Thanksgiving

The month of thanksgiving is a month focused on thankfulness. On facebook, on our blogs, in our emails, our FHE lessons, at church, etc we talk about things we are thankful for.

But I have found with my children and with other kids that the words, "Thank You" are being said less and less. Why is it being said less? I had a couple of experiences with my kids that reminded me about the importance of saying thank you and in my opinion why it is being said less.

The first was with my daughter. She is only 8 and wanted me to curl her hair before school. I did it and it looked probably the best and cutest it ever has. When I was done, she took one look at it and said, "I can't believe you made me look so ugly". I was crushed. Not only had I taken time to do it, but I woke up early to do it. I felt personally so sad that my daughter not only didn't like it, but she was rude, and didn't even thank me for doing it in the first place. I can't remember acting that way when I was little. She starting ripping out what I had done and messing up the cute little curls.

Her Dad came in and saw what had happened and saw my face. He immediately told her to stop, that he was sorry she didn't like her hair, but it was done and she was wearing it that way. Not only did he help stop it, but then he told her that mom would not be doing her hair again until she apoligized and told me thank you for doing it. She still hasn't and of course I haven't touched her hair. I respected my husband for helping me with this issue. I am grateful that he doesn't let the kids plow over me with disrespect.

The next was with my kids trick or treating. They started out demanding which kind they wanted or saying I don't like that. I was so appalled. Immediately I told them to say thank you. At every house they would get candy and I would make them turn around and say thank you. Soon I didn't need to ask and they would do it.

It got me thinking that the reasons why are kids are saying please and thank you less is because we are not teaching them to do it. We are not expecting that they do it. WOW! I try and teach them respect by teaching them to say Aunt Somebody or Mr. Someone instead of their first name, but do I really have them say please and thank you much? no.

As I watched I realized most of the time I am to busy to mess with it. I am on the phone and they say I want water, so I give it to them and don't wait for a response when they get it.

A couple of years ago a young cub scout came to my door with a thank you note that he had written. What a novel idea to teach your young kids by teaching them to write a thank you note.

I also have a cute little reading tutor that gives a thank you note for anything you ever give her. This fall I have given her lots and lots of produce. Our family was thanked each time with a cute note. That was good for my kids to see how happy it makes you when someone else says thank you.

So this month along with focusing on being thankful, I am going to focus on teaching my kids about SAYING thank you and meaning it. I am going to take the time to teach them this, and I am going to teach them all kinds of manners so they can grow up to be successful, polite adults.

FHE Website!

I was looking for a specific topic for FHE tonight and came across this website. I really like it and thought I would share with you. I will put it in the LDS section.

www.thegoldenseven.blogspot.com

Have a great day!

What can I do fun tonight?

With Silly Putty's birthday today, Dr. Seuss's Birthday today, Porky Pig's birthday today, and Elmer Fudd's birthday today, I think I can come up with something.

After School: A little Seuss music, maybe some cartoons of Elmer and Porky, and making Silly Putty. (recipe below)

Dinner Prep: While I am making dinner, they can play with the Silly Putty we made, Seuss coloring pages, and watch the Sneeches movie, or cat and the hat movie.

Dinner: Of course! Green Eggs and Ham!

Bed Time Reading Time: Of Course! Dr. Seuss!

What a fun little night we can have!

Silly Putty:
1/2 Cup Elmer's Glue
1/2 Cup Liquid Starch
Food Coloring

Slowly Combine the starch with the glue and knead the mass with your fingers. The longer you work with it the better the silly putty gets. Add food coloring to get desired coloring.

Go to this website if you want Dr. Seuss Printables, like this one, http://k2printables.com/seuss.htm

Love, Your Pixie

We usually look at Valentine's two ways. The first is the romantic holiday. The second is the kids holiday. But really it is more than just a time for kids to give out Valentine's and a special night for the one you love. It is an opportunity to love others, especially the elderly and widowed.

When I was a child every Christmas, my parents did the 12 Days of Christmas, but we called it Pixing. We always chose an old person or a widower. We gave thoughtful gifts like bread, soup, an ornament, fruit, etc. We always left it on the porch and then would go home and call them and tell them, "Your Pixie has been there" It really made their day! I find it is hard to do this at Christmas time though, because life is so busy.

