Advent/ Elf Day 9

Several months ago, we started a behavior modification system with Charlotte. It is actually an idea someone in our church's MOPS group gave me. We have a Mason jar on the bar which is her "sweet ball jar". She earns "sweet balls" ( aka pompoms) for sweet behavior... saying please without being prompted, cleaning up, sharing with her brother etc. Likewise, she can lose sweet balls for bad behavior... not listening, hitting, etc. We use different size sweet balls based on the task. When she fills her jar, she gets to pick a reward... usually something she has been asking for around $10.


All that to say, Merry the Elf hopped in Charlotte's Sweet Ball Jar for the day. We had a small incident with Charlotte's Nia ( grandma) touching the Elf. I also thought I saw Charlotte trying to touch her as well. So we thought this would be a good way for Charlotte to carry Merry around for the day to get her curiosity out.

Our Advent Activity was to read the Christmas Story. We have been reading a lot of a touchy-feely Nativity book we have. But I pulled out all the rest of the Christmas books. I have a few favorites:
1) The Story of Christmas
2) What is Christmas?


Both are simple board books but tie the commercialized Christmas in with the real Christmas Story.

Advent/Elf Day 8

I have no idea why but Charlotte calls Minions "Kiwis". The funny thing is Kiwis are one of her favorite fruits and she also calls them kiwi so I am not sure what went wrong there, Ha! Anyway, I went to Pinterest for a easy idea. Merry made "kiwis" out of our bananas.

Charlotte's school was asking for unwrapped gifts to donate to a local community center for the holidays. So today's Advent activity was to bring in two gifts for "children who don't have a lot of toys". She was a pretty good sport about considering she is only three! Its tough at this age because while we try to push the real meaning of the season as much as possible, its so hard not to have the little ones to get sucked into the commercialism of the holiday.

Advent/ Elf Day 7

I was rocking Charlotte to bed and she was telling me all about how Merry was going to fly into her room while she was sleeping and go under her bed. So naturally, Merry had to make an appearance in Charlotte's room. She has a mini pink Tinsel tree on her dresser with princess ornaments. Merry pulled out her sleeping bag and slept under Charlotte's tree.  First thing I heard in the morning was the pitter patter of her feet running across the tile to our room to announce "Mama, Merry is asleep in my room". Excited is an understatement!

 For our advent activity today, we made "winter slime". Its a combination of water, liquid starch and washable school glue. We made it look like snow by adding white, blue and silver glittery along with snowflake sequins. All purchased at Walmart for under $1 a piece. Both kids really enjoyed playing with it... and lets be honest, this is the closest they will get to snow in Florida!

Advent/ Elf Day 6

Charlotte had a really good day Monday with regard to her behavior. We took both kids to see Santa after work and they both did so well with waiting in line etc. Charlotte has been asking for Moana things for Christmas after seeing the movie last week. So we picked up some Moana stickers at the Dollar Tree and that silly Merry got into them.

Our Advent Activity was to " Set up the Felt Christmas Tree". This is something I made 2 years ago when Charlotte was Brayden's age. So this is the third Christmas we have used it and it still keeps them entertained.  There are lots of fun ideas on Pinterest or you can buy them on Etsy if you aren't crafty! I used command strips to attach it to the wall.

Advent/ Elf Day 5

Merry was up  to no good while we were sleeping last night! She  stole the dry- erase markers made us all reindeer! So easy and one of my favorites.

Our Advent Activity today was to go see Santa at the mall. Luckily, we have been able to see the  same Santa EVERY Christmas which makes for some nice photo comparisons over the years. He is an amazing Santa and spends time with the kids. I thought for sure Brayden was going to scream but he was really into Santa!

Advent/ Elf Day 4

Day 4 Merry snuck into the craft cabinet and got into the Play- Doh.

Our Advent Activity was to set up the Little People Nativity Set. This was a garage sale find of my Mother-in-Law a few years ago. Both kids have loved playing with it. It plays music and gives us the opportunity to talk about the birth of baby Jesus. It can be found for around $30 new and I highly recommend it! Pardon Charlotte, she refuses to smile for pictures lately...hello threenager!

Advent/ Elf Day 3

When Charlotte was at school Friday I was able to run to Walmart to pick up some goodies. So nice to shop without a nosey toddler.


One of the things I picked up at Walmart was spray snow. Merry somehow got into it when we were sleeping ;)

Our Day 3 Advent activity was "Breakfast in Bethlehem". This is also something we have gone to for three years now. It is at a local church and its a great family event. They keep the food simple and they have various activities like making bracelets, a petting zoo, and pottery. Charlotte saw the guard and asked me " Mama, is that God"? :)