Family Fun: December 2019

We did our annual Christmas tree search and found a beauty at one of our local tree farms. 

 The kids wanted to help cut it down.

 They tried hard, but daddy had to come finish things off.

We got it all set up in its usual spot with its usual mass of 6000 lights. New this year is that brother M saved his money and got a lego electric train set, which he set up under the tree. 

This picture looks out of place! But it was the last of our home-grown watermelon brought up from cool storage in the basement.  I can't believe it lasted so well.  Our buddy F came to stay with us for a few days and enjoyed it too. 

 While F was visiting the kids typed up a lego story together and took pictures of each scene.  Then they read it aloud and illustrated it for us with the pictures on a screen. Great idea!

 We did some Christmas crafting that week too.  I remember a cinnamon bear ornament that we used to have on our tree growing up.  I have always wanted to try making some.  I found some cheap bulk cinnamon and we finally gave it a shot this year.  I used the dehydrator instead of the oven and I think that helped them stay flat  (a problem people complained about with the oven bake method).

 This cat. Tiger. He is a favorite with the kids and tries to run in the house at every opportunity. He is fat and not a very good farm kitty, but a friendly guy so I guess we have to keep him.  Just "Put him back outside!"

 Big sister A recently saw me knitting away and asked to learn how. We got started with a washcloth right then. She is doing great! I have never seen a beginner with such even stitches.

 At church we had our big annual Christmas service project and dinner.  We filled more than a thousand bags of snacks for the "Blessings in a Backpack" program.

 Each bag needs a little note of encouragement -- so we also made a bunch of cards while waiting for dinner to be served. 

 Big sister A and brother M helped act out the nativity and hand out Christmas cards at our local nursing home.

Big sister A's den worked on their staves this week in cub scouts.