So because it has been busy, we have been inventive so we can still do it. One year we did this to a family in July, One year we wrapped Christmas books and put dates on them of when they should be opened and gave them to families.

Last year my Mom was recovering from sickness and was really down and that gave us an idea to do the Pixie thing before Valentines. We did this for both sets of parents. We got a big basket, tied a Valentine's balloon to it, and filled it with 12 gifts we thought they would enjoy and made a little note that went with each one. We told them to open one each night on the night it was given. I watched my Mom through the whole thing, having no idea who had done this. My kids loved watching her get excited and speculate about who it was. It was so fun! They were so excited to finally tell her that they had done it.

For Mother's Day (but it would be a great idea for Valentine's Day). We took breakfast to each of our Mothers. We told them the tray was their gift as well as the food and the cup. Walmart had really dang cute trays in their Valentine section that I bought then and saved for Mother's Day. They loved it. We have also taken Breakfast trays like this to people having a baby. Cartons of Orange Juice, Milk, Fruit, Pasteries, etc. is fun for the kids and makes them feel special too.

Another idea to do for older people is to give them a Heart Attack. On their front door, rest home door, bedroom door, car, etc. place hearts that have messages from everyone in your family. Things you love about them, or just an I love you. This is a great gift, for someone that has everything and just needs to be loved.

We connect with people all the time on the internet, phones, or facebook like stuff. But that kind of technology doesn't hit with most older people. So help your child send notes and stuff in the mail for your older loved ones. This will be a fun new experience for you child, but will mean something also to the ones you send stuff too. My sister in law lives out of state and she does this all the time with her kids. My Mom's fridge is covered in little notes from them.

One story that has been told to me over the years, is my Two sisters one Valentine's Day calling all the neighbors and singing them a Valentine's Song and saying it was from someone who loved them (pre-caller id). They had fun doing it, and the women all loved it and thought it was from their husbands.

This year I was thinking it might be fun to put a fruit or treat in a Valentine's bag and deliver these little gifts to a retirement community in our area, with a note telling them Happy Valentine's Day. I think my kids would love ringing all those door bells and spreading love around.

And lastly invite them over. For about 6 months now we have been taking my Mom at least once a week to our house for dinner. She gets a good healthy meal, she gets out of the house, she gets companionship, and we get HER. My kids love when she comes for dinner, and they beg for her to come all the time. Today I burned beans and my Mom was over. She of course could have cared less, because she was just glad to be out of her quiet house and have some fun.

And remember that no matter what you do, sign it with.... Love, Your Pixie

check out these fun websites!

www.wmcraftgoodies.blogspot.com and I will put it in the mom section.

also www.theidearoom.net and I will also put that in the mom section. This one had such a cute idea about on voting day, give your child a voting ballet for what they want for breakfast. How cute is that?

I am impressed with both of these websites.

Little People With Adult Opinions

I am thinking about World Issues, National Issues, Local Issues, and Race Issues in association with our children. Little people with adult opinions. Certain football teams suck, Mexicans are horrible and shouldn't be allowed into our country, Special Needs Kids are weird and should be teased, wheel chairs are scary, the president is evil, Immigrants shouldn't be in our country, certain countries and their people are horrible, etc. Have you heard kids expressing things like this? Where are they getting this? I would hear kids talking in scouts and figured that their parents must have these pretty strong views. But when my own child made a comment about hating all immigrants, because she doesn't like one that goes to her school, I was floored. I realized that she didn't get this from me, but where is she getting it? My sister in law shared with me an experience of her being at school and her child told a little black child that his mom doesn't help black kids. She was floored because her little boy has 4 black cousins (my kids). I have had my daughter come home many times in tears because of something someone has said about her skin, hair, or size. Last year when Obama was going to talk to the schools, each of my children came home with stuff others had said. Now one of my daughters loves Obama cause he is black like her. Personally I don't share her opinion, but that doesn't mean I am going to make her hate him. My other daughter asked me one time if I hated the 9-11 hijackers. I could honestly say that what they did was wrong, that they had a ton to learn in heaven, but that I didn't hate them. I felt sorry for them that they had to grow up the way they did and learn to be bad as little children. I also am touched my the poverty in Mexico, and don't wonder why people are trying to come here to a great country. I understand, but I do think we need stronger borders. But instead of focusing on that part, I choose to teach my children about poverty, and why Mexicans want to come here, and why they want to leave where they live.

