The Christmas Sweater

This past Thursday evening, I saw the encore performance of Glenn Beck's The Christmas Sweater.

For those who haven't heard of it, Glenn Beck wrote the book The Christmas Sweater a few years ago. I am not much of a reader, so I was really excited to hear that he would be showing a live performance of this book as well as share his personal stories and the stories of others who have been changed by the book.

I have to say this was the best "show" I've ever been to! It was truly amazing and so perfect for this time of the year. This is going to sound silly, but it was seriously life changing for me. I fought back tears during this very touching story of life, family and faith. I knew that if I started crying, I wouldn't be able to stop.

I don't want to ruin it for anyone, but I think everyone (regardless of your political thoughts of Glenn Beck) should read this book or hear the audio version. Unfortunately, the showing I saw at the movie theater was only on December 3rd and 10th. I'm hoping they will come out with the DVD of it soon.

I just found out that there is a children's version of this book, The Christmas Sweater: A Picture Book.


I found it at Sam's Club today for only $10 something. I can't wait to read it to Abby!

After seeing this awesome performance, I have decided to change some things in my life. The main thing is that I want to really take the time to enjoy every minute of this Christmas season with my family!

To do that, I am going to spend less time on the computer. This will be my last post for awhile. I'm not sure how long, but at least until after the New Year.

I will still be on the computer, as I do shopping and my banking online. I will be checking my email, so feel free to email me. I will also be periodically checking out your blog posts, because I love to get inspiration for homeschooling and craft ideas from you all.

Thanks again to the awesome readers I have and I hope everyone has the most wonderful Christmas season and a happy and healthy New Year!

Christmas Safety Tips

Did you know that every year over $500 million is caused in damages by human error over the holidays?

I didn't either, how scary!

Here's some great information and helpful tips from Seasonal Concepts, a local seasonal decor store:

Safety Information:

The National Fire Protection Agency estimates that between 2003-2006, U.S. fire departments responded on average to 240 home fires caused by Christmas trees each year. In addition to causing approximately $13.1 million in property damage annually, one of every 15 reported fires that began with a Christmas tree resulted in death.

Seasonal Concepts Ten Christmas Safety Tips

1. Safest home holiday investment is flame-retardant artificial tree. Not only can watering a real tree be a hassle, but water and wires do not mix. It only takes one little spark to ignite a real tree and destroy a family’s holiday and home.
2. Purchase a small Christmas tree just for the little ones. Adorned with soft, playful ornaments, a children’s tree will brighten a playroom or nursery without the risk of injuries caused by shattered keepsakes. An added bonus, you and your child will have fun decorating the little tree, together.
3. Real trees tend to drag in not only dirt and insects, but also allergens. Parents of young children are oftentimes unaware of tree-related allergies until the live tree is already in the home. Artificial trees are allergy-free so your little ones can enjoy holidays without the sniffles.
4. Consider the weight a tree when making a purchase. A lightweight tree is safer and can easily be moved from room to room.
5. Provide a solid foundation at the site of your holiday tree. Choose a flat, level surfaces and place trees a safe distance from a balcony edge.
6. A pre-lit tree will save more than just time by helping to prevent accidents caused by electrical outlets, extension cords, and live electric circuits. All the lights on Seasonal Concepts’ artificial pre-lit trees have Underwriters Laboratory approval.
7. If celebrating the holidays with children under the age of 4 and/or pets, consider an artificial tree. Even the healthiest live trees can shed needles, which is a choking hazard, painful for crawling children and can be harmful if swallowed by pets. Artificial trees can be set up earlier and stay up longer, lessening the stress around the holiday.
8. Place your tree in the appropriate-sized stand. An artificial tree comes with a stand that is tailored to the size of the tree for the best stability. Artificial trees are the safest option when considering a large tree.
9. Novelty lights have returned this year and can replace the nostalgic and danger of candles on or near trees.
10. Do not hesitate to seek safety advice from your local fire department. When it comes to holiday safety, prevention is key.

Check out Seasonal Concept's blog or website for more tips and holiday decor items.

I hope everyone has a safe holiday season!

Disclaimer: I was not compensated in any way to share these safety tips.

stART: The Twelve Days Of Christmas

This week we read The Twelve Days of Christmas by Gennady Spirin.

