Making things with my kids and for them is so much fun, and Christmas is the perfect time of year to really let loose with projects. We started off with snow globes. Max had one too, but it leaked and was quickly thrown in the trash.
Our treat for nearby friends was popcorn balls this year. I actually made a promising new recipe (100 of them!) of something else. But, after seeing Clayton gag, they were thrown in the trash. Popcorn balls were a quick and delicious back-up, if not as elegant. ;)
Last year was the first year we had the kids pick out presents for each other, and this year I thought we would take it up a notch and have them make things for each other. It actually turned out incredibly well. Audrey and Luke made a magnet play set for Max. No more of Audrey's magnetic paper dolls during church for this rough and tumble guy! The kids picked out all sorts of pictures on the computer of things Max likes, printed them onto magnetic paper, and cut them all out. Max loves it!
Luke made Audrey two different memory games: one of ABC's and one of 123's. As she loves Memory and needs all the help she can get with her letters and numbers, I'd say it was a perfect choice by Luke. He worked really hard, even Modpodging colorful paper on the backs of all the little wooden pieces. Great job Luke!
Audrey made a set of "Bowling Buddies" for Luke. We used rub-on faces, but I ended up having to fix a few with permanent marker and paint. But, she did a really nice job and was very proud of the fun game she had to give to Luke.
I wanted to make something for each child this year, but my dreams and plans for a lego table for Luke and pocket bibs for Max were curtailed by budget and time. I did, however, finish a nice gift for Audrey. I made her a "portable tea party", which is basically a tablecloth that cinches up into a carry-all bag for all the tea party things. I also made matching napkins, felt placemats (or plates, as Audrey calls them), and some felt goodies. With a $5 tea set, it was an inexpensive and fun little thing for her that she loves to play with.
We did gingerbread houses again this year, and I decided to make the gingerbread instead of using graham crackers. Clayton really wanted a good cookie that we would all want to eat. I used Wilton house cookie cutters, and it was pretty easy and fun. The gingerbread was really, really good, although I should have cooked it a tad longer so that it wasn't quite so soft. A couple of roofs caved in. Oh well! We all had our fill and more of gingerbread and candies. I almost want to gag just thinking about it!
This is the Rapunzel Luke made. Funny guy. I think he just wanted an excuse to eat two whole Twizzlers.
If only there was more time in a day. I would have loved to make many more fun projects, but oh well. Maybe next year. :)
1 comment:
You are such a good mom! We did a house this year too, but ours was from a kit you buy at Sam's. And all I did for homemade gifts is make hooded towels for the boys. You make my skills look pretty paltry. Oh well, Merry Christmas!
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