Advent Calendar Update- Tucson Zoo

For Dec 8th advent activity we went to the Reid Park Zoo in Tucson AZ. It is a tradition we started our First Anniversary to go there every winter with our family. This was year number 3.

Why we like the Tucson zoo:

It is a smaller zoo. It takes us about 2 hours to do the entire thing.

It is a people friendly zoo, meaning the animals don't have much room to hide.

It's less crowded

Cheaper (although we have a membership this year so it doesn't matter)

It use to have a Polar Bear, but I guess it died so they didn't this year.

The main attraction: you can feed the Giraffes!

I thought Ryder was going to be scared or want to eat the carrot himself, but he knew what to do and loved it! It cost $2 per person for 2 carrot sticks. We think it is well worth it!

Part of our Tradition is going to A&W rootbeer restaurant  However we can terminating that part of the tradition and vowing never to go to A&W unless it is a stand alone building and not in a gas station. That was the most expensive crappy sandwich I've ever had! SO in the future we'll be packing a lunch and having a picnic. So much more fun!

What is your favorite Tradition?

~CJ

You can see the whole list of activities for our Advent here.

Advent Calendar Update- Wooden Nativity Blocks

 Day one of our advent calendar was to play with these Nativity Blocks. I made them that day for our Enrichment activitiy. They were super easy!

 All we did was paint the wood blocks and add stickers they got from Hobby Lobby! Then added mod podge to seal them. My little bug loves them. We first taught him the basic version of the nativity story and set it up. Then we asked him where different things were and he'd find that block. Then we just let him play with them how ever he wanted.

He had a lot of fun and it was the perfect way to start the Christmas Season.

Day two was to watch the Christmas Devotional on BYU TV. It will most likely replay at some point. Or you can watch it online on lds.org.

You can see our full advent calendar list here.

~CJ

Christmas Table

(This post was originally from when I was writing for ourdiydiaries so this may look familiar if you followed them as well.)

In my mom's ward they had a Christmas Relief Society Dinner. They had different people sign up to decorate the tables. So each person had a table. it was fun seeing all of the different ideas. My mom signed up and since she is not crafty I helped her.

We did ornaments on a cake stand for the centerpiece. We stacked it on top of some glass blocks. In the middle of the blocks were battery operated lights that added just the right touch.

We also put red sparkley tulle around the cupcake stand for some color and to hide the blocks a little.

Here is the place setting. We did a red charger with white plates. Then the napkins (alternated red and green). Tied with a candy cane. Then some goblets for the drinks. Sprinkle with kisses and it's done.

I think it turned out nice. What do you think?

~CJ

Advent Calendar

Is it just me or is the last week of November going by real slow? One day it's Halloween and then the next it is Thanksgiving and then a month later it is December 1st. Anyone else feel that way? I think a lot of it had to do with Thanksgiving being early this year. I'm just so excited for Christmas season! I've tried putting off most Holiday things until December. Don't get me wrong our lights and decorations are already up, but waiting to get truly into the spirit. One more day!

I"m really excited this year because I made an Advent Calendar. It starts on the first, but we put it up today.

 To make this I just cut a 4x4 square out of Christmas Paper that came in a holiday pack that I will never use, I really like it for this though. Then I Printed off the numbers from studio diy. I cut those out and attached to the front with homemade glue dots.

Then I made up a little calendar and starting filling in which activities would be good for what days. I tried to keep the weekdays easy and do the more time consuming ones on weekends. After everything looked good I handwrote the activities onto the paper. I also added the date we should be on incase we get behind.

This will be tomorrows card...

I just hung them up with clothespins (I wish I would have painted or covered with paper). I hung them up with 1 in the middle and switching off. This way when we get to only a few days left all the numbers aren't to one side, they will be in the middle.

Here is our list of things to do. We'll see how much we stick to it. I'm planning on doing some posts on the activities.

24- Play with Nativity Blocks
23- Christmas Devotional on BYU tv
22- Unwrap a Christmas book and read it
21-  Play with Magnet Nativity
20- Make a homeless bag and give it to someone before Christmas
19- Unwrap a Christmas book and read it
18- Watch Muppets Christmas Carol
17- Go to Tucson Zoo
16- Go see Temple Lights
15- Watch Mickey's Christmas Carol
14- Unwrap a Christmas book and read it
13- Make and Decorate Sugar Cookies
12- Unwrap a Christmas book and read it.
11- Watch How the Grinch Stole Christmas
10- Watch Home Alone
9- Watch Mr. Krugers Christmas
8- Drive around and look at Christmas Lights
7- Visit Santa at Bass Pro Shop
6- Unwrap a Christmas book and read it
5- Watch Home Alone 2
4- Open Christmas Jammies and watch Polar Express
3- Go on Polar Express
2- Watch Elf
1- Play with Magnet Activity
0- CHRISTMAS!!!

I hope this gave you some ideas! I know this time of year is hectic with all that is going on. But make sure you take the time to enjoy it! Happy Holidays!

~CJ