Chistmas Countdown 2.0 (Week 3)

As the third week of our Christmas countdown comes to a close, I'm thankful for the many blessings in my life. It's been a busy week, but we were able to spend a few days with family and Ry had such a good time with Grandma and Grampy.

Day 15: Make Snow Angels Nature Walk
Still no snow. I told a friend the other day that I feel like I'm living in a scene from the Bing Crosby movie "White Christmas"... you know, the part where they arrive in Vermont expecting snow and get balmy weather instead? Yep, that's us. As I write this, it's in the high 50's and raining. So no white Christmas for us.

Anyway, Ry and I decided to take advantage of the one nice day we had this week to take a 'hike' up the hill in the woods behind our apartment. Ry did pretty well with the uneven terrain on the way up, but needed help on the way down. (He kept saying "Help. Scary.")

Day 16: Sing and Sign

We learned to sign Away in a Manger and Silent Night (part of the Signing Time Christmas Collection).  These video clips are more instructional than entertaining and the host breaks down each part of the song and shows how she signs it in American Sign Language, as well as her reasoning for signing it the way she does (in ASL, you sign the meaning, not necessarily the words and each person's interpretation of the meaning will vary. For example you'd sign 'sleep, become still' instead of 'sleep in heavenly peace').  Ry mostly just absorbs it like a sponge, but doesn't really sign along with the songs yet, although he recognizes most of the signs. We've been practicing these songs (along with the signs) as part of our nap time routine since then to reinforce what we learned.

Day 17: Read a Christmas Storybook
We love to read at our house and Ry frequently brings us books and says, "Read! Story!" We had a good thirty minute story time and read about all the Christmas books we had.

We have a few Christmas storybooks that we own, and I checked out a few from the library. Here's some of the books we've enjoyed this month:

• The Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado
• Christmas Farm by Mary Lyn Ray
• My Wonderful Christmas Tree by Dahlov Ipcar
• Dewey's Christmas at the Library by Vicki Myron
• Apple Tree Christmas by Trinka Hakes Nobel
• Christmas In the Big Woods (My First Little House picture book series) by Laura Ingalls Wilder, illustrated by Renée Graef
• The Baby Born In A Stable by Janice Kramer (Arch Books)
• Jingle Bells illustrated by Darcy May
• Peter Spier's Christmas by Peter Spier 

Day 18: Evergreen Discovery Bottle
I found this idea on the Teach Preschool website and thought it was super cute. We went for a walk at my parent's house and snipped some pine and spruce sprigs, and red berries.

We added the sprigs and berries to a recycled plastic juice bottle, added glitter and filled it with water. Sort of like a snowglobe in a bottle.

Ry loves Grandma and Grampy's kitties!

Day 19: Stocking Stuffers
We celebrated Christmas early at Grandma's house and filled stockings with little things, toys, treats, etc. Ry Guy was especially excited about his flashlight!

Day 20: Daddy's Choice
It was a rough day... many tantrums and lots of whining. Sigh. By the time we got home after cranky car trip, we were all worn out. The boys stayed home to recoup and I went to church. Daddy chose to have some 'manly bonding time' so they cuddled up on the couch and watched Curious George until bathtime.

Day 21: Peppermint Hot Cocoa
I really like this hot cocoa recipe from Frugal Granola. I make it with coconut milk and carob powder for the little guy and coconut milk and special dark cocoa powder for me, with a few drops of peppermint extract in each mug for an extra special holiday touch. Yum!

Read all the related posts here:

• Advent Calendar/Christmas Countdown 2.0
• Week 1
• Week 2
• Week 4