Jingle Bell Time

There are so many fun things happening around the Christmas Holiday and so many fun things to do that I can hardly contain myself. Here are just a few things that we have done in the last two weeks to celebrate the holiday.

Yes!! I just love those beautiful bags of delicious donuts. Oh yea and all the million lights are pretty too. Did we ever find out how many lights there actually displayed at the Warm Beach Lights of Christmas? I don`t know but if you ever have a chance to go, wear lots of warm clothes, rubber boots (I made that mistake and my new shoes were covered in mud), and make sure to stop at the donut hut. Did I mention the donuts? Yep we got to watch those fresh donuts roll right of the belt then get covered with cinnamon & sugar. Yummy!! We also rode the train which was a long wait but lots of fun. 

On December 1st, Shawn and I kept up with our new tradition of getting together for a holiday cup of joe at Starbucks. We also went Christmas shopping with Nana & Papa. I just love going shopping in Seattle during the Christmas season and seeing all the Christmas displays. We were suppose to ride the new Ferris Wheel (my idea) but everyone else was too chicken so I took pictures of it (maybe one day someone will ride it with me). I also wanted to go to the Alderwood Mall to see the new Lego store & American Girl store (a lady in line made a funny comment that the American Girl dolls were made in China). I love the Lego store!!

After Christmas shopping, the next day we decorated our tree, wrapped presents, and wrote out our Christmas cards. We decided to get a little live Christmas tree this year because we will be at the Anderbergs for Christmas Eve & Christmas this year. We also decided to make it an Advent tree with candy canes that we take off each day until Christmas. 

The Elf on a Shelf has arrived at our childcare site and we have named him, Bernard. Santa sent him to keep an eye on all the boys & girls and to see who is being naughty or nice. He has helped to remind the kids to be on their best behavior. Of course, Bernard the Elf has gotten into a little mischief of his own. He was found taking the Barbie car out for a joy ride, making candy sprinkle angels, spelling messages with our M&M candies, and hitching rides on our childcare buses. He quite a character!!

I love Christmas and that its full of silly Santa hats, cute craft projects & yummy desserts. This week we have been having lots of fun at the childcare site making lots & lots of paper snowflakes and decorating our site for Christmas. We also made Rudolph the reindeer cocoa, popsicle stick snowmen, & candycane dip. 

Candycane Dip

1 Tub of Whipped Cream

2 Boxes of Soft Mint Candy Sticks

1 Box of Nilla Wafers

With a rolling pin or hammer (we had neither so we used a can of tomato sauce), crush the soft mint candy sticks. Put the crushed mint candy into the whipped cream tub and mix. Surprise!! You have Candycane Dip. Now use your Nilla Wafers to eat the dip and enjoy. Also while you prepare this dip, its always better to be eating a candcane at the same time.

It Snowed!! Today We woke up with snow on the ground. I am so happy and hoping God sends us more...enough to cover the roads so I don`t have to go to work. We were very surprised to see it since we still have roses blooming and hummingbirds buzzing around.

These beautiful snowflakes are just a friendly reminder of what Christmas is truly about and how blessed we are to have a Great Creator.