Let it Snow!

Well, I had planned to post this a long time ago, but the holidays kept getting in the way.  If you live in a climate where it snows, it's still applicable.  Since we do not get (much) snow where we live, we made "pretend snow" from packing peanuts (free with holiday shipments!).  I let S play with it in the sensory tub.  He loved throwing  it up in the air and shouting, "It's snowing!"

We also made a snow scene on black paper.  I put a dabs of glue on the paper and S placed pieces of "snow" on top.

Another snow related activity we did was to use white Floam to make a snowman.

I had planned to also do a felt snowman that S could dress, but never got around to it.  I have a new idea for a felt board as ours has been enjoyed too many times.  I'll keep you posted...

Save Your Christmas Cards

Be sure to save your Christmas cards because you can make simple puzzles from them (see above).  S is a bit too young for them now, but I will save them for next year.  Also, I only cut the above card in three pieces, but once he's mastered it, I can cut it into more.  This can be done for any holiday greeting card as well. 

Thanks, Chasing Cheerios!

Christmas Bugs

Our December theme is "Bugs" though it is predictably getting lost in the holiday shuffle, so I combined the two today with an activity.  We decorated a Christmas Tree with "bug ornaments" (tiny dot stickers with various insects).  My goal is for S to learn spider, butterfly, bee, ladybug, worm, grasshopper, and ant; most of which he already knows. 

While we were working on the tree, it reminded me of The 12 Bugs of Christmas, which I plan to get a copy of because S is really into "counting" and it ties together bugs and Christmas. 

If you have any bug activity/art ideas or book suggestions, please let me know in the comments. 

Christmas Little People $9.99

The Fisher Price Store has the Drummer Boy set and the Christmas Parade set on sale for $9.99 each.  It's free shipping with code FREESHIPHP.  We have the Nativity ($25 at Target NOT on sale) and S has learned "angel, Baby Jesus, camel, and donkey" so far.  I like to have seasonal toys that are taken out each year because I think it adds to the excitement and specialness of the holiday.  Also, if you're like me, I am eager to give S one of his Christmas gifts early because we haven't had anything new around here in a long time and this would be a good one to play with now.

Color A Smile

I wanted to share this organization with you:

"Color A Smile is a non-profit organization that spreads smiles with cheerful drawings. Since 1986 we have been collecting crayon drawings from school children. Every month we mail thousands of these original crayon 'masterpieces' throughout the United States. Schools, scouting troops, youth groups and individuals supply us with drawings. The majority of our drawings are mailed to senior citizens but we are happy to send 'smiles' to anyone who would like them."

You can choose from lots of coloring pages or free art pages.  Here's the one we colored.

Thanks, A Mommy's Adventures!

Vinyl Clings

While they may not be the most attractive of holiday decor, S loves playing with vinyl clings.  They are fun to take off and reapply and they have really helped build S's "Christmas vocabulary".  S also likes to experiment to see what they will/will not stick to (windows, dishwasher, his shirt...).  I somehow acquired ours long ago, but I frequently see them in store dollar bins or on sale after holidays.

S's Christmas Wish List

This may be odd, but I thought if I shared S's Christmas list you may get some ideas for your little ones:

• Melissa and Doug latching board
• Melissa and Doug wooden food
• Melissa and Doug lacing beads
• Lauri stacking pegs
• Tree Blocks
• Magnatiles
• lowercase alphabet puzzle
• Animal Baby magazine subscription
• cardboard bricks
• Bilbio
• a quiet book
• Wedgits
• Leapfrog Fridge Phonics
• Magnadoodle

Note:  This is a very long list.  I do not plan for S to receive all of the above!

If you have any great ideas you would like to share, please leave a comment (not that this list needs to get any longer).

Free Photo Ornament

Update:  I just learned from the company that this code was specifically intended for people that had purchased mall Santa photos which I was not aware of before posting.  I apologize for the misinformation.

You can get a free (no shipping!) photo ornament from See Here with code mallornament (Note: It's being reported some people are having trouble with the code, but are having better luck with a space after the code.  Try both ways I guess.  I'm not sure what I did, but it worked!)  You must choose one of the two $12.99 ornaments.  I ordered the white one with S on it, but used our dog above for illustrative purposes.  I am not sure when this offer expires. 

Thanks, Money Saving Mom!

50 Free Photo Cards!

No longer available....

Update:  Read this update from Freebies4Mom. 

I can't believe I am just now posting this since I've know about it since last week...it's okay there is still time.  Freebies4Mom has a special code for See Here (by Fuji Film) to get 50 free photo cards (no shipping!) AND it doesn't expire until November 30th so you have lots of time to design a Christmas card or birth announcement!  Just enter "freebies4mom-1109" at checkout.