
Put together this nativity scene and talk about the story of Jesus’s birth
At this time, the land where Mary and Joseph lived was part of the Roman Empire. The Roman Emperor Augustus wanted to have a list of all the people in the empire, to make sure they paid their taxes. He ordered everyone to return to the town where their families originally came from, and enter their names in a register there. Mary and Joseph travelled a long way (about 70 miles) from Nazareth to Bethlehem, because that is where Joseph's family came from. Most people walked but some lucky people had a donkey to help carry the goods needed for the journey. Joseph and Mary travelled very slowly because Mary's baby was due to be born soon.
When they reached Bethlehem they had problems finding somewhere to stay. So many people had come to register their names in the census, that every house was full and every bed was taken in all of the Inns. The only shelter that they could find was a stable or cave with the animals. In this place Mary gave birth to Jesus, the Son of God. In those days it was the custom to wrap newborn babies tightly in a long cloth called 'swaddling clothes'. Jesus' bed was the manger that the animals ate their hay from.
In the hills and fields outside Bethlehem, shepherds looked after their sheep through the long night. As the new day began, suddenly an angel appeared before them and the glory of God shone around them. The shepherds were very, very scared, but the angel said, 'Don't be afraid. I have good news for you and everyone. Today in Bethlehem a Savior has been born for you. You will find the baby lying in a manger.
Then many more angels appeared, lighting up the sky. The shepherds heard them praising God singing: 'Glory to God in highest, and peace to everyone on earth.' When the angels had gone the shepherds said to one another, 'Let's go to Bethlehem to see what has happened.' So the shepherds went to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph. The baby Jesus was lying in a manger as they had been told. When they saw him, they told everyone what the angel had said and everyone who heard the story were astonished. Then the shepherds returned to their sheep, praising God for sending his Son to be their Savior.
When Jesus was born, a brand new bright star appeared in sky. They set out to find the new king and bring him gifts. The Wise Men followed the star towards Bethlehem. It seemed to stop and shine directly down upon the place where Jesus was. The Wise Men entered the house where they now lived and found Jesus with Mary, they bowed down and worshipped him. The Wise Men spread the gifts they had brought before Jesus. The gifts were gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Day 14: Ornaments
Enjoy these candy filled ornaments.  Eat the candy than hang the ornament on your tree!
Spiderman for Max and Mickey Mouse for Alex.

Day 15: Play-Doh
Theme:                God is the potter, we are his clay.
We are the clay, you are the potter; we are the work of your hand. Isaiah 64:8
Scripture: We are the clay, you are the potter; we are the work of your hand. Isaiah 64:8
Open your play-doh. Play with it.  Do you know what you call someone who shapes things from clay? He or she is called a potter. Let’s be a potter and see what we can make out of this ”clay”.  Let’s see we could make a bowl, a cup, or we could even mold it into the shape of an animal if you choose. Sometimes you might start out to make a bowl and change your mind.  If you change your mind, you can easily reshape the clay into something else.  What happens to a piece of clay if you forget and leave it out for a long time? It dries up and gets hard doesn’t it? That makes it very hard to mold it into what we want it to be.  Just like the people in Isaiah’s day, we sometimes stray away from God and our hearts become hard.  All is NOT hopeless.  If we will turn back to God and ask him to forgive us, he can mold us and shape us into what he wants us to be.  He is still the potter and we are still the clay!

Day 16: Craft time!!
Christmas is a time for Crafts
Enjoy making a letter or card or just a piece of art with this craft supplies or any other craft supplies you might have.
Make a card for your mom or dad? Grandma or Grandpa? Friend? Or Neighbor….
Ideas…
Spell out your name
NOEL,LOVE,PEACE,JOY,Merry Christmas
Write a note with pen on the foam….
Have fun!!

Day 17: Salvation Army Bell Ringers
“The Red Kettle Christmas Campaign” enables The Salvation Army to provide food, toys and clothing to over 6 million people during the Christmas season and helps more than 34 million Americans recovering from all kinds of personal disasters nationwide.

The Red Kettle campaign,
first started in San Francisco in 1891, has traditionally been the Salvation Army's most prominent fund-raiser.

Where all have you seen the Salvation Army Bell Ringers this Christmas season?
Next time you see one – put this money in their red kettle and thank them for what they are doing.
Thank you!

