Adventures in Life

Daily December Activities Revisited

December 1: Zoo Lighs & Picture with Santa
December 2: Christmas with Gabe's Family
December 3: Oatmeal-Raisin Cookies
December 4: Christmas Party
December 5: Ornament Exchange
December 6: Make a Child Smile
December 7: Holiday Mail for Heroes
December 8: Christmas Napkins
December 9: Christmas Cards
December 10: Angel Tree
December 11: Holiday Party, Santa, Angel Tree Purchased & Delivered, Party with Friends, Ornaments
December 12: Ornaments
December 13: Fudgy Oatmeal Cookies
December 14: Cookie & Gift Exchange
December 15: Toy Drive
December 16: Nativity Quest
December 17: Winterhaven Festival of Lights & Pumpkin Upside Down Cake
December 18: Holiday Festival
December 19: Letter from Santa
December 20: Outdoor Lights & Santa Buddies
December 21: Food Bank Donation & Presents to School
December 22: Russian Christmas Traditions
December 23: Driving around looking at Christmas Lights
December 24: Cookies for Santa
December 25: Opened Presents

Posted by at 9:17 AM | Permalink

Gabe and I are barely moving, but we did open our presents today. Alex had a great time. Thank goodness we have great neighbors. Two of them brought food over. We are not cooking today. The little bit of energy we do have is going toward keeping up with Alex.

Please consider sending Jimmy a Christmas card.

Follow our other daily December activities. December 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, and 24.

Here is a link to the 2009 Daily December activities.

Posted by at 9:36 AM | Permalink

Gabe and I are both sick. My fever hit 104 and we aren't doing much. So, the cookies we are leaving for Santa were made by our neighbor. Luckily, Alex is fine.

Please consider sending Jimmy a Christmas card.

Follow our other daily December activities. December 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, and 23.

Here is a link to the 2009 Daily December activities.

Posted by at 9:36 AM | Permalink

We looked at the Christmas lights in our neighborhood.

Please consider sending Jimmy a Christmas card.

Follow our other daily December activities. December 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, and 22.

Here is a link to the 2009 Daily December activities.

Posted by at 9:36 AM | Permalink

Today we studied Russian Christmas traditions and I made a Russian Christmas Coffee Cake.

Russian Christmas Coffee Cake - a Christmas Morning Treat

Ingredients:
1 cup sugar
1/2 lb. butter (or margarine)
1 pint sour cream
3 unbeaten eggs
2 1/2 cups flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda

Filling and Topping
3/4 cup sugar
4 tablespoons cinnamon
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Preparation: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Cream together sugar and margarine. Mix in the sour cream. Add the unbeaten eggs, one at a time. In a separate bowl mix the flour, baking powder, and baking soda. Combine the flour mixture gradually into the butter/egg mixture. The dough will become stiff. Spoon half the dough into a well-greased and floured 10-inch tube pan. Mix together the topping ingredients: sugar, cinnamon, and nuts. Sprinkle 3/4 of the topping/filling over the first half of the dough. Add the remaining dough and sprinkle rest of topping. Bake 1 hour at 350 degrees. Cool 1 hour before removing from the pan.

Please consider sending Jimmy a Christmas card.

Follow our other daily December activities. December 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21.

Here is a link to the 2009 Daily December activities.

Posted by at 9:36 AM | Permalink

Today Alex took the presents for classmates to school. He also donated food to the food drive for the local food bank.

Please consider sending Jimmy a Christmas card.

Follow our other daily December activities. December 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20.

Here is a link to the 2009 Daily December activities.

Posted by at 9:36 AM | Permalink

Gabe added some finishing touches to our outdoor lights today. Alex also watched Santa Buddies. He recently started watching TV and is never really that interested in what is on. He would much rather play with his toys or read a book. However, he LOVES Santa Buddies. We had to turn it off after 20 minutes. This is the first time we have had to actually enforce the 20 minute limit.

UPDATE: Santa Buddies is still interesting, but now he treats it like all of the rest of the TV shows. He watches a couple minutes and then plays.

Please consider sending Jimmy a Christmas card.

Follow our other daily December activities. December 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 16, 17, 18, and 19.

Here is a link to the 2009 Daily December activities.

Posted by at 9:36 AM | Permalink

Today we read Alex's letter from Santa.

Please consider sending Jimmy a Christmas card.

Follow our other daily December activities. December 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 16, 17, and 18.

Here is a link to the 2009 Daily December activities.

Posted by at 9:36 AM | Permalink

Today we went to the Holiday Festival. They had food vendors, jumping castles, an "ice" skating rink (made of plastic), crafts, train rides, and Santa. We skipped Santa. Alex just wanted to admire him from afar. He did decorate a Santa hat.

