Crafty Christmas Wrap

On Saturday I decided to get crafty with Landry. I saw an idea on Pinterest that I used as my inspiration. The idea was to take painter's tape, put it on a canvas in the shape of letters, words, or a design. Then you let a toddler paint all over the canvas, take the tape away, and you are left with a really neat design.

So, I took the idea and tweaked it a bit. Instead of canvases I used plain white gift bags. I wanted Landry to make a bag for each of our family members for a special gift. I put the first initial of each family's last name on each bag.

Then I handed them over to my darling, naked artist!

He has a smile on his face now...but it took some warming up to the idea of being "naked."

(notice there is NO paint on the paper towel under his bag...he has a bit of his mom's type a personality. :) )

Since he was decorating Christmas bags I gave him red and green paint to work with. It was coincidental that the two brushes I happened to grab were red and green...and it worked out beautiful! He did a better job of keeping the gren in the green and the red in the red than most of my second graders do. :)

A budding young artist!

His enthusiasm started to dwindle at the end. I had him do eight bags...and the amount of paint that was used on each one decreased drastically from the first to the last bag. When he was all finished he was so proud of his work...and definitely ready to get cleaned up. He is not a fan of being messy. I had to tell him that it was okay to get paint on himself...and I promised that we would wash it off with soap and water. :)

After all of the paint dried, I pulled off the tape, and wrote each family's name inside the letter.

Look at how cute they turned out!

I love that they are all coordinating and yet each one is a little different. I also think that it is special to have the spirit of a small child on each present. Next time I think I will use narrower tape...but all in all it was a success!

After Christmas I will share with you what is inside each bag. :)

CBA: Day 2: Christmas Tree!

Today was day 2 of the Christmas Book Advent. Landry woke up and remembered the elf from last night! He also remembered his bucket of books and wanted to open one.

Today's book...

During his nap I decorated the house and set-up the Christmas tree. When he woke up I told him I had a surprise for him in the living room. He ran out and said, "Whoa...is a Chismas tee, Mommy!" Since the story of the day was about a Christmas tree...what better way to connect the story than to decorate the tree?!?

Here's my eager helper!

I showed him how to hold the hook and hang it on a branch...he caught on quickly and couldn't get enough ornaments!

The type A, OCD me really wanted to tell him where to put his ornaments...but fortunately the mommy in me kicked in, sat back, and watched him put all of his ornaments wherever he wanted! He has his own method...the method of "how many ornaments can I get on one branch?" :)

He even hung ornaments on ornaments!

When we were all done he wanted to read the book again!

He turned each page telling us what was happening...

and pointing out his favorite parts. :)

When he was drinking his milk and getting ready for bed he told me, "Mommy, dat Chismas tee is pitty. We get more nornaments tomorrow. We has to go to Tarbucks and get more." When I asked him why we needed to get more ornaments his answer was, "Because I yike dem...cause we need more!" Boy oh boy...you are a child after my own heart! :)

Christmas Book Advent {CBA} Day 1: Elf on the Shelf

So, I have to start with a confession...I'm a bit "Christmas Crazy" this year. Yup. It is true. I like to blame it on my child. Really...it is his fault. I am sooooooooooo excited to experience what I am calling "Landry's First Christmas." I say this because let's be real, his 1st Christmas he was only 7 months old. He had no idea what was going on. Last year...not much better. But this year, oh this year is so much different. We're only 2 days into December and it is already AH-MAZ-ING!

Back to the purpose of this post. Another reason for my craziness...PINTEREST! Seriously. It is all because of my darling child...and Pinterest. Enough pointing fingers...back to the topic...Christmas Book Advent calendar. I saw the idea on Pinterest and LOVED it! The 1st/2nd grade teacher in me loved the fact that I would be sharing a new story with my little one each day. Then the "crazy" kicked in...and as I started to collect books...I started to plan some activities to go with them. Yup. It. Is. True. I was able to hold back a little and only planned activities for the books that Landry would open on a weekend. Unfortantely the weekdays are just too crazy.

Last night, after we got home from Christmas Tree Lane, I had his basket of books waiting for him on the fireplace hearth.

Silly boy! He was so excited about his basket of books and immediately wanted to open them. I told him he could open one of them. Side note...no, he isn't blinking...this is his new smile...a scrunched up face. :)

He knew exactly what to do!

What was inside? Elf on the Shelf!!!!! He surprised me by being rather excited about the book and elf. I was a little worried that he might be scared of the elf...but he loves him! We read the story and talked about how he can't touch him...only Mommy and Daddy...or he will lose his magic. We told him that the elf would tell Santa if he had been good or not. If he is good, then Santa will bring him toys. He quickly said, "Santa has vacuums???" Yes sweet thing, Santa has vacuums! :)

We asked him what he wanted to name his elf and he said, "ABCs"...so, as of now he remains nameless...but he might be named "ABCs" because when we asked him about it today...he gave the same answer in a matter of fact, don't you remember, kinda way. :)

So, here he is...ABCs!

The Stockings Were Hung...

by the chimney with care!

Yup, you guessed it...I have been letting my creative juices flow this weekend! One of my favorite things about Christmas as a kid was hanging up our stockings. So, naturally I was very excited to be able to hang up our stockings...our family of stockings. I debated for awhile about whether or not I would just buy Landry a stocking or if I would make it. There was one at Pottery Barn that I loved but part of me felt that it wouldn't be the same as having one that was homemade. So, I decided to do my own version of the Pottery Barn one I loved...and I must admit...I am pretty proud of myself!

Those of you that know me and my type A personality...I made one for Chad and me as well...because there was no way that I was going to have one homemade stocking an two store bought.

Here they are hanging from our mantle and I have to say...it automatically made our living room feel so much more homey and personal. I love them!

Fun and Easy Christmas Gift

SPOILER ALERT!

If you are a parent helper in my classroom...you may want to stop reading. This post is about the gift you will be receiving in appreciation for all of your hard work! :o)

Now, back to business! I am sure that many of you are like me and you have quite a list of friends, family, co-workers, etc. that you would like to acknowledge during the holidays. If you are also like me, then you may find yourself on a very tight budget. Well, here is a simple, fun, and cute idea for you!

I know it is kind of hard to see what is in the bag...a set of measuring cups!

Here is what you need:
measuring cups - I found mine at Dollar Tree
cellophane bags
gift shred
ribbon
cardstock for the tag
button - strictly optional
glue dots - or any kind of glue

Since I have 15 parent helpers in my classroom, I was looking for a gift that would be useful, cute, and of course...budget friendly. So, I took a trip to the Dollar Tree and found these adorable, red, Betty Crocker measuring cups. Everything else I already had at home.

I put the cups in the bag, added some shred for a bit of pizazz, and tied the bow on. Then I printed some little cards that read, "No one could ever "measure up" to you...thank you for all of your help." I used glue dots to attach the card to the bag and the button to the card. If you don't have glue dots, you can easily use any other kind of glue or hot glue...I just think the dots are easier and less messy.

Here is another picture for you:

Like I said, these are super easy, fun, cute, and most importantly...very budget friendly. Since I already had the rest of the materials at home these only cost me $1 a piece!!!! These would also be great as a favor at a bridal shower, gifts for friends, neighbors, co-workers, anyone.