Free and Fun Friday: Making Crayons

My friend Alison had a recipe for "Muffin-cup Crayons" that I decided to try with Shrade. We have quite a few homeless crayons and stubs so it was fun to make new colors!

I'm Guest Posting over at From Cristin to Mommy

Have you ever thought of making your own baby food?  Well, when I had my son about 3 years ago, I decided that when he was 6 months old that I was going to feed him food that I made instead of buying baby food at the store.  Why?  Well, first, being on one income we had very limited funds and to me, baby food can get rather expensive.  Also, whole foods are amazing for children and adults.  And, I love to cook!  I immediately found a bunch of websites that showed exactly what to do and I bought this book- Super Baby Food, (2nd) Second Edition by Ruth Yaron, which has been the best resource for me so far.  Now, I have a daughter who is almost 6 months old and I'm starting the homemade food journey again!  I have so many more ideas, but today I'll just give you some basic first things to do.

Read more over at From Cristin to Mommy!

Merry Christmas!

 Merry Christmas!  I hope you have enjoyed my Christmas Books series!  We had a lot of fun reading the different stories that shared the birth of Christ.  And I really extended myself by doing a craft with each book.  Be sure to make comments on any of my Christmas Books posts to enter to win a children's Bible.  Giveaway ends on December 31.  Tell me what  favorite book or craft that we did that you liked.  I LOVE comments!

Today we are going to make cookies for our neighbors and also do a fun and interactive Christmas story.  Here is a resource that I found from Family Life. What God Wants for Christmas is a nativity activity where kids open up 7 little boxes and the last one is surprise!  What do you think God wants for Christmas?  YOU!

MGM cookies- a tradition

Here is the link to the recipe!

My First Hands-On Bible Giveaway ends Dec 31!!

Please make *comments* on any of my Christmas book posts    (26) (through Dec 31) and on January 1, I will pick a random WINNER for a children's Bible giveaway! (US only)

See my REVIEW! You can win this Bible!
*Comments on the review will also be used in choosing the winner.*

Books for Christmas Day 24: Jacob's Gift

Jacob's Gift by Max Lucado is a book for older kids, but such a great story about a beautiful gift for baby Jesus.

Activity: We will play with a Nativity Set that was handmade by a friend of my grandma.

Books for Christmas Day 23: Come and See

Come and See by Monica Mayper is another sweet and simple Christmas simple story that repeats, "Come and See!"

Activity: We will do the help the shepherd get to Jesus printable.

Books for Christmas Day 22: If You Take a Mouse to the Movies

If You Take a Mouse to the Movies by Laura Numeroff is another fun book that I just had to fit in since we love that Mouse!

Activity: Make popcorn and watch a movie (probably Cars!)

Books for Christmas Day 21: The Story of Christmas

The Story of Christmas by Vivian French is the story in the Bible told for children.  What a wonderful book to show the Christmas story that is simple and fresh.

Activity: Make the cross from Truth in the Tinsel.

Shrade really enjoyed this fine motor project and we loved talking about the reason Jesus came to this earth!

Books for Christmas Day 20: The Small One

The Small One by Alex Walsh is a very sweet story about a little donkey and a little boy who tries to save that donkey.  You can guess who will be using that donkey for a very special journey!

Activity: Reading an ABC book of Christmas.

Shrade wanted to read this book "all by myself."  He really could "read" it.  He knows almost all his letters.

Books for Christmas Day 19: The First Night

The First Night by B.G. Hennessy is a very simple book about the wonders of the first night we call Christmas.

Activity: We will be working with Christmas patterns. (I actually can't find the right link to the worksheet, but it's on this site somewhere!)

Books for Christmas Day 18: Christmas Star and Giveaway Annoucement!

Oops, sorry it is turned around!

The Christmas Star is a beautiful book that is made with pictures of soft sculptures.  I got this as a gift from one of my students one year.  Yet, another great Christmas book for children!

Activity: We will make Jesus' name (Truth in the Tinsel).

Be looking on Facebook for pictures of all these crafts and also I'm adding the pictures into these posts as we go even though I am a bit behind.  

Please make *comments* on any of my Christmas book posts  (through Dec 31) and on January 1, I will pick a random WINNER for a children's Bible giveaway! (US only)

See my REVIEW! You can win this Bible!
*Comments on the review will also be used in choosing the winner.*

Books for Christmas Day 17: Who is Coming to Our House?

Who is Coming to Our House? by Joseph Slate is a about the animals in the stable that sense that something special is going to happen in their barn and prepare for that special someone!

Activity: We are going to play with a little flannelgraph with nativity characters (Mary, Joseph, cow, baby Jesus)

Books for Christmas Day 16: Little Shepherd

Little Shepherd by Cheryl Malandrinos is a sweet story of a little shepherd who experiences that first special night with his father.

Activity: Make a shepherd from Truth in the Tinsel.

Books for Christmas Day 15: How Many Miles to Bethlehem?

How Many Miles to Bethlehem? by Kevin Crossley-Holland visits many of the characters in the Christmas story all on their way to Bethlehem.

Activity:  We will make Bethlehem from Truth in the Tinsel.