Paper Puppets

This weeks project is an oldie but a goodie. I remember making these as a kid and then making them during my babysitting days. They are easy and turn out so fun! Both Alivia and Bennett got into making these and it was fun digging through our craft drawer and pulling out odds and ends that we found in there.

What You Need

8"x11" Colored Paper

Glue

Scissors

Googly Eyes

???? (We also used scrap yarn, pom poms, pipe cleaners, glitter, markers)

What To Do

1. Fold an 8"x11" sheet of colored paper vertically into thirds (see picture below).

2. Now fold the sheet of paper in half.



3. Fold each side of the sheet of paper in half as pictured. Similar to an accordian.

4. Decorate by adding a tounge, eyes, hair, and whatever else makes you happy!

It was fun to see Alivia's creativity with this project. The Purple puppet was hers and using yarn for hair was entirely her own idea. I thought it turned out cute. Bennett just enjoyed glueing on the googly eyes. I think he would have used the entire package on the yellow puppet if i would have let him!



We Are Nuts About Grandpa! Happy Father's Day!

Sidewalk Paint

Paper Plate Crafts

Reindeer Marshmallow Pops

Ginger Bread Houses

Christmas Poems

Five Little Reindeer

Five little reindeer, prancing in the snow,
Waiting for Santa to say, "Let's go!"
The first little reindeer said, "Let's be on our way."
The second little reindeer said, "It will soon be Christmas Day."
The third little reindeer said, "The sleigh is full of toys."
The fourth little reindeer said, "They're for all the girls and boys."
The fifth little reindeer said, "We'll travel far tonight."
Then out came Santa with his "Ho, Ho, Ho!"
And the sleigh and the reindeer were soon out of sight.

Snowman

A funny little snowman,
Had a carrot nose.
Along came a rabbit,
And what do you suppose

That hungry little rabbit,
Looking for his lunch
Ate the snowman's nose---
Crunch, Crunch, Crunch!


Five Little Bells

Five little bells, hanging in a row.
The first one said, "Ring me slow."
The second one said, "Ring me fast."
The third one said, "Ring me last."
The fourth one said, "I'm like a chime."
The fifth one said, "Ring me at Christmas time."

Christmas Finger Plays

My mom worked at a preschool for many years and is always full of great ideas and things to do with little ones. She recently passed along a list of Christmas Finger Plays that I wanted to share with you. My kids love them!

 

The Chimney

 

Here is the chimney, (fist)

Here is the top, (other hand over fist)

Open the lid, (remove hand)

Out Santa will pop! (pop up thumb)

 

Santa

 

When Santa comes down the chimney (Downward motions with hands)

I should like to peek (Peek through fingers)

But He'll never come, no never (Shake head)

Until I'm fast asleep. (Palms together beside head)

 

S-A-N-T-A

 

(Tune: Bingo)

 

There is a jolly, jolly man

And Santa is his name-o.

S-A-N-T-A (clap 5 times in rhythm)

S-A-N-T-A (clap 5 times in rhythm)

S-A-N-T-A (clap 5 times in rhythm)

And Santa is his name-o.

6 DIY Christmas Ornament Ideas

Painted Christmas Ornament

Salt Dough Ornament

Handprint Snowmen Ornament

Santa Claus Handprint Ornament

Popsicle Stick Christmas Tree

Felt Christmas Tree Ornament

I didn't get a chance to share Alivia's Christmas ornament last year so I am taking the time to share it now. She had a lot of fun making these felt Christmas trees and they are my favorite homemade ornament so far. They are easy and oh so cute!

 

 

 

Materials

 

Embroidery Thread

Felt

Fabric Glue

Dull Needle

Scissors

Cardstock (to make your patterns)

Marker

 

Instructions

 

1) Using the cardstock and a marker find several round objects of various sizes to make your templates. Cut the templates out. I used the bottom of baby cups, medicine cups, measuring cups, etc, to get various sizes of circles. We ended up with 5 different sizes for the base and then I free handed the small circle for the star on top of the tree.

 

2) Using your template cut out various sizes of circles using the craft felt. I cut 2 of each size (so 10 pieces for each tree).

 

3) Cut out a small rectangular piece for the trunk of the tree. (About 3/4" tall and 1 1/2" wide) Roll the rectangle length wise and secure with glue.

 

4) Using about 1 1/2' of embroidery thread and a dull needle thread through the center of your tree trunk and secure with a knot (see photo of ornaments).

 

5) Starting with the largest circles first thread two of each size through the embroidery string. (10 circles total).

 

6) Make a loop with the remaining embroidery thread to hang from the tree. Take two pieces of the smallest circle (star) and glue together with the embroidery thread "sandwiched" in between.

25 Books of Christmas (Our List)

We started this tradition last year and couldn't wait to do it again. Our collection has now grown from 25 books to 36 (according to Alivia's last count). There are so many great Christmas stories out there that I am afraid I can't stop. Which may be a good thing since Alivia and Bennett do not like to share. :)

 Here is a list of 25 of the books we have in our box. Do you have any must reads over the holiday season? I must say Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree and The Animals' Christmas Eve are two of my favorites.

1) Berenstain Bears & the Joy of Giving

2) Berenstain Bears' Night Before Christmas

3) Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree

4)A Wish to be a Christmas Tree

5)Bear Stays Up for Christmas

6)God Gave Us Christmas

7)Merry Christmas, Curious George

8)Clifford's Christmas

9)Angelina's Christmas

10) Mortimer's Christmas Manger

11) Alien's Love Panta Claus (The Underpants Book)

12) Llama Llama Holiday Drama

13) Merry Christmas Stinky Face

14) Merry Christmas Mom and Dad (Mercer Meyer)

15) Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

16) How Do Dinosaurs Say Merry Christmas?

17) The Animals' Christmas Eve

18) A Bad Kitty Christmas

19) A Charlie Brown Christmas

20) The Polar Express

21) The Little Christmas Elf

22) The Christmas Story

23) How the Grinch Stole Christmas

24) Yes, Virginia: There is a Santa Claus

25)Pete the Cat Saves Christmas

Happy Reading!!

Christmas Card Ideas

 I love this time of the year. It is crazy and busy and at times stressful but I love it! We have started many traditions over the last couple of years and one of my favorites is snapping a few photos and making our own Christmas card.

 

If you are looking for some ideas here is what we have done in the past.

 

2009

2010

2011

Thanksgiving Poems

Gobble, Gobble, Turkey

Gobble, gobble, turkey,
Running all around.
Gobble, gobble, turkey,
Pecking on the ground.

Gobble, gobble, turkey,
Standing up so straight.
Gobble, gobble, turkey,
Running through the gate.

Turkey Gourds



Today we spent the morning putting away our Halloween decorations and getting ready for Thanksgiving. Once the boxes were put away and the house was somewhat clean (I don't think "clean" exists in a house of two active children) we decided to do our first Thanksgiving craft. I must say it was fun and turned out super cute (in my humble opinion).

 

 

Meet Reggie (you guessed it...we also caught the movie "Free Birds" over the weekend). He graces our kitchen table. 

 

 

 

Materials

 

Gourd

Brown Paint

Paintbrush

Felt

Googly Eyes

Craft Glue

Scissors



 

 

Directions

 

1. Paint the gourd. This is the body of your turkey.

2. Cut out feathers, feet, and beak out of felt.

3. Glue the feathers together and then glue to the back of the gourd. Also glue on the feet, beak, and googly eyes.

4. Enjoy this turkey season!

 

 

I am still in shock that it is already November! Where did the year go?