Christmas Crafts

I've been trying to be a little creative with our Christmas decor this season. I'm always wanting to add new fun things but can't get myself to buy anything for 30 days of use, once a year, when only $40 feeds a child in Africa for A WHOLE YEAR! (Go HERE for more info on how you can feed some kids!) So Jackson and I have enjoyed doing a few Christmas crafts together and they look super cute up in the house!

Coffee Filter Snow Flakes

These snowflakes are now hanging from the ceiling in our entryway. Jack loved using his scissors and seeing how they looked when he unfolded them. He also loves that it is now "snowing" in our house!

Advent Calendar

Chris and I really wanted to create an advent calendar for Jackson to open this year. He completely gets that Christmas is Jesus' birthday. He even told Santa just that the other night during pictures at the mall! He is excited for Christmas time and we want to continue to remind and teach him that it's not about the presents and the tree, but that Jesus our Savior was born for us! Jack and I created this advent calendar together. He colored the bags and used "sprinkles" (glitter). I stuffed each bag with either a special treat or an activity for us to do as a family.

So far Jackson has set up the Nativity, received two pieces of chocolate- one to share, one to eat, cleaned out our toy box and donated toys to other children, and visited Santa. Other activities we have to look forward to this month are; make presents for our baby-sitters, drink hot chocolate, take special treats to the neighbors, go to the dollar store and pick our brother presents....

It has been fun to watch him open each bag and enjoy this Christmas time together.

Just a side note on Jack cleaning out his toy box to give away toys. I think it was much harder on me then him! In fact he was excited to do it. He decided to give away a lot of what I figured he would, but one toy that really surprised me was his Mickey Mouse. Just this little plastic toy. He picked it up and looks at it and says, "I love my Mickey Mouse. I want to give him away!" At first I thought he was confused and didn't understand so I explained to him that if he gives something away he can no longer play with it. To which he replied, "I know, I want to give him away." I think he understands better then I do! It was eye opening and a mixture of sadness and pride watching him. He is getting SO OLD! He gets it!

Turkey by Jackson

Once again, a little late with this post. :) Thanksgiving was supposed to be quiet and small this year. Just my parents and brother along with our family at our home. But it got a little crazier when Chris separated his shoulder at the annual Mission Turkey Bowl. Jackson, Kai and I were there cheering him on when he went up for his fifth interception and came down right on his shoulder. My immediate response was, "GET UP! SHAKE IT OFF!" and then when finding out he was really hurt I thought about all my weekend plans (for Chris) not happening. No putting up the tree, no hanging Christmas lights, and no cleaning out the turkey. I know, I know, POOR CHRIS! After getting x-rays and determining nothing was broken it was time for me to prepare Thanksgiving dinner. Unfortunately an uncooked turkey makes me gag. Especially one that I'm supposed to clean out and remove stuff from. Luckily for me I have a great little helper when it comes to all things gross, Jackson! He was SO HELPFUL! He cleaned it, stuck his hand in it and pulled out the gross stuff, and the whole time kept asking, "Mom, where is his face?" He was also the first one sitting at the table ready to dig into "the biggest turkey he's ever seen!" Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!