25 Activites of Christmas: Day 1- Salt Dough Ornaments

Something about the holiday season just gets me in the crafty mood. My best friend gave me a great idea for an Advent Calendar. Instead of getting a special little treat or toy each day do an activity such as "Drive around and look at Christmas Lights", "Go Christmas shopping with Dad", "Bake Gingerbread cookies", "Wrap Presents"  "Watch a Holiday Movie", etc... So today's activity was to make ornaments and it was a lot of fun!

Ingredients:

4 Cups of Flour

1 Cup of Salt

Water

Food Coloring (Optional)

Peppermint Extract (Optional)

Cookie Cutters

Straw

Ribbon/String

Directions:

Slowly add water to flour/salt mixture. (I did about a 1/4 cup at a time until it was the right consistency)

Then we added a splash of peppermint extract just to give it a Christmasy smell

We then added a bit of red and green food coloring to make it a little tye-dye looking (or you can add glitter to give it a sparkly look)

Roll dough out and cut with cookie cutters

Use straw to poke hole in ornament

Bake for 1 hour in a 170 degree oven or let air dry for 24 hours.

Let cool

Loop ribbon through hole and hang this adorableness on the tree!

Tomorrow's Activity: Watch Santa Clause 3 with Daddy and Momma.

Thinking Outside of the Box Parenting

I don't know about all you other mommas out there when it comes to your 3 year olds but in my house there are 2 of them. This is my beautiful, caring, sweet, funny, cuddly, loving Abigail:

but lately my other 3 year old has been showing up lately whenever I am around. We gave her the name Crabigail:

Lately it has been a daily battle between me and my beautiful girl. Unfortunately she is 3 going on 13 and is way too smart for her own good, so she gets very frustrated with me very easily when I either say no or doesn't understand that she is too young to do certain things that she wants to do. You name it and I have tried it to regain my authority with her; time outs, toys taken away, star charts, just listening to her, and calmly talking yelling (not proudly). The result: me completely mentally whooped and Abby still upset.

I was on Pinterest the other day looking up cute Christmas Craft ideas to do with the kiddos when I ran across this idea of a "Calm Down Jar" and I thought it was a great thinking outside of the box for an alternative to a time out, that might just help Abby to take a breath and calm down. So I thought I would share how Abby and I made hers and maybe it will help all of you who have those Crabigails sneaking up on you.

Materials:

Mason Jar (we used a quart)

Clear Elmer's Glue

Hot Water

Glitter

Food Coloring

Fabric for decoration

Directions:

1. Fill mason jar approximately 3/4s full.

2. Squeeze majority of clear Elmer's glue in jar and stir

3. Put a tiny bit of food coloring. (Abby is obsessed with purple so of course that is the color she chose) 

4. Put preferred amount of glitter in (We used 2 tubes of purple and silver glitter)

5. Cut circle from fabric and fit over mason jar lid and tighten tight.

6. Shake Shake Shake! & relax while you watch the glitter fall (takes approximately 4-5 minutes to fall)





Abby's Chill Out Jar





Day 5: A Soldier's Christmas

I have been busily cutting up fabric and sewing up stockings (will post pics once my room doesn't look like a Christmas tornado went through). I ran across this poem and just had to share it.

Author Unknown

T’was the night Before Christmas, he lived all alone,

In a one bedroom house made of plaster and stone,

I had come down the chimney with presents to give

And to see just who in this home did live.

I looked all about, a strange site did I see,

No tinsel, no presents, not even a tree,

No stockings by the mantle, Just boots filled with sand,

On the wall hung pictures of far distance lands.

With Medals and badges, Awards of all kinds,

A sober thought came through my mind.

For this house was different, it was dark and dreary,

I had found the home of a soldier once I could see clearly

I heard stories about them, I had to see more

So I walked down the hall and pushed open the door.

The solider lay sleeping, silent, alone,

Curled up in this, His one bedroom home.

The face was so gentle, the room in such disorder

Not how I pictured a United States Solider.

Was this the War Hero of whom I’d just read?

Curled up on a poncho, the floor for a bed?

His head was clean shaven, his weathered face tan,

I soon understood this was more than a man.

I realized the families that I saw this night

Owed they’re lives to these soldiers who were willing to fight.

Soon round the world the children would play

And grownups celebrate a bright Christmas day.

They enjoyed freedom each month of the year,

Because of these soldiers like the one lying here.

I couldn’t help wonder how many lay alone

On a cold Christmas Eve, in a land far from home.

The very thought brought a tear to my eye

Dropped to my knees and started to cry.

The Soldier awakened and I hear a rough voice,

“Santa don’t cry, this is my life my choice:

I fight for freedom, I don’t ask for more

My life is my god, my country my Corps.”

The Solider rolled over and soon drifted to sleep

I couldn’t control it I started to weep.

I kept watch for hours. So silent and still

And we both shivered from the cold nights chill.

I took off my jacket, the one made of red,

And I covered this Soldier from his toes to his head.

And I put on his T-shirt of gray and black,

With an eagle and an Army patch embroidered on back.

And although it barely fit me, I began to swell with pride,

And for a shining moment, I was United States Army deep inside.

I didn’t want to leave on that cold dark night,

This guardian of honor, so willing to fight.

Then the Solider rolled over with a voice soft and pure,

Whispered, “Carry on Santa, Christmas Day is Secure”

One look at my watch and I knew he was right

Merry Christmas my friend and to all a good night.

