Xmas Advent Calendar

Traditions mean a lot to me. I wanted to start creating some for the kids. Naturally I wasnt going to buy one from the store, just another opportunity for me to be extra crafty. I got the idea from Martha Stewart. Its pretty easy, just a little time consuming.

First you will need to choose 25 different activities for the month of December.

Here is what I chose.

1. Make Homemade play dough (Red of course)

2. Make a decoration for the front door

3. Coloring night (Each year color one page in the same Xmas coloring book and date it)

4. Write letter to Santa

5. Make paper snowflakes

6. Make a hand print Xmas tree

7. Watch a Xmas movies together

8. Xmas tree Sugar Cookies

9. Make a donation

10. Put candy canes on the tree 

11. Xmas pedicures with sparkling apple cider

12. Bubble bath with Xmas light strung around the bathroom

13. Make a new ornament for the tree

14. Read a Xmas book together

15. Do a Xmas photo shoot

16. Make crock pot cinnamon almonds

17. Make a gift for the teacher

18. Make Xmas hair accessory

19. Make peanut butter - birdseed - pine cones

20. Play a game together

21. Make Ornaments for Grandparents

22. Make dog treats for Lycan

23. Xmas music dance party

24. Make peanut butter reindeer cookies

25. Give and receive. Be thankful

Next I made 25 mini stockings out of different fabrics

When those are done, gather 25 peices of string

Cut a hole into the top back corner of each stocking and tie string around it

I chose to hang my stockings on a large branch...then stuff each stocking with a rolled up paper with the activity written on it.... Its easier if you choose what days the activities go on specifically. Some are just better to do on Saturdays and Sundays.

 Not even close to Martha Stewarts.. buuuut its good enough :)

DIY Winter branch decoration

I had the idea from several different things I saw on Pinterest and just made my own thing.

 The stars hanging from the branches are made from old book pages. You can get the tutorial here

Fun Thaksgiving craft

Dakota and I decided to think about all the things she is thankful for this year. Of course coming from a 5 year old, you get answers like candy and toys haha. Regardless it was a fun project.

I traced feather shapes onto paper (all out of construction paper) and had her color them in. Meanwhile I used a small plastic cup and sew brown fabric around it. Next we went over all the things she was thankful for. Add two eyes and a beak.

It will be interesting to see how her answers will change over the years.

Autmn Leaf Crown

This is a fun craft. On the walk home from school one day I had Dakota pic all of the prettiest leaves she could find. 

Once we were home we took two sheets of paper and folded them the long way until we were satisfied with the width. Taped them together to perfectly fit around her head. Then used a hot glue gun to glue the leaves around the paper.

Baby Due Date Countdown

Dakota is super excited about her baby sister arriving. we decided to make a countdown for her room.Of course Im hoping she comes sooner.

 We used a baby footprint stamp (left over from the baby shower invites while I was pregnant with Dakota)

Crossing off another day :)