Advent

Two years ago we bought an Advent calendar you know the kind with little drawers you open each day in December with a candy inside. We thought it would be a fun way for the kids to count down to Christmas and yes they love it. Well this year I decided to take a new look at Advent...what is Advent and why do we have it. Here is what our family is doing for Advent this year I think it is a GREAT tradition. Instead of filling our children's heads with all the lies (i know that's harsh but it is lies.) of Christmas join me in teaching our children the wonderful truth of the Christmas Season! IWhat's more exciting than celebrating the birth of our Savior?

What is Advent?Advent marks the beginning of the Christmas season and the Church year for most Western churches. The word "Advent" means "arrival" or "coming" in Latin and represents the approach of Christ's birth (and fulfillment of the prophecies about that event) and the awaiting of Christ's second coming. It is composed of the four Sundays before Christmas day, starting on the Sunday closest to November 30th and ending on Christmas. Because Christmas is on a different day from year to year, Advent may last anywhere from 22 to 28 days.

Celebrating the Season
For Christians, Advent is a time of reflection about the amazing gift that God gave to us in the person of His Son who came to live among us on earth. It is also an opportunity to restore Jesus to His rightful place as the center of our holiday celebrations! Advent is, appropriately, both somber and joyful!The focus continues to be the great news that the Messiah was and is coming and how we live out our heartfelt longing for both.
Here is a list of small gifts you can give as you countdown to Advent:
1. Quarter--A quarter! That equals 25 cents. But 25 also stands for the number of days till Christmas, when God gave us His best present. Jesus told about one woman's gift and the way she gave it. Read: Mark 12:41-44

2. Grape Gum or Candy--Grapes make jelly and juice, raisins and wine. But Jesus didn't need grapes to perform His first miracle. Read: John 2:1-10

3. Smiley Face--Here's a smile! A smile usually expresses happiness. Jesus gave us many instructions to keep us happy. Read: Matthew 5:1-12.

4. Swedish Fish candy--Well, if you were surprised to find these fish, wait till you read the story today! Others were surprised to find fish, too. Read: Luke 5:4-7.

5. Birthday Candle--As you know, we are getting ready to celebrate Jesus' birthday. However, Jesus talked about something else that is related to this candle. Light! Read: Matthew 5:14-16.

6. Small Bell--You could make some noise with this. But it would not have bothered a certain man--until he met Jesus. Read: Mark 7:31-37.

7. Goldfish Crackers--These would not go very far if you were really hungry! But Jesus could make much out of little. Surely He knew how to multiply! Read: Matthew 14:13-21.

8. Cotton Balls--These cotton balls would be helpful in a thunder storm, wouldn't they? We could use them for ear plugs to muffle the loud noises that thunder makes. But we know someone who doesn't need cotton. Jesus can control the weather. Read: Matthew 8:23-27.

9. Piece of Map--People needing to use the other parts of this map are in trouble! Don't you get lost today! Read: John 14:1-6.

10. Soap--Do you like to wash? Behind your ears? Washing turned out to be a happy time for a man who met Jesus. Read: John 9:1-7.

11. Heart Candy or Sticker--Hearts. Wordlessly, they speak of love, don't they? Jesus spoke some commands about love. Read: Matthew 25:17-41.

12. Small Cross--We use the cross as a symbol, representing Jesus. Do you know why? Read: Phillipians 2:1-11.

13. Packet of Salt--Ordinary salt. Yes, Jesus related salt to us and our behavior. He also gave us some advice. Read: Matthew 5:14 and Colossians 4:6. (Notice that He doesn't recommend pepper!).

14. Sand--Don't try to eat this! It's sand. It reminds us that Jesus knows something about architecture, about buildings--and building lives. See His instructions: Matthew 7:24-29.

15. Silk Flowers--Flowers are pretty, aren't they? Jesus used flowers to teach us a reassuring lesson. Read: Matthew 6:28-34.

16. Raisins--Raisins! Many children are given raisins instead of candy for a snack. That's because they are a health-promoting and delicious fruit. Jesus told us how we can produce good fruit. Read: John 15:1-5.

17. Seeds--Jesus told a story about seeds that man planted. Then He explained it, revealing its deep meaning. Read: Matthew 13:3-8 and Matthew 13:18-23.

