I am not ashamed to admit

That we only spent $100.00 for each of the boys for Christmas. I am impressed at my thriftiness. They are still little, and if you spoil them now, they will always expect it. Which means when they are 9 or 10 and want all the expensive video games and ect, they will expect it to be there. Another reason is we are spending Christmas in Colorado and I will have to haul all the gifts out there for Christmas day. I also think of the trip as part of their presents-we are planning on skiing one day out there which will not be cheap. And don't forget Grandmas and Grandpas! The kids have 3 sets of grandparents and 2 sets of great-grandparents buying them gifts.

I did a lot of planning for their Christmas presents. The things they asked for changed on a daily basis, but Jake did ask for an Easy Bake oven quite a few times. This item is located down the GIRL aisle, but I had Nana get it for him anyway. I'm thinking he envisions it in his room and will be able to bake cookies after he goes to bed to eat at his leisure.

My one goal was to not buy a single present that required batteries. I dislike screwing little screws, making sure I have the correct size, ect. That is a hard task in this day and age!

I absolutly love the company eeboo. They have CUTE toys and games. I got quite a few eeboo items this year.

Here's what they got:
Jake

• Matchbox meg rig space rover- (part of a set he already has) 17.00
• eeboo United States map for his wall 20.00
• Saucer Scramble game-oops needs batteries 18.00
• Playmobil Ranger Post- it's a deer hunter guy-so cute! 30.00
• Leapster Batman game 10.00
• Leapter Tag Scooby Doo book 7.00

Total: $102.00

Tyler

• 5 Automoblox minis -a little pricey-worth it!! 35.00
• Rubber piggy bank- learn about saving 14.00
• eeboo lacing cards-for the car long car ride 14.00
• eeboo story cards-make up your own stories 10.00
• Lincoln logs 14.00
• Play doh burger builder 10.00
• Wee Sing finger plays CD 10.00

Total: 107.00

They each will get six gifts, I think Ty might have seven but oh well. I think I spent another 15.00 for stockings: matchbox monster trucks, a DVD, candy, dollar store stuff.

I will say although I feel bad doing it, I ordered a majority from Amazon.com. It was all free shipping and I did it after they went to bed so I didn't have to worry about someone watching them while I went shopping. I was hoping the Toy House had their 20.00 off 100.00 coupon, but they didn't do it this year! I got some things there, and some from Target and K-Mart.
Now I just have to wrap it all up!
If you have kids and don't mind sharing, I would love to know what you got them! I love toy shopping :)

Cheap and easy fun

Here's a quick and easy activity to do with the packaging from all your Christmas presents. My sister gave me this idea a few years ago and every now and then I get it back out.

What you need:

Plastic hammer

Golf tees

Styrofoam

Note: This can turn messy. My kids start out playing nicely with it, but give them time and I have little pieces of styrofoam all over, but it vacuums up nicely.

Directions: In case you can't figure it out:

Have the kids pound the tees into the styrofoam.

If Anybody Still Reads This

I am still here. I can't believe it's almost been a month! Talk about a stale blog. Yuck. And now I have to catch up on:

My 30th Birthday

Thanksgiving

Tyler's 3rd Birthday

My mom's visit here from Colorado

Christmas Shopping

And that's all I can remember because it's been too long!!

Anyway, I'm skipping all that old stuff for now, and moving onto my next project.

I'm trying to do a Christmas activity with the boys for the next 25 days. So, with it already being the 6th of December we have accomplished some. Here is the list. These ideas I got from other blogs, the web, or magazines. The numbers coordinate with the date.

1. Write letters to Santa. I got a cute kit from Target last year on clearance for .75 cents so I couldn't wait to use it. Jake had to write his, but Tyler just cut pictures and glued them on the paper. A cute book to go along with writing letters to Santa is: My Penguin Osbert by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel. I found this book on a blog I use a lot: No Time For Flashcards.2. Today was Tyler's Birthday so I didn't have time for an activity today. His Birthday was enough activity for me! The boys helped me make his cake so that counts for me!!

3. Make snow globes. I found this idea in a magazine, but when it came time to do the activity do you think I could find the magazine??? I got some snowmen and trees from Michael's, but next time I'm going to have to be more prepared for this activity. We glued the figurines tonight and that is all we did because I wanted them to be really dry. I used epoxy glue and that did not work so great.

4. Today was a special outing for Tylers Birthday. We went to Great Lakes Crossing, which has the Polar Express snow globes on display so that was the special Christmas activity today.

5. Today we finished the snow globes, but I am not posting pictures because they did not turn out! The glue did not stick and the trees made the water cloudy. The glitter I bought was to light and we really need to just re-do them. I am not sure where to find cute figurines that will stay glued down. I just need the magazine and more preparation!

6. Today we did a Christmas tree craft from No Time For Flashcards. I was ready for a simple craft, and David even helped cut shapes out- his is the giant star. It's a good way to teach shapes-the ornaments are circles, squares, and triangles.

7. Today there is a craft and cookies at the Summit branch library-love the library! Hopefully we will make it, but sometimes Tyler just likes to stay home and play! Oh, and mailing Santa letters at the mall.

8. Charlie Brown Christmas is on tonight. We are having popcorn and watching it snuggled up on the couch.

9. Make popcorn and cranberry garland for the birds. A book to go a long with it: Night Tree by Eve Bunting.

10. Make cookies. Not sure what kind yet.

11. Make cocoa, get in pjs, and drive around to look at Christmas lights. Any good spots? Or do Nite Lites at the fairgrounds. Not sure if I want to spend 10.00 or not.

12. Make felt ornaments. Trace tree cookie cutter onto green felt, then punch multiple holes. Then glue beads over the holes.

13. Visit Santa at the mall. I don't think Tyler will be participating in this activity!

14. Make a snowflake garland. Or paint pinecones.

15. Make snack for Jake's snack day which is the next day. I need to be finding ideas for this.

16. Make elves ornament. We did these last year and they turned out really cute. 17. I think Jake has a dentist appointment today, so it is a good day to visit the dollar store for the kitty's presents and one for daddy from the boys. We will also get a toy for Toys for Tots today.

18. Make gingerbread cookies and read the Gingerbread Boy book.

19. Watch a Christmas movie- not sure which one.

20. Today we are celebrating Christmas with my dad and my siblings. That is the activity!

21. Today we will be in the car driving to Colorado. I have Charlie and the Chocolate factory book on CD. We will be listening to that and my kids will not be asking "are we there yet?"

22. Hopefully we will be in Colorado today. This is were it will get a bit challenging because I'm sure my mom has some fun things planned for us. Hint hint, mom!

23. Make rice pudding. This is a tradition from my Grandma. You serve the rice pudding in bowls and put a nut in a random bowl. While you are eating the pudding, whoever finds the nut gets good luck the rest of the year!

24. Christmas Eve- not sure what to do for this special day. Any suggestions??

25. Merry Christmas!! Open presents and be thankful for all that we have.

If you have any special activites you like to do please let me know! I'm always looking for new ideas!