ADVENTure 2011!

Max, the kids and I enjoyed ADVENTure and the 2nd Annual Mac 'N' Cheese Cook off this evening at church.  The kids and I arrived to participate in gift making activities while Max finished cooking his Mac 'n' Cheese.  Here are a few of the super fun projects they completed.

First up were individual Hot Cocoa Cones! In your first Wiltons piping bag add one cup of Hot Cocoa Mix. Twist the tip add a small rubber band and cut off excess, then push down.  Drop the Hot Cocoa bag into another Wiltons piping bag.  Top off with 1/4 cup of mini chocolate chips, 3/4 cup of mini marshmallows and either four mini candy canes or 2 tablespoons of red hots.  Twist the top add rubber band and then complete with decorative bow.  I think these would make excellent teacher gifts slipped into a holiday mug. 

While Ava was decorating a gold star, 

The boys were making Jingle Bell Wreaths. 

They each also made several really sweet beaded bracelets. 

Ava is modeling hers. 

Cinnamon-Applesauce Ornaments!  In a Ziploc baggie add 1/4 cup of applesauce and a 1/4 cup of cinnamon.  Seal and smoosh together until a dark brown solid mixture forms.  It will be very sticky and messy.  On a piece of foil dump out the mixture.  Use cookie cutters to put the mixture into and mold a shape. Create a small hole at the top of your ornament using an unsharpened pencil. These will take several days to dry. Turn them over periodically to help with a more even drying process.  They smell divine and look festive on your tree! 

Ava and her BFF, Teagan were decorating Pine Cone Trees.  The pine cones were spray painted green and placed on circles of plaster for the base.  The girls decorated with multicolored jewels. 

The kids and I worked on creating a gold star for the church Christmas Tree this last week that represented our family.  After we were done crafting, Max met us in the Sanctuary where everyone hung their family ornaments and had a brief service.  We talked about why we celebrate Christmas, what are the symbols of Christmas that we recognize today and how can we can bring the holiday back around to the true meaning of the Christmas with less commercialism.  Our family pastor talked about the three gifts that Jesus received and maybe we should try the same thing.  My sister does this with her children and we started last year.  Each child receives three gifts (not including Santa's gift).   I 

After our brief service we headed back to the social hall for the Mac 'n' Cheese Cook off!  Max came in 2nd place for the children's pick and adult votes.  Way to go honey, it was sooo yummy!  The kids were super proud of their dad and very excited that he joined us for the evening.  We sang Happy Birthday to Jesus and enjoyed cupcakes, cookies and hot cocoa for dessert. It was a fun evening and a great way to get the Christmas season kick started.  I loved that our kids got to hear and see what the true meaning of Christmas is all about.