Blizzard 2009

Cupcake Ornaments & Puzzle Wreaths

Isabel, Nick and friends made these adorable cupcake ornaments.

This craft was found on http://www.bakeitpretty.com/blog/?p=511. Super easy to make. You need:

small stryofoam balls

mini cupcake liners

artificial snow

red berries

wire (or twine to make a hanger)

Cover the top 2/3 of the ball with glue then roll in the snow. Girls being girls we then topped with some glitter for sparkle. Hot glue into the cupcake liner. Wrap the wire around the bottom of the berry then stick the berry into the ball. Super cute! (check out Bake It Pretty for more detailed directions - of course).

Nick and Isabel also made these puzzle wreaths for friends. Either cut a cardboard circle and cover with layers of puzzle pieces dipped in glue. Or if you don't want the cardboard circle to show put it under a piece of wax paper to use as a guide. Then lay a layer of puzzle pieces in a circle and begin adding more layers. When finished, add a ribbon, glitter and bow!

Homemade Christmas Trees

These adorable trees are super easy to make. This craft was done by Isabel's Brownie troop at their Christmas party and Nick made the sample.

Nick's creation

Isabel's creation

I found the on thatartistwoman.blogspot.com/. It's a Christmas craft she did last year - here's the link: http://thatartistwoman.blogspot.com/2008/11/how-to-make-mini-christmas-trees.html. Plus it was posted on One Pretty Thing (http://www.oneprettything.com/?s=christmas%20tree&st=c&s_paged=3) - a favorite blog that pulls craft ideas from all over the web!

HOW TO

(for more specific details check out That Artist Woman's blog)

Just cut felt into 10 circles - 2 of each size. Cut holes in the center and slide them over a toilet paper tube (cut the top of the tube to a V shape). Then decorate - pom poms stick ok with glue and we also used sticky gems and other decorations. Add a gold star to the top. Then take a wooden base (Michaels sells them for $1), cover with felt then hot glue the bottom of the tube to the base. Hot glue the top on the tube to keep it on as well. Add package ornaments under the tree and voila!

Some of the trees made by the other Brownies:

Isabel has this lovely wreath hanging on her bedroom door. She was the high bidder at the Festival of Wreaths of the beautiful wreath made by her best friend Casey and Casey's sister and mom.

The purpose of the Festival is to raise money for Carroll Arts Center and they do that by having folks bid (silent auction style) on the various wreaths. Apparently, while viewing the wreaths with Grandmom, Isabel bid (note with Grandmom's knowledge) on Casey's wreath. And lucky us, she was the high bidder and she was thrilled when we got the call with the good news.

What's black & white tv?

Saturday night "It's a Wonderful Life" was on tv so Santi and I sat down to watch. Nick joined us and wanted to know if the tv was broken as there was no color.

More Christmas Fun

Well, the Christmas spirit has rocked our house. Last weekend the tree, decorations and lights went up. Nick was a pro at putting on the ornaments and really enjoyed picking out just the right spot for each one. Isabel and Daddy helped too and we had a great time. While we add new ornaments each year my favorites are the ones the kids made or those with photos:
The finished tree:

Uncle B usually takes on the lights and gets on the roof to cover the house but due to work schedule couldn't do it this year so Isabel and I tackeled the job. Since neither of us will get on the roof (plus it was cold when we were doing it) we settled for along the line of the house and outlining the door. Of course, typical - the lights worked before we hung them and then once hung half of them decided not to work. Oh well, it still looks festive.

This weekend we all participated in our Church's Live Nativity. Santi was a Wise Man, Nick and I were angels and Isabel was a shepherd. Bummer I didn't get a photo but I was too busy herding the angels. Saturday's performance was outside but due to the rain we performed inside on Sunday. It really is a wonderful experience. We had a lovely couple who just joined the Church along with their 5 month old son play Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus. We had a visit from Bunky, the donkey (who also makes an appearance on Palm Sunday), a calf and a couple of lambs. The animals were the highlight for Nick who informed me next year he is going to be a shepherd so he can be with the animals the whole time.

During the course of the weekend we also made cookies. The kids love making the roll and cut cookies and of course, the decorating of those cookies. Traditional chocolate chips were made as well as Reindeer cookies. Isabel and I made these for her Brownie Christmas party on Tuesday. Turned out cute.

And amid all these activities I think I finished shopping. Now if someone will just take Isabel and Nick for about 5 hours I can do the wrapping!

The Gingerbread House

Tonight Isabel and Nick worked together to decorate our Gingerbread House. It must be Christmas magic because they worked side by side, sharing all of the decorations, commenting about how each was doing and never a nasty or negative word was said. It was a wonderful 30 minutes or so of bliss!
Nick's finished sides:
Isabel's finished sides:

Christmas begins...

On Saturday Grandmom took the kids to have breakfast and guess who happened to be there - Santa! Nick shared his list of ONE item - a crane. When we are in the stores he points out tons of things he wants for Christmas but when he sees Santa (this was the second time) he only mentions the crane. He saw this crane at Boscov, it's over 2 feet long and costs $60! Of course Santa will have to put it under the tress.


Then it was Isabel's turn and her list is quite lengthy and she feels the need to share every item on it with Santa. Last year she asked tons of questions about Santa and actually came right out and asked if mom and dad were Santa. We danced around the issue with the reply of 'what do you think." This year she hasn't asked any questions about Santa and seems to totally believe. Plus I've got a little something up my sleeve to keep her believing for at least another year!

Saturday evening we rode on the St. Benjamin's float announcing our Live Nativity program. The float was part of the Westminster Electric Light Parade.