Advent Adventures - Toddler Edition #8 & #9

Advent Adventure #8 - Sing Christmas Carols - Which we did at Church on Sunday and then Adventure #9 - Making Apple Dumplings - Tonight our 2nd Annual Apple Dumpling making get together - Hanna Alderfer is attending the Vo-tech for Culinary Arts and she loves to bake so last year we got together and made Apple Dumplings and we had a blast so this year was our 2nd time and we are a perfect pair.  We, along with Ella's help, were able to make 38 apple dumplings in less than 4 hours (including bake time which was 40 minutes).  They look so yummy!  While we were baking we also had a fun time singing Christmas carols together which was yesterday's advent adventure.  Just imagine the fun we had as we had a toddler, a girl who is deaf, and myself singing together - it was a joyful noise to the Lord for sure!  My heart just melted as we sang!  Tonight was nothing short of a blessing to all three of us! 

Advent Adventures - Toddler Edition #5 - Movie Watching

Movie night started with a very fussy little girl... the only way we could convince her to stop crying was to tell her about a present she had waiting for her.  She reluctantly got off our bed but continued to refuse to remove her coat so we let her wear it most of the night (really it wasn't hurting anyone). So she opened her Veggie Tale Christmas movie and we headed back to the room to watch it (our bedroom is the only TV that has a DVD player) She made herself at home and we decided to just have a special big bed picnic while we were watching The Toy that Saved Christmas.  She loved that idea and before you know it she even took off her coat finally.  Though our advent adventures don't always go as we plan - they are always memorable and we are grateful for time together as a family. 

Advent Adventures Toddler Edition #4 - Garland Making

This momma forgot to buy the popcorn and the cranberries so we were forced to resort to the traditional paper chain garland which our little one loved just the same.... and she didn't feel the need to eat it like I am sure she would have wanted to do had we done the popcorn garland.  It was also good practice with her colors - though she is getting better - she still thought the paper strips were pink!  Hope you enjoy our newest crafting session with mommy!

Advent Adventures - Toddler Edition #6 - #7

Today is both day 6 and 7 - since both were completed by a fun morning at the Susquehanna Valley Bible church. We made lots is fun things, talked to Santa, and had a great breakfast. Day 6 was a Christmas tree craft (bonus because this one was edible) and day 7 was visit with Santa 

Advent Adventures - Toddler Edition #3 - Cookie Making

You can't have Christmas without cookies, right - well I guess you could but it wouldn't be quite so yummy!  This year our mom's group at church is doing a cookie dough exchange so I thought it would be fun to get my little baker in on the action.  We had a great time and only made a small mess!  Ella's biggest stumbling block - the M&Ms - she kept taking breaks to eat more - good thing I only gave her a few in a small measuring cup (yes I have turned into my mother - she would always give herself and sometimes us some chocolate chips in a small measuring cup).  Anyway I hope you enjoy our pictures and I hope the other mom's enjoy our cookies! 

Advent Adventures Toddler Edition #2

Today I am posting about both Day 1 and Day 2 of our adventure since we ended up doing both today because of napping and church yesterday.  For Day 1 - we were to set up our Nativity.  First we set up Ella's Little People set - it was fun to hear her say Baby Jesus - she was however a little frustrated when she pushed on the angel and realized that ours does not play music like Mim's (Grandma Snyder) does.  It is also pretty amazing that she would remember that from last year since she hasn't gotten hers out yet.  After we set up hers, we set up my Willow Tree one and had a talk about not touching it unless Mommy or Daddy is there... I actually think she will do well, Moses (the cat) is actually the one that I am more worried about.
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Day 2 - Mommy Daughter Date - Today we had the great blessing of visiting one of my best friends and having a facial party.... it was fun to see many great friends and all the little girls running around we had 7 ladies and 6 little girls ages 2 months to 4 years.  What a joy as moms to have that time to fellowship and to get a little pampering with our little ones.  Ella loves lotion and make-up... I wonder sometimes how I ended up with such a girlie girl but I wouldn't trade her for the world.  Mommy daughter days are the best!

Advent Adventures - The Toddler Addition #1

We just finished a month of thankfulness, where each day we turned over a leaf and did some kind of activity that had to do with being thankful.... now we are kicking off advent with a similar set up.  I have taken foam Christmas trees and snowflakes and labeled them 1-25.  They are each hanging on a clothes line with our stockings.  Each day we will turn over one of them for an activity that we can do together with our two year old to help us enjoy our Christmas season as well as teach our child what Christmas is really about.  We want to invite you to join us on this adventure.  Maybe you already have something you do for advent - if so I would love to hear about it.  If not - you are welcome to "steal" our ideas.  Let the celebration of Jesus begin!