The Toy Box

A couple months back I wrote a post about Ben and Penny fascination with the tubberware cabinet.  While they still climb in and play in there from time to time especially when I make dinner.  They have found a fun new place to climb into.

The Toy Box!  I love it!!

Christmas Toddler Activity 3: Watching the Grinch

Here we are with the 3rd installment of my Christmas Series.  This one is a family tradition we are starting this year.  The day we put up the the tree and all the decorations, we eat a cozy dinner and settle in for How the Grinch Stole Christmas.  Ben and Penny are still a little young to sit down and watch a whole movie, but the Grinch is short and colorful and has great music, so I though we would give it a go.  They watched some of it and played through some of it, but they definitely appreciated the musical Who's and Penny often Barked at Max the dog.  So I think this will be a great tradition to carry on through out the years.  A classic movie that definitely brings in the holiday cheer!

Watching the Movie cuddled up with Daddy

Christmas Toddler Activity 2: Nativity Play Time

Continuing my Christmas Toddler Activity Series I am bringing you my second activity.  When planning activities it doesn't have to be complex and fancy for toddler to be amazed by it.  This activity was super simple.

Christmas Toddler Activity 2: Playing with the Nativity

We have the cutest Fisher-Price Nativity set.  I love it!  I remember playing with the nativity set when I was little at my grandmas house, so I knew I wanted a kid friend nativity for them to play with and learn about.

We talked about Baby Jesus and Mary and Joseph.  They may not have understood the story, but they definitely like playing with Baby Jesus.  It was fun to see them play with the nativity.  I have so many fond memories of playing with the one at my grandma's house.  If you are looking for a kids friendly nativity set this Fisher-Price one is great!  I can't wait to see where else the holidays take up!

Don't forget to check out the rest of our Christmas Activities
Toddler Christmas Activity 1: Exploring Decorations

Toddler Christmas Activity 5: Christmas Library Books
Toddler Christmas Activity 6: Stacking Christmas Trees

Toddler Christmas Activity 1: Exploring Decorations

So I have decided that between now and Christmas I am going to complete 25 Toddler Christmas activities... slightly worried I'm crazy, but I think it should be fun if I keep it simple.

So with out further delay here is the first one

Toddler Christmas Activity Number 1: Exploring decorations.
Will and I put up most of the decorations at nap time.  We kept decorations simple and put them up high.  You can see our game plan on decorating with toddlers HERE if you would like.  When Ben and Penny woke up from their nap, they were mesmerized by all the lights.

Seeing their faces light up with wonder at the lights and all the decorations was so special.  It won't be long until things like that do not impress them much.  Watching them stare at the decorations with Christmas music in the back ground really filled my with the Christmas spirit.  The wonder in their eyes is what this season is all about.  I can't wait to do more holiday inspired activities with them.

Check out all the activities!
Toddler Christmas Activity 2: Playing with the Nativity
Toddler Christmas Activity 3: Watching the Grinch
Toddler Christmas Activity 4: Christmas Cards
Toddler Christmas Activity 5: Christmas Library Books
Toddler Christmas Activity 6: Stacking Christmas Trees

Decorating fort the Holidays with Toddlers

Decorating for Christmas is a tradition Will and I have always loved.  We bought out tree the year we got married and have loved putting it up every year.  We have all kinds of special ornaments and I love nothing more than watching Christmas movies by the light of the Christmas tree.  In fact, we found out we were pregnant the night we were putting the tree up two years ago.  Last year we had everything normal.  I have two 5 month olds, so they just kind of laid around and looked at the tree and the pretty lights.

This year I have 2 16 month olds.  Life is DEFINITELY different.  We live in an apartment, so there is really only one spot for the tree.  That just happens to be right where all the toys are.  I had been thinking long and hard about the Christmas tree.  I just couldn't stand the thought of not putting one up.  I also couldn't fathom trying to keep the babies from messing with it constantly.  As if the cat wasn't bad enough, toss in two toddlers and I would be redecorating the treat everyday and I'm sure we would have had a few ornament casualties.

So this year we decided to scale it back and move everything up high.

We still have tree, but we got a little one and put it up high.  It's small, a bit of a Charlie Brown Christmas tree, but it will do for this year.

As for Stocking and the rest of the decorations we put them up high on a bookshelf.

So maybe next year we will be back up to our normal decorating.  But this year, with two toddlers, this is just perfect for us.

Why I am not such a fan of Black Friday

Every Saturday after Black Friday you get to wake up and watch the new of people acting like crazy people.  This year people were literally biting and clawing to get the deals.  I heard about fist fights over parking spaces.  This is after the day we are supposed to be thankful for what we have, so we spend it fighting for things we want.  Where is the holiday spirit in all of this?

I am not saying people should not go out and shop and have a fun tradition.  That's great!  I don't like it, but I hate shopping on days when the store isn't crowded.  So toss in a big crowd and shopping.... not my thing.  I get that it is for some people and I think that is great.  Lots of fun family traditions include Black Friday shopping and I that can be special.

What I don't like or understand is the people who camp out for days.  Seriously?  Is the cheap flat screen TV really more important than a holiday with your family?  I am also clearly not a fan of those people who go crazy and run and claw and have no respect for those around them.  But the biggest bone I have to pick this year is that stores are opening on Thanksgiving.  We should all be home with our families being thankful for the blessed life most of us lead, not out shopping for new stuff.  Also I think about those poor people who have to work at the stores who would much rather be home with their families.  I've had jobs in the past where I have had to work holidays and it is not fun.  So we are making entire superstores have most of their employees on hand so people can save on laptops and ipods.  It just isn't what the holidays are about.  The message of thankfulness and joy are gone and replaced by intense consumerism.

Like I said, Black Friday traditions are great, but let's keep them on Friday!  And let's remember to act with class and respect people!

And for the I am Truly Thankful

There are so many things I am thankful for.  I have a truly blessed life.  I have always had everything I needed and always been surrounded by a wonderful supportive family and I am even more grateful for that know that I have my own family.

So I am thankful for the roof over my head that is made into a home by the little hearts who live inside.
I am thankful for the food we eat that is made into a delicious meal by the little mouths that share it.
I am thankful for the clothes on my back that less important than cute clothes on the little ones backs.
I am thankful for my health that makes it possible for me to keep up with the little demands on my time.

With everything I have to be thankful for I am truly thankful for those around me I have to share this special holiday with. I have an amazing family, and for that I am truly thankful!

Happy Thankksgiving

from our family to ours!