Happy Holidays & God Bless
Kristyn

For more information on how to help you can check out my past blog entries or email me at stockings4soldiers11@gmail.com

Day 1: Get to Know the Troops

Supplies have started to come in already! A Big thanks for everyone passing the word about Stockings for Soldiers and everyone being interested in helping out. We have already gotten some fabric so I can start making some stockings and have gotten in some stocking stuffers for the soldiers.

I thought I would tell you a little bit about the troops I have been in touch with. I am currently in correspondence with 4 units totaling about 31 men and women and boy do they need a major morale boost!

The first unit is a group of 6 mechanics in the Army who are stationed in Afghanistan until July 2012. They unfortunately have no PX (general store) where they are located so hygiene items, food, and snacks are hard to come by for them. They also really have nothing for them to do and would love things to read (especially motorcycle and car magazines), sports equipment (football, Frisbee), cards, board games, etc..

The second squad is a group of 9 Marines who are also stationed in Afghanistan until April 2012. They work nights. They would greatly appreciate things to help them stay awake like energy drinks or supplements. The Sgt. in charge of the squad also said his men's morale are quite low right now. Most of them do not receive items from home very often. They would love notes of thanks, games, cards, magazines (motorcycles) to help pass the time while they are on stand by. He also said healthy snacks would be great also such as sunflower seeds, trail mix, etc.

The third unit is a group of 7 in the Army who are stationed in Kuwait until May 2012. They would love anything to boost their morale. They are getting less and less mail and said a lot of troops are feeling like America has forgotten them. They would love yo-yos, football, frisbee, magazines, how to books, cards, small crafts to help keep them going.

The last squad is a group of 9 in the army who are stationed in Afghanistan until Sept 2012. Currently they are living in huts and have no access to a PX. So any hygiene, food, snack items are much appreciated. Their deployment packing list was under tight restraints and most had to leave things that they needed.

So there is just a little bit about the men and women you would be helping! Let's make this a holiday season they won't forget. Let them know they have not been forgotten and we appreciate the sacrifices they are making!

**Also remember it is winter time there so a MUST HAVE stocking stuffer would be hand and foot warmers.**

There is no way too small to help. If you would like some more info on how you can help email me at stockings4soldiers11@gmail.com

God Bless!
Kristyn

Stockings for Soldiers

Hello Friends & Followers,

During this upcoming Holiday Season majority of us are lucky to be able to spend time with the ones we love but there are many in our armed forces who are not as fortunate to be able to.

Abby's Attic has a mission to get as many handmade filled stockings out to those men and women that we can this holiday season.

Ways you can help:

1. Monetary Donation

Donation through Paypal

2. Purchase Items Requested By Soldiers...

Current items as of 11/11/11

Mouthwash (Travel Size)

Toothbrushes

Crest Toothpaste

Old Spice Body wash

Baby Wipes

Old Spice Deodorant

Tooth Picks

Dental Floss

Shampoo

AA Batteries

AAA Batteries

Gatorade, Kool-Aid, Propel pack mixes for water bottles

Blow Pops

Twizzlers

Vitamins

Feminine Products

Crossword Puzzle/Word Find Books

Mini Footballs

Playing Cards

Travel Games

Card Games

Protein Bars

Small Hobbies/Craft items (knitting/yarn)

Yo-Yo's

How to Magazines

3. Holiday cards to go in with the stockings.

If interested in purchasing items or writing out holiday cards you can email me at stockings4soldiers11@gmail.com and I can send you my address on where to mail items to.  

Deadline for me to receive items to get them out on time is Dec 1st.

Happy Holidays & God Bless!

Kristyn

A Little Bit About Myself....

I am: 28 years old, a mom to 2 gorgeous redheaded munchkins, married to the greatest man/my best friend, all about family, in love, called a book worm, a wannabe artist, happy with life, trustworthy, funny, a nerd, an over-achiever, bilingual to a degree, a homebody, loud, always stressed, random, superwoman, a push over, too nice at times, stubborn, patient, a good listener, strong,  patient, and a country girl at heart. 
I believe: in God, in the power of words, art is therapeutic, in marriage, laughter is the best medicine, life is meant to be a roller coaster, the human body is capable of such amazing things, everyone has good qualities about themselves, family is important, life is too short, in spirits, money changes people, you should marry your best friend, you should treat people how you want to be treated,  brownie sundaes and sangria have the power to cure all, and I am making a difference in my childrens lives.
I dislike: people who push their opinions on you, brown nosers, bills, waking up early, negativity, not being able to take a breath, bear hunts, self-absorption, fakeness, ignorance, money hungry people, one uppers, eggplant, yippy dogs, overly large muscles, cockiness, hairy backs, sleeping in tents on slopes w/ slippery sleeping bags, the majority of PA drivers on 78, traffic, and any sports channel.  
I love: my family, Abby, Lukey, Jeff, my friends, animals, helping people, autumn, exotic beaches, spring time, being outside, Thanksgiving, spending time with family, Christmas, green grass, cheese, to laugh, to paint, go for walks, candles, the smell of rain, hibachi, decorating my house, to talk, to cook and bake, to sing in the car, carbs, lounging in my pajamas, reading, having days when you can do absolutely nothing, sangria, the smell of laundry that hanged out to dry on a clothesline, and to smile.
I wish.. there were more hours in the day, I had more me time, I could sleep in more than I do, we lived on a huge farm, I had more patience, these terrible 3s would pass, Jeff and I had more date nights, I could live in another country for a little while (Germany or Switzerland preferably), I was finished with my Master's, to be liked for who I am, I would let things roll of my back more, and to be completely satisfied with what each day brings.


Well that is me pretty much in a nutshell. So tell me a little about yourselves...