December Activities

I decided that I wanted a fun, relaxing December.  I finished my Christmas shopping right after Thanksgiving and there is nothing I hate more than going to stores in December.  It just gets me out of the Christmas spirit to fight crowds.  So we sat down as a family after Thanksgiving and figured out an "Activity Chart" of what we were going to do in December.  Some things are more involved (like going to a show) but most are really simple (like making cookies for neighbors).  I wasn't sure how the kids would respond but they have LOVED it and asked every night what our activity is.  I am hoping this is a new family tradition.

Here is what we have done so far:
Dec. 1 was Ethan's piano recital.
Dec. 2 was the First Presidency Devotional which we watched on TV while playing a game.
Dec. 3 was making a Gingerbread house.  The kids loved this but I was too impatient so the walls and roof didn't set up too well.  You can see from the picture below that the roof was falling off.  But the kids loved making it...and eating it!

 Dec. 4 Courtney made a countdown ring for Christmas.  She made one ring per week so it wouldn't look like Christmas was so far away!
Dec. 5 we decorated Christmas ornaments.  We had some packed away that were clear and so we swished some Pledge Floor Care around the inside and then put in some glitter.  After shaking it around, the inside of the ornament was coated with glitter.  It was really simple and very fun.  We each made two.  The kids started combing colors.  They turned out really well.

Courtney's ornament:

 Bryan's "Giants" colored ornaments (orange and black):

 Ethan and his ornament:

 My pink ornament:

Dec. 6 was Bryan's work Christmas party so the kids got to hang out with Grandma and Grandpa Oman.
Dec. 7 we made hot chocolate and drove all around looking at Christmas lights on houses.  There is one house on Jacob Drive near our house that has their lights syncopated to a radio station.  It's really neat!
Dec. 8 was our Ward Christmas Party (more on that to come)
Dec. 9 we made overnight cinnamon rolls for some friends in the neighborhood and delivered them.
Dec. 10 we made a Christmas present (I can't tell you what because someone may see)

Tonight, Dec. 11, we are going to make cookies and take them around to some of the older people in the Ward.  The kids are pretty excited.

I have had a blast doing all these things and it hasn't been expensive because most things are free or we have them on hand!  I'll keep you updated on what else we do.