So here is my conclusion.

1. I think they are getting this from all around us. T.V., Channel 1, Reading, Listening to Parents, Other kids on the play ground, Teachers, etc.
2. We can't control others views, and what our kids hear, but we can control what we are saying and letting our kids hear us say.
3. Kids can misunderstand things that you say and repeat them in a misunderstood way, that might really embarrass you.
4. Above all else, we need to teach our children to love all. Stop the scare of differences and hate, teach them to love and accept differences.
5. Anyone that deals with lots of kids on a regular basis will tell you. Kids repeat, kids share, kids talk lots. If you don't want something shared, don't talk in front of them.

Compliment Stocking!

My sister, Jill shared this on facebook, and I thought it was cute and would post it here. Doing anything like this with children is a really good idea.

Christmas idea to share One thing we did with our kids was to let them write compliments to each other during the month of December(we did too). They could choose any day. No one was assigned. More than one person could do it in a day. You write a complement for each person in the family including yourself. They are put in the empty stockings. When someone noticed they were there we would read them as a family. Children that were too little to write could dictate to someone else. They could be things like "You are a good jumper." or "You have a great laugh." This was really fun to do.

Two New Fun Websites!

I love finding new websites and blogs. I need to be better at adding them to this website. The first one I will be putting in the mom section. The second will be found in the FHE section. Both I got from my friend Nancy and thought I would share them.

www.allthingsthrifty.com

and

http://preparednotscared.blogspot.com

A Favorite Thing!

So my friend showed me this cookbook that she made. It was sooooooooo cute. She took recipes from both sides of her family, that were family favorites, or traditions. She used the website listed below and had her cookbook professionally done. It sounded like such a great idea. So I got on the website, and I have been typing recipes in, adding pictures that go with the recipe, and a description of why it is important to me. It is really cute and I am so excited to get mine printed. So go to this website and it really is not that expensive for treasuring your heirloom recipes. I gave an example of two of mine.

http://www.tastebook.com/

Father's Day Gift Idea

I am always looking for a good Father's Day present. This year I thought I would buy a pre-done basket full of fun things to eat. Not only are they so expensive, most of the stuff is not things my husband would want to eat. So... I went to Walmart and bought my own stuff to fill the basket. Then I bought a plastic basket. My husband's was 5 dollars and Grandpa's was 1.50 on clearance. Then I came home and used my cricut and made vinyl lettering to personalize the basket. The superman dad label I found on-line. I stuffed the baskets full of nuts, candy, chocolates, popcorn, jerky, crackers, 1 soda, trail mix, chex mix, Oreos, and wheat thins. Now the Oreos and wheat thins I only gave to my husband. This is because my Dad passed away about 7 years ago. Every Father's Day since I was a little kid, I gave him Wheat thins, and my brother gave him Oreos. My husband doesn't even like Oreos, but they get bought and given as a remembrance to my Father. Anyway this was really fun to do and very simple.

Front View Back view Inside Grandpa's Front Grandpa's Inside

Some of my views on Summer!

Schedules:

Studies have been made that show that schedules for ALL ages of children and teenagers are needed and benefit the child. Now I am not talking a rigid schedule that makes them crazy and you. But more a general schedule, or routine rather that gives them the security they naturally seek. now that I am a grown up, I have learned that you ALWAYS have to have a schedule. I personally get more depressed in the day, when I have no direction in my life..... and that is how children are as well. If you have a teenager and they sleep until noon, they will probably be more moody and feel unsuccessful in life. A general plan that they know is going to happen, will help them: have the proper amount of sleep, feel accomplished everyday when they complete what they need to do, It will help them when they are returning back to school-they will adjust faster, it will give them enough structure, that they feel happy and secure, and hopefully you won't hear so much, I Am Bored! It has been proven that children with behavior problems do better with a schedule.

