Today the kids read the book God Gave Us Christmas by Lisa T. Bergren.
Lisa Tawn Bergren writes amazing spiritual books for both adults and kids. Be sure to check out her latest book How Big is God, it will help you answer some of your little ones questions about God.
The children finished up their gifts for you as well today. They wrapped them up and made cards-- but no peeking until Christmas morning :)
Due to the rain, the children were not on the soggy yard today. During the time they would have normally been on the yard they were watching Christmas cartoons. Their snack was holiday cookies, we apologize in advance for their sugar high.
As promised in the last installment this week I'll give you some New Year's traditions that your family might want to try. Enjoy!
1. Have the kids record an end-of-the year talk show. Interview them to ask about their accomplishments from the past year.
2. Check out how they celebrate New Years in other locations around the world. Try out one of their traditions-- who knows, it might be one you keep from year to year.
3. Forecast the future. Ask each person in the family to write down a question they have about the coming year (What will be the top news story of the year? How many goals will Hayden make this year? etc.) Then have each person in the family write down an answer to the question. Seal these away until New Years 2010-- break them open and see who was closest!
4. Make January 1 a "Day of Firsts". Try a new food, style your hair a new way, go to a new park you've never been to. See how many firsts you can cram into one day!
5. Make a memory jar for 2009. Take an empty jar or box, a pad of paper, and pens and put them in a place that your family can easily access. During the course of 2009 write down any nice thing that happens (a new puppy, a good grade on a report card, Grandma coming to town) and the date. On New Year's Eve 2010 you can review all the nice things that happened during the year.
6. If you have little ones who can't wait up until midnight, why not celebrate at noon? Do the whole countdown and drop your own ball--- maybe a basketball or football! Then there's no pressure to stay up and everyone can stick to their bedtime schedule!
7. Make pancakes in the number shapes for the new year. How fun would it be to wake up on January 1st to 2009 pancakes?
8. On New Year's Eve have the family decorate a box and place it in a central place in your home. Throughout the year as you go to the movies, school programs, Disneyland etc. place a small memento from the occasion in your box. At the end of the year you will be able to relive all of the wonderful adventures your family has had.
No matter what you do, I hope you have a wonderfully safe holiday!!!!