Day 18: GIFT!!
The ball catching game.
Isn’t this a fun game? Imagine if you lost your ball, would the catcher be very fun by itself?  What if you lost the catcher? Would the game be the same with just the ball?
Imagine if the catcher is God, and you are the ball.
God is always there to catch us when we fall, and we always work better when we have God with us, than when we try to tackle something by ourselves.
READ: Joshua 1:9 
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Day 19: Activity
Have fun making your own stocking! (Stockings, stickers, glitter paint pens, glitter balls, glue, etc included)
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care
In hopes that Saint Nicholas soon would be there.
Christmas will soon be here.  Are your stockings hung with care?

Day 20: Sticky Hands!
Sticky hands stick to everything.
How do you get yourself out of sticky situations? I think a sticky situation is any situation in life where you might not be sure what is the best solution. Anytime you just aren’t sure what is the best decision to make.
Psalm 55:22
Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.
Cares Chorus

by Kelly Willard


  C           G          F   C
I cast all my cares upon You,
  F             C       Dm           G
I lay all of my burdens down at Your feet.
    C        G                 C  C7   F  Fm
And any time I don't know just what to do,
       C           G          F   C
I will cast all my cares upon You.

 C           G          F   C
I cast all my cares upon You,
  F             C       Dm           G
I lay all of my burdens down at Your feet.
    C        G                 C  C7   F  Fm
And any time I don't know just what to do,
       C           G          Am  F
I will cast all my cares upon You.
       C           G          F   C
I will cast all my cares upon you

Day 21: Bible Trivia Game
Where did Mary and Joseph find Jesus when they thought he was lost?
In which book of the Bible will you find the story of Adam and Eve?
How many disciples did Jesus have?
Isn’t it fun to learn more about the Bible?
Play this Bible Trivia game or just read the cards to learn more.
(Answers are Temple, Genesis, and 12)

Day 22: Hot Chocolate!
Baby it’s Cold outside!!
The cold has arrive along with the Holidays. Warm up by making you and your family or a neighbor hot chocolate!!

Day 23: Candy canes
Christmas Candy Cane Poem about Jesus
Look at the Candy Cane
What do you see?
Stripes that are red
Like the blood shed for me
White is for my Savior
Who’s sinless and pure!
“J” is for Jesus My Lord, that’s for sure!
Turn it around
And a staff you will see
Jesus my shepherd
Was born for Me!
Ps…I know these are more red – and pink (not so white) but these were the new pixy stick version and looked delicious.  You will still get what the poem is meaning to say with the candy cane you are holding and about to eat.  The candy cane, can now, and always, should remind you about Jesus, no matter what the color J

Day 24: Glow Bracelets – Your Star of Bethlehem
Play with your glow bracelets like you are the star of Bethlehem leading the people to Jesus’ Birth. Retell the story of Jesus’s Birth that you learned early this month  with the nativity scene.  See if you can learn it well enough to share with others by using your glow stick.  Can you act out the nativity?

Day 25: Christmas Day
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
I wish you a Merry Christmas
I wish you a Merry Christmas
I wish you a Merry Christmas….
And a Happy New Year

I hope you enjoyed your Advent Calendar.  I had so much fun putting them together for you.  The last day is….Thank you cards.  You probably received a gift or two this Christmas.  Over the next few days, try and sit down and write someone a Thank you card for a gift they gave you. Remind them of how thankful you are to have them a part of your life, and thank them for the gift and maybe tell them how you are going to use it!
Merry Christmas!!  Love you!!!


Sunday, November 24, 2013

25 Days of Christmas

I wanted to do something fun for the boys this Christmas.  I wanted a way to give them little surprises throughout the Christmas season, but also teach them how to do kind things for others, and to at the same time, teach them about the true reason we celebrate Christmas....The Story of the 1st Christmas and Jesus's birth.