Homework:

Talk to any teacher and they will tell you how much a child loses, educational wise, through the Summer. I can't tell you even this year, how many people are shocked that I make my kids do homework through the Summer. In the fall your child plays catch up for at lease two months. Last year EVEN WITH DOING SUMMER READING, my daughter went down two levels in her reading. I was so discouraged, until I thought about where she would have been if I hadn't done what I did.

Bored:

If you don't want to hear I am bored all Summer, take some time and plan things to do. Do something as a family daily. Go to the park, have a picnic by dads work, go on a family bike ride. Yesterday I spent the evening jumping on the tramp with my kids. It was great and they loved it. Also have activities, projects, etc. of things to do everyday that will make them happy and feel special. Sidewalk chalk, watercolors, a special movie, bubbles, jump ropes, play dough.

Work:

Make them do work. It is not going to hurt your child to learn to work. It will help them. In my doctors office it says that if you want a child that is successful, goes to college, has a good job, is married with a family, and overall is happy........ teach them to work. Does that mean they get to be your slave? No! But they can be expected to do jobs and learn from them. Just remember the jobs will not be done perfect. That is o.k., as they get older they will improve.

Family:

I have worked very hard to get the family that I have. And so my next thought is, spend time with your child. If all Summer long you are trying to be somewhere else, instead of at home with your kids, you are showing them that they are not important. Always eat dinner together (unless on a date of course), do activities together, take time to talk to them, vacation together, and always let them know that your priority is them. Likewise do not let your child be away from the home everyday, all day. They also need to learn to be a family and learn that you can work together and play together. Your child's best friends in life will not be a friend, but family. Take opportunities to grow closer as a family. In my family we are NOT perfect. We have lots of times when life seems to be falling apart. But I think one thing my husband and I have always done, is put the children first and our family first. Friends, cars, sports, running, shopping, etc. always are second to our children. If you show them, they will know by example what is important.

Well that is some thoughts I have been having today. I might add more later, but just remember that Summer is a great happy time. Enjoy it! A song by Trace Atkins is called You're going to miss this, really touches me. I know no matter how stressful life with little kids can be, I know I am going to miss it. Take sometime to google that song. For me it always makes me remember to be patient and loving.

Teaching Life Skills

I am amazed at how many parents give their children handicaps, by not teaching them to take responsibility for themselves. As we grow, we need to learn how to do things for the future. I think we do good with the oldest, but then slack off on the other children. So here are a few experiences that have changed my life, for the better.

One of my biggest issues is when young teenagers are not given opportunities to work outside of the home. I think it is really important to learn to hold a job and to learn to work with bosses. I think if you expect them to just get a job out of college with no work experience, you are crazy. Working creates really good skills and responsibility. I also feel if your child can't hold onto a job for more that a year at a time (except if he is only going to do it for the Summer), then something must be wrong (not with the employer, but your child). I feel that teaching them at an earlier age and having expectations will help with that.

I have a husband that could make bread when we got married. He is a really good cleaner, takes direction well, irons, and knows how to do lots of things that help me in my home. Yet his little brother, can barely feed himself in his adulthood. My husband is a GREAT husband, and I know it is because he learned how to take care of a family and house. He is my partner through and through. The other day I heard someone say that their husband gets mad when the living room is dirty. I thought of my husband, and the fact that he wouldn't say a word, he would just roll up his sleeves and help clean it. I think sometimes we get in the mindset that we only need to teach our daughters certain things. Enough of this! Lets teach our boys, so they can become great men, husbands, and fathers.

My husband was never taught at home about cars. He has told me many times, that he almost ruined his first car, because his dad never taught him to change the oil (or take it to someone who could). In contrast I saw my brother-in-law changing oil in his driveway. I asked him who taught him how to change oil (and save mega money through the years) he couldn't remember. He said he has been doing it his whole life.

I here people say all the time, that their teenager has no idea how to make food and would starve without them. WHAT? What happens when they go to college, or when they have a family. I am teaching my daughter to cook right now. I take the time to teach her principles of why I did what I did, and how to fix a mistake. Yes she has got burned, yes she has made some terrible things, but more and more she is getting better and makes some really nice things.

