December 20- Bring Treats to the Neighbors

Things just get busier and busier the closer it gets to Christmas.  I plan well in advance, I prepare early, and yet I still end up feeling very busy.

Today's scripture was Matthew 14: 15-21.  In this passage Jesus feeds the multitude with the loaves and fishes.  We see that Christ had the power to perform miracles and had compassion for others.

This year, rather than making a lot of different treats to give to the neighbors a couple of friends and I had an exchange where we each made two goodies and  then traded, so when we were done there were six different goodies for each plate.

The girls helped me make some chocolates, peanut butter balls, and fudge and then after our swap with friends we arranged some plates.  I asked the girls to each pick a friend from church that they would like to bring some treats to and then we dropped some plates off to some of our other neighbors.

It was snowing and cold, but we bundled up and dropped off our treats on our way the Lily's dress rehearsal for her dance recital.

December 15- Make Christmas Candies

This morning went very smoothly.  Gideon didn't sleep well, I blame that tooth that is working its way through his gums, so I was up early, but not nearly as early as the other day.  He did however take a wonderful nap this morning to during that time we pulled out our star for the day.  Today we read from Matthew 6:9-13 which is The Lord's Prayer.  Lily caught on very quickly and as soon as Tyson finished reading she told us that Jesus was saying a prayer.  This is where Christ teaches us the proper way to pray.

Today for our activity we were to make Christmas candy.  The girls helped me add ingredients to the pot, watched it cook, and kept me company while I waited for everything to come to temperature.  I had Tyson beat the fudge for me because my hands were full and the fudge turned out so smooth I think that I'll have him beat it for me every time from here on out.  

The caramel turned out a little soft so we will be chilling it, cutting it, and then dipping it in chocolate tomorrow.

Since I didn't take any pictures of the kids helping me make the candy I figured that I'd give a preview of them in their Christmas dresses/outfit.  Ever since I finished sewing and knitting these Lily has been asking every week if they can wear them and today I decided that they could.  We even took the time to curl their hair and I think that they are the most adorable girls in the world!

Apparently sewing for boys can be fun too!  Look at this dapper little guy, how much cuter can they get.  He was too fixated on the lights on the Christmas tree to look at the camera.

December 13- Making Homemade Candy Canes

This morning started earlier than it should have.  It seems like once every 2 weeks or so Gideon decides so wake up for the day before 4 am.  It is exhausting!  I get a lot done in those early morning hours, but by early afternoon I'm so tired!  I had planned today's activity for quite some times, but I was seriously reconsidering given how early my day started.

To make the best of things we got started on our advent activity earlier than usual.  We read from Matthew 5:2-16 which is a portion of the Sermon on the Mount.  Not only do we learn what Jesus wants us to do, but this shows Him as a teacher, and a great one at that.

For our activity we had planned to make homemade candy canes.  I decided to go for it and got everything together.  Lily helped with adding the ingredients to the pan.

 Charlotte preferred to stir.

 And Gideon sat next to me looking cute.

 Seriously, look at those big eyes, he's so cute I could seriously devour this kid.

 Well...I stepped away for a minute, and as anyone who makes candy knows, that is a bad idea.  I swear that the thermometer was at 250 degrees when I walked away and when I got back it was at 320 degrees,  That's a problem when you are supposed to remove them from heat at 280.  So, I poured the burnt sugar into an old jam jar that I could just throw away, because seriously, what else was I going to do with it, and then started over.  Whoops.

 The second time I watched the thermometer like a hawk and boy was it BORING!  It took ages.  But eventually we got there, I poured it out and added the coloring and flavoring.  I had intended to make a green stripe too, but I grabbed the red food coloring because I wasn't paying attention so I had 2 batches of red instead of one.  Whoops.  I tell you, I need sleep.

 I worked it all together and low and behold, it eventually looked like candy cane material.  I started putting it all together a bit too early though.  If I make them again, which I probably will, I will wait until it is a little cooler.

 I cut it into strips and the girls ran with them from the counter to the kitchen table and shaped them into all sorts of things.

 They were pretty proud of all of their candy canes.

 They turned out pretty well, not too bad for the first go around, even with a burnt batch.

If you'd like the recipe and tutorial I found this one here.