'Twas the Month After Christmas

Happy New Year!

Fort Myers Blogger Meet-up

I had such a wonderful time with some amazing ladies (and a gentleman) last night. It was so nice to finally meet Charity from The Organized Classroom, Denise from Sunny Days in Second Grade (with her wonderful hubby- he's a teacher too- and was taking the photo) and a few inspirational blogstalkers (one fan was all the way from Maine- so cool!) We talked about teaching and blogging for hours until the restaurant manager began to give us "the eye" to leave. I seriously think we could have continued talking all night long. My husband was happy to have a night of peace without any blog talk from me, well as much peace as he could have with the five kiddos. ☺ I feel extremely blessed to have met such incredible and passionate people. Wishing you all an abundance of blessings in the new year. Big hugs!                

“Count Your Blessings” Activity

Throughout the year, I have my children write out prayer requests and put them in a decorative box. I teach them that this symbolizes presenting our requests to God. On New Year’s Day, my family gathers around our kitchen table, and we take turns reading aloud the prayer requests from the prayer box. After reading each individual request, we discuss it and decide if God answered our prayer. If we feel our request was not answered yet, we place it back into the prayer box for the following year.

I love this activity because it teaches children that God may take years to answer a prayer or He may answer it differently than we ever expected. So many times we tend to pray for something and focus on that particular need or want without realizing all the prayers that have been answered. This is a wonderful activity that the entire family can participate in that demonstrates how God is working in your lives. You can literally count your blessings from answered and unanswered prayers.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ~Philippians 4:6 (New International Version)

Mary, did you know?

Merry Christmas!

Your husband probably does not like his Christmas gift if .....

(5) He opens it and says, "Wow, I hope you got a really good deal on this, I mean a really good deal."

(4) He opens it and says, "Honey, you shouldn't have... and I mean it."

(3) He opens it and says, "I like it... but what is the return policy and where did you buy it?"

(2) He opens it and says, "Of course I like it... but what exactly is it?"

(1) You find him listing it on Ebay before lunch.

adapted from Todd Wilson, Familyman Ministries

Hoping you hear none of these comments this holiday season ☺

Christmas Morning French Toast Casserole

Many years ago a co-teacher shared this recipe with our school faculty and then almost every teacher was making this recipe for Christmas morning. My family has continued this tradition for 15 years. We make it on Christmas Eve and then pop it in the oven before opening presents on Christmas morning. After the kids finish unwrapping their gifts, we all eat a nice warm breakfast together. 

French Toast Casserole

1 loaf fresh bread (1 lb.) cut into cubes
1 bar cream cheese (cut into small cubes- kinda hard to do so I just pinch small pieces)
1 dozen eggs
1 1/2 c. milk
1/3 c. pure maple syrup (and more for serving)

Grease a 9 x 12 Pyrex. Layer half the bread cubes and half the cream cheese. Repeat layers with remaining bread and cream cheese cubes. In a bowl, beat eggs, add milk, and maple syrup. Mix. Pour atop the bread and cream cheese. Cover and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, bake uncovered at 350 degrees fro 30-40 minutes. Let cool for 15 minutes. Serve warm with additional maple syrup.

Enjoy!

Beachside Blogger Meet-up!

The VERY addicting white trash recipe

The most addicting holiday recipe EVER!

This is my family's favorite Christmas recipe! It is also a great gift for friends, teachers, & neighbors. But use this recipe with caution. It is VERY addicting! You just can't eat one bite! Once you give some white trash away, that person will request it every Christmas. I promise. This year we made over 25 batches because of its growing popularity.

What I love about this recipe besides its perfect sweet and salty combo is it's so quick and easy that my kids can help!

A friend even joined in this year.

Meet the stars of the show!

The Famous White Trash Recipe


1 c. M&Ms
1 1/2 c. corn chex cereal
2 c. pretzel sticks
1 c. cocktail peanuts
1 14 oz. white chocolate (discs preferred)

Mix the first four ingredients together in a large bowl. Melt the white chocolate in the microwave, and pour it over the mixed ingredients. Mix well and spread thin on wax paper. Let it cool off and harden then break into chunks and place in containers.

 Enjoy friends!

Three Wise Teachers

A Social Network Christmas

I LOVE this video! 

Happy Sunday!

Christmas Drives to Remember

Submitted by Haleigh Katwaroo

My family takes car rides during the long winter nights while enjoying Christmas light displays, singing Christmas songs, and sipping cocoa or warm apple cider (in spill-proof sippy cups or mugs). We even bring blankets for the children to snuggle under “sleighride style”. I print out a copy of the songs for my oldest daughter since she's reading now. I give her a little flashlight, so she can follow along and learn these classics on our nighttime caroling drives. It’s a fun and inexpensive night out with the family and makes a lovely tradition.

HERE is a link to a FREE printable Christmas carol collection.

My Favorite Christmas Sites

My kids love visiting www.santaclaus.net daily to see if they have been naughty or nice.

I have used www.freelettersfromsantaclaus.com in the past for free Santa letters for my kids.

I am just plain goofy and I still laugh so hard at www.elfyourself.com.

I can't help it. I ♥ watching my lil' elves dancing away. BTW They have a variety of dances to choose from this year. If you haven't ever elfed yourself, you just need to bite the bullet and join in. Send me the link when you do.