My mom once ruined a pair of my Levis. I sat and yelled at her and my dad heard. I was old enough to do my own laundry (I think I was 14), and so he said, "Mom will buy you a new pair, but then you get to do your own laundry from now on". It was the best thing for me. I now with a family of 7 spend lots of my time doing laundry, I am glad I learned how early.

Even with my 4 year old, I am teaching him how to take care of himself. Not just the usual: get dressed, brush teeth, but things like: Cleaning his room, Helping with the laundry, making his bed, Washing hand prints off the wall, and he has now mastered the art of wiping off all the counters in the kitchen and putting all the dishes in the sink. Is he perfect at these things? No, but each day he gets better and better.

So here is a list of things that we can work on now, that will make the difference in the long run:
1. Fixing a simple meal (p&b Sand.) then eating it, the cleaning up your mess
2. Cooking Dinners or Desserts
3. Taking the dry clothes out of the dryer and folding them. (and if they are still wet-what do you do?
4. Saving Money for college or something special
5. Cleaning up messes
6. If you get something messy on your clothes, how to put pre-wash on it and put it in the laundry
7. How to iron a shirt
8. How to sew on a button
9. How to make simple repairs
10. What to do in an emergency with a car (change a tire, if we are on the side of the road, changing the oil, etc)
11. Sorting Laundry into colors, and why we do that
12. Moving the wet laundry to the dryer.
13. Starting a new batch of laundry.
14. organization
15. Manners
16. The rules of Thank You notes
17. Teaching to pick up the slack if someone needs it
18. How to change sheets (and how often)
19. How to get a stain out of the carpet.
20. How to budget
21. How to balance a checkbook and handle credit cards
22. How to mow the lawn (girls need to do outside work too)
23. How to shop for a good deal
24. How to shop with coupons
25. How to do a pony tail (boys can learn to braid too)

Now I stopped at 25, but I could go on and on. There are so many skills that teenagers and young adults today are just not learning. Lots that I see involve the home: cleaning, cooking, fixing things, etc. It is my goal to have my children learn the above list (and more) sometime while they are in my care. And then when they have a life of their own (or heaven forbid- I get sick or die and really need their help), that they will know what to do. Alot of these can be taught in a fun way, that they would have no clue what you were doing. And then years later when they need the information, BAM! they remember and can do it.

So that is my thought for today. Don't forget to teach your child Life Skills! And if I missed some you want to add, just add them into the comment section. Also as a side note if you have special situations in your home, teach your kids about those and how to care for them. Like I have two black girls that I have adopted. Their hair is impossible to do. So I am teaching my 3 girls how to do their hair. I hope as teenagers, I will only assist as needed and they will learn how to do their hair. You might have a sick child, a pet, or some issue that needs to be addressed as well. Prepare them.

Opening Ceremonies for the Olympics!

For the opening of the Olympics, we are having an Olympic Party!

We will be serving food, in honor of the host city. Canadian Bacon will be involved in the menu! I think we will either do a Canadian bacon pizza, or pancakes with Canadian bacon, eggs, and of course Maple syrup (their flag has a maple leaf on it)

We also are having olympic torches (ice cream cones) for the very start of the olympics!

During the commercials we are going to be having Commerical Olympics.

We are having the following activites:

Qualifying Round (Juniors): Chew your gum fast!
Qualifying Round (Seniors): Blow a bubble with your gum!
1. Ice Hockey! Who can catch the most marshmellows in their mouth
2. Speed Skating: Divide into two teams. Put each team on a opposite side of the room. Put a ball in the middle on a chair. When you say go, the first one that gets the ball wins that round. Keep going until you get a winner!
3. Figure Skating: Glide around the room on little papers! Don’t fall and make sure you do some tricks and some artistic moves!
4. Luge: Who can melt an icecube the quickest (just using your body)
5. Ski Jumping: Jump Rope!
6. Bobsled: cup racing! (cut a circle out of the bottom of two cups. Put a long string in each of the cups. Attach strings to chairs or have others hold them. You are only allowed to blow, no hands! Whoever gets to the end first wins!)
7. Curling: Who can slide their cotton ball to the target! The closest wins! (must be done in kitchen or on hard floor)
8. Cross Country Skiing: Blow the snowball to the end the quickest (ping pong ball)
9. Biathlon: Snowball toss! (Make your own)


Whoever wins each even will get gold chocolate medals!

