31 Days | Have I Missed Anything Important?

I can't believe that 31 days have literally flown by. I am glad that I signed up with The Nestor and actually stuck with it. I had to learn about pre-planing my posts and writing ahead to keep the stress down,.
I learned a good bit about traditions I have never heard of and the orgins of others.

If you have any traditions that I didn't mention, I would still love to hear about them.

Otherwise - Today starts the Holiday Season. I can't believe that we are already on Halloween. The next two months will be a whirlwind of craziness. Parties, food, and friends & family. I hope you enjoy!

This is part of a 31 day series.  Check out the other posts here.  And check out the other bloggers participating in this challenge here.

31 Days | Christmas Books for Adults

I love to read. And I love to read books about Christmas and the holidays. My all time favorite has to be The Christmas Box by Richard Paul Evans. In fact - it is trilogy and they are all wonderful. Each book is fairly short and an easy read. I try to read it at least every two years or so. It really never gets old.

You can find out more about it here.

Do you have books that you read every holiday?

You can find other Christmas themed books I have read and reviewed here.

This is part of a 31 day series.  Check out the other posts here.  And check out the other bloggers participating in this challenge here.

31 Days | Up for Santa

Growing up, my brother or I would get up in the middle of the night and head to the Christmas Tree. If Santa had been and the gifts were out, we would wake up the other. At that time we would let our parents know that Santa had been to the house. They would stay in their room and sleep while we opened and played with gifts. At some point we would wander back to bed until morning.
Taft has yet to get up before us on Christmas. He will be five this year so I know that the time is coming. I have learned that everyone does this differently, but I would like to see him when he first sees his gifts.
Some parents make the kids stay in their rooms until everyone is up, and I have heard some creative ways to make sure this happens.

I have heard of people putting crape paper over the door so you can see if the came out early. Our Santa leaving the children's stockings in their rooms. They are allowed to play with that until time to get up. And also parents ringing a bell to let them know that it is time to come to the tree.

How do you do it at your house?

This is part of a 31 day series.  Check out the other posts here.  And check out the other bloggers participating in this challenge here.

31 Days | Magic Key's For Santa

I am not sure how long these have been around, but I didn't hear about them until I saw them on Pinterest. Maybe I am just behind.
We don't have a chimney at our house and I think one of these just maybe the ticket. I haven't decided which style I like better or how to introduce it to Taft.
These are a few that I found on etsy and loved.

Click photo for source

Click Photo for Source

Click Photo for Source

This is part of a 31 day series.  Check out the other posts here.  And check out the other bloggers participating in this challenge here.

31 Days | Children's Books for Christmas

For today's post, I am going to review a few new Christmas Children's Book that I was lucky enough to receive from NetGalley.

STATS:
Author - M. Maitland DeLand
Hardcover, 36 pages
Published September 3rd, 2013 by Greenleaf Book Group Press

Descrtiption From Goodreads:
Santa’s reindeer have flown off to have a little fun before Christmas. But who will bring them back to the North Pole in time to help deliver gifts? Why, Baby Santa, of course!
While Santa and the elves hurry to finish making gifts for all the good boys and girls, Baby Santa and Rudolph take flight around the globe to round up the mischievous reindeer.
As the reindeer are collected, one by one, charming illustrations portray how Christmas is celebrated around the world. From fireworks in Brazil to wooden shoes filled with gifts in Paris, Christmas is a time of joy for children on every continent. No wonder the reindeer headed out for some international fun!

My Thoughts:
The first thing that I noticed about this book is that the Santa has an ethnic appearance. I think this is great! I think that it is hard to find books about Santa that look like all children and it will provide a great option.
It is a great story about Baby Santa and Rudolph going around the world in search of the missing reindeer.

