Tackle It Tuesday: Merry Christmas Cards!

Todays tackle is to get my Christmas cards ordered so I can get them in the mail.

So I am sitting here getting ready to put an order into costco for our Christmas cards and thought I would post one here for all those who may read our blog. I hope that this Christmas season you have time to reflect on what is really important to you. I know that the four people whom I share this photo with are the most important in my life. I love Christmas and I love sharing it with my husband and children. Christmas is so different when you are grown up and hve children of your own. It is so much better than I remember as a kid. I love teaching my children about the true meaning of Christmas and seeing them get excited about everything that Christmas brings. I love the colors, the warmth of our home, the smells, and the goodies. I love that it brings our family closer and we have more opportunities to see and share this time with our extended families and friends. I love the lights of the Christmas tree and the memories of each ornament that is placed upon the tree. I love the music and sounds that Christmas brings. I love seeing my children get excited about what Santa will bring them and the look on their faces when they first come downstairs to see their gifts. But most of all I love the Spirit of Christmas. I love what it means and brings. I love my Saviour whom we celebrate at this time. His birth, His mission. I am thankful for him and his redeeming love. I am thankful to know that my family can be together for ever and I know that it is only through Christ that that is possible. I know that my Saviour died for my sins and that he loves me and wants me to return to him. I will strive this Christmas season to make for TIME for Him, to think of Him, to teach my children more of Him. Because of Him we have this wonderful time of year to celebrate. May you love and enjoy this time of year as much as I do.

Symbols of Christmas: The Christmas Tree

Opening Song: Have a Very Merry Christmas Children's Songbook # 51
Opening Prayer: Daddy

Lesson: Mommy

What is this? (point to your christmas tree of a picture of one) Why do we have Christmas Trees at Christmas? (enjoy their varied answers!)

The Christmas Tree is a symbol of Christmas because :
The evergreen tree means lasting light and life. The needles of the tree point upwards towards heaven. As many things die in winter but the evergreen does not, it symbolizes life in the midst of death or rebirth.

Talk about why you like to put a star or angel on the top of your tree.
Read this scripture to go with your discussion.
Luke 2:9-12 for Angel
Matthew 2:2 for Star

Here is our Christmas Tree all decorated. I love having a tree in our house and I love the lights on it. I wish that I could get a picture of it with the lights on, but it I can't get one to turn out.

Activity:
Click on links for some Tree Crafts
Christmas Handprint Tree
Fun cardboard and sticker christmas tree

Closing Song: Stars were Gleaming Childrens Songbook #37

Closing Prayer: Child

Treat:
Click on links for some yummy treats
Cheese Christmas Tree
Christmas Tree Krispy Treats

Christmas Tree Sandwiches"

This lesson idea was taken from The Family Home Evening Spot. Please go to her site to share with her your comments on how much you love her lessons. I know I love them and love that she is willing to share them with others.

Tackle It Tuesday

Christmas Advent Calendar

For today's tackle I needed to get my advent calendar done. I cut it close being that today is the first day of December. But it is done and very cute if I do say so. It is made from a cookie sheet that has been spray painted and emblished with stickers, cutouts, paper, buttons, ect. I didn't get the title done (Countdown to Christmas). I lost my i, but I wanted to get the calendar up so the kids could enjoy it.

Each day the kids will help me add one of the magnetic embelishments.

I really didn't want to glue all of these numbers on the calendar so I used my cricut to cutout vinyl numbers. So much easier and I think that it will keep the numbers form falling off over the years of use.

So tell me what is it that you have planned to tackle before the holidays (ie: homemade gifts, decorations, ect.)

Symbols of Christmas

As many of you know I love The Family Home Evening Spot. This is where I get alot of my ideas for lessons. Well once again she has posted a great lesson.
Every year the first lesson after Thanksgiving we give a lesson on the symbols of Christmas. We explain to the kids why we put a tree up, what the colors mean, and so on. This year I am taking my ideas from The Family Home Evening Spot and focusing on one symbol each week. I think this way the kids will remember them a little better and it gives us time for fun activities, and treats afterwards.

Family Home Evening Lesson

Christmas Wreath
Opening Song: 'Away in a Manger' Children's Songbook # 42
Opening Prayer: Daddy

Lesson: Mommy

Hold up a wreath or picture of a wreath

What is this? What does it mean? Why do we have wreaths at Christmas time?

Wreaths are like a circle. Which means no beginning 0r no ending. This symbolizes eternity - the unending cirle of life. The evergreen tree (used to make wreaths) means growth and everlasting life. Holly branches have thorns. When used in a wreath it symbolises the crown of thorns put on Jesus head when he was crucified. The red berries symbolize his blood that was shed for us.

Activity:
Make a wreath

Paper plate wreath instructions found here at filth wizardry very cute.

Coat hanger wreath:
Bend a coat hanger into circle shape. Secure tinsel with tape and wrap Tinsel around and around and around. Secure end with sticky tape. Add bows, decorations as you wish."

(This picture was taken by The Family Home Evening Spot. After our lesson tonight with the wreaths the kids make.)

Closing Song: 'Picture A Christmas' Children Songbook #50

Closing Prayer: Razy

Treat:

Wreath Candy using cornflakes and marshmellows

Hard Candy Wreath

Thanks again to The Family Home Evening Spot for the great ideas we find on the site. Go over and take a look. I know you will find something that your family will enjoy.

Wordless Wednesday!

The Santa Cam has been up and working....Look what Santa emailed meIf you click on the picture of Lil' E it will take you to a cool link that has Santa telling your child what list they are on this year. I did one for each of the kids. They got a kick out of seeing themselves on Santa's computer and their names in his book.

Team Edward or Team Jacob?

"Edward Ain't Got Nothin' on This"

Tonight is girls night out. I am off to see "New Moon" with my mother in law, sister in law, and some friends. JBody is getting off work early to watch the kids as I get to enjoy some girl time. We are going to eat dinner at a little Italian Restaurant near the theater. At 9:00 we're going to watch the first movie and then at Midnight we will watch the New Moon movie.

So question for my readers are you on Team Edward or Team Jacob? As for me I am Team Edward...JBODY* Edward that is. Are you off to see the showing or are you just not a fan?

*JBody's middle name is Edward so I can legitely say I am on Team Edward.