Countdown to Christmas ~ Days 23 & 24

Our life has been super crazy this year.  In fact, we have not decorated AT ALL except for the nativities that we made.  At first, I felt bad, but then I realized – we are really trying to focus on activities, and with the nativity, we have the true meaning of Christmas represented.

Of course, I do have the nagging guilt when someone comes by and says “Oh, where is your tree?”  But  my husband’s schedule has been ridiculous and he just has not gotten to the attic.  And as much as I want a Christmas tree and decorations, it is NOT enough to get me to go in the attic!

I just have to share something with you.  Actually two things:

First, this month has really helped me learn to let go.  We did so many crafts and things and I kept reminding myself to just let the kids do it their way.  In fact, after we made the nativities, I took pictures of all the creations.

This is the boy’s nativity

I love the pipe cleaner hair!  They never finished the animals but I am impressed they did as much as they did!

This is the girls’ nativity.  

They were pretty funny in staging the people – notice the donkey under the manger and the angel peeking in through the back of the stable.  They said the angel had the best seat because nothing was blocking the view of the baby Jesus.

I also took a picture of my friend’s nativity

…her children lost interest so she made it.  This picture was before she added the angel – you can see the little angel on the left side of the picture.  But the later one turned out blurry.  Ugh. Sorry about the pics – I am having one of those days (but it is lasting for weeks. he he)  She asked me why I was taking a picture of hers and I said “So I can see what I wanted it to look like.”  But I love the ones my kids made.  I love to see individual tastes and preferences.  I love to see their creativity!  All these years I have been stifling them.

The second thing is this – while we were making the stables my friend brought up this pin from pinterest.  I nearly died laughing inside as I made a pathetic looking stable.  Yep, I nailed it!!  So many of my projects end that way yet I am the one trying to force my children to do it a certain way – now THAT is ridiculous.

So anyway, the nativities we made we are a combination of this nativity pin and this stable.  As we explained to our friends who joined us – we took this simple nativity and made it a huge project including animals, shepherds, wise men, etc.  But hey, that is the way we do it – Go big or do not bother! I must express a certain level of joy though, because we finished the project!!! Wahoo! Normally, if we do not finish a project during our holiday celebration then we never get around to it.  So, as Christmas rolls around we will focus on the baby Jesus in a stable and our one completed project!

CLIP

There are some really great reindeer crafts – far more than I could list on the CLIP.  Definitely check out Pinterest!

 Days 1 – 24

Days 23 & 24

CHRISTMAS ON DENSCHOOL