Christmas in Black and White

This has been my favorite Children's Play that we have done at church.  The music was so cute and it had a great message.  It is a big decision which play to pick out because we work on it so long and I want it to make an impact on not only the children but the people that watch it as well.  I am so thankful for this ministry and it is a big reason that I loved to sing as a child.  When I saw the cover of this musical at Lifeway, I thought it would be cheesy, but when I listened to it I fell in love with it and didn't even listen to anymore.  

These was one group with speaking parts.

And here was the other.

Rebecca did a fantastic job planning the stage decorations.  We had lots of help from other moms and dads too.

My little rappers:)

The truth about Christmas is in black and white.  It's about celebrating the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ.  It is my prayer that every time these children see a penguin they are reminded of that fact.  There is no other way to salvation but through Him.

Christmas Cards

I love Christmas cards!  I love looking at what photos people choose to use, the color schemes, the fonts, and designs.  I enjoy coming up with what we are going to do for our card each year.  This year was no different.

I found a style of addressing envelopes on etsy that I thought was pretty.  Hers is much better because she's a calligrapher: 5th Floor Designs.

I had some helpers to fold.

I saw this pin posted on pinterest by Beth Delk and that is where the idea for this year's Christmas card began. My first quest:  find a piano.  I called Eliot Roberts of Cumberland Piano Works.  He has tuned our church's piano and the school's while I was teaching.  He called me the next day with a number of someone who wanted to get rid of a piano for free in Sparta!  That worked out quickly!  I painted it in the garage with some leftover chalk paint from a project in our Sunday School class.  

I had envisioned being out in a field, but we only made it down the driveway.  I love how they turned out though!  It was a funny sight because Landon was by himself trying to roll the piano down the driveway on a dolly trying not to let it tip over.   When he got it where we were going to take pictures, he looked at me and said, "We're not doing this next year."  haha.  I'm thankful that he goes along with my crazy ideas.  

Here is the outside of our card:

And this is the inside:

Landon was going to chop it up and take it to the burn pile, but thankfully Suzanne spared it.  She is going to use it for a photography prop.  So if you want a pic with a blue piano, give her a call:)

North Pole Party

This is one of the things I look forward to all year.  It is a great deal of work and preparation, but it is completely worth it.  On the day of the party when everything was almost completed other than the food that everyone would bring, I sat on my steps and could see into the dining room and the living room where it was all set up.  I got all emotional and misty eyed over how everything looked beautifully decorated, ready for our special guests to arrive.  It just made me think how quickly this precious time of my children being this age is going.  It is fleeting and I just sat there and had a moment where I was overwhelmed with many emotions.  My heart was full and just extremely thankful for the privilege of having three wonderful, healthy boys.  I am thankful that I get to do fun activities with them and for them because I want them to have the best childhood possible with lots of wonderful memories.  I get more excited about this party than the kids. It's really a special and magical party.  

We had a photo booth last year and it was so cute.  Plus the kids have fun and they love to be silly for a picture.  I think we could have done this for several hours with different props and different combinations. Here are a few of LOTS of photo booth pictures...

Like last year, we divided up the activities and food list among the moms.  The food is always soooo cute!!

aka oreo balls....so delish!

Rita came to visit me over Thanksgiving and shared with me a poem to share the story of Christmas with M&M's.  

Taylor and Mackenzie watched the Lane and Jackson:)

Reindeer Bar:

Ornament Craft:

We all loved the ornament that Rebecca made with the kids last year so she did the same one with different colors this year.  It is SO cute!  It's a spool with their Christmas list written on it.

Handprint/Footprint Craft:

This was a last minute add on.  I was at Wal-Mart the day of the party getting some supplies and I couldn't resist doing the handprint craft.  We were trying to cut out some activities because it takes a while, but I looked on my mantle with the canvases from the last two years and I just couldn't help myself.  Another reason why I decided to take it out is because Logan HATES getting paint on his hands.  Even as a child, at church he would have to be coaxed into it and he would finally give in reluctantly.  One year, they just did an outline around his hand because he threw a fit in Mrs. Norma's class. So, I thought I would spare him.  He wasn't thrilled when I changed my mind.  I told him that could be my Christmas present. ha.

We had an assembly line in the kitchen. 

Cookie Decorating:

SANTA......

I asked Santa to focus on Jesus this year explain that Christmas isn't about him but about Jesus.  He read from Luke 2 to the children and shared "his" testimony.

Hot Chocolate Bar:

To create your own party here is a resource list:
*Photo Booth Printables from Lemon Squeeze Designs on Etsy.  

*Backdrop from Swanky Prints on Etsy.  I got a 4x4, but it wasn't big enough.  I'd order a large size if I were to   do over.  I borrowed the stand from my mother-in-law.

*The milk bottles are Yohoo bottles that I removed the labels off.  I got some oval shaped labels at 
  Wal-Mart.
*I tied strings around the tops with this baker's twine from Amazon.
*Food inspired by Pinterest: reindeer pops, pigs in a blanket wreath,  cheese and veggie tree, Grinch Kabobs
* Handprint Craft

* The bottles for the cookie decorating were purchased at Wal-Mart in the cake decorating section.  Two jars of icing filled three bottles. 
* Some printables from my shop: Invitation, Reindeer frames, custom PJ printable, At Christmas all roads lead home, Charlie Brown "Christmas Time Is Here" lyrics

Past Parties: 2011, 2012

This party was inspired two years ago by one of my favorite bloggers, Kelle Hampton.