STATS:
Authos - M. Maitland DelandIllustrator - Phil WilsonHardcover, 32 pages
Published September 1st 2010, Greenleaf Book Group

Description From Goodreads:
What in the world is Santa going to do when his sleigh breaks down? The presents are packed up, Santa is ready . . . but where is his magical sleigh? For the first time in history, Santa's sleigh is broken. Santa is grounded on the most important night of the year. How will children around the world get their presents?
Baby Santa, the youngest member of the Claus family, comes to the rescue. With his boundless energy, bright smile, and bouncy enthusiasm, Santa's son hatches a plan to save Christmas and have a traveling adventure at the same time.

My Thoughts:
This was a really cute book about the Santa. Baby Santa is the youngest Santa at the North Pole. Baby Santa helps Santa work out problems in order to deliver the toys to all the children in the world.
Children learn about the magic of Christmas and also about other countries and they types of transportation that is available in those countries. I really loved the story and pictures. Perfect for a read in December.

STATS:
Author - Alexis York Lombard
Illustrations - Flavia Weedn
Published September 10th 2013

Description From Goodreads:
Did you know that angels of all kinds are everywhere? “Some are big, some are tiny. They're all so bright and very shiny.” This lyrical, breezy, and nondenominational picture book introduces children and adults to a magical place which radiates warmth, love, and caring throughout its colorful and delicate pages. With its rich paintings, readers are transported through many colorful scenes, places and seasons to see how angels work behind the scenes, weaving their graces.

My Thoughts:
I know that this books is not really a Christmas book, but we talk a lot about angels at Christmas. This is sweet book about guardian angels looking over us. The illustrations are bright and colorful. The angels even have colored wings. Not just traditional white and gold. It is also written in a beautiful rhyme. It would be a perfect book year round especially at bedtime.

STATS:
Author - Richard Thomas Parrette, JR
Illustrations - Muideen Ogunmola
Hardcover, 32 pages
Published august 20th, 2012 byt High Hopes Pulishing LLC

Description from Goodreads:
Christmas is a magical time of the year. Santa’s toy factory builds a lot of toys for children all over the world. His flying reindeer help him deliver all those toys in one night and at every house the kids leave Santa their favorite cookies. Wow! That has to be millions and millions of cookies. Now if elves help build the toys, and flying reindeer get Santa to every house in one night, ever wonder if someone helps him eat all those cookies?

My Thoughts:
This books lets us in on the secret of how Santa can eat all though cookies left out for him in only one night. He has a Cookie Elf that helps him out. How knew that Santa wasn't eating all those cookies himself and it is an elf with a magic tummy. I can't believe I had never asked that question.
The Cookie Elf even adds a few recipes of Santa's favorites so we can all make them for Santa.
The pictures were cute, simple and bright. The story is told very well and with rhyming from page to page. I just may have to use the recipes.

STATS:
Author, Stephen W. BigaloweBook, 128 pages
Pulished September 21st, 2013 by Profitt Publishing

Description From Goodreads:
Who is Santa? And how did he get to the North pole? Is a delightfully creative and entertaining reading experience guaranteed to make your heart smile. Stephen shares how Santa and Mrs. Claus discovered the mischievous but devoted Elfians, why Santa uses a sleigh and how in the world reindeer learned to fly. How DID Santa and Mrs. Claus get to the North Pole, and what was Elf Norman's big idea? Where did the sweet invention of Candy Canes come from? You will learn how Santa fixed a case of the Grumpies and how the actual North Pole itself was discovered. Throughout the story line are lessons on the value of sharing, teamwork, and treating others well. Parents and Grandparents will find this book will bring families together with fun and laughter, with many nights of happy reading. The book is an 8.5 x 11 format to make 40 plus illustrations more enjoyable for children's viewings.

My Thoughts:
This is a wonderful book for the child that asks questions about Santa. It starts with Santa and Mrs. Claus making candy and toys and ends with them being the people they are today. It answers all those questions about how Santa can get to all the houses in one, how he ended up living in the North Pole, where the elves came from, and more.
A wonderful and enjoyable book for child and parent.

This is part of a 31 day series.  Check out the other posts here.  And check out the other bloggers participating in this challenge here.

