Christmas Preparations

There have been a lot of Christmas preparations going on at the Lightner house this year -- decorating the tree and house, opening the advent calendar, making Christmas crafts, shopping, having play dates, shopping online, attending Christmas parties, etc. BUT through it all, the most important preparation that Danny and I hope is being done is in our hearts this Christmas. We pray that our children will anticipate Christmas not for the presents, but for the greatest gift... Jesus. That is something that comes from the top down... as they see the hearts of Dad and Mom.

Throughout the year Grace has memorized Bible verses... some to teach obedience or another Biblical trait while others are more for building "doctrine". So this Christmas Grace has memorized a verse from Luke 2. We hope to make this a tradition that will help her to see the real reason for Christmas and prepare her heart for it.

Enjoy!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!

SNOW DAY!

Well, yesterday was the second snow fall of the season, and the first time for all of the Lightners to get out and play in it! I bundled up the girls and met Danny outside for some winter fun! The last time Hannah was out in snow was when she was just a few days old! Boy, has time flown!

We went sledding down the driveway and got very snowy!

This was Hannah's first sledding experience!

After having a lot of fun outside, we were glad to return inside where the wood stove was roaring and hot! It was nice to get warm and dry.

I am thankful to have two daughters who truly love each other!

Advent Calendar Project

Last year for Christmas my mom gave me a wooden advent calendar. It is a really nice one with numbered doors to open and close. After researching online about ideas to do with the calendar, I decided to make this an activity calendar with things to do for Christmas. Grace LOVES projects, so I came up with a project, gift or activity to do each day. Every morning at breakfast we will open the door and read the paper that tells us what to do that day. Yesterday -- day one -- we had a craft play date. (I have coordinated several craft play dates for December, January and February!) We had fun with friends and made some decorations for the house and tree.

Well, today was day two... the activity was making a popcorn garland for the tree. Grace couldn't wait for Hannah's naptime so we could get started! We popped popcorn -- we just used microwavable popcorn (with butter). That probably is NOT how it is supposed to be done, but she loved it.

Then we got some string and a needle to string each of the garlands. It was easier for me to put them through the needle and then Grace pushed the popcorn to the bottom of the line. She did a great job!

Of course, her favorite part was EATING the popcorn!!!

Here is the finished product -- ready for the tree!

Our Tree with the new popcorn garland!

"Mommy, what project will we do tomorrow?"