24 Days of Christmas Advent Calendar

In previous years, we've had Advent calendars that included small treats and toys. This year though, I wanted to focus more on experiences, rather than "stuff." With the commercialism of Christmas getting so out of hand, I felt this would be more meaningful (plus it gives me the opportunity to create lists and organize myself a little more!) My 3 year old also has gotten to the "buy me stuff" stage every time we venture to the store...we are breaking that ASAP!

While browsing through my Cricut cartridges one day, I discovered that the George Cartridge could cut envelopes. I used the cricut to cut out 24 small envelopes and stuffed each one with a meaningful experience. Since I babysit two other boys in my home several days a week, I also wanted activities that they could participate in with minimal cost to me.

I stenciled numbers 1-24 on each envelope with a gold paint marker.

Each card is just a index card that i cut with scalloped scrapbooking scissors and then used red and green markers to write each activity on.

Right now all the envelopes are in a small basket waiting for me to decide how I'm going to display them come December. R has a calendar that he uses to play school (an actual one from when I taught preschool). I'm thinking of hanging them on there so he can open one each morning when he puts up the new number.

Here's a list of the activities I included in the envelopes:

1. Decorate the tree

2. Open your new ornament for the year.

3. Write a letter to Santa

4. Burn a Christmas cd and listen to it

5. Make Christmas cards

6. Make a card to send to a soldier

7. Attend Christmas in Carey

8. Take pictures under the tree

9. Paint in the snow or Take a train ride (weather permitting)

10. Take a trip to the Dollar Store to purchase a gift for siblings

11. Take a bath by christmas lights

12. Dinner by candlelight

13. Christmas cookie decorating

14. Christmas Movie Night

15. Go to Harrison Park to see light display

16. Make ornaments for family members

17. Build a snowman

18. Go sledding

19. Bake and take a goodie for a neighbor

20. Make gingerbread and decorate

21. Polar Express Party

22. Christmas Movie Scavenger Hunt

23. Sleepover under the Tree

24. Open 1 present under the tree (pajamas), leave cookies and milk for Santa, put out reindeer food on the lawn.

Obviously a few of these will be weather permitting, but the only 2 activities set in stone are #7 and #15 so I can always switch things around if need be. I also made a master calendar so I can look ahead and prep anything that needs done ahead of time (ie, baking, etc.) On that same calendar, I am writing down the Elf on the Shelf activities that I will be doing each night.

Mouth Watering Beef Tips in the crockpot!

Here's what's making my house smell yummy today!

Crockpot Beef Tips

Ingredients:
2-3 pounds beef stew
1 package dry onion soup mix
1 package brown gravy mix
1 1/4 c. ginger ale
1 can cream of mushroom soup
Optional: sliced mushrooms, sliced onions

Place beef in crockpot.
Mix together onion soup mix, brown gravy mix, ginger ale, and mushroom soup.
Pour over top of beef (and sliced mushrooms and onions if using)

Cook on HIGH 3-4 hours or LOW 5-6 hours.
My crockpot runs VERY hot and was done in 2 hours!

Serve over mashed potatoes or egg noodles!

This recipe also freezes very well. Place all ingredients in plastic ziploc bag and freeze. Thaw for 24 hours then follow cooking instructions.

Upcoming!

Hello everyone! The facebook page is up and running, so you can follow me here or on facebook! www.facebook/rileyscar.com

Upcoming blogs will include Sawyer's Very Hungry Caterpillar 1st Birthday (November), Elf on the Shelf ideas, 24 Days of Christmas and a few decorations for Christmas! Keep you eyes peeled for updates!