Paper Mache Clay Snowmen

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My kiddos just made the most adorable snowmen.  The process took a few days, but totally worth it!  Paper Mache Clay is so fun to work with.  It is like working with a paste clay.  It has a rustic texture and is so fun to play with!

We started with a base of bags, tape and tinfoil. Kaleb got creative on his baseball cap and used an egg carton.

To help the snowmen stand we used cereal box circle with the kiddos names and the year written on it.  The cardboard is covered with packing tape.

This is the first time that we made paper mache clay and I LOVE it!  It is so fun to work with, and easy to make.  I found the recipe on the Ultimate Paper Mache.  It is an amazing website with lots of helpful information on using this wonderful clay.   The ingredients are inexpensive and easy to find.  You will need:

Toilet paper Roll (Measure the wet paper pulp, and use 1 1/4 cups – some rolls contain more paper than needed) Regular angle soft toilet paper contains the right amount.

1 cup of Joint Compound

3/4 cup Elmer’s Glue

1/2 cup White Flour

Remove the cardboard tube from the toilet paper roll and soak the toilet paper in water.  Squish as much water out of the paper as possible.

I borrowed my hubbies drill and paddle mixer which worked great to mix everything, but a hand electric mixer will work too.  Mix for a couple minutes until everything is smooth.  Store the clay in an air tight container.  We did not use the linseed oil that the original recipe calls for and it worked great.

The kids had fun working with the clay.  The second layer seemed easier for the kids to apply.

I love all the cute details that each kiddos added.  Since the clay sticks well to itself they had no problem adding the buttons and eyes after everything dried.

Bree made the skinny snowman, Annika’s is in the middle and Kaleb created a wonderful baseball cap.  I love that each one is unique and has its own personality.  Note to self…take pictures while the sun is still up!

Annika wanted help to add this cute little flower to her snowman’s hat.  So cute!

I hope that building this cute little snowmen become a tradition.  I love love to have one from the kiddos every year as a cute little collection.

Holidazzle Parade

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The Holidazzle Parade is another one of our favorite family traditions.  This is the kids second year participating in the Holidazzle Parade.  It is an evening parade, which is magical because all the floats are designed to light up.

The kids were all bundled up under the costumes to keep warm.  The temperature is pretty mild this year, and we are lacking the beautiful snow cover that we usually have.  

Most of the costumes light up so after the kids were all suited up they had to go to the lighting station to make sure everything was in working order.

Waiting to get on their float.  Notice the wire Kaleb is holding, that will eventually hook right into the float.  Each kiddo will be seat belted, and plugged in.

The kiddos rode on the Pinocchio float.  Each of the lighted floats are designed around favorite storybooks, and bring the characters to life.

I love this special moment.  Auntie Laurie walked in the parade with the kiddos, all lit up as a Toy Solider so we could enjoy the parade.  Thanks Laurie!

Breanna and Annika rode on a couch at the back of the float and Kaleb rode on the side.  He is the closest of the 4 kids to Gepetto. 

They looked so cute all plugged in and glowing.  He can’t wait for the parade to begin!

Annika is hard to make out, but she was really excited when she spotted us!

The circus train was the float the kiddos road last year.  Santa is always the last float, ending the parade.  I love that the kids have the opportunity to participate in such a fun event.  I also love that I have a sister-in-law with connections…Thanks Laurie!

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Christmas Lights

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Today our family Advent activity read “Bring hot chocolate to see music Christmas house.”  Sounds silly, but the kids immediately knew what it was.  There is a house that is only a few blocks from us that puts on a Christmas lights display to music.  We go every year and the kiddos can’t wait.

The kiddos made a special card for the family who puts on the show every year.  We wanted to let them know that this is a Christmas tradition for our family and we appreciate all the effort they put into it.  I tried getting a picture of the kiddos putting it in their mail box, but felt a bit like a stalker.  So as hard as it was I walked away without a picture.

The lights alone are memorizing, but when you are listening to their radio station its magical!

 The kids watched the light show with the windows open on the van, radio blaring and drinking hot chocolate for quite a while.  They even sat down on their lawn for a bit.  Eventually the kids got cold and they moved into the van to listen to a few more songs.  So fun!  This is the first year that they had 3 houses all linked together.  I still like the original house the best, I think that it will always be my favorite.

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Hope you enjoy the Christmas lights show!

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Kids Advent

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My kids Advent tradition   It is something that we do every evening after supper.  If the truth be told, the kids actually do 2 different Advent calendars each night.  We start one Advent calendar on Dec 1st to count down the 25 days until Christmas.  This one is filled with fun family activities.  The kids look forward to reading it each night and finding out what we will be doing as a family.   Some of the kids favorite activities so far this year include a family hide and seek game in the dark, making gingerbread ornaments, and playing games as a family.  Simple I know, but I love these precious moments.

The other special Advent calendar is one that my parents gave the kids.  It is from DaySpring and counts down the12 days of Christmas.  Since we live far away from my parents, they make holidays extra special by sending little notes, jokes and activities that I put into each of the little boxes for the kids.  The kids love it and look forward to seeing what Grandpa and Grandma sent them each day.

This Advent comes with cute little tiles that are placed into each drawer.  The tiles have a little Bible verse on them that corresponds to the bible story for the day.

I love hearing the kids read the bible stories, and their cute answers to the question that are posed at the end of each story.  What does your family do for Advent?

Crocheted Snowflakes

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I love running to my mail box around Christmas, that is if I can make it there before the kids!  There is nothing better than getting Christmas cards, especially photo cards.  I LOVE them.  Today was especially great.  Along with all the special cards, I received one of the best gifts…crocheted snowflakes!

This sweet stack of handmade crocheted snowflakes was waiting for me when I peeked in my mail box.  Among all the cards, there was 2 separate cards/packages one from my Mom and one from my Grandmother.   I have admired the special snowflakes that my Mom and Grandmother crochet for a while.  I have no crocheting talent, and I am so excited that one of my trees will be covered in these special snowflakes.  My girls were almost as excited as I was.  I don’t think that I could have found anything else in my mail that would have brought me more joy!

Each crocheted snowflake is unique and made with love.  Thanks Mom and Grandma for blessing me with such wonderful treasure!  They are beautiful and I love them all!

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