Not our finest Advent day but we have managed some fun, some crafting and some colouring. Of course our Advent Villages are growing as my laminating sheets stock is shrinking. I love this tradition we have (now for its second year) of using this Advent Calendar to direct our schooling. Trinity and I had a special craft to do together while the boys enjoyed the outdoors – Santa puppet and his chimney. As usual her colouring style is very unique!

Pop!

Echo’s brightly pastel mega blocks have been a source of great fun for Emanuel and Trinity. Last night Trinity made a bed for her little snowman. 

Shhh

While Emanuel made a lovely skyscraper. 

So proud

I got our first two Christmas cards of the year today! One from Cousin Veronika and household and the other from my sister and her husband. They are already up on the mantel! 

CARDS

The twins spent some of their afternoon teaching Emanuel about mixing colours using Play Doh! Their idea! I love it when they WANT to help their younger siblings learn something new. 

Learning through play.... doh

Ken, Echo and I managed to get out and shop today! I bought the dress I tried on yesterday… got wrapping paper etc etc AND got to spend quality time with Ken. Bonuses all round! 

People watching with Petite Sheepette

Emanuel spent his special adult time working on a sticker picture with the dress a Santa stickers that came with his kit. It has been fun this week, having one on one time with him! 

Fancy picture

Here is a peek at our downstairs tree – made up of basically the ornaments the kids made last year! Pretty huh?

Tree #2

And the video for today!!!

Oh and a couple pictures of Echo!!

In my felt bucket

Storytime

We tried something different today… I READ them the math questions (of a Christmas theme you can find HERE) and the boys worked on lined paper to write the equations out and then solve them. It was a little slow going but they were both proud of finishing and worked hard to do so! Although working at the same table caused a few moments of stress when one or the other got the answer first and was so excited that they blabbed it!!

With so much energy and a brisk but sunny day we broke the group into two and the twins went outside to dig in the snow with their shovels! 

Busy boys

That left the other two to colour. Emanuel is working on a centerpiece for the party on the weekend. 

Busy colouring

It is a two craft day for the family. First is ELF HATS! We are gluing instead of sewing but each kid is making one that we are going to hang on the tree on Christmas Eve for the elves to put some treats in! 

Completed hat

The second is the snowmen I linked yesterday. The kids basically did the features on theirs. Aren’t they cute? 3 of the kids did hanging versions and one a “holding” snowman. Zander decided that HIS should be a gift to ECHO! So she has her very own special 2011 ornament made by her brother.

A proud completion

My date with Ken was postponed due to issues on Colorado (joy) so instead I went out for dinner (Umi Sushi Express) and then some shopping with Lauralee and Karyn. Sadly though the food was totally delicious… the clothing shopping went without success. Ken has promised me to alert his multiple contracts to being unavailable tomorrow so that we CAN go out and about together. I am still hoping on finding the right top for Sunday’s party, or at the very least, showing Ken a dress I tried on at Winners. 

Practicing to become the Little Drummer GIRL

Tonight was Emanuel’s time again. We read the print out about the origins of Christmas… the portion about baby Jesus, we skipped the history of Santa for obvious reasons! 

Reading with Daddy

Tonight marks the end of my gift creating marathon. I put today as my cut off date to ensure a more enjoyable final countdown to Christmas day. I am already keeping an eye peeled for new crafting ideas… for It’s a Hoot Etsy and Facebook AND for gift giving next year. I do love sharing something handmade. It honestly feels more genuine when I can hand something to someone and say I made this for YOU. And here is my video! I was going to post the Rudolf video but Disney had it shut down! It ran this morning!! Crazy!

Teaching styles can differ so! Today Ken worked to set aside time to be teacher to the boys instead of yours truly. They are learning the basics of programming and he is much more laid back and restive in his position in relation to where they are sitting! But were the boys ever EXCITED about Daddy being in charge! 

Boy time

Today’s addition to the advent village was an unexpected one – a windmill! Though I am rather sure I will run out of laminating papers before I finish this project I am doing what I can and will finish the rest post season! Be sure to check out the Activity Village Advent Calendar… it is so much fun!

We got another word out of Echo today – UP! She is quite the accomplished climber now, up into the kids’ blue chairs… and FEARLESS! But still not up to the basement stairs (thank goodness!). Our little mini baby. 

YAY

BUS!

Our weekly pj library time was squashed by Trinity’s runny nose. Instead I figured it best to have her ride out the cold here at home in preparation for our party on Sunday. 

We decided to combine today and tomorrow’s Advent crafts into tomorrow morning. Today’s was making a snowman out of a sock! I found two versions quite by accident… first is the Activity Village one, and the other TipJunkie. I am  taking some of each and letting the kids decide – do they want eyes? sequins? etc etc… I like the TipJunkie’s all one piece over the two socks and I did use a toddler sock! Should be fun tomorrow with the decorating! And tomorrow’s craft… well wait and see! 

Ready for decoration

Ken and Emanuel and I did our SECOND Emanuel craft today… all that is left is a dress Santa sticker set and the facts of interest for us to read tomorrow but it has been fun! Today was making a reindeer out of paper, pom pom and googly eyes. Emanuel was VERY amazed at the need for TWO hands but only ONE foot and drew his own large smile! 

Creating

Emanuel took this picture!

Today’s video is a cute one… I think  I posted one of this cute little bear a week or so back but here he is again! The kids LOVED this one!