Very Special Ornaments

Every Christmas my FIL gives handmade ornaments to the grandchildren. This is no small task as there are lots! He designs, cuts & paints each and every one. We always look forward with anticipation to see what he has created. These are the ones from this year. Aren't they beautiful? 

ALL ROLLED INTO ONE

Today we did a little Astronomy. After we finished our reading & written work it was time for some hands-on learning.  Somehow that flowed into a Christmas craft. The kids were very happy with both. =) 

Enjoying some hands-on fun.

Making craters to simulate how they are made on Mercury's surface.

Craters

Next I made some salt dough & the boys made their own models of Mercury.

Here he is making the craters on the surface.  After they were finished we put them aside to dry.

Since we had already made a mess making the dough for the models I thought it would be a good time to make our salt dough ornaments.  I found our recipe and got to work.

They made a snowman together.

Getting down to work on their ornaments.

After he made his cut-out ornaments he started making a snowman for his shelf.

My big girl does it all by herself.

Ready for the oven!

We filled up 2 cookie sheets.

All finished!

Now they are baking in the oven.  We'll paint them either tomorrow or maybe Saturday.  

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was a nice, relaxed evening at home this year. Usually we go to the Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at our church. I was afraid of a relapse spoiling Christmas morning so as a precaution we stayed home. I missed our tradition but enjoyed our time at home. Every season in our lives is different, isn't it?

It is our tradition that the children receive their special ornaments on Christmas Eve. They were excited to receive them & see what Mama had been working on all afternoon! Here is Bugsy with his.

Elvis

Boo Bear

Hanging them on the tree.

Sweet Pea

Princess wouldn't pose with hers. Lol.
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We had our special Christmas Eve dinner. This year it was pizza! We haven't had it in quite awhile & the kids were very pleased.

Next on the list of traditions was the exchanging of presents between the children. Every year they either buy (with their own $), make or choose something of their own to give to each other. It is heartwarming to see their generosity to each other. They are eager to give & see the reactions of their siblings.

Elvis received these from Boo Bear.

She proudly gave Daddy a 2-Liter of his favorite. Mountain Dew!

Sweet Pea handed out presents too. This year she did lots of babysitting & pet sitting. I was touched by how much she spent on her siblings, Dave & I.

Boo Bear gave Princess one of her favorite kitty Beanie Babies, Amber. Princess adores it!

From Sweet Pea

From Sweet Pea

She gave her a Hannah Montana DVD too!

Also from Sweet Pea

From Boo Bear

He took both shirts & his glasses with him to bed he was so enamored with them!

LOL!

She was fascinated with Boo's ornament.

She kept taking it off the tree & trying to put it back again & again.

Then it was Elvis' turn to hand out presents. He didn't have any $ so he gave Boo & Bugsy toys of his own that were some of his favorites. He knew they loved them & wanted to give them something special. I almost cried it was so sweet.

He gave Sweet Pea a coupon promising "One Day of No Screaming". This is HUGE for him. Most of the time they are like oil & water together. I asked him if he wanted to promise an hour or a day & he chose the entire day. Wow!

Cutie Pie

The night wouldn't be complete without reading the story of our Savior's birth.

Princess added some giggles to this years reading. =0)

Bopping brother on the head.

Where's Princess?

Listening at last =0)

We talked about the real meaning of Christmas & then Daddy read "The Legend of the Candy Cane". One of our favorites!

The kids actually ASKED to go to bed. I think it was about 7:30p.m. Bugsy must have been tuckered out b/c in no time he was sound asleep with Molly cuddled by his side.

The kids started a tradition of their own about 5 years ago. They all spend the night together in one of their bedrooms. They take turns every year "hosting". This year it was Boo's turn to host. They giggle for awhile & then in the morning they stay in that bedroom until we come & get them. No peeking allowed! Lol!

Settling in for a long winter's nap.

Sweet Pea helped us out getting Princess to sleep & then joined the others in Boo's room.