Fun Friday: How Many Blocks are There?

I am borrowing this from the page listed on the picture. Don't cheat. How many blocks are there?

ANSWER: 66

First Christmas

The first Christmas is always more fun when the child is old enough to realize something special is going on.

Christmas = Family

Playing Disney Uno!

Jesus got a turtles birthday cake.

Fun Friday: What's on Your List?

This wasn't supposed to be the Fun Friday post, but since I'm just now finishing it, I'm going to post it on all four blogs as the Fun Friday post, so have some fun with it!

Ever since the movie "Bucket List," people have been making their own lists. I prefer to call them life lists. Some of the popular Life List choices include writing a novel, going on a cruise, learning another language, visiting the Grand Canyon and so on. There is even a website devoted to making your list and following through. It includes thousands of ideas from other members. (You can find that HERE)

Here are some lists that I found online. Not sure who to credit for these.

The end of a year is a good time to reflect on your life. What things have you done from the lists above? What ten things would be on your own Life List? Leave a comment below and we will compile our own list.

The Wonder of Christmas

One of the best parts of the Christmas season is having a new little one who is old enough to notice what is going on around her.

Jasmine, Kayla and I took River to Bethlehem Village. It was close to her bedtime, so I was a little worried. But no fears. It was 40 minutes away, and she napped on the way.

Signing in for the census

If you brought canned goods, you turned them in at the tax booth.

Then it was off to the stable.

Then we went booth to booth, and at each booth a person from the Christmas story told their part of the story.

 

I know this isn't that great of a picture. I was holding her and trying to hold my phone out far enough to get the photo but not drop the phone. I like the picture because of the wonder on her face as she sees the Christmas lights.

 

She was getting hungry so I bought chicken on a stick with rice because I knew she'd like the rice. She liked the chicken too. I also got a funnel cake. We split it all 4 ways. At those prices, we share!

One day when River came over while Mommy worked, I decided to get some photos of her playing with the new shatterproof balls. She loved them! I sat her in the rocking chair and piled them on her. I love her joy. It's contagious.

If you watch the video, you are in for a cuteness overload! For those of you who have been following my blog, does it really seem like she should be turning one in 11 days?

Quick Tips: Staying Fit During the Holidays

Today author Sherry Kyle shares tips that are helpful to all of us this time of year--how to stay fit with all that tempting food and plates of goodies around. 

Staying Fit During the Holidays

It’s not surprising people gain weight over the holidays with all the high-calorie food available and holiday movies to watch. Add in football season with long stretches of television and unhealthy snacks and there’s a combination that is sure to add inches to your waistline.

Here are three tips to keep you fit during the holiday season:

• ·        Treat yourself a bit, but be mindful of what you’re putting in your mouth. Use a small plate for meals, and eat something healthy before going to a party. 
• ·        Get up and move every 20 minutes to keep the blood flowing and muscles engaged. Better yet, get exercise before you sit down to a meal and keep your body moving when you push away from the table.
• ·        Drink plenty of water. Many times we think we’re hungry, but in reality we’re dehydrated. Water is also important to replenish fluids after a workout.

Moderation is the key to a healthy lifestyle! 

Sherry is the author of many books for preteens and adults including Love Lexi and Watercolor Dreams. You can order her books HERE

You can connect with Sherry on her website or facebook page

Fun Friday: Minions' Christmas Song

 Last weeks' answer: Frost bite!

Holiday Birthdays

    Growing up, I hated having a birthday less than two weeks after Christmas. I wasn't ready for another set of presents yet. And  that meant no more presents for 11.5 months. And then there's hearing, "This is your combined Christmas and birthday present" or "I spent too much at Christmas so you're getting a smaller birthday present." My mother's birthday is two days before mine, so she was never the one that said that.

      It's important for families who have children born on or near Christmas to come up with their own unique ways to make those birthdays just as memorable as birthdays that are celebrated other times of year. Here are some ideas:

·         Make the birthday a totally separate occasion from Christmas. If the birthday actually takes place on Christmas Day, consider celebrating the weekend before or after. Decorate especially for the birthday. Fill your child's room with brightly colored balloons and crepe paper streamers. Avoid Christmas colors. Just as Christmas is a once-a-year occasion, so is your child's birthday.

·         If you choose to celebrate a Christmas birthday on Christmas day, make it a separate celebration. The Christmas festivities end at 5 p.m. and then it's birthday time. Replace the Christmas decorations with birthday ones for the evening. Enlist your family's help in doing this. Many parents share that relatives tend to combine the presents for the holiday birthday even though they give separate birthday gifts for birthdays during the year.

·         If you have a party for friends and classmates, have it before Christmas vacation starts so school friends will be more likely to come. Plan the same kind of party -- roller skating, bowling, video arcade -- as you would if the party was at another time of year.

·         Celebrate Christmas for its meaning, not the presents. Consider putting less emphasis on material goods at Christmas and more on helping others in need. Save the bigger gifts for birthdays no matter what time of year they fall.

·         Budget ahead. Set aside money during the year for your child's party, presents, entertainment, annual portraits and other birthday expenses. Make a list of everything you'll need just as though the birthday is coming up, then keep the list and bank the money.

·         Celebrate half birthdays. Each of my children gets a half cake to share with the family on his or her half birthday. Just make or buy a whole cake, cut it in half diagonally and freeze the other half for the next half birthday or other occasion. Some children with holiday birthdays like to receive one or all of their presents on their half birthday although this might be confusing for a younger child. As an alternative to this, designate a certain day in the summer as your special family day. Decorate with balloons and streamers, have pizza and cake and watch family videos from past vacations or holidays.

·         Have special birthday traditions for birthdays that you use for each special day no matter when it falls. This might include having a special birthday plate, the child choosing the menu for the day, a special privilege or some other way of marking another year of growth.

     These are just a few ideas to make holiday birthdays special, not lost among other holiday happenings. Try some of these ideas and develop special traditions of your own. Your child will have happy birthday memories to last a lifetime.