Thanks for Hangin' with us in 2009!

First, I 'd like to say thank you to everyone who reads and comments on this blog! It's been fun for me to share what we do with everyone. I'd also like to say thank you for all the inspiring ideas that I get from fellow bloggers! You guys are AWESOME!!

Wonder how we are ending 2009? By doing what we do.... PLAY!

As usual, Florida weather is BEAUTIFUL in the winter and we just want to be outside most of the time!

Daddy hasn't had to work as much as usual due to the Holidays and we've had alot of fun with him!

Our Gran Gran and Pa are visiting from TN and we thought it would be fun to take Gran to the beach.

She enjoyed it just as much as we did!

Come on and Join us in 2010 for more FUN Adventures!!

WOOHOO! It's Muffin Tin Monday

Today I pulled out the Muffin Tin Monday loot that my sister got the kiddos for Christmas. Now they opened it on Christmas, but let's face it... this is NOT a toy so it quickly got set aside. BUT, today when I got it all out there were many hoots, hollers, giggles, jumps, and even alittle song of "chicka chicka wow wow". I wish Sherryberry and Laneybug could have been here to see it!

So for our New Years theme... we decided to use items that you will be seeing ALOT of in 2010!
For breakfast we had homemade granola bar and yogurt.

Look how happy they are!

Window Display

When I first started working as an art teacher, I was asked if I could/be willing to paint the window display for Christmas. I assured them that while I am very good at leading children in art and crafts, I am NOT an artist! But as long as it was ok to be animated and very childlike that I would give it a try.

We decided to go with The Nutcracker theme.

My favorite is the Mouse King.

Clara

The SugarPlum Fairy

The Land of Snow

Can you see the handprints and marks from the kiddos? They just can't resist touching, which it perfectly fine with me as it is done for the kids.

The Land of Sweets

Christmas Card Holder

I have been wanting a Christmas Card Holder for a LONG time. When I saw this on My Little Gems the other day I just HAD to make it! It was a super simple project and turned out so very very cute!


It is just felt, yarn, paper clips, and hot glue.

Bookmark Stocking Stuffers

I needed stocking stuffers for 26 kids that are in the kiddos classes at school. I didn't want to spend alot of money, so for $5 I bought a foam kit. I got foam letters, foam shapes, and foam sheets that I cut in half and added ribbon to make book marks. They turned out pretty cute and for $5 I have stocking stuffers for 26 kids plus lots of foam left over for the kiddos to craft with. I LOVE cheap, personalized, and homemade gifts!

Go check out more great handmade gifts at ABC and 123!

Happy Birthday Jesus Playdate

Today we had a playdate with our PALS. It was a Birthday Party for Jesus and it was SO much FUN!! We read My Merry Christmas And the real reason for Christmas joy, ate cupcakes, played with Nativity sets, and made a cute craft.

As you've seen through my blog many times, we like to host playdates ALOT! Normally, at least once a month and sometimes more. Since the playdate is not just for me, I get the kiddos to help me to get ready for them.

Last night, they helped me clean. I gave them each a squirt bottle filled with a vinegar water mixture and a wash cloth.

They each went throughout the house and cleaned. Now... they do not do an excellent job, but I am right behind them helping and the main point is that they are contributing and at least getting the dust.

Then they helped to make the cupcakes from scratch.

They turned out EXCELLENT!! We used this cake recipe and this frosting recipe.

We also decorated for our playdate since it was a Birthday Party!


I used this idea for making our craft, but did it alittle differently as I was working with young children. We painted on paper with blue, white, and black OR yellow paints to make a sky and a ground.

Then we pressed on a stable, baby Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.

I think they all turned out so pretty.

Ok, have ya'll noticed that I am a sucker for children's art work?!? I always think it is so pretty!!


We made these yesterday to see about doing them at the playdate today, but they were alittle too difficult for some of the younger kids to make and would have been alittle too Mommy made for my liking so we decided not the make them at the playdate. But my kiddos did enjoy making them... we tore green paper and glued it on, glued on a stable, manger, baby Jesus, and raffia (hay).

Nativity Craft

Last year Aidman made this awesome nativity craft at school! I LOVED it so much that I had to make more. I went to the craft store and bought a pack of wooden craft pieces and hot glued them all together and then let the kiddos paint them.


What you'll need is:
5 popsicle sticks
3 small (short) craft sticks
1 star
1 heart
1 small triangle
2 medium circles
1 small circle
2 medium ovals
1 small oval

Angel Craft

We got the book Albasters Song by Max Lucado from the library this week. My kiddos really like it! I have been planning on having the kids make footprints angels, but just haven't gotten to it yet. Well, today I am one IMPRESSED and PROUD Mama!!

Aidman saw some styrofoam plates and said "I need scissors, and glue, and glitter so I can make an angel". I am SO happy that I listened and gave it all to him right away (sadly I don't always do that and this has showed me that I NEED to!!). When he finished he asked for a pipe cleaner halo.

Seriously, I am THRILLED about his creativity. I did ask him if he'd ever made or seen one of these angels before and he said that he made angel wings like that at preschool last week. But still, to see something and ask for all the materials and then make it by himself was pretty good.


Lyssy of course, wanted to do the same thing as her brother. She decorated everything herself, I cut it all for her (only because styrofoam is hard to cut), and she put it together.

Open Ended Art ~ Hans Hoffman

This weeks Open Ended Art over at Mommies Little Artist is to be inspired by Hans Hoffman. I started off by showing the kiddos several of Hans Hoffman pieces. We talked all about his artwork and how he used alot of rectangles. Then we decided to make our own rectangle artwork.

I broke out some of my scrapbooking stencils that only get used for kids art since I NEVER scrap anymore.

The kiddos LOVED using them to paint with.

Afterwards, I asked if they wanted to paint around their rectangles like Hans Hoffman did, and they said yes!

Here is Aidman's. He ended up using the square stencil.

Her is AB's work.

And here is Lyssy's work. I think this one looks the most like a Hans Hoffman piece.

When we have the paint out they CANNOT make just one painting!! So they painted more. This time they all decided to make vegetable gardens, I wish I would have taken a picture of the finished product to show because these gardens are very impressive!!

Christmas Shrits

The other night I got together with some friends to make Christmas shirts for our kiddos. I think they turned out SO CUTE!!