Okay…I just posted about the Minivan Express (click to read more on that), but I also wanted to go ahead and share what’s in store for the rest of the week. After the Minivan Express (which we did on Saturday), my children have high expectations, so we had to get creative.
Here’s our plan for the week.
Monday – Make gingerbread houses and watch the original Home Alone movie. We will make life a little easier for ourselves by purchasing those Gingerbread House Kits from the grocery store.
Tuesday – Have a BB shooting contest. We will make a posterboard with a huge face and two bulls-eyes for the eyes. We will use my husband’s old Red Rider BB Gun and see who can “shoot the eye out.” Then, we will come in and watch, The Christmas Story movie. The ONLY WAY we could watch this is because my husband has the ability to capture the movie on his computer and edit out any bad language. Once you get it all edited, it is hilarious! (If you can’t edit the movie, just substitute the Minivan Express on this night)
Wednesday – Go out and decorate a tree outside with Christmas lights and ornaments. We will then come in and watch, A Charlie Brown Christmas.
Thursday – Secret Santa…we will ride to Walmart and purchase lots of Chapsticks for 98 cent each. They have this huge bin at the front right now. We will drive around to all of the restaurant drive-thru windows and deliver our Chapsticks to the poor souls who have to work at a window that opens every two seconds and lets in a burst of freezing air! We will remind the children that we are spreading Christmas love. 🙂 You could also give tracts or invitations to your church’s Christmas Even candlelight service with the Chapsticks.
Friday – We will go out for ice cream and come back to watch Frosty the Snowman.
Saturday – We will attend the Christmas Eve candlelight service at church. If your church doesn’t have a service like this, you could go star gazing outside and talk about the star that the wise men followed. Maybe you could even borrow a telescope to make this time extra special.
Sunday – We will have a birthday party for Jesus. We will actually have a birthday cake and party snacks. We will each bring Jesus a gift. In advance, we will think of something we will give to Jesus and write it on a piece of paper. We will wrap the paper up and open the presents and read them during our birthday party for Jesus. Examples are…more time in prayer; reading Bible more; showing love to others, etc. Try to encourage your family to be specific about their gifts…”I will spend 15 minutes each morning in prayer.” or “I will visit the nursing home once a month.”
We are still doing our Reasons for the Season advent all week. This week is extra special as we learn about John the Baptist’s purpose and on through Jesus’ birth. Let me know if you would like to receive a free copy by emailing info@toddlerbitesonline.com. Even if you haven’t done any of the others, this last week is the most special and you could just do those.
We are also doing What God Wants for Christmas each night. This has been a favorite activity for our kids for many years and we just have to squeeze it in too!!