Toddler Christmas Calendar Actvities

I am SO, SO, SO excited for Christmas this year! It's true that the holidays are much more magical when you have a little one. Seeing Sally experience everything is so exciting. This year I feel like she is really excited about all of the fun activities we have planned. 

I am doing a homemade advent calendar. Each day will have a fun craft or activity for us to do along with a little gift. We will also be starting the marvelous Elf on the Shelf and unwrapping one book a night to read. This may be going overboard/stressful but I can't help it! I love doing it all!

It took me a while but I finally made up a plan for us and wanted to share in case anyone needs ideas. I tried to include links and pictures. 

1. Make Christmas play-doh, make pretend cookies with play-doh and beads/play with Little People Nativity

2. Watch Rudolph, wear antlers and make reindeer food

3. Make felt Christmas tree

4. Watch Grinch and make/eat Grinch kabobs

5. Paint Mistletoes

6. Watch Polar Express in pajamas and drink hot chocolate. Go to Starry Nights

7. Make Christmas Senses Book

8. Make a snow globe

9.Make wrapping paper

10. Write a letter to Santa

11. Go to Alpine Village and dance to Christmas music

12. Go to bookstore and get a new book

{As a former teacher, we have quite the collection of Christmas books, so I am going to do some research on some new ones that we may need.}

13. Watch the local holiday parade and go to Zoo Lights

14. Gingerbread House Party with cousins

15. 

16. Make bird feeder

17. Make ornament

18. Bring treats to school for classmates and teachers

19. Salt Dough Handprint Ornaments

20. Have a snowman breakfast, watch Frosty and go to Christmas Party

21. Ugly Sweater Run with Mommy and Daddy, Get Elf pajamas and watch Elf

22. Make Christmas cookies with Mommy

23. Deliver cookies to neighbors wearing Santa hat

24. Go to Church, Read Twas Night Before Christmas and leave treats for Santa

25. Christmas breakfast!!

Five on Friday

It's time once again for Five on Friday. It was a crazy week....trying to get the house clean for Joe's parents, squeezing in some last minute turkey day projects and having family time. Busy but oh so fun! 

{one}

In true "Sarah" form, our dining room looked great...even though no one was eating in it. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving!! Of course...pictures are minimal. I really struggle with just enjoying the moment and not having pictures or being that crazy girl taking pictures of everything.

We woke up and I made the infamous cinnamon roll turkeys that you have probably seen on Pinterest. I think they turned out so cute! I served them with fresh berries and we watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade while watching them :)

I also made my amazing Salted Caramel Chocolate Pecan Pie. This was in Southern Living....maybe last year. I made it for the holidays last year and everyone raved about it. It's pretty awesome! Find the recipe here. My one special tip would be to take the time to arrange the pecans on top. It just looks so pretty.

Here is my little turkey all dressed up. Thank you Meredith for the cute outfit!

I set up a little kids table that turned out pretty cute. I used a set of free printables that I found on Pinterest. Each place setting had a coloring sheet, plate, turkey toes, a glass bottle with paper straw and a little boat with pumpkin shaped pretzels inside. I also put out a jar of crayons and a cute little pumpkin.

I think Sally and Carol Hannah liked having their own little table to sit at :) I think a kids table should be at every family function here on out...time to start planning Christmas!

{two}

Earlier in the week, we made fingerprint tukeys. This was a process. I got a pack of four mini canvases at Michaels using a coupon. I think these are 2 inches. I used Sally's thumb to do the brown turkey body. We let that part dry and then used her pointer finger in yellow, orange and red...drying between each color. I used a fine line sharpie to draw on the legs and year. I glued googly eyes and a cardstock beak. I think they turned out pretty cute. Sally couldn't wait to present them to the grandparents. 

{three}

I'm pretty sure I need this doormat...like yesterday. I am a major Home Alone fan!

{four}

On Friday morning, I decided I did NOT need to wake up and shop. I slept in until 8:45 and then drug myself to 90 minute Zumba at the gym. I did stop by Old Navy and Bath and Body Works after ;)

{five}

One of our Christmas activities this month is participating in the Ugly Sweater Run. 

I really wanted us to wear some fun outfits, so I got a family set of Elf pajamas. After Joe and I tried ours on, we decided they may not be the best things to run in. We decided to keep Sally's though. She will get them when we have a family viewing of Elf. 

So now, I am trying to figure out a costume for Joe and I. Yes, we could just do ugly sweaters, but I really want an excuse to buy one of these. 

Five On Friday

Happy Friday Y'all!

 Hubby and I have a babysitter tonight and we are headed out to dinner and to see the new Hunger Games. I am so excited to spend quality time with him. He works so hard!!

{one}

Sally and I have been having so much fun in the kitchen lately. I love teaching her how to cook and she is a good helper!

We made honeycrisp apple bread for her teachers, 

blueberry buckle muffins (inside the boxes),

and a fruit turkey for her to bring to school for her Thanksgiving feast!

{two}

We have been busy getting ready for Thanksgiving. Sally and I made a "Thankful Tree". She told me all the usual things (as I talked her through it) and she also is thankful for teeth and horses ;)

{three}

I am so ready to put my Christmas decorations up but I am being good and giving Thanksgiving it's special time. 

The table is decorated.

So is the mantle. 

The buffet in the dining room is looking festive.

I love this banner that a former students mother made me. I bring it out every Thanksgiving.

I made Sally a turkey shirt using fabric scraps and heat bond. It wasnt totally finished in this picture. I also added button eyes, ric rac legs and a beak.

Sally has been loving the leaves falling and playing in them.

{four}

I am still getting sneaks of our pictures we had taken a few weeks ago. Love this one!

{five}

I love this free printable but its only free for a few more hours and then it will be available in her etsy shop. Go here to download yours. 

We had a Mommy/Sally date yesterday to get doughnuts and visit the Childrens Museum. We had so much fun. When we got home, she asked to watch Elf. My work here is done :)

Everyone have a safe weekend! I will be sharing all of my advent calendar ideas/gifts/activities later this week along with our Elf on the Shelf schedule. Check back!