Elf Magic #HolidayFun
November 30, 2012 by 8 Comments
Elves are, of course, just a ton of fun. And Santa’s elves are even more fun. For kids they are a mystery and an answer to all the questions of “how”. How does Santa build all those toys? How can he see all the boys and girls on the planet? How does Santa decorate his tree? How do the doll’s teeth stay straight? And even- What kind of trouble is there at the north pole?
There is a new elf tradition in our house which we started this year. It is called Elf Magic. The fun starts with a letter to Santa asking for a Magic Elf to visit. To help lure the Magic Elf to your house, a cup of water and a cracker must be left out, much like cookies and milk for Santa. Because Elves love the crunch of crackers, much like snow and the water is melted snow flakes, an elf delicacy. Nightly, the little elf goes on wonderful elfcapades and is found in a brand new silly place every time. Little Man loved this, he always has fun with story time, and Elf Magic was like making up stories at wake up time instead of bed time. Every night after being sprinkled with the special snow, paper and easy to clean up by the way. The elf comes to life. [Read more…]
Veggietales Ultimate Christmas Collection Review and Give It Away @VeggieTales
November 30, 2012 by 32 Comments
When you think of Christmas, I’m pretty sure the last thing you think of is a pile of wholesome vegetables. And that is the way it should be honest, but I ask you for a short time to think of vegetables at this time of year, especially those delivering a message. The Veggietales have released a “Veggie Christmas Marathon” in the form of six holiday movies and one CD packed with 25 songs. This collection is Veggietales’ “The Ultimate Christmas Collection”. This collection is full of fun from the “It’s a Wonderful Life” inspired tale, “It’s a Meaningful Life” to the A Christmas Carol inspired “The Star of Christmas”.
At this time of year, it is important to remember the reason for the season. I do think it is important to keep family values year round, and be mindful [Read more…]
Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups Coloring Sheets, Activity Pages, and Recipes
November 29, 2012 by 1 Comment
CONNECTICUT’S MYSTIC AQUARIUM MERRY AND BRIGHT
November 29, 2012 by Leave a Comment
FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS MAKES CONNECTICUT’S MYSTIC AQUARIUM MERRY AND BRIGHT
WITH A FREE CELEBRATION AND DIVING SANTA ON FRIDAY, DEC. 7, 5 P.M. – 7:30 P.M.
Admission-free event benefits Gemma E. Moran United Way Labor Food Center
The Sea Research Foundation’s Mystic Aquarium invites visitors to celebrate the true spirit of the season during its annual Festival of Lights event on Friday, Dec. 7 from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Admission is free with a nonperishable food item that benefits the Gemma E. Moran United Way Labor Food Center in New London, Conn.
Hundreds of luminaria will line the aquarium’s [Read more…]
Alternative Christmas Traditions From Across The World
November 23, 2012 by Leave a Comment
In England, we’re all fully aware of how our nation likes to traditionally celebrate
Christmas. And, although each family may have their own variations on what
they like to do for the big day, us Brits all tend to follow the same routine; we all
decorate a Christmas tree, we all give presents, we all pull crackers and wear
those silly paper hats, and we all tend to eat some form of roast dinner.
But, have we ever taken time to think about how other nations celebrate the
festive period? Surely all other countries across the world celebrate Christmas in
exactly the same way as us, right? Well, we’d be wrong. Because, just like us,
individual nations have their own individuals traditions on how they like to
celebrate the birth of Jesus.
So, to give you a little insight into how, here’s a little summary of how other
countries and communities’ from around the world will be celebrating Christmas
this year:
1. United States of America
In England, its tradition to leave Santa a little glass of sherry and his reindeer a
few carrots whilst they stop off at our homes to deliver our presents. But, in
America, their tradition is to ditch the carrots and sherry, and leave out a tray of
cookies and a glass of milk for Santa and his little helpers, instead. And, if Santa
stops off at houses where the children have been naughty rather than nice, he’ll
leave them nothing but coal in their Christmas stockings!
2. [Read more…]
Relief from Sandy & gift giving with a @WorldVisionUSA Beaded Necklace Guest #G!veaway @closertolucy
November 2, 2012 by 5 Comments
Guest Giveaway ~
I recently posed a question to my readers on my Facebook page asking people how they felt about making charitable contributions in someone’s name verses traditional gift giving.
I learned a great deal from the conversation that followed…for one, y’all are some generous folks, and are making a difference for the greater good in some very clever and creative ways.
You shared some great ideas as to how we all might gift organizations that share in our desire to make societal transformations.
In light of our own recent needs here in the US, I would like to add more to that conversation and share about an organization that has had a hand in many areas of positive social change.
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice.
World Vision aids in meeting the immediate basic needs of nutrition, education, shelter, and clothing as well as water.
Every day more than 4,000 children die of water-and sanitation-related diseases. Giving to the CleanWater Fund will help bring clean water, sanitation, and hygiene to communities — helping cut child deaths by more than half!
They also have programs that intervene and end the cycle of abuses that come from the [Read more…]
