Our New Nativity

While last year's paper nativity was certainly more my style, I couldn't help but notice how much the kids wished they could touch it. I wanted to encourage that-- after all, over the years we've pretty much eliminated any tradition involving Santa {short of labeling at least one gift from the North Pole}. It seemed only fair to balance things by adding more Christ-centered traditions. 

Recently, my mom gave me a box of some of my old toys and pictures that she'd saved over the years and as I went through them, I was stunned at how much I remembered the feel of things. I think kids spend much more time handling objects. Experiencing them in a truly tactile way. 

In fact, that made me think about L's favorite Halloween decoration: the skeleton tree. He spends hours every single day in October playing with the skeletons and rearranging them around the tree. Trust me, someday he's going to get a sentimental twang in his heart when he digs out those old, plastic skeletons!

Luckily, he's equally fascinated with the Playmobile Nativity that I hobbled together after a couple of successful ebay bids. Even second-hand they were a bit pricy, but as I justified to J, I'm investing in an heirloom here. A bright, plastic heirloom. :)

So far, I'm pleased. They have tremendous child-appeal without being too precious; They include several little interactive pieces {L likes to fill all the little bags and vessels with the tiny gold coins the Wise Men came with}, and they're quite durable. I love waking up every morning and seeing that the angel has climbed up on the stable roof again and the sheep are chasing the camel.

Do you have a nativity? Growing up, we had a beautiful, white, ceramic creche that we weren't really allowed to play with. I'm still putting up my pretty, white paper nativity. But now I don't have to feel guilty about not letting the kids handle it. :)

Handmade Gifts Under $5

It's no secret that money is tight-- but I firmly believe that finances do not have the power to ruin Christmas! For the last several months, I've been gathering clever, yet inexpensive gift ideas. Not only will they go under our own tree this year, but once again, the children will help make a few handmade presents for the cousin gift-exchange! All of these can be made for under $5, using items you probably already have around the house:

No.1 Wooden Disk Memory Game; No.2 Paper Mache Puppets; No.3 Box of Super-heros {or princesses}; No.4 Play Forest; No.5 Button Monogram

No.6 Baked Marble Necklaces; No.7 Bean Bag Toss; No.8 Freezer Paper Stencil Shirt; No.9 Angry Birds Bowling

Remember that often, the key to keeping costs down is to select something you already have supplies for, or  choose an idea or two and make it in bulk {for neighbors, cousins, friends, etc}. Happy creating!

For past Christmas ideas, see A Gift Guide: Little Luxuries, A Gift Guide: Handmade Gifts, A Gift Guide: Zero Cost, and A Gift Guide: For the Kids.

Planning for Christmas...

Yesterday, I was at a thrift store and snagged a few toys for about $2 a piece. As I stashed them in the closet to save for Christmas, I started to think more seriously about what we'll give each of the kids this year. We're pretty broke, but I'd still like to make a big impact.

The easiest solution is to gift things I've already had in mind as DIY projects. For the E and L, I'm thinking of making a play teepee. They're cute, they're impressive, and they're inexpensive if you use drop cloths instead of designer fabric. {I like this tutorial.}

For Baby R, I'd like to make a play stove out of one of our old nightstands. I like the style of the above kitchen, but will probably use this tutorial. And I'm toying with buying some stainless steel contact paper, like on the {amazing!} play kitchen below...

Now for the conundrum. What to do for Little Miss C? She's 10 years old now, and on the verge of outgrowing little girl things, but at the moment is obsessed with American Girl, bird watching, art and sewing. Any ideas?

What are you planning for your kids?

Rush Hour Jr

Have I mentioned this game before? It's one of the many simple-yet-completely-inspired presents that Nana and Grandpa have gifted to the kids. Today, it kept E occupied for hours as I did dishes and washed the floor.

The cards display 'traffic jams' of various difficulty levels and the goal is to shift the vehicles out of the way, clearing a path for your ice cream truck to drive through. It's simple enough that E is able to set it up and play all on his own, yet taxing enough that he has to really strategize, giving him a rewarding sense of accomplishment each time he completes a challenge.