Please consider sending Jimmy a Christmas card.

Follow our other daily December activities. December 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 16, and 17.

Here is a link to the 2009 Daily December activities.

Posted by at 9:36 AM | Permalink

Tonight we went to the Winterhaven Festival of Lights. It is a neighborhood that goes all out with their Christmas decorations. The really nice thing, well for the visitors at least, is the streets are blocked off by police and you can take a leisurely stroll down the streets to look at the lights. Alex really liked the lights.

I also made Pumpkin Upside Down Cake for Gabe to take to the potluck at work. Everyone seems to really love this recipe. I, however, am not a fan.

Pumpkin Upside Down Cake

1 (15 oz.) can pumpkin
1 (12 0z.) can evaporated milk
1 cup sugar
3 eggs
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 (2 layer yellow cake mix)
1 cup pecans chopped
1 cup butter melted
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
12 oz. whipped topping (cool whip)

Line a 9 X 13 baking pan with waxed paper. Combine the pumpkin, evaporated milk, 1 cup sugar, eggs and cinnamon in a bowl and mix well. Pour into the prepared pan. Sprinkle the cake mix over the pumpkin mixture. Sprinkle the pecans over the cake mix. Drizzle the butter over the layers. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Cool in pan. Invert onto a flat service.

Combine the cream cheese, 1 cup sugar and cool whip in a bowl and mix well. Spread over the top of the cake. Chill for 1 to 2 hours or longer.

Please consider sending Jimmy a Christmas card.

Follow our other daily December activities. December 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16.

Here is a link to the 2009 Daily December activities.

Posted by at 9:36 AM | Permalink

A local church tells the Christmas story through live displays in people's garages. You get a CD that narrates. We drove around looking at all of the displays. This year the story was told through the point of view of the three Wise Men.

Please consider sending Jimmy a Christmas card.

Follow our other daily December activities. December 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15.

Here is a link to the 2009 Daily December activities.

Posted by at 9:36 AM | Permalink

Gabe took our toy donation to work today.

Please consider sending Jimmy a Christmas card.

Follow our other daily December activities. December 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14.

Here is a link to the 2009 Daily December activities.

Posted by at 9:36 AM | Permalink

Today I went to a cookie/gift exchange. I took some of the Fudgy Oatmeal Cookies Alex and I made yesterday and brought home a variety of treats. I also ended up with two Pier One candles in the gift exchange. I have the perfect place for them!

Please consider sending Jimmy a Christmas card.

Follow our other daily December activities. December 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13.

Here is a link to the 2009 Daily December activities.

Posted by at 9:36 AM | Permalink

Today Alex and I made Fudgy Oatmeal Cookies. There are a lot of variations of this recipe out there, but this is the first time I have made the version with peanut butter. Jimmy and I used to make a version of these quite often.

Fudgy Oatmeal Cookies

2 C sugar
1/2 C milk
1/4 lb butter (one stick)
3 T cocoa
1/4 t salt
1 t vanilla
1/2 C peanut butter
3 C quick cooking oats

Combine sugar, milk, butter, & cocoa in heavy pan. Bring to boil for 1 minute, timing accurately. Add salt & vanilla. Blend in peanut butter & oats. Mix well. Drop by teaspoons on wax paper. Will become firm in 15 minutes. Yield 4 dozen.

Please consider sending Jimmy a Christmas card.

Follow our other daily December activities. December 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12.

Here is a link to the 2009 Daily December activities.

Posted by at 9:29 PM | Permalink

Alex made more ornaments today.

Please consider sending Jimmy a Christmas card.

Follow our other daily December activities. December 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11.

Here is a link to the 2009 Daily December activities.

Posted by at 9:29 PM | Permalink

Today we went to the holiday party for our neighborhood. Alex had his picture taken with Santa, had some food, and made a couple of crafts. He made some ornaments at home as well. We also went to Kevin's for dinner. We also purchased and delivered our Angel Tree items.

Santa

Angel Tree Items

Hanging an ornament on the tree.

Working on an ornament.

Please consider sending Jimmy a Christmas card.

Follow our other daily December activities. December 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10.

Here is a link to the 2009 Daily December activities.

Posted by at 9:29 PM | Permalink

Today we selected a little boy off the Angel Tree. We chose a two year old that likes cars.

Please consider sending Jimmy a Christmas card.

Follow our other daily December activities. December 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9.

Here is a link to the 2009 Daily December activities.

Posted by at 9:29 PM | Permalink

Today our Christmas cards were sent out. I am getting them out a little later usual, but they should still get to their recipients on time.

Please consider sending Jimmy a Christmas card.

Follow our other daily December activities. December 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8.

Here is a link to the 2009 Daily December activities.

