Checking it Twice…
As I set out the O Antiphon House and Gifts late last night, and we begin to pray the O Antiphons this evening, I figured I had better take a look at my Christmas list and fill in any gaps while I still have time to place online orders!
I plan to keep the kids away from the computer this week, so I thought I’d finally share my list with you all (since so many of you have asked to see it) and ask for a little advice while I am at it…
Our children receive three gifts each on Christmas from their Dad and I, recalling the three gifts Christ was given, plus they wake up to discover their stockings filled as well. Depending on the gifts, sometimes I combine multiple items into “one” gift package (i.e. clothing, shoes, etc, or various small toys). You can see some examples in last year’s post about Christmas morning. You can also find my 2009 list here: Shh! Don’t tell them….
Even though we stick to “just” three gifts each (plus stockings, plus O Antiphon treats, plus St. Nicholas Day, plus 😉 …) with seven children it can add up quickly! I have found that I have to be creative in order to purchase quality gifts for the children. Some items were purchased on Black Friday sales, some were purchased on clearance, some were even ordered by the charter school (as “consumables” that tie into their history course – i.e. the craft kits for the girls). The rest was purchased with gift certificates and the commissions resulting from all of your purchases from my Amazon and All About Reading affiliate links! I can’t tell you what an incredible blessing that has been this year… Thank you all so very much!
So, now that I have clarified all of that, here is a peek at my list: (Yes, I am going to make those of you who wanted to know do a little extra clicking, just in case! 🙂 Sorry about that!) *Also, while creating the links, I couldn’t believe how much some of the things have gone up since I purchased them… crazy!
Captain: This, This and This
Rascal: This, This and This (We are saving this for his Feb. birthday!)
Twinkle Toes: This, This, and These Kits (Saving the accessories for Easter Baskets!)
Chiquita: This, This, and These Kits (which I’ve seen for 1/2 price at Michaels!)
Snuggles: This, This, and These Wooden Toys (He can decorate the shield for Blue Knights!)
Rose: This, This, and a Handmade Gift (Which I still need to make!)
Bud: This, This (only $20 at Costco), and ___? (He is getting this after all – which is on sale for only $16.99 today, this, this, and some clothing for his birthday.)
Also, to keep the “mess” to a minimum on Christmas morning I try to get rid of as much packaging as possible when I am wrapping the gifts, and I also keep a big box close by on Christmas morning to fill with all the rest of the wrapping paper and trash. I ran across a great idea to actually wrap the trash box and I think I might just have to do that this year! I actually have almost all the gifts wrapped and ready for Christmas Eve. We will be hosting a family get-together and then heading to Midnight Mass!
Now for a few questions of my own… I always like to include a book in each of the children’s stockings. This year I was thinking it would be fun to do an audio book for each of them… I only have a couple and need some suggestions! Here is what I have so far:
Captain: Any Suggestions?
Rascal: Any Suggestions? Perhaps The Hobbit? Which is your favorite Audio version?
Twinkle Toes: Any Suggestions? Maybe Little Women?
Chiquita: Any Suggestions? I’m leaning towards Little House on the Prairie…
Snuggles: Blessed Miguel Pro – Codename: “Cocol” — Undercover for God (Brand New!!)
Rose: Cat Chat Vol. 5: A Christmas to Remember
Bud: One Night in Bethlehem (Board Book)
The girls have a lot of the American Girl Audio Books, and the boys never get tired of listening to The Chronicles of Narnia, Enemy Brothers, The Winged Watchman, and the various audio books by Regina Martyrum Productions. What are some of your family’s favorites?
I also still need to possibly purchase one more gift for Bud, along with some stocking stuffers. Does anyone have some favorite suggestions for 1 year old boys, who have plenty of hand-me-downs from older siblings? I’ve been considering one of these chairs, but not sure if it’s worth the expense… They have them at our Orthodontist office and my little ones all love them! Thank you in advance for your help!
My Favorite Things :: A Sound of Music Birthday Party!
Yesterday our sweet little “Rose” turned three years old… She just loves watching the Sound of Music and reading the My Favorite Things picture book she found in her Easter Basket earlier this year, so I decided to give her a “My Favorite Things” birthday party!
It had been a busy week, enjoying a visit with friends and celebrating feast days, but everything fell into place for her party. The boys and Sean arrived home from the Lego competition around 6pm, just as the rest of our guests (my parents, four of my brothers, my sister-in-law, and niece) were arriving. I’m pretty sure this birthday will be remembered as one of her own favorite things!
The kids all enjoyed coloring (including the “whiskers on kittens”) Three Little Kitten Coloring Pages. I realized that we don’t have a copy of this book! We had the Golden Book when I was a child, but I couldn’t find it online. Which is your favorite? Maybe the one illustrated by Jerry Pinkney or the one by Paul Galdone?
When I went looking for a copper kettle, I quickly discovered how expensive they can be! Yikes… I was very excited to find this little vintage miniature copper kettle on ebay. She will love having it for her play kitchen!
