Advent Calendar

After perusing some friend's blogs and thinking about it, I decided to create an Advent Garland for our children. I set out to put it together the other night. I prayed that through this fun experience, my children would learn something about Jesus.



I picked up treat bags, tissue paper, a package of cardboard gift tags and some pretty ribbon.
I also picked out some chocolatey treats and a couple $1 gifts.

  

I picked out a font that I liked on my computer and typed out the numbers 1-24, so I would have something to draw from while I numbered the tags.



There were enough tags left over that I could re-make the ones I didn't like. You can see my "boo-boos" on the top right.

 

Treat bag #1 has peppermint kisses inside!



It occurred to me about half way through to put one member of our manger scene in each bag. Shirley LOVES opening up a bag to see who is inside. She knew right away that they were coming to see Jesus! Of course, baby Jesus is in the last bag. :)

The final product isn't quite as cute as I had hoped, but it isn't hanging quite right because the last ten (or so) bags don't have treats in them yet.

 

This is what it looks like this morning.


So far, the garland is a huge hit. Shirley loves it, and Richard loves anything his sister loves. As a side note, next year, I might not put so much chocolate in the bags...or set a precident of opening the bags after or before dinner, otherwise your morning starts out with kids all hopped up on chocolate. I thought about putting something else in there, but putting Cheerios in Advent bags just seems a little anti-climactic.
Also, waiting until tomorrow to open another bag is basically torture for my three-year-old. I knew it would be, so I'm glad I hung the garland WAY out of anyone's reach.
More than anything, this garland gives us a way to talk about Christmas and what it means. So far, so good!

Merry Christmas!

Baby Dedication

Baby Richard is going to be publically dedicated to God at our church on Sunday morning, July 18, 2010 during the 10:30 service. We would be honored if you would join us for this very special service.

I'm going to start my days like this from now on:

My Children

"Every night, I prayed for you, my special child. I prayed that your bones would be straight and your heart would be strong. But most of all, I prayed that someday you would love God."

-God Gave Us You

Dear Wisconsonites,

I can NOT believe how emotional I got reading your posts about the first day of school today. (Maybe it's the hormones, but that's not the point.)
I am praying for your children as they start a new year.
Sincerely yours,
Present Erin

When in Rome...

Is it just me, or has the exhaustion level increased at VBS this year, in comparison to last year?
I only have a few rules for my group:
The Cave is after the Marketplace.
We aren't doing science this year.
You are not allowed to touch each other.
Your sash is not a weapon.
You cannot wear your sash on your head.
Your sash is not a sling.
We aren't doing science this year.
You are not allowed to touch each other.
Try to go potty even if you don't have to.
Wash your hands with soap.
The Cave is next.
We aren't doing science this year.
Talk to me like a big boy.
You are not allowed to touch each other.
You don't have to sing, but you may not distract others from worshipping.
Please stay on our blanket.
Do not pinch each other.
Do not hit each other.
Do not pull each other's hair.
You are not allowed to touch each other.
It's time to go to the Cave!

I don't think I'm too demanding.

Going Offline

We are at the Grandma Spa.

I'm tired.

Being solely responsible for a life is hard.

I know I only have one child.

I know I shouldn't complain.

Which is why I'm NOT complaining. I'm going to the spa.

I'll be back when I damn well feel like it.

(Tomorrow.)

Conversations About Breasts.

I got to spend my morning with the unbellievably sweet Felton children.
We had breakfast at McDonald's (because I am very cool), and then headed back to my house to let SJ take her nap.
When we settled down in the living room to watch Return of the Jedi, I needed to nurse Shirley. Though I was modest, the kiddos were ENTHRALLED.
Anna: What is she drinking?
Erin: She's drinking milk.
Timothy: Where does she drink from?
Erin: My breast.
Timothy: I don't get it. [Complete loss of interest to Jabba the Hut--ironic, yes?]
Anna to Timothy: I think that when we are grown-ups and we drink milk, it goes in here [pointing to chest].
Anna to Erin: Right?
Erin: Well, sort of. My body uses the food that I eat to make milk for Shirley Jean.
Anna: Why?
Erin: Because that's how God created us to take care of our babies.
Anna: I used to suck on my mom's breast.
Erin: Yep--we all did.
Anna: Did they have to cut Shirley out of your tummy?
Erin: Anna, can you go into the kitchen and get me my coffee off the counter, then can you go into Shirley's room and get me her pacifier, and then can you put your socks back on?
Anna: Sure!
Erin: [Relieved.]

VBS Wrap Up

Yesterday I had the pleasure of washing my boys hands with vanilla water and tellilng each one that "Jesus gives you the sweet promise of heaven."
Following that, two of our boys asked Jesus into their hearts.
It totally made my exhaustion worth it!
When I started to tear up because of the emotion of the day, the boys said, "Mrs. D, what's wrong? What's the matter?" I said, "Sometimes Jesus just makes you so happy that you can't help but cry."
It was a very good week.
















Since I don't have permission from any of my kiddos parents to post their photos, here is a photo of SJ and me enjoying our picnic lunch after the big wrap up.

9-12

Today on the way home from VBS I realized that it's only three hours long.
THREE! HOURS!
WHUUUUUUUTTTT?
Until this morning, I sincerely thought it was more like 6 hours long.

Please don't get me wrong--I'm having a great time. I am in LOVE with my boys (who can either sing or dance, but not both--oh, my heart! They try SO hard.).
They have spent the week trying to pronounce my last name, and today one of them asked me if he could be my Mr. Dayvooshavoosh. I told him I didn't think my husband would appreciate that and he said, "You're married??!!" He then proceeded to hold my hand for the rest of the morning. Does it get any cuter than that? (Carla says I only need to worry if he brings a ring tomorrow. Haha!)
Finally, I said, "I should have just told you all that my name was Mrs. SMITH!" That got a laugh. : )
Oh, I'm happy. And tired. And happy.

Nomoretalking.

Shh.
Mommy's tiiiiired.
Day one at VBS was a huge success.
Here is what we did:
Sit on your line.
Stand on your line.
Sit on your line.
Stand on your line.
Sit on your--
just kidding! Stand up!
Here's some...GLITTER!!!
Now, RUNAROUNDOUTSIDE!
Run!
Don'ttriponyourcrocs!
Didyoutrip?
Doyouneedabandaid?
Nonononodon'tcry!
SNAAAAAACK!
JesusJesusGodPowerJesus!
Jesus.
Thankful!
Jesusgivesusthepowertobethankful!
AAAHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!
Sit down.
Stand up.
Sit.
Stand.
Sit.
Stand.
Dance!
Sit.
Stand.
Go home.

Bring Mommy a margarita.