December 2014

December is one of my favorite months of the year. I love all of the fun holiday things there are to do with kids, spending time with family, and focusing on the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of our savior. I love all of the traditions we're starting with our own little family. One thing that we started this year was going to our town's holiday parade. It was a really cold evening so we all got bundled up and headed right down the street to the town center. A whole bunch of groups marched in the parade including the school where Mike works and at the end Santa comes in on a horse drawn carriage. On the town square they have music, hot cocoa, cookies, and they even have a sleigh ride around the square and read "The Night Before Christmas" to the kids. The kids can also meet Santa, so we figured we'd give it a try. We didn't have high hopes though. Riley is a bit shy when it comes to meeting strangers (which in a lot of ways we're thankful for). When it was our turn, we brought her over and started to place her on his lap and immediately she burst into tears. So we just went for the quick picture and went on our way. We weren't about to let the poor thing suffer. Maybe in a few years she'll be more excited. It was the perfect way to start off a festive month!

The school where Mike works also hosts a holiday party every year and this year was an Ugly Sweater themed party. We definitely got in the spirit! 

Riley also turned 10 months old this month! We can't believe it!

 Once school was out for the holiday, we headed up to my parent's house for a pre-Christmas Christmas with my family. My sister and her family even came up for the weekend so we had the whole crew together for the first time since Riley was born. It was a great weekend together relaxing and enjoying each others company.

Then we headed to South Carolina to visit my in-laws for Christmas. We had great quality time together. We went did a bit of sight seeing at Parris Island and exploring the old southern homes on Beaufort, went to Savannah and saw my brother and sister-in-laws new home, shopped at the outlets, Mike golfed, Riley and I "lunched" with my mother-in-law, we spent Christmas with the whole family including Mike's brother and his wife, watched It's a Wonderful Life, made cookies, played with their dog Toby, spent quality Grandma/Grandpa time, went on walks, and really just enjoyed being together. It was so magical experiencing Christmas with a child even if she is just 10 months old. 

We left on New Years Day and got home just in time to watched our Alma Mater, The University of Oregon, play in the first College Football Playoff. Riley was ready for the game, decked out in her cheerleader outfit she got from her grandparents for Christmas. We also taught her how to do "touchdown" while we were visiting in SC. What a great win by the Ducks and we are counting down the days now until the National Championship game!

 Since being back, Riley got to see her first real snow in our new place. We decided to take her out and let her play in it. It was perfect snow for snowball/snowman making.

Then we headed inside for some cuddles and hot cocoa to get warm.

It was a wonderful month filled with so many wonderful memories, quality time with family and friends and thinking about the blessed life we have.

Hope your holidays were just as wonderful.

-A

Healthy Christmas Party Snacks for Kids

It's that time of year! Lots of cheer, carols and of course holiday parties. Indulging a bit at these parties is warranted I think, but having some healthier options for your kids, while not lacking in the fun category wouldn't be so bad either. We have our fair share of parties to go to over the next few weeks. Searching Pinterest, I found some great ideas for healthy snacks that are festive and fun. Use them for a treat for your kids class, a playdate, a family get together..

1. Grinch Fruit Kabobs

What you'll need: 

-tiny marshmallows

-strawberries

-bananas

-green grapes

-toothpicks

Place the marshmallow on top, then your cut strawberry, banana & lastly your grape. Simple as that!

2. Christmas Tree Watermelon..(or any large fruit really)

Cut your fruit into slices like your normally would & use any holiday cookie cutter you'd like to make a festive healthy snack.

3. Snowman Cheesesticks

How clever and simple. Buy your cheese sticks, get a black and orange sharpie & simply draw a snowman onto the front of your cheese stick.

4. Holiday Sandwiches

All you do is make your sandwich and use a holiday cookie cutter to make a festive lunch for your kids. Here is a pb & j sandwich idea..make sure the jelly is on top & poke holes into the top so the kelly soaks through to add some ornaments to your Christmas tree sandwich.

5.  Pudding Snowmen & Reindeer

What you'll need:

-vanilla and/or chocolate pudding cups

-red & black sharpie pens

-red, white & brown construction paper

-tape/glue

-scissors

Santa Directions:

1. Cut out a piece of white construction paper to the length you'd need to wrap around the bottom your pudding cup.

2. Cut out a rectangular piece of red construction paper long enough to wrap around the bottom of your pudding cup and make a pointed top.

3. Cut out a small circle from your white construction paper for the top of your hat. 

4. Glue/tape the long white strip to the bottom of your red rectangle & let dry.

5. Wrap this around the bottom of your vanilla pudding cup and tape in the back.

6. Tape/glue your circle to the top of the red construction paper & let dry.

7. On the front of your pudding cup, draw a smiley face.

Reindeer Directions:

1. Cut out reindeer antlers from your brown construction paper to the size that matches the size of your chocolate pudding cup.

2. Tape to the top of your pudding cup by folding the bottom of your antlers so the top portion stay upright.

3. Lean your pudding cup back so you can see the bottom of your pudding cup.

4. Draw two eyes with your black sharpie on the front of your pudding cup & draw a red nose on the bottom of your pudding cup with a red sharpie.

Hope you and your kids enjoy these are easy, simple, festive treats!

-A