31 Days | Service Projects

Christmas seems to be a time of the year that gets people in the mood to donate and volunteer. There are so many options. A local homeless shelter, soup kitchen, Toys for Tots, angels trees, and Christian outreach programs like Compassion and World Vision.
It really is amazing what a small amount of money can do. Especially in another country.

Do you have favorites that you give to each? Do you volunteer as a family?

This is part of a 31 day series.  Check out the other posts here.  And check out the other bloggers participating in this challenge here.

31 Days | Cookies for Santa

When I was a child, we left cookies and milk for Santa. He always ate them. So now Taft leaves out cookies for Santa too. We make them on Christmas Eve, or one night that week, and he is so proud of them when he helps in kitchen. Even if he loads on twice as many sprinkles as needed.

Do you leave out cookies and milk?

Do you leave out anything else or more original?

Do you have a special plate for them?

This is part of a 31 day series.  Check out the other posts here.  And check out the other bloggers participating in this challenge here.

31 Days | Christmas Pajamas

Christmas pajamas are a pretty big tradition for many families. Taft gets new ones each year. Last year they were more winter themed than just Christmas, but he got new ones. I even got a picture of Taft his first Christmas in 2008 with his Belton cousins before bed.

I am pretty sure that we have gotten ours at Target every year. Made by Carter and in a package of two mix and match pairs.

Do you buy new pj's for the kids?

Or does the entire family get them?

Do you all match?

This is part of a 31 day series.  Check out the other posts here.  And check out the other bloggers participating in this challenge here.

31 Days | The Night Before Christmas

For Taft's first Christmas, we were given a beautiful "Twas The Night Before Christmas book from Gran. Taft loves it. The Santa has a real beard that he can feel and play with. We read it every Christmas Eve before bed.

Do you read this story to your children?

Or do you have another that you read on Christmas Eve?

This is part of a 31 day series.  Check out the other posts here.  And check out the other bloggers participating in this challenge here.

31 Days | To Wrap or Not To Wrap

When I was a child, Santa would leave us our gifts unwrapped. I loved being able to walk in the living room and there were my gifts. Easy to see. Easy to survey for what was there.

When Taft was born, I learned that whether to wrap gifts from Santa or not was the parents preference. I decided to keep Taft's unwrapped also. His first Christmas that he could really understand the gifts were for him, I asked Santa to leave them unwrapped also. I loved seeing him walk in and see all those gifts waiting.

I have friends that ask Santa to wrap the gifts. Some even pick out the wrapping paper for him. That way it is easy to tell what was from Santa and what is not.

Does Santa wrap gifts at your house or not?

This is part of a 31 day series.  Check out the other posts here.  And check out the other bloggers participating in this challenge here.

31 Days | Parades

Who doesn't love a parade? I loved them as a child and then being able to watch them with Taft made them even better. Just seeing the wonder in his eyes as he sees all the floats with lights and Santa on a firetruck is perfect. Last year, we were even able to walk in the parade with his Pre-K class. They won best float. ;0


Taft and I in 2010



As a small child, we went to our home town parade and also to the "big city" in the county over. In high school I was on DanceLine and I was able to march in our two county parades and even a big on in Tennessee on a Band Trip. They were so much fun and I am even tempted to start doing our routine when I hear bands play certain Christmas songs.

Parades will be a big tradition at our house.

Do you like parades? Did you go as a child? Have you ever been to a well know parade like Macy's?

This is part of a 31 day series.  Check out the other posts here.  And check out the other bloggers participating in this challenge here.

31 Days | Christmas Cards

The first Christmas Card recorded was in London in 1843. Sir Henry Cole got a painter to make him a card that he could send to his friends and business acquaintances. By the 1860's, sending Christmas Cards in Britain was a popular tradition. It didn't take off in the United States until Louis Prang (known as the father of the American Christmas Card), made a card for his customers in 1875. Now it is the most sent card of the year.
Their are so many Christmas Cards options. Folded traditional cards, postcards, and photo cards. Even e-cards for the holidays.

