Christmas Crafts

I feel like this month is just flying by!  We have been very busy the past several weeks working on our countdown to Christmas with Random Acts of Christmas Kindness, making lots of Christmas crafts and ornaments, and doing some baking.  This morning was our Christmas Party......we had a blast!  Anyway, I thought I would share some of the crafts we have made......most are very simple and you could even do during Christmas break with your kiddos.

 

These were paper plate wreaths we made to take to Parkside.....we thought maybe they could give to residents that don't have any Christmas decorations.

Cut out the center of the plate and paint the outside green. 

Then use red beads or pom poms for the berries.

Add a bow and they are ready to hang up. 

Our next craft was toilet paper roll rudolph.  Cut the toilet paper tube in half and paint brown.

Once dry, add eyes, red pom pom nose, and pipe cleaner antlers.......I was out of brown, so we just used yellow.

Spiral Christmas Trees.......cut a spiral out of green construction paper.  The children used glitter glue to decorate them.

Once dry, we added a star on top and ribbon to hang it.  These turned out cute, but were difficult to photograph!

This next craft was supposed to be pipe cleaner icicles, but I forgot to buy white pipe cleaners so we just used red and green and added decorative beads.  If you want to make them look like icicles, use white or silver pipe cleaners and clear beads.

 

Once the children are done putting beads on, twist it around your finger or pencil to make a spiral and hang on the tree. 

Glitter ornaments.......this took a little trial and error!  I saw something similar on Pinterest, but didn't have stamping ink so we improvised.  You need the clear glass ornaments.....I grabbed some at Hobby Lobby for 50% off! 

Have each child pick a color of craft paint.....they all chose red or green.  A measuring glass with a pour spout works the best for mixing paint......mix together several drops of paint and several drops of water.....you don't need a whole lot, so depending how many you are making will depend how much you mix up.  Then pour into the ornament and swish it around.....making sure to cover the opening.  Then drain out the excess liquid.

Hoping this makes sense......definitely a one on one project, so didn't get very many pictures of the actual process.

 

Once the ornament is coated, pour glitter into the inside and shake around.  Silver or white glitter works the best.   

I love how these turned out.......very sparkly without glitter getting all over your house!

 

Thanksgiving Activities

Last week we worked on our letter J, but our crafts went along with Thanksgiving instead of the letter. 
We started out by making these super cute Styrofoam cup turkeys.

You can use any size cup and just paint brown.

Once the paint is dry, poke feathers in the back of the turkey and on top.  If the children have trouble poking the feathers through, take a pen and poke some holes in first and then it's easier for them to poke their feathers through.

Then add eyes, gobbler and beak to complete your turkey.

 

 

 



We also made a large thankful turkey.....we had been discussing for the past few weeks about things or people we are thankful for.  They each told me a couple to write down on their feathers and then they decorated them with beads, glitter, stickers, and sequins.

 

Once they were all dry, we put it all together......very colorful and sparkly.

 

 

And finally our Thanksgiving Feast was today.......turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, rolls, apples and pumpkin dessert......yum!!!

I made the cups look like turkeys (idea from Pinterest) and they doubled as place cards.

 

And now I need a nap!

 

Actually I just want to take a moment to say thank you......to my second family......my daycare family!  You all are a true blessing to me and my family and I love each one of you!  The joy that your children bring me each and every day and that as parents, you allow me to spend the day teaching, playing, and taking care of your children......I am truly blessed.

 

And also to my family.......my husband is my rock and definitely very thankful for him and his love and devotion to our family......he provides for us and works hard at work and at home......I love you more than words can say!  Also, very thankful for my children......so blessed to be their mommy!

 

May God bless you all on this Thanksgiving!!!

 

 

Pumpkin Dessert

Ingredients

1 large can Pumpkin Pie Mix

2/3 cup evaporated milk

2 eggs

1 box yellow cake mix

1 stick butter (softened)

1 cup walnuts (I used pecans cause that's what I had and not on entire dessert) 

 

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Beat pumpkin pie mix, evaporated milk and eggs until well mixed.

Pour into greased 9x13 pan.

Combine butter and cake mix.  Use a fork or your fingers to make sure all the butter is incorporated into the cake mix.

Sprinkler on top of pumpkin mixture.

Bake for 15 minutes.

Remove from oven and sprinkle walnuts or pecans on top of cake mix (this could be omitted).

Bake for 30 minutes longer.

The top should be golden brown and your walnuts will be roasted.

Serve with whipped topping.