Christmas Break Activities
The boys with their Operation Christmas Child boxes a few weeks ago. Why yes, yes we are OSU Fans!
Our boys are off for Christmas break. I can't stay inside with them all day or else we'll all go mad :) I am planning a few activities with them inside and out of the house so we stay joyful. Here is what's on our schedule this week. I'm gonna need to figure out something for next week too!!
Rice Krispies Treats Christmas Tree
I saw a cute kit for around $20 that had a train mold and the Rice Krispies. I wasn't paying that much for it considering I have several boxes of Rice Krispies I got for free. Add in some $.89 marshmallows from Aldi and it's way cheaper!
I tried to find a train mold at Michael's, but they didn't have one. So, I settled for a large tree pan and a star pan. I bought some M&M's and Hershey's kisses and we'll decorate them. I don't know how we'll go about cutting them so they look pretty, but it will be a tree and a star when the decorating is finished.
My mom just brought us a platter of cookies and fudge, so I don't think I'm going to make any cookies. We usually make homemade chocolate chip cookies. Nothing fancy, it's all *revealed* on the back of the Nestle chocolate chip bag! There are some good recipes in this Christmas Cookie Recipe book too. Do you have a favorite cookie recipe you use during Christmas?
Build A Bear Trip
Yes, I may seriously be insane for doing this but I'm going. Build A Bear has the cutest reindeer stuffed animals. I thought it would be fun to take the boys to decorate their own animal. Then, year after year we could use that as a decoration. If I'm brave, I may actually take pictures during the adventure…if I make it through that is!
Cincinnati Museum
I realize not all of you can come to the Cincinnati Museum, but you could go to your own. We are going to finally purchase our passes. We'll play a little and they will work out some energy. I will get to hang with my BFF. Life should be good!
Craft Books
If you are a crafty mom and want some cute ideas, this Christmas Crafts eBook has some really cool crafts. I will admit to you now, I do not have the craft gene. It passed over me. I am not kidding.
In years past, I have bought stuff to make something like the Cranberry Christmas Tree, except with colored ornaments. I had this fantabulous vision after seeing a similar decoration at Target. Well, the supplies are still in a corner in the basement. I did try it at one point, but the glue gun got the best of me. It's a skill I have no acquired.
Do you have any fun activities planned for your kiddos?
Actually I have 12 favorite recipes…On my blog I did the Twelve Days of Christmas-“Cookie Style” where I highlighted 12 of my favorite cookie/candy recipes. They are really yummy!
Katie, I will def take a look at your Twelve Days of Christmas! I’m always looking for cool ideas for if I ever do anything like that.
We’re just going to hang out around the house this week. I have family coming to stay with us for Christmas so there’s tons of cleaning & prep work to do. But we’ll make sure to add lots of fun & yummy treats in there too;)
It sounds like you & your guys are gonna have a blast!
We’re going sledding and swimming for sure. Lots of just hanging out as a fam!!
Laurie – sledding and swimming. I should take my boys to the Y to swim too. I hadn’t thought of that. Gotta love those indoor pools!
I just posted my secret cookie recipe today. They will melt in your mouth. Cream Cheese Cut-Out Cookies.
http://happyhomemakercindy.com/2009/12/my-secret-cream-cheese-cut-out-cookies-recipe-revealed/
Cindy – those look good!! I love anything with cream cheese and sugar!
darling photo of your boys!!
No kids here, but I tried to be all Martha Stewart and decorate stockings for our Chihuahuas. Yes, dogs. Anyway, I discovered she’s Martha Stewart for a reason and I’ve never done anything creative because I have not one creative bone in my body! Needless to say, our “babies” stockings are coming from the store and will hang nicely on the wall having been decorated by someone with talent.
I do think it’s fun to let kids (I borrow them occasionally…) decorate things like stockings and bags, because they get such pleasure and pride from doing something themselves. You could even get Andon some of those markers that don’t draw on anything but special paper.
I think a good idea, for those families who send thank you cards, is to buy plain card stock and let kids decorate and write their own with assistance if needed. Kid art is always so sweet. They have big imaginations and fostering that is so important.
Go Bucks! Love the scarlet and grey! I just might have to get some marshmallows to make some Rice Krispies Treats too. What a good idea!
We just hit the museum yesterday and will probably go again next week. The pass is VERY worth it, especially if you can find someone else who wants one since they are buy one membership get one half off right now!
If you haven’t been yet, I can’t recommend the Live Nativity at the Creation Museum highly enough. It’s beautiful, it teaches you a ton, it focuses you on the real meaning of Christmas, the lights are gorgeous, and it’s free! It’s still happening 4 more times this week. For more information, check out this website: http://creationmuseum.org/special-events/christmas-2009/
Carrie – thanks! I had no idea it was free. We visited the Creation Museum last summer and loved it. I’m not sure we will make it down there this year, but I’ll definitely think about it for next year!