Learning to count Money!!!

I have been such a big slacker! So sorry! Anyway I was thinking about what idea I wanted to share and I decided to share this.

I decided last week, that I wanted to teach my three little ones more about Money. I have a nine year old, seven year old, and a four year old. The nine year old is delayed and so she is just starting learning about money. So I came up with this idea.

I got jars and filled them with different candies. I then put prices on each of the jars. I have been using real money to encourage my kids to do things that they need to be doing. My nine year old has a real problem bringing her homework to and from school. My seven year old has a real problem with anger, and my four year old doesn't want to color or do any kind of preschool. So now they get money for this. They also get money for doing extra jobs, being kind to others, etc. Mondays and Fridays I open the store. They have to figure out the money (right now they require a lot of help with that) and then they get the candy, that they had enough money to buy.

Already I am finding that people are happier, my house is cleaner, we are being more responsible, and we are learning about money. And since they are really little candies, I don't feel bad about the amount of sugar they are getting.

This is how I set it up:

.10 two jelly bellies

.30 one gummy worm

.75 two gummy rings

1.00 Dum Dum

2.00 Mini Candy bar

3.00 Other little candies

Yes these are really high prices for things. I am very generous with the money as well, so it equals out. My goal is for them to be counting money, so by having it high, it makes them need to count more. Also my 12 year old does this also. You would think she would be mad, at how high the prices are. I have told her she can just put her money in savings if she doesn't like it. She does about 1/2 and 1/2.

Quote

Peace begins with a Smile!

I have been teaching my children about Peace and becoming a peacemaker. I found this quote and I loved it. I printed it up and put it on a magnet board that is in the kitchen. I was told in church a couple of months ago that one of the best things we can do as a parent, is to smile at our children. Specifically when they have been out and are coming back to the house. I thought back to how many times I have told my kids (when picking them up from school), to get in the car quick- we are going to be late. What if I had stopped and given them an appropriate greeting? So this week I am working on that. Smiling more and by doing that, showing them how much I love them. So start smiling more and you might see a difference in your home life.

Family Plan for 2010

A long time ago my cute friend Nancy made me a New Year's plan for my family. I loved it and it was so darling. After that I made the above papers. Not nearly as cute as hers was, but it still does the trick. Each year on or around the first of January, our family gets together and we make a plan of at least two things to do in every month. They are things that we are looking forward to like: Making a snowman, going on vacation, mom's birthday, game night, swimming, etc. We put them on the side of our fridge and then the kids can look forward to something, and the parents can be fun parents.

We also print these papers up. We also put them on the side of the fridge. They are for quick little notes we want to remember. Almost like a little journal. Someone lost a tooth, a funny comment someone made, an acident someone had, etc. This was also my friend Nancy's idea. At the end of the year I simply place the paper in my family scrapbook and transfer any info I want to the kids personal scrapbooks. It is so easy and I feel like I am remembering our life moments.

One Word......

This year I have decided that as a family we are going to have a one word goal for the whole year. I think I will even frame it or put it in Vinyl lettering somewhere in the house as a reminder. Because I am LDS, and I hold Family Home Evening, I am going to do it then. First I am going to introduce the word, then the next week teach them what it means, and then the weeks after that I think I will have one person that is a detective that gets to find an example of someone doing that in our house that week.

So After thinking and talking to my cousin, I got my word. It is a word that I feel my family needs to be working on this year.

The word is.....

Peace

I am excited to have my Peacemaker Detectives and hopefully by the end of the year I will have a home that has more peace, more peacemakers, and that we will be more like the Prince of Peace- Jesus Christ.

So I encourage you to do the same and come up with a word that your family can work on, or a motto for your family. It can be a simple word, that hopefully can change your family for the better.