I have had all sorts of ideas over the past few months but it slowly started to come together.  I decided that since I was doing this for the boys that I would also do one for "the girls"  Also known as my nieces, Mary Frannie, Mabry, and Laney.  It took some time on pinterest and google, and some time in hobby lobby...but I finally finished the advent calenders this morning after church. I decided they would have a paper bag to open every day in December leading up to Christmas. I found the numbers to label the bags at Hobby Lobby, 50 percent off too.  I got some stationary from Walmart so that I could print out explanations/directions to every day. Below are some pictures of me putting together the bags for the girls AND  I included a detailed explanation of what is in every bag day by day.  I wanted to share so that hopefully it would inspire you to make one for your child/children or for someone you know. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.  There is still a week before December 1st...so get to it! Some of the days I probably could have gotten a little more creative or detailed...but I initially made the days around my boys, ages 2 and 4 so I wanted to keep it simple.  I also had a hard time working on this and keeping the boys out of them!  so I had to work quickly and efficiently. You might have to adjust if you have different ideas or different ages you are gearing towards.  For now, I think it turned out good and was a great first year effort.  Hopefully I continue to improve over the years.

Remember, these are the bags I did for the girls.....I have to finish the boys this week, than I will hang those in our "advent tree" and I can do a separate shorter post about theirs later.  

The bags laid out in the office

Day 6 - a candle and an explanation of what to do with the candle

Done!!! now to deliver

My parents came with me today while Phyllis was busy with kelley. We sure had a time getting into their garage!

The advent staircase

25 bags of Chrsitmas

A letter to the girls
I started off the advent stairs with a letter to the girls….
Mary Frannie – Mabry – Laney
I wanted to make you guys a fun advent calendar for Christmas. I have a bag you can open on every day.  On the 1st of December, you open the 1, on the 2nd of December you open the 2, on December 3rd open the 3, and so on and so on. Don’t worry if you forget one day or you are out of town, you can just catch up the next day.  Also, don’t ever feel like you have to do whatever it says on that day. Whether it is an act of kindness, or candy, or a craft….you can always save it for the time that works best for you during the Christmas season.
Have fun opening the bags every day.  Take turns.  Enjoy the surprises. Most of all – remember – Christmas is a time not only for surprises and gifts for you but also a time to remember the birth of Jesus and celebrating all month long by doing kind things for other people, being around family and friends, and spreading Christmas cheer J
Call me if you have any questions. Also, the boys have one too, but because of their ages some things are a little different.
Love Aunt Ashley!!!
Day 1: M & M candies
As you hold these candies in your hand and turn them, you will see….
The M becomes a W, and E, and then a 3.
They tell the Christmas Story, it’s one I’m sure you know.
It took place in a stable a long, long time ago.
The E is for the East where the star shone so bright.
The M is for the Manger where baby Jesus slept that night. 
The 3 is for the Wiseman bearing gifts when they came.
W is for Worship, Hallelujah, Praise His name.
So, as you eat these candies or share with your friends.
Remember the meaning of Christmas.
It’s a love story that never ends.
Day2: Card game, Christmas Trivia
What do you know about Christmas?
Test your knowledge and have fun learning some fun Christmas Trivia.
Enjoy!!
Day 3: A NEW Christmas CD!
I found this CD at our Local Christian Book Store.  I thought you girls would enjoy singing along with the CD this Christmas season.
A Psalm for giving thanks. Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!
Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart.
Day 4: Happy Birthday Jesus Bracelets
Remember….
Christmas is not YOUR Birthday
It’s Jesus’ Birthday!!
Wear this Bracelet as a reminder of this.
Share any extras and share with them why they say what they say.
Happy Birthday Jesus!!
DAY 5
Activity: Hand out Thank you notes when looking at Christmas lights. (thank you notes included)
If you go look at Christmas lights with your family, take these Thank you notes along and place them in some mailboxes.  It will make whoever reads the notes feel good about their hard work.
This is a way to be nice to your “neighbors”
“For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” –Galatians 5:14
Day 6
Today your gift is a candle
Light your candle……
READ:  Matthew 5: 14-16.
 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

SHARE: Jesus told His followers not to hide their light.
How can we be light to show Jesus to other people?

SING: “This Little Light of Mine”
This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine.
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine. 

Day 7: Salvation Army Bell Ringers
“The Red Kettle Christmas Campaign” enables The Salvation Army to provide food, toys and clothing to over 6 million people during the Christmas season and helps more than 34 million Americans recovering from all kinds of personal disasters nationwide.

