Tuesday, December 2, 2014

hugging trees....

Happy December dear friends!  I have been enjoying seeing the season come to life on your blogs!  Boy you are a talented group!!  

The act of doing is my motto for December.  My little beans have started pulling their activity cards out of their Advent sacks every night.  They look forward to this as do I.  It makes Christmas sweet!



December Advent Activities for 2014....


 Illumination at the Morton Arboretum  If you live in the Chicagoland area you need to visit the Morton Arboretum to see this light show!  We were hugging trees to watch the colors change, turning cranks to change the lights of vignettes, enjoying music set to dancing lights through the pines....it was a feast for the eyes!  



{via-Morton Arboretum}


Santa Parade-Our town puts on an annual Christmas parade and this year my best pal and her family came along with us!




1.  Ornament making-I have a few of these planned for the month.  These were just little dollar ornaments that you fill with beads and bake.  A great one for little hands.




2.  Letters to Santa-An easy one....we did this tonight.  I laid out paper, stamps and other decorative bits.  The beans took it from there.  We helped them list a few items for Santa and then stuffed them in envelopes for mailing!




3.  Make Christmas play dough-we use Christmas cookie cutters with our play dough
4. Assemble our teacher gifts-this year we will be making these potpourri jars

{via-TheCraftingChicks.com}

5.  Library stop for holiday books, CDs, and Movies
6.  Cookie making with Grammy and Gramps
7.  Naper Lights at the Napersettlement
8.  Christmas movie and hot coco by the fire
9.  Make our own holiday memory game
10.  Play holiday memory by candle light
11.  Cookie making with mom
12.  School Musical
13.  Lego Train Show

{via-Cantigny}

14.  Night drive to see Christmas lights around town
15.  Christmas sticker books
16.  Dinner and Santa
17.  Work on Grandparent gifts-we'll be making popsicle stick picture frames
18.  Deliver neighbor gifts
19.  Deliver gifts to our church
20.  Make these for our outdoor friends-
{via-GreenishThumb}

21.  Make gingerbread houses with family
22.  Night time walk with flashlights
23.  Wrapping night!
24.  Mass & Christmas Eve Party
25.  Christmas!!!


A little bit of doings over here.....what are you working on?
Wishing everyone a wonderful week of creating!



53 comments:

  1. So pretty activity ideas!!we have also made our activity advents calendar and I must admit we have lots in common!:)

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  2. Absolutely love your list. The Light show and Santa Parade would have been a feast for your beans eyes. Love the potpourri idea, very cool. I will be pinching a few ideas off your list. It is great seeing you all wrapped up when we are in shorts and t-shirts! Have a beautiful week lovely xoxo

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  3. Wow those lights in the Arboretum look amazing, I wouldn't mind being part of your household for all that Christmas fun on your list. Happy December my friend.

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  4. Wow it sounds like you are having a really busy fun time this Christmas season and those first pictures of the trees lit up look beautiful - I bet the beans loved it.

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  5. colours like in a fairy-tale, beautiful!

    I am having busy with taking care of my old relatives, so I have not yet have any time to think Christmas. Hopefully soon...

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  6. WOW! I thought I was busy. Looks like fun, specially #6.

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  7. Oh Nicole, just like with your summer activity list I wish I could come and join in! You sure have some fun things planned and the light show at the Arboretum looks like it was beautiful! I'm trying to capture all the little merry and bright moments as they happen this month so I can look navk and treasure them! When you mentioned that your motto for this month is the act of doing it reminded me of a quote... love is a doing word, love is a verb, which I think is a beautiful way to think of it! Happy December my friend! x

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  8. These are such wonderful activities. I have to tell you that when I saw the photo of the ornament-making, I think my heart skipped a beat! I haven't seen those in so long but I remember making one when I was little and I actually still have it. It's at least 30 years old. How funny, I don't think I knew you could still get them but now I have to see if I can get some for my kids because they would love them. I think they were called "Make it and Bake it" when we were kids. How funny, you totally jogged my memory!

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  9. I am captured by the lightshow at the Arboretum, must have been wonderful to enjoy with friends and children. An what about your to do list, an amazing lot of fun and pleasure that will give with the beans.
    Wish you all Happy days together!

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  10. I absolutely love your list of activities.

    You are such a great mom!