Actually, I sang it :) The illustrations are very classic looking and Abby enjoyed singing along. My favorite part was the note in the back of the book that explained the origins of the song. I had no idea it may be from as long ago as the 1500's!

Abby loves to draw, so I decided to let her draw a picture of The Twelve Days of Christmas or something about the book. Here's what she made:

Apparently she thought this story also included Rudolph &Clarice, Sam the snowman (left corner), the abominable snowman (upper right) and a Christmas tree. LOL! She did make 5 RED rings, though.

Oh and the mark on Abby's cheek is a bandaid. She decided to take the blanket out from under our sleeping cat. I guess the cat freaked and got her with her back claw. It's not really a scratch, just a mark that was bleeding a lot. It looks much better today.

For more stART projects, head to A Mommy's Adventures.

Works For Me Wednesday: Blog Post Edit Update

Update: I had to switch back to the old editor, because I don't see a spell check on the new one. Also, the main reason is that I can't figure out how to add a link to a picture. Even when I try to copy and paste a button, the link doesn't work. I'll let you know if I figure it out.

I just stumbled across The Computery the other day and I was so excited when I found this post:

Making Blogger Blogging A Happier Experience

I had no idea this posting update was available and I'm loving it! My favorite part is having the Undo and Redo arrows. How many times have I accidentally erased a picture and had to reload it?!

Check it out and see if it Works For You.

For more Works For Me Wednesday posts, head to We Are THAT Family.

Christmas Advent & A Surprise

I have seen so many adorable Advent calendars this year, but I decided since I already bought one on clearance last year, to just make it easy on myself and use it.  Imagine that?  LOL!

We got one last year at Target, when they were marked down 75% off.  The funny thing is, I just saw the same one at JoAnn's craft store the other day.

Abby has really enjoyed opening a little door to reveal a message or treat each day.  It's the first thing she does every morning!  Here's what was behind each door this past week:

Dec. 1st

Read about the birth of Jesus.

Abby likes this book and has asked to read it several times since.  They talked about the angel coming to Mary in Church this past Sunday and she was excited that she already knew about it!

Dec. 2nd

Mini Reece's PB Cup (they barely fit in there!)

Dec. 3rd

Call Dad at work to find out where a surprise is.

Dave had bought her a little Mickey Mouse figurine and we hid it under the tree skirt in her bed room.  She was pretty surprised.

Dec. 4th

Look at Christmas lights with Papa

My Dad picked us up after work and we went through a local Winter Wonderland drive thru lights display.  Abby LOVED it!

Dec. 5th

Mini Reece's PB Cup

Dec. 6th

Watch a Christmas movie with popcorn.

I ended up going to a wake Sunday evening, so this was postponed.

Dec. 7th

Make a paper chain

You may have noticed that I haven't posted a homeschool weekly review in the past few weeks, but the weekends have been so busy!  This past Saturday, I spent the afternoon out shopping with my Mom and went back to her house to what I thought would be helping her finish her Christmas decorating. 

Surprise!  My family had a 30th birthday party for me!  My sister picked out the cutest cat party supplies!  My cousin Andrea, made me a yummy cake and some cupcakes.

Everything was perfect, except that Heather (my sister) missed it all :(  She had taken her first dose of an antibiotic for a sinus infection and it wrecked havoc on her stomach.  During the whole party, she had to lay on my Mom's bed with a rag on her face and couldn't talk, for fear that she'd toss her cookies!  It was so sad, because she put so much work into my party only to miss it all.

It was so nice to see my family, especially to see the younger kids all play together.  They are all so darn cute! 

Andrew

Hannah

 Lauryn (in the middle of playing dress up), Abby, Dave and Matthew


Jacob

I got some money and gift cards and I can't wait to go shopping.  Abby gave me some Reece's PB cup trees (she knows that the shaped ones are always the best!), ornaments that spelled out MOM, a votive candle and she even wrapped up the Christmas Tree! book we read last week for our stART project.  LOL!  I can just see her at the store picking things out and then helping to wrap them, only to decide to wrap up things around the house too.

If any of my family reads my blog, I want you all to know that I had a great time at the party and so appreciate the work everyone went through to surprise me!  Thanks for all of the awesome gifts too!

