Advent: 21 December

Jesse Tree Activity

We had a busy day visiting a different church where Steve was speaking, so didn't have time for an activity today.

24 Books

We forgot to do a book today! But did enjoy rereading That's not my penguin, That's not my snowman, Follow the star and Dear Santa.

Lolly Sticks

We had a picnic under the Christmas Tree whilst watching Songs of Praise: The Big Sing! I have really missed not making it to a Carol Service yet this year, but enjoyed singing along to the TV!

Jesse Tree Story

This week we're moving onto the core Christmas stories and today we read about the angel appearing to Mary.

Mummy Time

Finishing off the blog posts! I am now totally caught up! I hope you're enjoying them...

Advent: 20 December

Had a pretty good day today after a lie-in aided by painkillers! I took two big boxes of books to charity bookshop, one box of bits and bobs to charity shop, and an old broken gazebo and a lamp to the tip! I've also put up the Christmas lights, degunked the external drain (though I think we now need a plumber as it's still blocked) and cleaned the mould off the bathroom windows (after decluttering the windowsill of stuff). Steve also started listing a load of stuff in ebay today too.

Jesse Tree Activity

I've lost track of what I'm meant to be doing activity-wise, but we're spending time reading the Nativity story and chatting about the true meaning of Christmas which is what the whole point of the Jesse Tree is.

24 Books

Caleb opened the book today - it was a lovely set of six books retelling the Christmas story.

Lolly Sticks

I was meant to get the salt-dough handprints made today, but was busy doing my jobs! Will reschedule it for Monday which should give us time to paint on Tuesday and give to grandparents on Thursday! Nothing like leaving it to the last minute!

Jesse Tree Story

Steve read the story of the Wise Men last night and highlighted the prophecy in Micah 5:2 that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem.

Mummy Time

My time this evening was spent ironing!! Great fun, but I did get to watch The Holiday at the same time.

Advent: 19 December

Friday started very early and we were up doing craft by 8am! Thank you to Grandma and Grandpa for the hairband kit - we loved making it and wearing it.

Jesse Tree Activity

Yesterday's story (which I didn't do) was Isaiah 9:6:
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

I've been thinking of activities and next year would probably do something relating to names...

24 Books

Today's book was a simple retelling of the Nativity story. Zoë's learning to 'read' to herself and it's lovely listening to her.

Lolly Sticks

Today's stick suggested 'Go to the zoo', but we decided to go to Waddesdon with friends instead. It was another cold evening, but we had lots of fun!

Jesse Tree Story

Another amazing verse for the 'story' this evening and Steve was out at the Youth Group, leaving me to try and work out what he had planned...

They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:
“‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

Matthew 2:5-6 

Mummy Time

Tonight was spent catching up on my blog posts from this week! Sorry I've let things slip... I've been trying to catch up on life and have just run out of time to write. But here they are now!

Advent: 18 December

It's Zoë's Preschool Christmas party today! What a week it's been... first Nativity and first Christmas Party - my baby is growing up. She as slightly thrown by going to preschool in the afternoon and wanted Caleb and me to stay with her, but she quickly settled and had a great time. After dropping her off Caleb and I nipped of to the shops to get the last few presents - it's so much easier shopping with only a baby!!

Jesse Tree Activity

No activity today as we didn't have a story last night! Slightly relieved as I don't know what I would have done... Will have to have a rethink for next year!

24 Books

We forgot to open a book today which is good as we're a bit short after they both opened one a few days ago.

Lolly Sticks

Today's activity is Watch a Christmas Film, which we did yesterday. I'm not entirely sure Zoë fully grasped the film Nativity so it's probably going to go away for a few years! I can't wait to get her to watch Arthur Christmas next week...
But we finished decorating the tree which was great fun.

Jesse Tree Story

Tonight's story was meant to be Isaiah 9:6:

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

This is an amazing verse, but the list was downstairs and I was all curled up on the chair with Zoë and her Bible, so we read the story of Naaman instead!

When we planned this section of the journey from Creation to Christmas it was a long time in the furture and we didn't really think about how we were going to teach or apply it. It's now here and we still don't really have a plan!

Mummy Time

I've finished the Christmas cards!! Woop woop!! Now just need to declutter, tidy up and wrap the presents... A mummy's job is never done!

A final picture of Caleb showing his speed walking!

