another Christmas countdown...

We've had so much fun with this already! This is another printable, this time from our friend Claudine. It's a cute little cut-and-fold paper train. Claudine gave me the great idea to make 24 boxes and make it into an advent train. There are all sorts of treasures in those boxes, from pencil toppers to chocolate coins. I put the numbers on randomly after I filled the boxes so it's a surprise to me each day, too! I think this one is Alfredo's favorite.

not a creature was stirring...

We have 4 different countdowns going at once for the big day. What can I say...I love 'em! This one is a new favorite...

 

It's a printable, found here.

 

Here's the idea: You put little two-sided mice cut-outs into their little bed...as each day passes, one by one, you flip the mice over, put them to bed. Get it? "Not a creature was stirring"

 

There's a tab at the bottom of each mouse where you can include a message. I wrote a different fun Christmas activity for us to do each day.

 

 

Some of the activities include drawing Christmas pictures together, decorating our little room for Christmas, going to see Santa, driving to see the Christmas lights, and making fudge, cookies, etc.

 

Isn't it adorable?

house of joy class

I had such a great time making this house in the class Pam and Eileen taught together on Saturday. The house is from a die that Eileen designed for Sizzix. (Unfortunately, the die has been discontinued but it can probably still be found out there somewhere. Sizzix is constantly adding new products to their lines so older designs are frequently discontinued.) I love Eileen's style and can't wait to see what she has up her sleeve in the way of new designs.

 



Pam's part of the class was to help us embrace our own handwriting, in doodle form, and add that to our house. Truth be told, going into the class, I was certain that I would not be writing on my house. (I really don't like my handwriting.) But with Pam's guidance and gentle encouragement, I was soon getting the hang of it. And I liked what I did! As Pam says, practice, practice, practice! I'll keep at it and make my doodle script even better. If you ever have a chance to take a class with Pam, I really encourage you to do so.  Eileen, too! In fact, I'll probably see you there!