I always used to tape our Christmas cards up on the wall in our dining room at our apartment, but when we moved in our house I wanted something a little nicer looking. So, with the help of Pinterest, I found something that works really well to display our beautiful Christmas cards that we receive from our friends and family.
I have never made gingerbread houses for Christmas growing up and was really wanting to do one this year with Michael. After I thought about it, I realized that Michael might still be a little too young to make a gingerbread house with. So, I found something a little more Michael or toddler friendly - an edible Christmas tree.
December 24th's, Christmas Eve, book was The Christmas Sweater. A wonderful story that says that homemade presents are the best because they are filled with so much love. A lesson that all children should be taught not just during Christmas, but all year round.
Since it was Christmas Eve and the final book, we just handed it to Michael to unwrap. Hope you all enjoyed following our Christmas countdown as much as we loved doing. Hopefully this gives you some ideas on how to do your own Christmas stories countdown with your own children. This year went over a lot better than last, so we will definitely be doing this next year with some new books that Michael got this Christmas as well as some of the ones used this year.
December 23rd's book was Woody's White Christmas. Great story for any kid who loves Toy Story. Woody wants a white Christmas and at the end he gets it.
December 22nd's book was Biscuit's Pet & Play Christmas. A book more for a younger toddler. That day was a rather long day for us since we were at Jon's parents' house and then traveled back to our house. Michael was just ready to pick his book, read it, and go to bed - and so was Mommy and Daddy.
December 21st's book was Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. We were actually at Jon's parents' house for that night for their Christmas celebration so, we had Michael pick out the book before we left our house that morning. An all-time classic Christmas story and a must in any Christmas book countdown or collection.
December 20th's book was Raggedy Ann and Andy Help Santa Claus. This was actually Jon's book growing up. Cute story about Santa leaving another girl's gift at their house and how they helped get it back to Santa for him to deliver it to the right house.
December 19th's book was Clifford's First Christmas. It's about Clifford as a puppy during Christmas. Every little kid needs a book or two about Clifford!
I tried to do this last year as gifts from Michael, but we had such a hard time to just get two hand prints that we gave up. Since I didn't have enough for everyone, I didn't even bother with painting the two that I had baked.
December 18th's book was Can You Make Santa Giggle?. Santa doesn't giggle anymore, need to put some fresh batteries in him. Cute book for babies and toddlers.
There's something new to touch each time you turn the page. Michael still loves books like this.
December 17th's book was Elmo's 12 Days of Christmas. It's Elmo's version with monsters. Might use it again next year since it's not too babyish.
Michael decided that he wanted Mommy to read the book. We had fun counting the monsters and he pointed out the different color monsters.
December 16th's book was Elmo's Christmas Hugs. Cute story about Elmo doing all the stuff you do during Christmas - wrapping gifts, making cookies, and whatnot. Definitely a book for little kids, might be the last year using this book with Michael. You use the arms and make it look like Elmo is actually wrapping presents.
December 15th's book was How The Grinch Stole Christmas!. A must have book in any Christmas book countdown or collection. Nowadays, who hasn't been read or watched this story on TV? Michael's first experience with the Grinch was watching the TV version when he was six months old. He screamed and cried when he saw the Grinch.
Last year when Jon read this book, he made a special voice for the Grinch. I had said that we should try and video tape it this year. Completely forgot about it until he started with the Grinch voice, but after I started taping he stopped with the voice. Here's the video of most of How The Grinch Stole Christmas!.
I've lived in Leesburg for five years and have never been to the annual Christmas Parade. I was excited to experience this with my 2 1/2 year old son. I was expecting the parade to be like the parades I remember seeing and participating in growing up. I don't know if it was due to the weather, trying to snow and a little cold, or what, but I was rather disappointed. There were no high school marching bands, which I was telling our son before hand that there probably would be at least one. It was mostly Girls Scout and Boy Scout troops with some businesses thrown in, a few churches, one fire truck, and then the fire truck that Santa was on at the end. I think next year I might have to take Michael to my home town and show him what a real Christmas parade is like. Here's some of the pictures that I took.
Beginning of the parade
Ronald McDonald
"Hey, give me some candy!"
This year we decided to try out visiting Santa at the Dulles Town Center since the volunteer fire department didn't seem to be doing Santa visits this year. As any parent knows, the less time you have to wait the better experience you and your child is going to have.
December 14th's book was Mortimer's Christmas Manger. A cute story about Mortimer the mouse who's looking for a warmer place to stay instead of the whole in the wall. He ends up learning about the Christmas story and that the place he found was actually baby Jesus' manager.
Michael sat by Daddy for most of the story.
December 13th's book was The Gingerbread Pirates. Cute story about gingerbread cookies that are decorated like pirates coming to life and trying not to be eaten by Santa.
Michael has started to hand the book to Daddy after unwrapping it and then asking for his sippy cup.
December 12th's book was Christmas Is Finally Here!. I love anything Veggie Tales. They have such a great way of telling stories from the Bible to kids. Michael loved that there was a button on the book that he could push. It was the Veggie Tale gang singing "We Wish You A Merry Christmas".
I'm a stay-at-home mom in the DC Metro Area who is always looking for new and exciting things to do with the family without breaking the bank. I write about kids, meal planning, DIY, crafts, holidays, recipes, and good old family fun. Follow me on this journey called life!