E is our little perfectionist. He is meticulous about details {a fact that sometimes results in meltdowns when things don't play out the way he planned}, loves sorting, categorizing and planning, all which make Rush Hour a completely engaging game.  {plus the cars are fun all on their own}

Educational + Quiet = Happy Mom

:)

Room for Two

E got a new bike for his birthday last month, and it has hardly had a moment's rest since! His little brother L {and every other kid in the neighborhood} begs for a ride in the sidecar, making E one popular guy. He's loving it.

Thanks, Uncle L!

Edit: The bike is a prototype and as far as I know, not available for purchase. We received it second-hand as a gift, so I'll have to make inquiries as to who built it.

Barbie never looked so good.

Oh my heavens, these are genius! Mad Men is one of those series that J and I never admit to actually watching without acute embarrassment {J once recommended it to our home teachers and I about died of humiliation right there on the spot!}, and yet even in Barbie form it's easy to spot the appeal. Every episode is a spectacular visual feast. I wish I owned every dress Betty Draper has ever worn, let alone every piece of furniture featured on the show. The Mad Men Barbies will be released in limited quantities July 2010.

Gift Guide: For the Kids

This guide is put together with my own children in mind, but hopefully it can give you some ideas, too.

For the Chef: There are so many ways to do this, but I started by purchasing an adorable child-sized apron, a cookbook with simple instructions and lots of pictures, and a few cooking utensils. {If this cupcake keeper from Rose & Radish had been available, I'd fill it with fancy cupcake liners and a cupcake cookbook. Wouldn't that have been adorable?}

For the Artist: An inexpensive easel coupled with a roll of paper, loads of paints, brushes, markers and chalk, and your child is ready to create a masterpiece.

For the Author: I'm a big fan of these Illustory kits. We've given one to Little Miss C every year since she was 5 years old, and have delighted in seeing her storytelling abilities develop. I love that we're able to order more than one copy of the finished book. It makes a great Mother's Day present for the grandma's. :)

For the Engineer: E loves to spend hours making paper airplanes. Unfortunately, only his daddy knows how to make the kind that can fly. Hopefully this kit remedies the situation.

For the Kid with Too Much Energy: Sports equipment. Hockey sticks, soccer goals, t ball sets-- they all come with the added benefit of giving a child a place to channel all that energy. Kites are also good. They force a kid to run around a lot. :)

For the Planes, Trains and Automobiles Enthusiast: A dump truck made with STEEL! For some reason, my boys will happily spend the entire day filling the bed with gravel and dirt, dumping it out, then filling it again. I like that the steel can hold up to the abuse. Especially when E tries to give his little brother a ride.

For the Kid who has Everything: you can't go wrong with a big cardboard box and some packing peanuts. Half the time it's all they want to play with anyway. :)

"Gee, Dad, I never thought of it that way!"

Isn't this the coolest little science kit you've ever seen? If I could afford it, I'd buy it under he guise of 'homeschooling supplies', though it'd likely take up residence somewhere prominent so I could admire it regularly. *sigh* They really don't make 'em like they used to.

{Speaking of science, I've been pouring over Insultingly Stupid Movie Physics. It's hilarious and educational!}

Illustory

When Little Miss C was 5 years old, we gave her an Illustory Kit for Christmas. With her artistic spirit and unbridaled imagination, we thought she might enjoy publishing her own story. We were not mistaken. She eagerly penned her first book, a wild adventure involving "Princess C" and "King Daddy". Since then, we have purchased a kit for her every Christmas. 

They are hilarious to read, with their fractured plots and raw emotion {she really loves her daddy!} but more than that, they serve as a wonderful journal of sorts. They perfectly encapsulate her interests for the year, her current level of artistic skill and reading/writing ability. As her homeschool assignment yesterday, she completed her third book. We can hardly wait for the finished version to arrive in the mail. 

{Don't forget! Today is the last day to enter the Kerry Beary Giveaway below!}

Never Too Old

It's been a long time since I've been captivated by a Barbie {let alone coveted her wardrobe!}, but this one has certainly caught my eye. Isn't she chic? Just like Tippi, she makes those birds look like the ultimate in fashionable accessories. {Via bOing bOing. Thanks to Jared for the link.}

This one's also quite snazzy. I find that once again, I'm tempted to dye my hair black....

Silver Speedster

Baby L has a birthday soon after Christmas, so I'm doing my shopping early. Jared and I really like this silver speedster or this Mini Cooper {or maybe this one}, but they're so expensive. We've settled for the Radio Flyer Rocket instead {only $25 at Once Upon A Child!}