Loves to Climb!

This little guy loves to climb...any.chance.he gets.  He loves to climb up on Sissy's stool and pretend to wash his hands.  How do you get mad at this face?!  :)

Who me?  Get down?!  

 Being a big boy is so much fun!

Helping Daddy

 After one too many times of people having difficulty getting out of our bathroom we decided that it was time for the door handle from 1950 something to go.  This seemed like it would be a quick easy fix, but nothing is ever like that when you are a homeowner is it?!  :)  Seth ended up having to drill another hole in the door...but now we have a nice new doorknob...and no one gets stuck in the bathroom anymore.  Hannah loved watching and helping her Daddy. 

Milan's Birthday

 We had a great time celebrating Milan's birthday with her.  She is such a special girl and we are VERY thankful for her friendship.  We have loved watching her grow over the past couple of years.  She is full of personality, loves people, and is growing in her love and understanding of God.  What a sweet little 4 year old!  

Julia made rainbow cupcakes...they were so fun!!

 The theme of Milan's party was violins.  She's been interested in music lately.  She got this violin from Paige and a student violin from her Grandma.  Hannah enjoyed trying out Milan's new violin.  

Balloon

 Going out to eat is a special treat for us...we had a gift card to Red Robin, so back in November we went for a family dinner to celebrate Daddy's first sale.  The kids loved having dinner here...and there favorite part was hands down the balloon.  One of Isaac's favorite words to say is "balloon"...I can almost hear him saying it through this picture.  :)  It' the simple things isn't it?!

Advent Activities for you and your little one

I typed up a list of advent activities to share with my Cubbie parents.  I thought that since I had already done that work that I would share it here too.  Maybe someone who reads my blog will also enjoy these advent activities   

These will help to make this Christmas season more meaningful for you and your child as you focus on the birth of our Savior.  

The names of Jesus Advent Chain:  

Talk about the different names of Jesus each day and make this beautiful advent chain.  Includes free printables

http://www.spelloutloud.com/2011/11/names-of-jesus-advent-chain.html

Make a Christmas Countdown Chain:

Includes a free printable with a verse and activity to do with your child each day leading up to Christmas.  I did this with Hannah last year and she loved it.  

http://www.hubbardscupboard.org/Verses_for_Advent_Countdown_Chain2.pdf

Advent Activity Calendar

An activity/scripture for each day of advent and Christmas day

http://www.thrivingfamily.com/Features/Magazine/2011/advent/2011-advent-calendar-week-1.aspx

http://www.thrivingfamily.com/Features/Magazine/2011/advent/2011-advent-calendar-week-2.aspx

http://www.thrivingfamily.com/Features/Magazine/2011/advent/2011-advent-calendar-week-3.aspx

http://www.thrivingfamily.com/Features/Magazine/2011/advent/2011-advent-calendar-week-4.aspx

http://www.thrivingfamily.com/Features/Magazine/2011/advent/~/link.aspx?_id=53D6D5DF2BC148E8B719555AD8C47806&_z=z

Make a Jesse Tree

Free printables for an ornament to make each day

http://christmas.yourway.net/jesse-tree-ornaments/

The Truth in the Tinsel:  An Advent Experience for Little Hands:  
http://truthinthetinsel.com/

This is an ebook that does cost $4.99.  Includes a printable for each day of advent to put in your advent calendar.  Each day gives your child a clue of what to listen for in the scripture reading and you will make an ornament together to go with the daily scripture reading.  

**This is what I will be doing with Hannah and Isaac this year.  I'm so excited to get started today!  We are also reading through the Christmas story each night during our family devotion time with Daddy as we light the candles in our advent wreath (maybe a future post if I get time).  

What do you do to make your Christmas season more meaningful?

A Day with Joshua

 We had the joy of having sweet Joshua with us for a morning this week.  Hannah and Joshua have been friends since before they were walking...it's been fun to watch them grow together!  After a day of playing hard....Hannah said "I wish Joshua could come play everyday!"  

With a baskets in hand..we went for a leaf hunt

We found big ones, small ones, ones with jagged edges and smooth edges, and all different colors.

Friends!!

 When we got inside we read books about fall leaves and identified the different kinds of leaves that we found.

 and we warmed up with some hot cooca

 We sponge painted fall trees.  

Thank you, Joshua for coming to play with us...please come again real soon!!

More Fall Fun