Hello Snow.

We finally got snow today and I'm thrilled!  I don't miss the -40 degree weather like Alberta is having but I welcome the snow with open arms.  Since we aren't going to Alberta for Christmas this year, I was a little worried I might not get any this year.  Oliver has been waiting to make a snowman for over a week now but was too sick to play outside this morning.  So sad seeing your littles sick.  We are on cold number two already this winter.  Isla however was excited to go out and play.  It wasn't that cold and she loved it.  Not enough to make a snowman but I think in a day or so we might.  Here are some pictures of our morning in the snow.

must bake gingersnap cookies

Today I started my Christmas baking. Every year I tell myself not to do it because I will just eat it but there is just something about making all your favourite Christmas goodies.  I'm sure I'll be posting more of them in the next few weeks.  Today I made gingersnap cookies.  But these are not your hard, crunchy ones.  These are soft and perfect for the season.  This recipe was given to me by an old high school friend.  

Gingersnap Cookies

3/4 cup margarine
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1/4  cup molasses
2 cups flour
1 Tbsp ginger
1 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt

Mix wet ingredients together.  Mix dry ingredients together and combine.  

Take approximately 1 tbsp of cookie dough and roll in a ball.  Roll in white sugar and set on  a parchment paper lined cookie sheet. They will flatten as they cook.  

Bake at 350 degrees F for 7-9 minute.  Do not over bake.  Makes about 24.  

Enjoy!

woodland meets glam

Today Oliver and I put together some snowglobe-like glass arrangements for the playroom while Isla napped.  It's a little woodland and a little glam.  I had considered making actual snow globes with glycerine but couldn't find jars I loved and I like the idea of being able to use the minitures again for something else.  This was kind of a trial and error project.  I tried mason jars but you couldn't see the animals that well because of the writing on the jars.  I also bought some fake snow at Michael's but it looked cheesy.  Epson salt worked perfect. I found the jars and  gold Christmas trees at Value Village, the animals at a toy store and the white Christmas trees at Michael's.  Added abit of gold glitter and done.  Fun little project that is cute and the kids love it.  

craft website for men?

I recently came across a website and it's basically like Pinterest for men.  It's called Man Made: Creativity and the Handmade Life for the Postmodern man.  This isn't your typical craft and DIY website with mason jars, chalk paint and burlap.  This is man stuff like making a work bench, a leather belt and pipe shelves.  So if you have a male in your life that is creative and handy, direct them over to a cool, manly craft website.  One they won't be afraid to admit to checking out.

Curious however how many men would see a project and actually go to Home Depot to get all the supplies and make it.  Let's just say we still have unpainted baseboards after three years so I'm guessing my husband, while very handy and capable probably won't be making crafts for our house or something to wear in his spare time.  We will just leave the crafting up to me.  

Pretty Christmas Print

How pretty is this free print from the blog Lemon Squeezy?  I got it printed off at Staples and put it in a gold frame.  Looks great in our bathroom.  Here is the link from Lemon Squeezy:  December 25 Print

Santa Picture

Today we saw Santa.  The token Santa picture you feel like you need to do.  It's always a gamble as to how the kids will do.  Will it be a crying, get me out of here moment or a happy, nice to see you moment.  I was pleasantly surprised toady that Isla didn't cry.  Last year she wanted nothing to do with him.  Which I understand since he is a strange man with a big white beard and you are sitting on his knee.  

It's too bad Santa has become so commercialized.  I wish we could focus more on his origin .....

270-280AD Birth of St. Nicholas, who was to become the most accurate and actual ancestor of Santa Claus. He was ordained Bishop whilst still a very young man, and spent his life helping the poor and underprivileged. He loved children and often went out at night disguised in a hooded cloak, to leave necessary gifts of money, clothing or food at the windows of unfortunate families. The Christmas Archives.

Here we come Santa!

Advent. Countdown to an important birthday.

December is finally here!  I feel like we can officially start the Christmas season.  Having kids makes Christmas so much fun.  Seeing their excitement and joy is heart warming.  I have such great memories as a child and I want my kids to look back with the same feelings.  It's fun to start new family traditions and take in all that the season has to offer.

So for advent I decided to do a few things that we have done in the past to keep it a tradition and a few new things.  I'm find it really a balancing act to keep the 'Christ' in Christmas and having fun counting down to the biggest and most important day of the year.  I think you can do both.  Last year we focused on alot of activities and events but this year is a little more 'home' and 'other' focused.  The activities, crafts and baking usually just happen so I don't feel it needs to be planned part of advent.  

Today we started our Advent. 

1.  I bought a wood advent calendar two years ago that I hope will be around for a long time.  It already has one broken door but that's ok.  It'a all part of making memories and when it gets brought out each year, I hope the kids get excited.  Every morning we open a door with a little something to enjoy.  I added a scripture that we will read every morning.  I feel like this year the kids really get it.  We are counting down to a big birthday party.... Jesus birth!  A new kids Bible App just came out and is great.  It has different Bible stories and we read the "First Christmas" one today and talked about baby Jesus birth.  Check it out at: YouVersion Bible App for Kids

2.  Santa Beard: I found a simple but cute little craft that helps the kids count down to Christmas.  Each day one of the kids glues a cotton ball onto Santa's beard.  I've never pushed the whole Santa thing because I grew up with it not being a focus so I hope the kids see Santa just as a holiday character, like a reindeer or snowman.  He is fun but nothing to be celebrated.  Here is the link: Santa Calendar

3.  RACK [Random Acts of Christmas Kindness]:  I've seen this idea a few times this year and I thought it would be a great idea to try with the kids.  I made and printed off a few cards and we will be blessing people over the next few weeks.  It is an easy concept but I know actually doing it daily will be much harder.  We brainstormed a few ideas and my hope is that out of the 24 days we do at least half.  With all the getting that comes at this time of year, I want to my kids to realize giving is where the joy and fufuillment comes from.  I know it's easy to just 'do' at Christmas but if it has a purpose, then I don't mind.  It's a good busy when doing for others.  I will keep you posted on how this goes.  

4.  Christmas Books & Boo Boo: We have done both of these the past couple years and is fun addition to the season.  Opening a little someone every night is  fun and we get in some quiet family time at the end of the day.  Boo Bo, named by Oliver is fun for the kids to find every morning.  

What are you doing for Advent this year?