Posted by at 9:29 PM | Permalink

Today I finished my last Christmas present. The majority of my presents were wrapped and even mailed in August, but I still needed to finish up one of my Grandma's Christmas Tree napkins. Well, I took some time and finished them tonight.

Please consider sending Jimmy a Christmas card.

Follow our other daily December activities. December 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7.

Here is a link to the 2009 Daily December activities.

Posted by at 10:21 PM | Permalink

There is a program called Holiday Mail for Heroes and it is sponsored by the Red Cross. Basically, individuals or groups send cards to a P.O. Box and then the cards are distributed to service members, families, or veterans across the United States and abroad. There is still time to participate in this program, but you must do it soon because the deadline is quickly approaching. For more information, visit the Red Cross.

Please consider sending Jimmy a Christmas card.

Follow our other daily December activities. December 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.

Here is a link to the 2009 Daily December activities.

Posted by at 3:21 PM | Permalink

We sent cards to the three featured kids over at Make A Child Smile. Most of the children on the website have medical issues that they will not recover from. If you have a couple of spare minutes, I encourage you to write out a card or three. I also encourage you to read the "DOs and DON'Ts" section in "Frequently Asked Questions". There are a lot of helpful tips like don't send candy due to allergies, don't send glitter, don't say "get well soon", do send cheery mail, do tell a story.

Please consider sending Jimmy a Christmas card.

Follow our other daily December activities. December 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.

Here is a link to the 2009 Daily December activities.

Posted by at 6:21 PM | Permalink

I went to an ornament exchange today. I took this cute little Santa. Alex really likes him, so I might be forced back to Hallmark to buy another one.

Please consider sending Jimmy a Christmas card.

Follow our other daily December activities. December 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Here is a link to the 2009 Daily December activities.

Posted by at 8:21 PM | Permalink

Gabe and I went to the Christmas party for his office. We had dinner and then I played Bingo. I won a set of glasses with the corporate emblem on them. I really like the glasses.

Please consider sending Jimmy a Christmas card.

Follow our other daily December activities. December 1, 2, and 3.

Here is a link to the 2009 Daily December activities.

Posted by at 11:21 PM | Permalink

I made yummy oatmeal-raisin cookies today. The recipe makes rather large cookies.

The recipe is adapted from The America's Test Kitchen: Family Cookbook.

Oatmeal-Raisin Cookies
Makes 20 large cookies

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
16 tablespoons (2 sticks) unsalted butter softened
1 cup packed light brown sugar (I used dark)
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1 1/2 cups raisins

1. Preheat over to 325 degrees with racks at the upper and lower middle position. Mix first four ingredients together and set aside.

2. Beat the butter and sugars together in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy (about 3 to 6 minutes). Next, beat in eggs one at a time until combined (about 30 seconds).

3. With the mixer on low, add the flour until combined (about 30 seconds). Mix in oats and raisins.

4. Divide the dough into fourths and form balls (five from each quarter of dough). Place them on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet 2 1/2 inches apart and lightly flatten them with your palm. Bake for 22 to 25 minutes (rotating and switching the baking sheets halfway through baking). The cookies should be lightly golden with soft and puffy centers.

5. Cool the cookies on the baking sheet for 10 minutes and then transfer to a cooling rack until completely cool.

Sorry no picture, they didn't last that long.

Please consider sending Jimmy a Christmas card.

Follow our other daily December activities. December 1, and 2.

Here is a link to the 2009 Daily December activities.

Posted by at 8:34 PM | Permalink

Gabe's parents are visiting. We had our Christmas with them tonight.

Please consider sending Jimmy a Christmas card.

Follow our other daily December activities. December 1.

Here is a link to the 2009 Daily December activities.

Posted by at 10:21 PM | Permalink

Along the lines of Ali Edward's 25 Days of Christmas, I am doing my own spin on the idea. I have a scrapbook with one page for the first 25 days in December. I am going to add one photo or item for each day. To help this project along we are going to do one holiday related activity everyday in December. Some must be done on certain days (ex., open Christmas presents) and some can be done on any day in December (ex., learn about Christmas traditions in another country). I am pretty excited about this little project. At a minimum, I will try to post our activities on a weekly basis. I have also been considering going back and adding activities since Thanksgiving because I couldn't wait to put up the tree and Alex has already had his picture taken with Santa.

Our activity for today was going to Zoo Lights and having our picture made with Santa. Alex loves to look at all of the Christmas lights. He was really excited to have his picture made with Santa until he saw the little girl in front of us sit on Santa's lap. He started crying. So, we have a family Santa picture this year.

The Family Santa Picture.

Alex and Santa (I have a similar picture with this Santa from last year.)

Here is a link to the 2009 Daily December activities.

Please consider sending Jimmy a Christmas card.

Posted by at 10:21 PM | Permalink