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  11. What a great list! I am only planning a week ahead at a time this year. I always find myself having to switch activities :)

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  12. Those colour trees are amazing, I bet the little beans absolutely loved it! What great activities you have lined up. The potpourri jar is such a good idea, you've inspired me to make some up too! Take care Xx

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  13. Uno dei periodi più belli dell'anno! Ahh con il treno dei lego ci ho giocato anni! Che tempi :)

    Un saluto :D

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  14. What a fun Christmas you have planned! I was going to buy potpourri but now I think I will look into making it instead - that is very cool. Kids love Christmas lights so I am sure they are having a time too. We are making new traditions this year but I am hoping to hold on to some of the old ones like going to see zoo lights. It is just going to take a lot more planning and a lot more driving. I hope you have a great day!

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  15. Hi Nicole,

    Busy busy! for you and your dear family. The light show in the trees must have been great.
    Only seems the other day my children were writing to Santa and making ornaments and decorations. Enjoy the special time with your sweet children. The Potpourri for the teachers looks like a great gift.
    Hope you are enjoying the week
    hugs
    Carolyn

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  16. What wonderful ideas for you and the beans to enjoy!! I hope that you all have fun doing these different activities together in your preparations for Christmas! xx

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  17. It's so nice to see how you and your family are enjoying the holiday season in Chicago. There's just something magical about the time around holidays and I bet this must be such a happy time for your beans and you! You definitely know how to turn up the creativity and have fun with the holidays Nicole. I'm hoping to find some time to go out to photograph some of the holiday windows in NYC to share.

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  18. What a fun December you have planned for your family! The beans must be so excited! Christmas is so magical when seen through the eyes of children! I love the potpourri in a jar - the teachers are going to love this! <3 A merry, magical season to you, Nicole! Hugs xo Karen

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  19. How wonderful it looks like you all have been making the most of the season, what a great idea i'm now going to make a list with master M of things we want to do.

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  20. Oh wow, the pictures you took at the Arboretum are amazing!! What beautiful colours and what a great place! I love your Advent activity ...activity, that's such a great idea.. You are so smart!! So many fun things to do. I love your potpourri in a jar and the treats for our feathered friends. My neighbour Shannon and her kids are coming over to make cookies, I am excited!! Making cookies is the best, I got the sprinkles and the M&M s and cookie cutters, it will be fun. Have a great week friend!

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  21. It all sounds wonderful and very busy. I'm jotting down some of the activities to do with my grandson when we visit for Christmas.

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  22. What a special time of the year for you and your family and friends! I enjoyed reading this and enjoyed the photos very much.

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  23. Hi Nicole, happy December to you and your family. What a busy months and great activities you have. Have fun...! :)

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  24. I've always thought the Doing advent would be so fun. But then I think, crap, what if i don't feel like doing whatever it is that day? HA! You're creating awesome memories. That light show looked amazing.

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  25. Very inspiring post Nicole! Wishing you and your family many more wonderful and happy December days:)

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  26. What a busy start to the Christmas season. I love making things with the little ones too. Those photos of the trees are amazing. I will keep popping in for a Christmas drink to see how you are getting on with that list of merriment! Jo x

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  27. WOW!!! These are such great Advent activities! Your beans are so lucky to have such a thoughtful and creative mom!! You all will have a great time making wonderful memories! Keep us posted on their favorite activities. Although I've finished up (and delivered!) the calendars for our extended family, new ideas are always inspiring. Enjoy your week, my friend!!

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  28. Happy December-what a fun filled month you have planned-sounds like loads of fun

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  29. you are so creative. such a fun way to fill the month! hope you have a great week, Nicole :)

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  30. Hi Nicole! It looks like your December is off to a wonderful start :) This time of the year is simply beautiful! I have been baking cookies and decorating the home this week and I am enjoying every moment of it.

    Hugs to you!

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  31. such fun activities! and oh my goodness - i bet those letters to santa are super adorable :) i love how little kids minds work! so innocent and creative at the same time. jolly times to you!!

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  32. Sounds absolutely perfect! As the years go by, you'll grow to treasure those little handmade ornaments. I have some that are over 20 years old made by Jen and Charlie . . . and each year I hang them on the tree ~ comes a flood of wonderful memories.

    Have a wonderful week (and weekend, which is almost here ~ who-hoo!!!)