The first Christmas Card.

Do you send Christmas Cards?  Photo or Traditional?

And what do you do with all those cards you get?

This is part of a 31 day series.  Check out the other posts here.  And check out the other bloggers participating in this challenge here.

31 Days | Living Nativity & The Christmas Story

One thing that we have done each year since Taft was born is to go to the Living Nativity at Parkview Baptist Church. That happens to be our own church now and we are going to be in the cast one of the three nights. It is a very big event for the church and the community. Hundreds of people drive through and see the story of Jesus from birth to rising from the grave.

Do you have a similar tradition?  How do you tell the Christmas Story in your family?

This is part of a 31 day series.  Check out the other posts here.  And check out the other bloggers participating in this challenge here.

31 Days | Devotional

Daily Devotionals are something that many people do daily. Everyone has their favorites and different programs that work for them. Some people like having a physical book to hold and take notes in. Others like to have them delievered right into their email inbox. Me - I like to have them both ways. Getting them online is great since you can access them with most phones and read whenever you like. Waiting in a doctors office or for your children to get finished with sports practice may be the only time you have to spare in the day.

I have noticed that many of my blogging friends do special holiday themed devotionals. I have found two that I would like to do this year. Both on YouVersion. I use the app for my phone and for the view it online at the computer. I would love to make this a tradition for me. I plan on doing Joy! To The World! A Countdown to Christmas and Sounds of Christmas.

Do you have a devotional that you love for the holidays? Any suggestions for my to check out?

And in general, do you have a daily, year long devotioal that you love?

This is part of a 31 day series.  Check out the other posts here.  And check out the other bloggers participating in this challenge here.

31 Days | Holiday Meals

I think that having holiday meals together with family and friends is a tradition for a lot of people. Growing up we had a Christmas schedule. On Christmas Eve we went to my great aunt Mary's house. My great grandmother also lived there. She had six daughters and when you add in husbands, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, that's a lot of people. There was always a house full of people, food, and noise, but as we all got older, the number of people able to come diminished.

Christmas dinner at our house was dependant on the fire department shift my father was on. Sometimes it would be the day before or after Christmas so he could be there, but the menu stayed about the same. Turkey, cornbread dressing, giblet gravy, corn, green beans, deviled eggs, and rolls. And that is exactly what I cook each year now, right down to the pecan pie. It's funny how that happens.

The only tradition that we have at our house is a green velvet cake. And no, you didn't read that wrong. The year that Taft was born, we stayed here in Florida for Christmas. It is easier and you don't have to try to re-route Santa. We had friends over for dinner and I wanted to make a homemade red velvet cake. Shane went to buy the red food coloring and they were out EVERYWHERE. So he bought green. It looked a little weird but tasted great. So it will be green forever.

Do you have a certain place to go on Christmas? Do you make a certain menu or dish?

This is part of a 31 day series.  Check out the other posts here.  And check out the other bloggers participating in this challenge here.

31 Days | Reindeer Food

Reindeer Food has become a fun little tradition for our family. And for the last two years, it is a tradition that we have shared with Taft's class.

I first saw the idea of reindeer food from my husband's SIL, Teresa. She has always been very creative with her children and I have copied a few things from her. (Like Taft having his own tree in his room.) My niece and newphew would leave out reindeer food on Christmas Eve. I have also heard about people leaving out grain or carrots. But then a wonderful thing happened. Pinterest. And I found these.

I pretty much followed her recipe and use her free printables. One thing I do different is leave out the glitter. Glitter is pretty and sprakles but it is terrible for the birds and small animals that may eat your food before the reindeer get to it. I also included dried split peas. They have a nice green color.

Here's the ones that we have done.

I also used a photo of Taft as the gift tag. I loved doing thee for his gifts when he was very little. You may not know the children's names in your child's class, but you recognize them in a photo. You can read how I did that here.

Do you leave out goodies for the reindeer or elves?

This is part of a 31 day series.  Check out the other posts here.  And check out the other bloggers participating in this challenge here.