The Red Kettle campaign,
first started in San Francisco in 1891, has traditionally been the Salvation Army's most prominent fund-raiser.

Where all have you seen the Salvation Army Bell Ringers this Christmas season?
Next time you see one – put this money in their red kettle and thank them for what they are doing.
Thank you!

Day 8: Jingle Bell Bracelets
Jingle Bell Bracelets!
Have fun wearing these around this Holiday season.
 
So you know the words to Jingle Bells? Sing along!
 
 Dashing through the snow
  In a one-horse open sleigh
  O'er the fields we go
  Laughing all the way
  Bells on bobtail ring
  Making spirits bright
  What fun it is to ride and sing
  A sleighing song tonight!

  (chorus)
  Jingle bells, jingle bells,
  Jingle all the way.
  Oh! what fun it is to ride
  In a one-horse open sleigh.
  Jingle bells, jingle bells,
  Jingle all the way;
  Oh! what fun it is to ride
  In a one-horse open sleigh


Day 9: Send someone a Christmas card
Enclosed you will find some greeting cards.  Write a thoughtful card to someone you know: A friend, a family member, or a neighbor.  Thank them for something they have done for you or wish them a Merry Christmas.

Day 10: Compliments
I wrote everyone a compliment….below is what I did for the boys
Max – You look so smart with your glasses.  You have so much energy.  You are the best big brother.  You are so creative. You are so genuinely sweet.
Alex – You are such a blessing to our family.  You have the best laugh.  You have the sweetest smile. You are the best little brother.
What is a compliment?
com·pli·ment - a polite expression of praise or admiration.

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.
Act of Kindness:
Look for people to give compliments to.  Not only today, and tomorrow, but all throughout the Christmas season.  Watch as you give them a compliment the smile that comes to their face.  It can be something simple, like you like their hair or their shoes, or just anything that comes to mind. 
Day 11
Activity: Craft – Make a picture or make a card out of the snowmen and snowflakes
Did you know that every single snowflake is different? There are no two snowflakes that are exactly the same! God made you different and unique as well. There is no one else like you! He had a plan for your life before you were even born. He knew what you would like and dislike and what you are going to be when you grew up. He loves you and created you to fulfill a special purpose!
 Read Jeremiah 1:5.
“Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Before you were born, I set you
apart.” -Jeremiah 1:5
 How does it make you feel to know that God has a plan for your life?

Day 12: Be kind to your mailman day!
Think of how much mail your mailman delivers not only to everyone on his route but just to your house….Now , the month of December, with all of those extra packages and Christmas cards!
Holidays by the numbers
236
Number of years the U.S. Postal Service has been delivering holiday cheer
16.5 billion
Number of cards, letters and packages to be delivered between Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve.
2.7 billion
Number of letters mailed over the holidays.
801 million
Number of pieces of mail processed on Dec. 20, the busiest mailing day of the year.
551 million
Average number of pieces of mail processed daily.
589 million
Average number of pieces of mail processed daily during the holidays.
30 million
In pounds, the amount of mail the Postal Service will process for overseas military installations, including war zones in Afghanistan, as well as Iraq.
155,000
Number of vehicles used to transport holiday mail
3.3 billion
Number of holiday stamps the Postal Service has available this year.
97 million
Number of customers who visit the Post Office during the holidays.
47.2 million
Number of customer visits to usps.com during the holidays.
4.7 million
Number of shipping labels printed from home and office using Click-N-Ship during the holidays.

Today – leave a treat – and a kind note – for your postman (or woman) and let them know how thankful you are for what they do and wish them a Merry Christmas
Dear Mailman,
We wanted to take a day and thank you for everything you do.  Thank you for all of the mail you deliver to families everywhere during this holiday season.  Thank you for all of your hard work.  We hope you enjoy this treat and have a very Merry Christmas.
Taped to the note is a Chocolate Santa!