Advent: 17 December

Happy 10 month birthday to my little man!

Wednesday is normally Zoë's preschool day but we swapped days so she will attend the Christmas Party tomorrow. As we had a bonus day we decided to go on an adventure into town on the bus! I had a Christmas shopping list but was quite relaxed about how much actual shopping would get done! As well as a bus ride, we also had lunch out at McDonalds...

Jesse Tree Activity

The activity linked to the story of Ahab was to squish grapes - my husband's idea!! As we didn't do the story last night then we didn't need to squish grapes!

24 Books

Hmmm... can't remember what today's book was! That's the problem with writing up several days later!

Lolly Sticks

I had hoped that I could get Zoë to chose a Christmas present for Caleb whilst we were in town, but she didn't see anything she wanted to get. I have already got something for her to give to him, but was trying to encourage her to think of someone else and chose a present for them.

Today was also the day that we finally started to decorate the tree! First of all it involved rearranging the living room and hoovering underneath and behind sofas which hadn't moved in a while!

Jesse Tree Story

Tonight's story is the beginning of a few prophecies from the Old Testament about Jesus' birth. Now, these are amazing prophecies but they've proved to be quite tricky to tell as a story to a 3 year old!
"He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever." 2 Samuel 7:13

Mummy Time

I went out to the mid-week Bible study this evening - it was great to get out and meet with other adults. A quote about Christmas was read out at the beginning of the evening and I'd like to share it with you now (thank you Tim!):

There are few things tougher than trying to find fresh material at Christmas, but Thomas Watson strikes gold again on the incarnation:

''He was poor, that he might make us rich.
He was born of a virgin that we might be born of God.
He took our flesh, that he might give us His Spirit.
He lay in the manger, that we may lie in paradise.
He came down from heaven, that he might bring us to heaven....

That the ancient of Days should be born.
that he who thunders in the heavens should cry in the cradle....
that he who rules the stars should suck the breast;
that a virgin should conceive;
that Christ should be made of a woman, and of that woman which himself made,
that the branch should bear the vine,
that the mother should be younger than the child she bare,
and the child in the womb bigger than the mother;
that the human nature should not be God, yet one with God."

Christ taking flesh is a mystery we shall never fully understand till we come to heaven.

Advent: 16 December

Tuesday have always been our quiet day and after a busy Monday it was even more important to have a PJ day!

Jesse Tree Activity

We did some 'temple' building with our blocks to reinforce the story of Solomon building the temple.

24 Books

Today's book was a lovely little cardboard book called Follow the star, which tells the story of the Nativity from the Wise Men's perspective.

Lolly Sticks

We had to write Christmas cards today. Zoë enjoyed colouring her cards and writing her name inside! She was very proud of her work and even said "We doing a good job today Mummy!"

Jesse Tree Story

Today's story was meant to be Ahab and the vineyard, but we didn't manage a story this evening.

Mummy Time

I learnt four key lessons today:

Lesson #1 - disposable nappies don't need washing and make a huge mess of the machine!
Lesson #2 - felt tip pen comes off funky foam when chewed by a baby! Said baby now looks like a goth with black 'lipstick'!
Lesson #3 disposable nappies spread a long way! Two loads later and there's still residue!
Lesson #4 if you are going shopping it's crucial to take your purse!
Maybe tomorrow will be better?!

Advent: 15 December

Today needed to be a quiet morning as we had Zoë's first Nativity in the afternoon! So we pottered and played, before an early lunch and then making Zoë look angelic!

After the Nativity we went to our local coffee shop for a hot chocolate and cake, and then popped round to play with one of her best friends.

Jesse Tree Activity

Last night's story was about David planning to build the temple. We didn't manage an activity related to the story, but had a nicely busy day!

24 Books

Caleb got to open the book today as Zoë was busy watching Postman Pat!

Lolly Sticks

Our lolly stick activity was to Decorate the tree, but as we had a busy day I decided to leave it for tomorrow. Instead we made chocolate carrots!

Jesse Tree Story

This evening's story is Solomon builds the temple. So tomorrow we'll be doing some building.

Mummy Time

Happy 2nd Anniversary to my sister and her husband! Zoë loves her bridesmaid dress and has worn it regularly for the last two years! I've no idea what is going to happen when the dress is too small...

Zoë wearing her pink dress aged 1

Zoë wearing the same dress aged 3!