Christmas Nativity Program Scripture Version

Every year we have a nativity on Christmas Eve. We dress up, have simple parts, and of course remember the real reason for Christmas. I have two versions of our Christmas programs. I tried to find other people's so I wouldn't have to go to the work, and never did. So if you do something like this or want to start here is the first one. Also parts can be adjusted depending on how many people you have. We have a lot of people.

2009 Christmas Program


Mary:

Joseph:
Jesus 1:

Angel Gabriel:
Angel 1:
Angel 2:

Angel 3:
Wiseman 1
Wiseman 2
Wiseman 3
Shepherd 1:

Shepherd 2
Star:
Narrator 1:
Narrator 2:
Narrator 3:
Narrator 4:
Inn Keeper 1:

Inn Keeper 2
Herod/Leading Music:

Please bring this copy with you on Christmas Eve to follow along!

Away in a manger (First Verse)

Narrator 1: And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said.

Angel Gabriel: Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

Narrator 2: And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

Mary: I rode a donkey, my baby was coming soon.

Joseph: The journey was long and slow. I couldn’t find a place for us to stay, each Inn we went to the Inn Keeper said….

Inn Keeper 1: “No room!”

Inn Keeper 2: Joseph knocked on my door and asked for a room. There was no room. I started to send him away and then I called him back. I said, “I have a stable, you may stay in”.

Narrator 3: And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her afirstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Silent Night (First Verse)

Narrator 4: And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the aglory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them,

Angel 1: Fear not: for, behold, I bring you agood tidings of great bjoy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is aborn this day in the city of David a bSaviour, which is Christ the cLord.

Angel 2: And this shall be a asign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

Narrator 1: And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Angel 3: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth bpeace, good will toward men.

Narrator 1: And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another,

Shepherd 1: Let us now go even unto Bethlehem,

Shepherd 2: and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
Stars Were Gleaming (1 Verse)

Narrator 2: And they came with ahaste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it awondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and apondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Narrator 3: Now when Jesus was aborn in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying,

Wiseman 1: Where is he that is born bKing of the Jews?

Wiseman 2: for we have seen his cstar in the east,

Wiseman 3: and are come to dworship him.

Narrator 3: Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said,

Herod: Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

Narrator 4: When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

Star: When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy!

Narrator 4: And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and afrankincense, and myrrh.

With Wondering Awe (First Verse)

Narrator 1: And being warned of God in a adream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: And was there until the death of Herod:

Narrator 2: For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given. His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, and the prince of peace.

Joy To The World (First Verse)

Neat LDS Toy!

I was reading a friends blog and she made a comment about the fisher price nativity characters were teaching the missionaries. I looked in and guess what? I saw LDS missionaries right in the nativity. Here are the kinds and I found them for a pretty good price at http://www.deseretbook.com/ for the Nativity go to http://www.fisherprice.com/ I think my kids will really like the missionaries!

Christmas Ornament!

When my husband and I got married we started giving each other one ornament a year. They were just random, but I love to see them each year as I get them out and put them on the tree.

A few years ago we started giving us as a couple one ornament and then our kids their own of the same ornament. So now that we have five kids, that means 6 exact ornaments on the tree. I mark each one with their name and the year they got it. Theme wise I have chosen to do Santa. This has a very special meaning for me and as they grow older they will find out why I love Santa's. We had Santa live with us in our basement. He had beautiful bells, a beautiful beard, and over all looked authentic. I miss him now he is gone, but will always remember him by Santas around my house. My Mom has a big tree that only has Santa ornaments on it. It also has dates and names of everyone who has found out what she collects. Because we had Santa live with us for so long growing up, my mom has Santa's everywhere in her house that people have given her.

When my children get married, they will take their Santa ornaments and put them on their trees. And then hopefully the tradition will continue and they will also love Santa and have a tree of Santa. More importantly when they are starting out and are poor, they won't have to buy ornaments.

When I was a child our tradition was that we made a homemade ornament every year for our tree. We also made two others and would include them in our 12 days of Christmas (we called it Pixie) to give to elderly or singles in our ward.

So come up with your own ornament tradition and like me alter it when needed and most of all make memories with your family- now - This Christmas!