Ella's Eve

Ringing in the new year--toddler style...

A few days ago we started making New Year's Eve party favors to help celebrate the old and new.

We used clear contact paper and colored tissue paper in different shapes

Added a little corn and beans

And wah-lah...noise makers.  Those curly things to the left are party hats (MarthaStewart.com)

The balloon bag is filled and ready to drop at the toddler countdown (7:30 p.m), and the white grape juice spiked with a bit of ginger ale is ready for her bubbly toast.

Anticipation...

A little sparkler training with dad 

And the magic begins!  

Sparkly shoes for dinner on the town

Fireworks and Friends...

Cambree and Ella watching the daddy and "bop" fireworks show

Countdown and Balloon Drop

 Daddy/Daughter Toast..."to a happiness that knows no bounds."

Wishing all of you a memory-filled New Year with those you love!

Forming Hypotheses

Since Ella has been out of school for a few weeks, we stimulated her brain this morning with a new activity.  We took a plastic bin and used household items to do a sink/float experiment.  Ella filled the bin with water (after a few trips back and forth to the faucet).  Then, she selected an item from the basket.  We would talk about whether she thought that particular item would sink or float when placed in the water (formed our hypotheses)...and then talked about why it did or didn't afterwards (discussed the results).  She was a bigger fan of the items that floated!

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Celebrating Advent: From Creation to the birth of Jesus

Today, we celebrated the 1st Sunday of Advent by reading Genesis 1:26-31 (the creation of our world) and placing the appropriate ornament on our Jesse Tree.  We ended with a simple prayer thanking God, our creator, for making our wonderful world. 

What a sweet family moment and a great way to teach Ella the story of Jesus' genealogy and the history of God's salvation plan--in a toddler format.

Treasures

Ella's angel loves to escape to her little slice of heaven in the majestic mountains of Durango.  She and Ella share the same birthday month--separated by one day.  On her recent birthday get-a-way, she brought our sweet Ella back a treasure box of pine cones and rocks found while exploring the grounds of her CO mountain retreat.

Yesterday we decorated her pine cones with pom poms.

  

I see rock polishing in our future.  Can't wait to see them sparkle.

Thanks Mrs. Fae for being one of Ella's favorite treasures.  

You ROCK!

Christmas Traditions

LOVE this time of year--and holidays rich in tradition! Thanksgiving will be here before we know it, and we have so much to be thankful for.  Each day we bow our heads and give thanks for our sweet, sweet blessings.

Much of November and December is already filled with the important stuff:  family and friends, play dates, travel, Thanksgiving, and birthday celebrations (Troy and Jesus)!  With little time to spare, we got an early start on a few new Christmas traditions:

The Jesse Advent Tree 
The ornaments were made with felt I had on hand--and in my oh-so-usual-gotta-have-this-project-done-tonight kind of way.  While I was making the ornaments, Ella was sleeping, and Troy was outside looking for the perfect branch to use as our special tree.















The night before the first Sunday of Advent, we will place the appropriate ornament, scripture, prayer--and a piece of straw in the advent box.

Ella will love the routine of looking in the box every day, placing a new ornament on the tree, and collecting hay for the manger.  Next, we'll read the scripture, talk about the meaning, say the prayer...and listen for Ella's big AMEN!

Example:
1st Sunday of Advent--God (creation)
Scripture:  Genesis 1: 26-31 The Creation of the World
Ornament:  The earth
Prayer:  Thank You, Creator God, for making our wonderful world.

Each day the piece of straw will be taken and placed in a small manger.  On Christmas day, baby Jesus will be comfortably "asleep on the hay."

Christmas Book Basket

Twenty-five books about Christmas and the birth of Jesus all wrapped and in a basket.  Each night she will unwrap a book for bedtime.  She already had a number of related books.  I printed a few from www.ChristianPreschoolPrintables.com that complimented our Advent tree and wrapped two Christmas DVDs to make twenty-five.  

Christmas Cuckoo Clock
Since E loves the "So Long, Farewell" scene in the Sound of Music, this clock will be a nice surprise.  It's difficult to see from this picture, but a little elf comes out on the hour and sings a different Christmas carol.    

Birthday Celebration for Jesus 
On Christmas Eve, we'll bake a cake for Jesus in celebration of His special day.  Sweet Ella has been practicing her Happy Birthday Jesus song;).  

Oh what fun....

Ella Turns Two...

Today we're spending the day honoring Ella.  On this day, two years ago, our sweet Ella was born,  It's been so much fun watching her grow and seeing the magic in her eyes.  We love her so!

A little middle-of-the-night room decorating....  Thanks Aunt Chas for all of your hot air;). 

A Montessori/Waldorf inspired birthday crown made with felt and remnants from outgrown clothes

A little birthday "Facetime" with Daddy and No No

The afternoon will be spent with family/friends...and a few of Ella's "Favorite Things."

Pretzel Hershey Hugs and Kisses for her school birthday snack time

"Just a spoon full of chocolate makes" a special birthday snack. 

Her seven children...

A Few Simple Timesavers

Getting out the door in the mornings--and being on time--is usually a challenge with little ones.  We started a new rhythm of laying out Ella's clothes the night before.  She chooses between two outfits, and the one she chooses gets hung on the rack.  Shoes, socks, etc. get placed in the basket.  Sweet and simple...I like it!

Wanted to provide Ella with a little something to help her keep track of her dry erase markers--and easily find the color she's looking for.  Found a scrap piece of lumber in the back yard, drilled holes the size of the markers, and now the markers have a new home!  The tray below just didn't work; the markers kept rolling to the chalkboard side.