Ice Skating

Max and Riley have been asking to go skating for a while so I thought it would be a great thing to do for our advent activies. There is a rink that has public skate right at our local mall so it was easy to go and get some shopping done too. Riley did very well and his little skates were adorable! Max did well too, though he was sort of scared to let go of the railing. Both boys want to go again as soon as we have the time.

Gingerbread (Graham Cracker) Houses

We made "gingerbread" houses this year for our advent activities. I decided to use graham crackers to build the houses instead of gingerbread or buying a kit. Cutting the crackers was easier than I thought it would be and I used a serrated knife to saw the angles. TIP if you are going to try this - put the sides of the house on the outside of the pointed piece so the roof pieces have a place to lay. The best part of using graham crackers is that the houses are small, so the boys got to eat them once they finished building.

Going to see Santa

The boys went to see Santa to night....they were super excited. Max asked for video games and an Xbox, Riley asked for a Thomas the Train that was big and go goes!

Sugar Cookies

Today we made cookies to eat and share with our friends. I am planning on making four other kinds of cookies, but these are the fun ones the boys like to make. These are just plain sugar cookies with royal icing to make them pretty. Max and Riley liked rolling the dough and cutting out the shapes more than the decorating part. Their favorite part is the EATING part, which I had to stop after the third one. (which is why we only have one snowman left!)



 

 

Popcorn Garland

 Today's advent activity was to make a popcorn garland. I love making decorations for the tree that are food. Gingerbread people, dried orange slices, bird seed ornaments, and popcorn garland to name a few. I love the idea that you make something that later you can give to our outdoor animal friends. Also you don't feel like you need to store these types of Christmas decorations so you get the fun every year! Max did pretty well stringing and Riley did a great job eating.

Advent Calendar

Today is December 1st, which means it's the first day to check the advent calendar! In the last few years our advent calendar had candy in each day. But after last year when Riley ate all of the candies on the first day, I decided we would have an activity to do each day instead. (They get enough candy any way!) I came up with 24 christmas things to do because on the 25th we will open gifts.

 

 Here is a list of activities for each day until Christmas:

 

1 Make Snowman Pancakes
2 Make Christmas Cards for family and friends
3 Email Santa a letter.
4 Make a popcorn garland
5 Cut paper snowflakes
6 Eat dinner by the Christmas tree light
7 Go to the Rise of the Guardians movie
8 Make Christmas Cookies for friends.
9 Go to the store and pick out one new Christmas CD.
10 Visit Santa and get a picture taken
11 Make a Gingerbread house
12 Make gifts for Grandparents
13 Make spiced cider.
14 Learn about Christmas around the world
15 Watch Christmas Special Movies
16 Decorate bedroom doors
17 Go Ice Skating
18 Go present shopping with mom and dad.
19 Make Thick Hot Chocolate with Marshmallows
20 Sing (or listen) to favorite Christmas songs
21 Drive around to see neighborhood lights
22 Go Sledding
23 Build a snowman and snow fort
24 Go to Candle Light Service