Helping Families to Connect and Thrive

Advent Activities Day 17– Christmas Trees for the Birds

12.17.19

In the past we’ve made birdseed ornaments using cookie cutters, but this year we found a great idea for making little Christmas tree bird feeders and gave it a try! They were surprisingly easy and look absolutely adorable! We had such a wonderful evening making these bird feeders with sweet new friends, and will definitely make them again next year!

Supplies Needed:

sugar cones
creamy peanut butter
cheerios
birdseed
scissors
twine (for hanging the tree)
cookie sheet (it’s so helpful for keeping the mess contained in one small place)
butter knife

To make the Christmas tree bird feeders:

Cut a 12” piece of twine and make it a loop with a large knot at the end (this will be the handle).
Cut (or nibble) the tip off of a cone so there is a small hole to thread the twine loop through (it will stop at the knot), giving you a handle to hang your finished ornament. You definitely want to do this BEFORE the peanut butter stage!
Slather the cone in a smooth layer of peanut butter. Make sure the layer is thick enough that you cannot see the cone.
Stick cheerio “ornaments” all over the tree by pressing them into the peanut butter.
Roll the entire cone in a small pile of birdseed, patting gently to ensure the seeds stick.
Set out to dry for a day or so, and then find a branch to hang it or package it up as a gift!

Advent Activities Day 16– Peacock Lane Lights

12.16.19

We just love getting out and admiring all the twinkly lights during the holiday season, don’t you?! We feel so fortunate to live within walking distance of Peacock Lane, and we’re thrilled that the weather was perfect on pedestrian night!

“I-ya, hold a hand?”
Cole is keeping us thoroughly entertained with all the things he has to say these days, but this sweet request to hold Isla’s hand is definitely one of our favorites!

Per tradition, we first walked to Starbucks to pick up some peppermint hot chocolate. We arrived at 6:32pm, only to discover they had closed at 6:30pm. So, that provided us with the “fun” opportunity to talk with Isla about working through life’s little disappointments and not letting them spoil our fun… We’re proud to say our girl rallied, and despite missing the peppermint cocoa, we shared a wonderful, sparkly evening together!

The only thing better than looking at the lights this season is looking at them looking at the lights!

Advent Activities Day 15– Dinner by the Christmas Tree

12.15.19

Dinner by the tree is one of our favorite simple advent activities! It’s perfect for a day when you don’t have much time, or like us, you’ve been going non-stop and are looking for a low-key (yet festive) way to spend time together at home. Keep the meal simple (last year we ordered take out!), make sure you have plenty of napkins because your children will spill, and enjoy the twinkly lights as you dine!

The Nutcracker– Isla’s First Ice Skating Performance

12.15.19

The Nutcracker was the first formal show Isla has participated in, and I feel like it may have been just as big of a milestone for me as a mom as it was for her as the performer! One of the most distinct memories I have came from my first year of teaching when I watched my students sing their little hearts out during a holiday concert. Sitting there in the school auditorium, I was suddenly overcome with the realization that one day I would (hopefully) be watching my own child perform. Tears welled up in my eyes as I imagined how incredible it would be to see him or her bravely stand up in front of an audience and share something they had worked hard to learn. This was 6 years before Isla came into our lives. I had no idea who our children would be, but I was already dreaming of the joy I would feel watching their milestones and achievements.

Isla has been such a little performer her whole life, and she has dreamed of taking part in a play or recital for years. The second I learned about the Nutcracker show at Isla’s ice skating rink I knew she would want to be part of it. She attended rehearsals after her regular skating lessons for the past two months and worked hard to memorize her routine.

When the day of the performance came and our little ornament skated bravely onto the ice, my heart felt like it was going to explode! Isla was absolutely beaming and did such a wonderful job! I managed to hold back most of my proud mom tears, and I couldn’t help but think back to that moment in my school’s auditorium when I first imagined how amazing it would be to watch my own child perform. It was every bit as magical as I dreamed it would be, if not more!

So many loved ones came to show their support (here are just a few), which meant the world to us all!

After the performance, my mom hosted a luncheon— Nutcracker themed, of course— and it was the perfect way to celebrate our little ice skater’s big milestone!

Advent Activities Day 14– Festive Milkshakes

12.14.19

We came up with some festive holiday milkshakes– because there aren’t enough decadent treats around this time of year, right?! We enjoyed dinner with friends and made peppermint shakes (with extra crushed candy canes) for the kiddos and boozy mudslide eggnog shakes for the adults.

To make the boozy eggnog shakes, blend eggnog ice cream, eggnog, a splash of vodka, and a generous splash of Kahlua. Top with whipped cream and a cherry. You will LOVE this cup of cheer!!!