I have saved the best for last- 

www.portablenorthpole.tv/home

Jodi at  Fun in First introduced me to this AWESOME site that creates videos for your kids. YOU HAVE TO CHECK THIS OUT! It even personalizes your videos with your child's name, what they are improving on, where they live, if he/she is on the naughty or nice list, and what gift they are requesting from Santa. A VERY real-life looking Santa is the one who speaks directly to your child in a video.  

I made videos for two of my older boys and even my semi-skeptical child believed that it was the real deal. I even made a video for my toddler who is trying to stop sucking his thumb and I keep reminding him what Santa told him. It really is working! I will have to remember to use this site in a few months for potty training soon, too.  And I made one for my husband who was a little naughty because he likes to text when I am talking to him. lol. You will not be disappointed by the quality of these free videos.

Share your favorite Christmas sites below. ☺

Enjoy!

Christmas Mad Lib

 I love using Mad Libs to practice grammar, sentence structure, parts of speech, and vocabulary with my kids. Here is a free 'Twas the Night Before Christmas printable from familyfun.go.com

Click on the image below.

 Enjoy!

Turn shopping into a learning experience.

Because my children like to buy Christmas presents with their own money for their Dad and I, we take an annual trip to a store where every item costs exactly one dollar. I use this opportunity to teach my children about shopping, saving, spending, and paying tax. 

My children bring their wallets that are filled with one dollar bills received from gifts or earned from completing chores. I remind them that each item costs one dollar and that they must save one dollar to cover tax. I give each child a basket, and my boys go in different directions feeling grown-up as they shop independently. I wait at the front of the store in case they need my direction. My sons fill up their baskets and go through the check-out line by themselves. They pay the cashier and place the receipts in their wallets. 

When we arrive home, my boys cannot wait to go to their rooms to wrap the presents that they bought. My husband and I receive many of the same items year after year, such as scented candles, Christmas coffee mugs, and candy, but the excitement on my children’s faces as they share their love for us is priceless.

FREE Digital Holiday Supplement

Wrap your family in a ribbon of thankfulness and joy and season your holiday with laughter, love, and togetherness with this FREE Digital Holiday Supplement from The Old Schoolhouse. This wonderful resource has:

• Family traditions
• Handcrafted gifts
• Delightful desserts
• Memorable moments
• Joyful feasting
• Frugal trinkets of love
• Thankful hospitality
• Festive home décor
• Homemade place cards
• Fun, kid-friendly activities

Open up a whole new world by discovering how Thanksgiving and Christmas are celebrated in Finland, West Africa, Sweden, and Russia! Create some wonderful holiday crafts and homemade gifts with the children, and find many delicious recipes to serve at your holiday table this year. Feel encouraged and ready for the holidays by reading the warm and inspirational holiday articles. This is the perfect “idea book” to get your family ready for the upcoming holidays!

Click Here for your FREE Digital Holiday Supplement

Enjoy!

North Pole Floats- what a hit!

We recently made North Pole Floats (a great idea from Chalk Talk's Polar Express unit). 

My kids really enjoyed sipping these while completing their Polar Express activities. All you need for this sweet treat is 1 scoop of vanilla ice cream and 1/2 cup ginger ale. My kids lightly sprinkled red and green sugar crystals on top and then added a candy cane. The candy cane will dissolve in the shake rather quickly giving it some extra flavoring. One of my sons used a peppermint candy cane but my other son wanted the cherry flavored candy cane. These floats were a big hit!

Enjoy!

My favorite Christmas crafts

I just ♥ making crafts with my kids. Here are some of  my children's favorite Christmas crafts that I can't wait to share with you!

Eyes of God Ornaments

Explain to your child that this ornament made of Popsicle sticks and yarn is a symbol used by Mexicans long ago, called Ojo de Dios, which means "eye of God." The design reminds us that God, the Creator, is the center of our lives.

CLICK HERE to learn step-by-step directions.

You can even glue the verse "The eyes of God are everywhere." Proverbs 15:3 on the bottom.

My older son loved making these so much that he made these for gifts for everyone in our extended family, as well as our neighbors.

Reindeer Clothespin Magnets

Glue two baby flat slotted clothespins together for the legs and one upside down for the head. Let dry. Color the feet with a black marker. Glue on wiggle eyes and a small red pompom for the nose. Last, glue on a magnetic strip on the back.

Candy Cane Mouse

This is an adorable project using felt and candy canes. CLICK HERE for step-by-step directions.

Reindeer with Hands

Cut a large triangle from construction paper for the head. Trace your child's hands, and cut and glue for antlers. Glue on other pieces of construction paper for additional features. This is such a simple and cute project.

Handprint Wreath

Dip your child's hand in green paint and press hand on Burlap. Use your child's thumbprints for red berries. Fold over the top about one inch and glue or sew the bottom. Insert a wooden dowel, and tie ribbon to the ends of the dowel to hang the wreath. These make wonderful Christmas gifts for the family.

Spice Ornaments

This craft will make your home or classroom smell splendid!

3/4 c. ground cinnamon
1 tbs. ground allspice
1 tbs. ground nutmeg
2 tbs. ground cloves
1 c. applesauce

Combine first four ingredients, blending well. Stir in applesauce and mix well. Roll out to at least 1/4 inch thickness on an ungreased cookie sheet. Using cookie cutters, cut dough into the desired shapes. Peel away the excess dough and reroll as necessary. Insert paper clip into top for hooks. Let air dry for at least a week, flipping every few days. Decorate with glitter and ribbons. Store in zip-lock baggies each year until you decorate your tree.

Hope you got some ideas!

(my Christmas elf name ☺)