This week marks the beginning of Advent.
I have never really been very acknowledging of Advent,
but this year I am truly learning the importance of
preparing your heart for Jesus...
especially in children.
So my goal this week is to prepare the heart of my children for
Jesus through learning about Advent.
Last weeks topic of Thanksgiving went well.
We did our Thankful Leaf craft and made the Thankful Tree.
For added pictures from last week click here.
but this year I am truly learning the importance of
preparing your heart for Jesus...
especially in children.
So my goal this week is to prepare the heart of my children for
Jesus through learning about Advent.
Last weeks topic of Thanksgiving went well.
We did our Thankful Leaf craft and made the Thankful Tree.
For added pictures from last week click here.
Advent
Background: What is Advent? In Preschool Terms of course!
Advent is getting ready for Jesus' Birthday!
Advent starts 4 Sundays before Christmas... so this year in 2009, Advent started Yesterday!
Jesus' birthday is a big deal because he came to this Earth for us!
We will prepare our hearts for Jesus this week and all of the weeks till his birthday by praying, being together as a family and helping others.
Books:
The Bible - We will be doing the readings as posted here.
Merry birthday, Nora Noël by Dixon, Ann.
Advent Storybook by Antonie Schneider
The Jesse Tree by Raymond Anderson
Crafts and Activities:
I got involved this week and made my own Advent Calendar of sorts. You can get the tutorial here (once I finish posting it!) Here is a picture of it:
Every day the girls will take turns taking the photo down from the wreath for that particular day. On the back I have the short bible reference and a family activity to do for that day. Sometime this week, I will post my list on here with the bible verses so you could easily do this too!
We will definitely be making a paper advent wreath and possibly I will get a real wreath with candles. Here is the link to the template from First-School for a paper Advent Wreath
First School also has bible verses and readings for each Sunday candle lighting if you are interested here.
We will be making Christmas cards to bring over to the Senior Home in our town too. Lily and I will be doing that during Claire's nap one of these days and then we will bring them over one afternoon. I have posted this idea over on craft gossip along with many links for easy homemade cards for children to make. The card below is my favorite..and so easy!
Through our church, we will be getting an Angel Tree gift for a child of the girls choosing.
We will also be making batches of cookies for our
postwoman and neighbors as an act of giving.
My favorite Christmas Cookie Recipe:
Candy Cane Cookies: source
Background: What is Advent? In Preschool Terms of course!
Advent is getting ready for Jesus' Birthday!
Advent starts 4 Sundays before Christmas... so this year in 2009, Advent started Yesterday!
Jesus' birthday is a big deal because he came to this Earth for us!
We will prepare our hearts for Jesus this week and all of the weeks till his birthday by praying, being together as a family and helping others.
Books:
The Bible - We will be doing the readings as posted here.
Merry birthday, Nora Noël by Dixon, Ann.
Advent Storybook by Antonie Schneider
The Jesse Tree by Raymond Anderson
Crafts and Activities:
I got involved this week and made my own Advent Calendar of sorts. You can get the tutorial here (once I finish posting it!) Here is a picture of it:
Every day the girls will take turns taking the photo down from the wreath for that particular day. On the back I have the short bible reference and a family activity to do for that day. Sometime this week, I will post my list on here with the bible verses so you could easily do this too!
We will definitely be making a paper advent wreath and possibly I will get a real wreath with candles. Here is the link to the template from First-School for a paper Advent Wreath
First School also has bible verses and readings for each Sunday candle lighting if you are interested here.
We will be making Christmas cards to bring over to the Senior Home in our town too. Lily and I will be doing that during Claire's nap one of these days and then we will bring them over one afternoon. I have posted this idea over on craft gossip along with many links for easy homemade cards for children to make. The card below is my favorite..and so easy!
Through our church, we will be getting an Angel Tree gift for a child of the girls choosing.
We will also be making batches of cookies for our
postwoman and neighbors as an act of giving.
My favorite Christmas Cookie Recipe:
Candy Cane Cookies: source
Ingredients
- 1/2 tube refrigerated sugar cookie dough, softened (or your homemade recipe)
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1/2 teaspoon red food coloring
Directions
- In a large bowl, beat the cookie dough, flour and extract until smooth. Divide dough in half; mix food coloring into one portion.
- Shape 1 teaspoon of white dough into a 6-in. rope. Shape 1 teaspoon of red dough into a 6-in. rope. Place ropes side by side; press together lightly and twist.
- Place on an ungreased baking sheet; curve top of cookie to form handle of cane. Repeat with remaining dough, placing cookies 2 in. apart on baking sheets.
- Bake at 350° for 8-10 minutes or until set. Cool for 2 minutes before carefully removing to wire racks. Yield: 3 dozen.
2 comments:
Hi-I love your links for Advent! The paper Advent wreath is just we needed...as I don't have a "real" Advent wreath yet. Thank you and I look forward to reading your ideas each week.
I {love} all your owls! I have a little thing for cute owls. :)
I love your Advent ideas! I've been trying to gather some ideas of activities to do with my little ones and I think these are great.
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