31 Days | ABC Family's 25 Days of Christmas

This "event" has been around since 1996. It started with just holiday themed movies and then quickly they added general family themed movies like Home Alone and Harry Potter. It also includes original holiday movies and there are new ones each year.
Taft hasn't been old enough to look forward to the 25 Days of Christmas but he did enjoy the movies last year. It is a great time to TiVo a few favorites for later.
I have a friend whose child looks forward to it in a big way. He can't wait to get the magazine insert that is the schedule for the year so he can "plan" what he is going to watch. It really is a tradition for them. I have to say that I look forward to getting that insert this year also.
You can keep up to date and get a schedule for 2013 here and follow their facebook page for updates here.

Do you normally watch the ABC Family's 25 Days of Christmas? Is it part of your family tradition with the kids?

This is part of a 31 day series.  Check out the other posts here.  And check out the other bloggers participating in this challenge 

31 Days | Operation Christmas Child

If you haven't heard of Operation Christmas Child, it is time you did. This is a wonderful charity through Samaritans Purse. Since 1993, over 100 million children have received a simple shoebox gift and the love of God.
It is a very simple process to get involved. Pick what age and if you are giving to a girl or boy. Buy appropriate items for that child. They have a list of suggestions along with a list of things to not include here. You pack a shoebox or plastic container the size of a shoebox and send it off to an unknown child.  It may be the only gift they get all year, or even in their life up to this point.
You can check with the churches that are near you and see if any are working as a drop off point.  We have a few in our county this year and that make mailing them off even easier.  Just make sure to get an early start since the boxes need to be in the mail in November.
Children love to help with the buying and packing of these boxes.  It is a great time to talk to them about how little others have in comparison to them.  And a wonderful time to learn that it is more important to give than to receive. If you include a letter with your address, it is possible that you may get a letter from your child.
Do you do Operation Christmas Child?  Have you ever gotten a letter from one of your children?

This is part of a 31 day series.  Check out the other posts here.  And check out the other bloggers participating in this challenge here.

31 Days | Christmas Pickle

The Christmas Pickle. Strange to me, but I know few people that have this tradition in their house. As I read to write this post, it seems that a true origin of the game has never been found.
One possibility was that it was a German tradition. But it was proven false. In the 1890's, glass ornaments were imported from Germany and France. Many were shaped like fruit and vegetables and were first sold at Woolworth's. A pickle was surely in the group.
Another story was that a Civil War solider was starving in a camp and begged the guard for a pickle which he was given. Once he returned home, he credited the pickle for saving his life. He began hiding a pickle on their family Christmas Tree for the children to find.
And another is a Spanish story of St. Nicholas saving two children from a barrel of pickles that belonged to an evil Inn keeper.
Regardless of where it came from, it seems that it has become fairly popular with families in American. Often, the first child to find it gets a special little prize or gift.

Is this a tradition in your family? Do you have any idea on where and why it started?

This is part of a 31 day series.  Check out the other posts here.  And check out the other bloggers participating in this challenge here.

31 Days | Seeing Santa

Going to see Santa is something that most kids look forward too. I know I did as a child. Getting to tell him exactly what you wanted was priceless. And of course the wonderful photos.

As a child, we saw Santa at the Quintard Mall in Oxford, Alabama, every year. We also saw him at National Guard Christmas parties but that main meeting was always at the mall. I was at home for Christmas a few years ago and Taft saw Santa there also. He was 18 months old and not thrilled about it.

Not too happy about Santa in Alabama.

Since then, we have found that the Santa at Santa's Christmas Tree Forest is our favorite. There is never a long line. He is in a sled in front of Christmas trees, they don't have a photographer so taking your own photos is a must and also free. We plan on going there this year too.

Last year to the Christmas Tree Farm

Do you see Santa each year? Do you take a written list? So you go to the same place?

And better yet - do you have funny Santa photos to share?

This is part of a 31 day series.  Check out the other posts here.  And check out the other bloggers participating in this challenge here.