Day 13: Make Hot Chocolate for everyone in your family
Baby it’s cold outside!
BBRRRRRRRRR….
The cold has arrived with the Holidays
Warm up with some Hot Chocolate!!!
Enjoy J
Day 14: GIFT!!
The ball catching game.
Isn’t this a fun game? Imagine if you lost your ball, would the catcher be very fun by itself?  What if you lost the catcher? Would the game be the same with just the ball?
Imagine if the catcher is God, and you are the ball.
God is always there to catch us when we fall, and we always work better when we have God with us, than when we try to tackle something by ourselves.
READ: Joshua 1:9 
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Day 15: Chocolate Santas!!!!
There isn’t a lot to say about Chocolate except that it is delicious! 
Enjoy your chocolate Santa…
More surprises in store for tomorrow!!
Day 16: Play-Doh
Theme:                God is the potter, we are his clay.
We are the clay, you are the potter; we are the work of your hand. Isaiah 64:8
Scripture: We are the clay, you are the potter; we are the work of your hand. Isaiah 64:8
Open your play-doh. Play with it.  Do you know what you call someone who shapes things from clay? He or she is called a potter. Let’s be a potter and see what we can make out of this ”clay”.  Let’s see we could make a bowl, a cup, or we could even mold it into the shape of an animal if you choose. Sometimes you might start out to make a bowl and change your mind.  If you change your mind, you can easily reshape the clay into something else.  What happens to a piece of clay if you forget and leave it out for a long time? It dries up and gets hard doesn’t it? That makes it very hard to mold it into what we want it to be.  Just like the people in Isaiah’s day, we sometimes stray away from God and our hearts become hard.  All is NOT hopeless.  If we will turn back to God and ask him to forgive us, he can mold us and shape us into what he wants us to be.  He is still the potter and we are still the clay!
Day 17: Sticky Hands!
Sticky hands stick to everything.
How do you get yourself out of sticky situations? I think a sticky situation is any situation in life where you might not be sure what is the best solution. Anytime you just aren’t sure what is the best decision to make.
Psalm 55:22
Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.
Cares Chorus

by Kelly Willard


  C           G          F   C
I cast all my cares upon You,
  F             C       Dm           G
I lay all of my burdens down at Your feet.
    C        G                 C  C7   F  Fm
And any time I don't know just what to do,
       C           G          F   C
I will cast all my cares upon You.

 C           G          F   C
I cast all my cares upon You,
  F             C       Dm           G
I lay all of my burdens down at Your feet.
    C        G                 C  C7   F  Fm
And any time I don't know just what to do,
       C           G          Am  F
I will cast all my cares upon You.
       C           G          F   C
I will cast all my cares upon you

Day 18: Activity
Have fun making your own stocking! (Stockings, stickers, glitter paint pens, glitter balls, glue, etc included)
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care
In hopes that Saint Nicholas soon would be there.
Christmas will soon be here.  Are your stockings hung with care?
Day 19: Act of Kindness:
Bake these brownies!  Have fun baking them for your home, or for a friend, a neighbor, a teacher, your mom or dad, or for a Christmas party you plan on attending.  Anyone you want.  Have fun baking together and making something delicious.  It’s so much fun to bake during the Holidays. 
Enjoy!
Day 20: Bible Trivia Game
Where did Mary and Joseph find Jesus when they thought he was lost?
In which book of the Bible will you find the story of Adam and Eve?
How many disciples did Jesus have?
Isn’t it fun to learn more about the Bible?
Play this Bible Trivia game or just read the cards to learn more.
(Answers are Temple, Genesis, and 12)
Day 21: Scripture Candy
The below is also written on your bag.
Thank you Lord for these jelly beans that remind me of your love.
Black represents my sinful heard keeping me from you above.
Red represents the blood you shed to provide salvation free.
White shows the cleansing of my sin as I put my faith in thee
Yellow is for heaven above.
Green is for the growth I will see as I read your word and pray
Purple shows you are king of all, the one I choose to obey.
Thank you lord for these jelly beans.  They mean more than words can say.
Day 22: Candy canes
Christmas Candy Cane Poem about Jesus
Look at the Candy Cane
What do you see?
Stripes that are red
Like the blood shed for me
White is for my Savior
Who’s sinless and pure!
“J” is for Jesus My Lord, that’s for sure!
Turn it around
And a staff you will see
Jesus my shepherd
Was born for Me!
Ps…I know these are more red – and pink (not so white) but these were the new pixy stick version and looked delicious.  You will still get what the poem is meaning to say with the candy cane you are holding and about to eat.  The candy cane, can now, and always, should remind you about Jesus, no matter what the color J

Day 23: Craft time!!
Christmas is a time for Crafts
Enjoy making a letter or card or just a piece of art with this craft supplies or any other craft supplies you might have.
Make a card for your mom or dad? Grandma or Grandpa? Friend? Or Neighbor….
Ideas…
Spell out your name
NOEL,LOVE,PEACE,JOY,Merry Christmas
Write a note with pen on the foam….
Have fun!!

