Ice Sculptures and Reindeer

The kids enjoyed watching them transform the ice into sculptures.  Camden was surprised by how much "snow" was on the sculptor that just came from the ice shavings in the air.  Ciera liked watching the reindeer and wanted to walk back over to see them a few times.  Afterwards, we went inside and picked out a yummy treat.

Living Nativity

Today's activity was going to the Alpine Living Nativity.  This was their first year requiring tickets.  It's free, but since they have had so many people come in the past (25,000+), they had to limit the number of people allowed each night.  The first time I tried to get tickets, they were all sold out.  After a couple days, I thought I would just try again, hoping some people cancelled.  We lucked out!  I'm so glad, because it was an amazing activity for helping the kids remember the real reason for Christmas.

I can't believe all they do and for free (we did donate to the cancer fund).  It was a journey back in time to experience the sights and sounds from the time when Jesus was born.  We were first greeted by some shepherds.  One of them told about how Joseph and Mary had to travel to Bethlehem for taxes.  The kids were then able to see and pet some sheep, camels, cows, and donkeys.  As we followed the star and continued up the path, we were summoned by Roman Soldiers to the city gates.  Inside the city there was a carpenter, a blacksmith, pottery makers, weavers, basket-makers, leather-working, bakers, and more animals.  At each place, they would talk about their trade.  Outside the city on our way to the stable, we met the three wise men.  They told us about traveling from afar and about the gifts they were bringing.  We followed the star to the stable where we found the newborn babe, wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.  It was very peaceful in there, and probably the warmest area since they needed to keep the baby warm.  On the way back down, there was complimentary hot chocolate.
 

 

Spinning the yarn for the swaddling clothes

Weaving the swaddling clothes

Orange Clove Ball

This traditional British gift looked fun and easy for the kids to make, so we're trying it out.  We hung them on our Christmas tree.  They smell delightful, but I'm curious to see how much they actually scent the air.  I also don't know how long they will stay fresh, so I'll just have to keep an eye on them.

Arctic Blast

We went out and had fun in the powdery snow.  I didn't think they would last very long, because it was only 18 degrees outside.  Every time I asked if they were ready to go back in, it was a resounding NO!  I had to start tempting them with hot chocolate and a cozy fire, because I was freezing.

Camden being an Imperial Walker, of course!

Thanksgiving Point's Holiday Lights

Since today was free for members, we drove through Thanksgiving Point's Holiday Lights.  The kids had fun playing I Spy.  Ciera would get so excited when she was the one who found something first.  It was adorable.  As we were leaving, she said, "I want to go there again!"

 

Snowflakes

We cut out snowflakes every year.  Then, for every act of kindness, we tape one on the window.  I found a website that demonstrated how to make Star Wars snowflakes (anthony herrera DESIGNS).  I knew I had to surprise Camden with this.  Without telling him what it was, I cut out the Tie Interceptor first and then had him open it up.  He was very excited as soon as he realized what it was.  He drew a heart and a check mark on it and told me, "I don't like this snowflake.  I LOVE it."  I had to remind him that someone needs to do something nice for someone else before we could hang it up.  He was also delighted that his own snowflakes turned out better this year.

 

Ciera loves to use her scissors.  I didn't get any pictures of her snowflakes, because once she was done, there wasn't much left of them.  I'm glad she enjoyed it.

Christmas Chain

We were given an advent calendar train that we put a different Christmas activity in each day.  The kids also get to check a Christmas tree one as well that our elf places a small treat in after returning from the North Pole each morning.  I don't know how many of these daily activities I will actually take pictures of and blog about for our book, but today's activity was to make a Christmas chain.  We make one every year so the kids can have a visual countdown to Christmas.  I let them each choose a couple sheets of my old Christmas scrapbooking paper to cut up into strips.  We then turn them into a chain.