18. Christmas Carol--Christmas is just about a week away. And here is an appropriate song. Sing it loudly! Read: Psalms 100.

19. Rock--A hard stone! Can you change this stone into a piece of bread? Do you think Jesus could? Jesus was asked to do just that. Do know how He handled it? Read: Matthew 4:1-4.

20. Crumpled Foil--Try to smooth out this piece of aluminum foil and use it as a mirror. It's hard to see your reflection plainly, isn't it? Many circumstances are hard to understand, but someday everything will be clear. Read: 1 Corinthians 13:12.

21. Mustard Seed (or packet of mustard)--The mustard seed is the smallest there is! When it sprouts, it grows into one of the largest plants! See what Jesus said. Read: Matthew 17:20.

22. Dove--We've learned that the cross represents Christ, but do you know what the dove stands for? Read: Matthew 3:13-17.

23. Scrap of Wool Material--The threads that compose this fabric came from the wool of a sheep. Jesus called Himself the good shepherd. Do you know who His sheep are? Read: John 10:7-18.

24. Marble--A marble! Do you know what is sometimes called the "Big Blue Marble"? The world. God made the world for us. What does God continue doing to the world? And who is the world? Read: John 3:16.

25. Picture of Baby--Isn't this baby cute? When he was born, he made a whole family happy. Jesus was born a baby, too. He came to make the whole world happy. Read: Luke 2:1-20. Enjoy your celebration today. Continue to learn about Jesus--and love Him forever!
*This comes from www.daniellesplace.com (among other places on the web)

Happy Thanksgiving

May your stuffing be tasty

May your turkey plump,

May your potatoes and gravy Have never a lump.

May your yams be delicious

And your pies take the prize

And may your Thanksgiving dinner

Stay off your thighs!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone

Ki yi yi yi, Ki yi yi yi indian beats his drum

Ki yi yi yi, Ki yi yi yi beats his big red drum

First Grade

Oatmeal can drums, macaroni necklaces and cupcakes...this must mean one thing I am a first grade mom. This week was full of fun and excitement as Caleb's class got ready for their Thanksgiving presentation. Caleb took it all very serious practicing his Indian drumming every afternoon, thank goodness an oatmeal can is only so loud but the KI YI YEA sometimes made up for any lack of sound in the "drum". His Indian name was Jumping Fish he picked that one himself.





Jumping Fish at his feast
Mr Gobbler cupcakes, Caleb's request

The Feast

It's so fun to be in the first grade...again :)

Tiny Dancer

Ella's dance "performance" it is very short but gauranteed some laughs! Ella adds a little of her own flair to the dance moves, I think she may have a furture on Broadway pay close attention to her "jazz hands" and her improve kicks at the end.

She loves dancing and is sooo cute, I love my girl

Turn off the mp3 music to enjoy the video

Uh-oh spaghetti-o

I clearly remember that jingle from my childhood and oh how I thought I would love spagetti-o's if only mom would buy them.

About once a year my kids decide they want spaghetti-o's and about once a year I let them get a can, they always promise they will eat them. So last week was that time of year while at

Wal-Mart Caleb made the plea and I gave in. So lunch time rolls around and we crack open the can Ella refuses but Caleb is ready, I heat them up and he sits down about 20 minutes later they look untouched. "Do you not like them I ask?" Oh no mom I like them I'm just done. A little later on Caleb says "those are not so good, I think there is something besides tomato sauce in them" Oh how hard it is to be a kid with a discerning palate!

See ya next year Mr Spaghetti-O

More from Halloween

I know this is late but this year Halloween (Fall Festivities for all my non-Halloween people)was a very busy time for us. As always we went to the Garvich House for our trick-or-treating fun. This year was a great crowd and most everyone dressed up, I say most because Dan and I were the losers that did not:) Caleb and Ella had a great time just running around playing with friends we don't get to see often enough not to mention all the candy!

Ella was a Fairy this year mainly because she wanted to wear glitter makeup
Caleb was Boba Fett from Star Wars for those of you who just said who?

Zoey is the unicorn...very cute costume especially when she was running from house to house with the legs flopping.

Can't believe I didn't get any pics of the babies at the party...there were many and all girls!