Rose opened one of her gifts before her dad and the big boys left for the day. She was so excited about the little toy guitar I found for her on ebay!
The Buckley Deer Family, Clothing, and a PINK doll (purchased from Magic Cabin with a gift certificate) from Daddy and Momma. A beautiful card and money from Grandpa & Grandma G. Adorable pink “Beaver” pajamas and play balls from Grandpa & Grandma M. And the cutest slippers and mittens from her Aunt, Uncle and Cousin.
Whew! And it’s not even Christmas yet… I’m not sure what I think about these December birthdays… For Christmas she will be receiving another special doll, the Grimm Wooden Fairy Tale Village Blocks, and a homemade gift from Momma (if I have a chance to finish it, otherwise I will wrap up this stocking stuffer).
Rose loves her big brothers stick horse, so when I ran across this “cream colored pony” for a few dollars on Black Friday, I had to get it for her birthday! She spent most of the day (when she wasn’t playing her guitar) galloping around the house!
I had forgotten to purchase Apple Streudel at the grocery store, but the homemade version I made ended up tasting so much better! Yum!!
I’m just curious…
The Birthday Girl
Santa Lucia Day in the Morning {Our 2012 Celebration}
Celebrating the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Happy Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe!
We have dear friends visiting from out of state for the rest of the week, but I wanted to hop online and share a few pictures from this year’s celebration in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe! In addition to reading the two books pictured above, we enjoyed another Tea in Honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The kids helped set up everything while we anxiously awaited their arrival this afternoon!
Our Lady of Guadalupe by Carmen T. Bernier-Grand
Our Lady of Guadalupe Pop-up by Francis Serrano
All ready and waiting for our guests to arrive! 
(not quite) Mexican Hot Cocoa (but it is organic!) 😉
Remembering the many innocent lives that were sacrificed by the Aztecs
.: St. Juan Diego :.
Gingerbread Marshmallows for our Mexican Hot Cocoa
.: St. Juan Diego’s Sombrero :.
Pringles with a little round of string cheese
.: Tepayac Hill :.
This year I decided to skip the food for this item and create “Tepayac Hill” with an upside down bowl, some Our Lady of Guadalupe Fabric, and a statue of Our Lady as a centerpiece for the table.
.: A Woman Clothed with the Sun :.
2 cans refried beans, topped with 1 package cream cheese mixed with 1 cup of sour cream and 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning, and then topped with cheddar cheese. Surround with chips to create the sun’s rays. (Before serving, I did pop it in the oven to melt the cheese.)
.: A Crown of 12 Stars :.
Peppermint Dipped Pretzel Snowflakes Stars
.: Crescent Moons :.
Crescent rolls
.: Supporting Angels :.
.: Praying Hands :.
Praying Hand shaped tea sandwiches
.: The Tilma of Roses :.
Tortilla and Cream Cheese with Tomato and Turkey Roses
.: Bishop Zumarraga :.
.: Crushed Serpents :.
Prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe
Our Lady of Guadalupe, mystical rose, intercede for the Church, protect the Holy Father, help all who invoke you in their necessities. Since you are the ever Virgin Mary and Mother of the true God, obtain for us from your most holy Son the Grace of a firm faith and sure hope amid the bitterness of life, as well as an ardent love and the precious gift of final perseverance. Amen.
Hold the Bridge!
As I was pulling up our driveway, after dropping the boys off at their Lego Robotics class this afternoon, I noticed something just off to the side. After parking the van I grabbed my camera and walked back down for a closer look… I took a few pictures to share with you all!
My Daybook :: December 11, 2012
Outside my window…
The weather has been all over the place lately. Yesterday it was beautiful and sunny, today it is back to cloudy and rainy. We recently had quite the rain storm come through which caused quite a bit of flooding. The Sunday before last Sean and the kids stopped by the river on their way home from town and by the time I got back to take a few pictures it had really “calmed down.” It’s not as high as I have seen it, but still flooded the park…
I am thinking…
about stocking stuffers and whether or not I want to order this (non-battery version) of the Little People Nativity as a birthday gift for Bud. I better hurry… He is going to be one on the 19th!
I am thankful…
that I have most of my Christmas shopping completed. Now to just get everything wrapped, and the packages that need to be mailed to the post office!
Learning all the time…
We are just focusing on the essentials this Advent – not working on everything, but not taking Advent completely off either. The kids are working on Religion, Math. and Language Arts every day, Writing and Latin each week, and History, Science, Geography, and the Alphabet Path can wait until January.
Celebrating the liturgical year…
Yes, we definitely have been celebrating the liturgical year – with even more celebrations coming up this week!
From the kitchen…
Peppermint Dipped Snowflake Pretzels from Costco… Oh. My. YUM!!!
I am working on…
the Celebrate/Quiet Moments section for Catholic Digest beginning with the February/Marsh issue! (Though you will find a recipe from Catholic Cuisine in the January edition!) I mentioned it on Facebook, but I keep forgetting to mention it here. My deadline is December 21st and I am very excited, and very nervous. I am always amazed at God’s timing! The little bit of income this will provide is exactly what Sean’s paychecks will be decreasing in January when they start deducting for our new Dental Insurance and Flex Savings Plan we just added to help pay for the kids braces. God always provides!