Day 24: Glow Bracelets – Your Star of Bethlehem
Since tomorrow is Christmas, I thought it fitting to share with you tonight The Story of Birth of Jesus…
At this time, the land where Mary and Joseph lived was part of the Roman Empire. The Roman Emperor Augustus wanted to have a list of all the people in the empire, to make sure they paid their taxes. He ordered everyone to return to the town where their families originally came from, and enter their names in a register there. Mary and Joseph travelled a long way (about 70 miles) from Nazareth to Bethlehem, because that is where Joseph's family came from. Most people walked but some lucky people had a donkey to help carry the goods needed for the journey. Joseph and Mary travelled very slowly because Mary's baby was due to be born soon.
When they reached Bethlehem they had problems finding somewhere to stay. So many people had come to register their names in the census, that every house was full and every bed was taken in all of the Inns. The only shelter that they could find was a stable or cave with the animals. In this place Mary gave birth to Jesus, the Son of God. In those days it was the custom to wrap newborn babies tightly in a long cloth called 'swaddling clothes'. Jesus' bed was the manger that the animals ate their hay from.
In the hills and fields outside Bethlehem, shepherds looked after their sheep through the long night. As the new day began, suddenly an angel appeared before them and the glory of God shone around them. The shepherds were very, very scared, but the angel said, 'Don't be afraid. I have good news for you and everyone. Today in Bethlehem a Savior has been born for you. You will find the baby lying in a manger.
Then many more angels appeared, lighting up the sky. The shepherds heard them praising God singing: 'Glory to God in highest, and peace to everyone on earth.' When the angels had gone the shepherds said to one another, 'Let's go to Bethlehem to see what has happened.' So the shepherds went to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph. The baby Jesus was lying in a manger as they had been told. When they saw him, they told everyone what the angel had said and everyone who heard the story were astonished. Then the shepherds returned to their sheep, praising God for sending his Son to be their Savior.
When Jesus was born, a brand new bright star appeared in sky. They set out to find the new king and bring him gifts. The Wise Men followed the star towards Bethlehem. It seemed to stop and shine directly down upon the place where Jesus was. The Wise Men entered the house where they now lived and found Jesus with Mary, they bowed down and worshipped him. The Wise Men spread the gifts they had brought before Jesus. The gifts were gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Day 25: Christmas Day
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
I wish you a Merry Christmas
I wish you a Merry Christmas
I wish you a Merry Christmas….
And a Happy New Year

I hope you enjoyed your Advent Calendar.  I had so much fun putting them together for you.  The last day is….Thank you cards.  You probably received a gift or two this Christmas.  Over the next few days, try and sit down and write someone a Thank you card for a gift they gave you. Remind them of how thankful you are to have them a part of your life, and thank them for the gift and maybe tell them how you are going to use it!

Merry Christmas!!  Love you!!!

Sunday, November 17, 2013

Toyland

TOYLAND!!!!

Every year the City of Bentonville puts on an event called Toyland.  It's when all of the big Walmart vendors set up booths full of popular Christmas toys and often they hand out samples of toys to the kids.  This year we went at lunch and that was definitely a good decision.  Almost no lines so the kids really got to play with everyone.  They could have stayed there all day.  I'm so glad Mike got to come for a while on his lunch break and hang out with us.  We also ran into our neighbors John and Joyce.  Below are some pictures I took of they boys enjoying their day at the "town square" as Max calls it.



the lego booth was pretty cool

Max playing with the Hot Wheels cars

Alex did not want to leave this car

getting in their matching corvettes


a little snug but they made it work


Playing operation


choochoo trains

trying out some HUGE nerf guns


Max found Transformers!






Look at all of this fun neat free stuff we got.  All free samples.  Glad I brought the stroller to carry everything back to the car.

After his nap, Max ran to the room to play with his new toys.  He made him and Alex each a pile.