My actual 30th birthday is the 13th, but this Friday Dave and I get to go out on a date night!  Abby is spending the night a Grandma's.  I don't know who is more excited, Dave and I or Abby!  LOL!

I ♥ Faces Week 48: Sweet Dreams

This is me passed out by our cat Ditto. I love napping in the sun with a nice warm blanket and a kitty!

For more sleepy time pics, check out Week 48:  Sweet Dreams at www.iheartfaces.com.

Monthly Craft Challenge & Cloche Party

I am linking up to the Monthly Craft Challenge at Blue Eyed Blessings

the Holiday Cloche Party at A Stroll Thru Life. (This link up is to showcase your Christmas themed cloches and/or apothecary jars)


and to the Countdown to Christmas at Sugarplum Creations.

For the past few weeks, I've seen ornament ball wreaths all over blog land! Apparently the idea was originally from Eddie Ross. I had never heard of him, but click here for his wreath and tutorial.

Here's my finished ornament wreath:





I used shatterproof ornaments in colors to match my existing decorations. I had 48 balls left over from last year, so I went to the dollar store and bought 36 more matching ornament balls in a bit of a smaller size.

In the last picture, you can also see the gumdrop topiary I made last year. I have a candy type of Christmas theme going, so I made the topiary for the mantle and some gumdrop balls to hang from the garland on the banisters:

To make these, just buy Styrofoam balls and LOTS of gumdrops. I used a hot glue gun to attach them to the balls and then I sprayed them with a matte spray. I was surprised to see that these stored perfectly since last year. None of them were smashed or broken.



In the apothecary jars, I have gumdrops and candy canes. I think they look so yummy and festive!

stART: Christmas Tree!

My nephew Matthew was over yesterday, so he had fun doing this week's stART project with us. We read Christmas Tree!

This is a cute book! We then made hand print Christmas trees. Abby and Matthew painted their own hand green and made the print.

Abby felt the need to paint the top of her hand as well.


After washing up, their trees were dry enough to decorate. I got out some Christmas light stickers, stars, etc.

Matthew picked just purple lights for his tree and Abby went with purple and blue. And yes, she is wearing a Cinderella dress!



I forgot to get a picture of Matthew's tree before he left, but here's Abby's finished trees:



She drew a house between them.

For more stART projects, head to A Mommy's Adventures.

Wordless Wednesday

For more Wordless Wednesday posts, head to:

Go Graham Go
5 Minutes For Mom
J. Leigh Designz
Look What Mom Found...And Dad Too

Sam's Club vs. Costco

What are your thoughts?

orWe've been members of Sam's Club for 8 years. We go about every other weekend after church to pick up a few things and enjoy some yummy and cheap pizza.

This past Sunday, we decided to try out the new Costco that opened near us. Dave and I have heard great things about Costco and we wanted to start a membership. We got in line to sign up and it was very crowded. A few workers were handing out clipboards with the forms to fill out to join. One man said, "Think Executive Memberships, people!" That really turned me off and I wanted to leave at that point. How annoying.

However we stuck it out and joined. We then headed over to the food court area for pizza, hot dogs and soda. I was really annoyed to see that they only took cash and check at the food court area. I always use my debit card as credit everywhere. Even Sam's Club! It turns out I have to use a PIN in order to use my debit card to purchase items at Costco. I have no idea what my PIN is. I hardly ever have cash. Luckily, Dave had some and we got our food.

Now the pizza was yummy, but what a disappointment that there was no Dr. Pepper or Mr. Pibb! They had Coke products, but no Mr. Pibb. I had to eat pizza with Coke! ICK!


As you can tell, I was pretty ticked by that point and wanted my husband to go figure out how to return our membership cards to get our money back. He wasn't up for that, so we looked around.

Dave thinks that the electronics at Costco are better priced than Sam's Club. The only 2 deals I saw at Costco was the Transformers Devastator set for $75 ($99 elsewhere)
and a 3 piece set of Learning Resources pretend food baskets for only $19.99. These are usually at least $15 each.So which do you prefer Sam's Club or Costco? I didn't realize how loyal I was to Sam's Club. I guess I'm a Sam's girl!