I am creating…
ornaments with the older children to give to their Godparents for Christmas. They worked on them this past Saturday, and I just need to find a way to get the ribbons for hanging them back through the holes. Perhaps one of the “floss threaders” we have been using for the braces will help!
I am going…
to try and finish our Christmas Cards this week. Our family picture is far from perfect, but it’s the best I have if I want to get cards out before Christmas!
I am hoping…
to get on the treadmill today. It has been way way too long. I attempted it yesterday, but only got as far as moving the baby swing and unfolding it before something came up. My Dad recently told me that “He who begins is half done…” Um… I don’t think that applies in this situation! 😉
I am praying…
As we were lighting candles and praying for our Christkindl’s after Mass on Saturday, Father came over and asked us to also pray for a 7 year boy in our parish who was just diagnosed with a brain tumor. Will you please offer a prayer for him too?
I am reading…
Christmas Books and Bible Stories! Speaking of Bible Stories, do any of you own this new Read-Alound Book of Bible Stories? It was just published in October, and it doesn’t have any reviews yet, but it looks great!
Pondering these words…
spoken by St. Augustine:
I am listening…
to Advent at Epehsus and loving this new CD!
Around the house…
I recently moved the Castle to Rose’s bedroom and she has been enjoying it so very much! I think I am going to have to give her a Calico Critter family of her own for either her birthday or Christmas this year. Isn’t the Deer family darling! 😉
The boys have a little green tree that gets set up in their bedroom each year, and the big girls have a purple tree. When I was out shopping this past weekend I ended up buying this little tree for Rose in her favorite color. She ran up and down the hallway yelling “Daddy! Daddy! I have a tree-uh! It’s pink-uh! I luv it!!!” She was just a little excited!
One of my favorite things…
choosing Christmas gifts for my children. I think I enjoy deciding what to give them, just as much as they will love receiving them! ( Shhhh! The themes for the big kids this year are pretty much Historical American Girls – have you seen these great craft kits? They will tie in perfectly to the girls History plans! – for the big girls and lots of Legos for the big boys! I can hardly wait to share more of my picks for this year. So much fun!)
Sunday :: Visiting priest and his Grandmother (who is visiting from Poland!) for dinner. (I loved that my children found little ways in which to communicate with her, even though she doesn’t speak English! Twinkle Toes enjoyed showing her the new book she received on the Feast of St. Nicholas. And the kids had saved a couple St. Nicholas cookies to give to Father and his Grandmother!)
Tuesday :: School, Run Errands, Lego Robotics Class
Wednesday :: Celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe; Dear friends that moved away to the midwest are coming for a visit!!!
Thursday :: Celebrate the Feast of St. Lucy; Lego Robotics Class
Friday :: Ice Skating, maybe?
Saturday :: Visit with friends ends… Lego Robotics Competition for Boys; Celebrate Rose’s 3rd Birthday!
Glorious Nativity :: A Puzzle for Advent
Our children are getting so fast at putting together these puzzles! Last Sunday, on the First Sunday of Advent, we gave them a new puzzle, as I mentioned in one of my Preparing for Advent posts this year, and they completed it last night… I didn’t even get to help with it this year!
Nativity Sets for Children
I’m not sure how many emails I have answered (or still need to answer) on where I purchased the Wooden Nativity Block Set that the children were playing with in my Advent & Christmas Book Baskets Post. It really is neat, isn’t it?!?
I purchased my set quite a few years ago when it was made by HABA, and it doesn’t look like they make it any longer. Haba now sells this beautiful (though very expensive) Wooden Nativity Set. However you can find a similar set made by Constructive Playthings and it happens to be on sale for just $14.99 at the moment, which is much less than I paid for our set! It looks almost identical to ours, though we did notice a few differences: taller columns, more bushes, the addition of camels…
Note: The stable built out of blocks is so tempting to one little toddler in our home who loves to knock it over, which is quite frustrating to his older (almost three years old) sister!
This darling Hand Carved Child’s First Nativity Set was sent to us as a gift. It is designed by Kurt Adler, just like our favorite Nativity Advent Calendar. It’s a little more fragile than the block set (i.e. the paint has chipped in a few places) but loved very much by my little ones!
Even though I prefer the wood sets, we also have The Nativity Play Set by one2believe, an older version of the Playmobil Nativity with The Three Wise Kings, and the Nativity Set by Schleich.
Originally I started out collecting a Child’s Nativity Set for each of our children, but it looks like I missed one somewhere along the way and I still haven’t found a new set for Bud. He would probably love the Little People Christmas Story Nativity Scene, but I wish it didn’t light up and require batteries… I love the Kathy Kruse Nativity Set, but it is just too expensive! Additional options include the Melissa & Doug Nativity Set and the Olive Wood Children’s Nativity Set. However, I think I am leaning more towards creating our own, or purchasing one of the many beautiful sets available on Etsy!
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