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  33. Gosh this all sounds so delightful and looks it too! Love your advent list and love that you are keeping up and enjoying it! Hope you have a lovely weekend filled with more activities xxx

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  34. Wow Nicole you certainly have so many great activities planned. Our nieces live so far away that we only see them every so many years. I used to make cookies with them on Christmas Eve. We visited family in AZ and just got home so decorating this weekend...can't wait!

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  35. You sure are organized. I love that you do a little something special everyday.
    Hugs,
    Meredith

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  36. You have such wonderful activities planned for your little beans. I look forward to reading about them. I hope you all have a fun filled couple of weeks leading up to the big day.

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  37. Oh my gosh!! You have it all wrapped up Nicole! Love this idea of activities in the advent calendar ... so much more fun to look forward to DOING something rather than just eat a chocolate (which I didn't see on your list, tsk tsk!). We used to do many of these same things when our kids were small. One memorable drive to the country to see a particular famous neighbourhood where people try to outdo each other with the lights etc. We first couldn't find anywhere to eat (all closed), and ate pizza in the cold van; then got lost in the dark country roads; the kids both fell asleep (they were in their pjs), and the whole evening seemed to crash ... of course it's the only late night drive to see lights we remember so well ;) I love making gingerbread houses each year (even now), so that is about all that's on my list. Christmas shopping starts tomorrow with my little family travelling into Toronto (daughter home around lunchtime today!!). Have fun my friend, and spoil those little guys with all this Christmas fun! Wendy x

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  38. Nic, your spirit shines through your advent list. I love everything. single. activity. you are doing. I think I will use your list for my girls! SO fun, creative, thoughtful, heartwarming! Beautiful dearie! xoxoxo Jen

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  39. Wow all those activity sound fun!! But sadly, we got nothing but work here, 7 days a week. We are not complaining because we know the work can stop anytime...I am not decorating or shopping, just working.
    Maybe next year.....

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  40. Great post. I remember making ornaments with my kids, especially making stars out of strips of colored paper, then dipping them in hot wax and sprinkling with glitter. Having the kids make homemade Christmas gifts for the grandparents is also an excellent idea, gives them a healthier understanding of what gift giving is supposed to be.

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  41. The trees looks beautiful with lights and such wonderful activities to carry on this month.. i'm sure you'll have fun doing everything in the list. Hugs :)

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  42. Such a fun list! I used to love those little ornaments that you put in the oven when I was a kid; I'm not sure I've ever done them with my kids--we'll have to do that!

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  43. Oh I really want to visit the Arboretum! They say the lights at the Lincoln Park zoo are spectacular too! Have to wait a little bit long until the grandson is old enough. Your list looks a lot like the things I did with my kiddos when they were small. Have fun enjoying this holiday season with those beans! Nothing is better than seeing it through their eyes! Have a great weekend!

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  44. I remember doing so many things with my children and they talk about it all the time.. was so involved.. Its great to look back.. looks like you all were having a great time together as it should be.. Enjoy with love Janice

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  45. Wow I wish I could take my family to the Arboretum, amazing! I love your list of activities, super fun! I need to pin this so we can do some of them!! Happy Christmas Season Nicole!!

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  46. Christmas light looking would have to be my favourite thing. Memories of eating dinner as a child, then hoping into the car in our PJs and staying up later than usual on a light tour. We still try to go looking every year, except now I don't go out in my pj's! And last year we packed a cold picnic dinner to enjoy in the car whilst touring around. Except last year it also rained (December is the start of our wet season), which made looking at the lights a little trickier!

    Sarah x

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  47. Sounds like you are going to be making lots of great memories this Christmas Nicole. I still have the ornaments that my grownup son make all those years ago.

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  48. such a great list. gosh, with so much going on it's no wonder december flies by!
    xo,
    nancy

    http://www.adoretoadorn.com

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  49. What creativity, Nicole, 'a little bit of doings' doesn't start to describe it! I've never seen bake in the oven ornaments other than baked orange rings, biscuits or dough shapes. You are making wonderful memories.

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  50. Sounds like so much fun! What a great way to countdown to Christmas. You're such a great mum, Nicole

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  51. When my kids were little we had a quilted advent tree my sister-in-law had made me. Each day held a piece of paper that had a Christmas activity for the day. It was so fun. Enjoy them while they still believe in the magic. Cheers, Beckie

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