FIRST DAY OF DECEMBER

Well, the countdown begins!!
If you don't have an advent calendar for your children, you should get one!!
It builds the excitement and helps their counting skills too.

Also, another good idea is a kid friendly Nativity set that your kids can touch.

Talk about Mary & Joseph's trip to Bethlehem and build their excitement about Jesus' birthday!! And then have a birthday party for Jesus!!
We have done this in our family since our oldest was 2 years old. It is the Christmas activity that I feel best about as it puts the emphasis on the Saviour

where it belongs.

The snow is really coming down here! The first snowfall of the season and the kids are so excited. I am even alittle excited but it will probably only last until I have to go out in it!

DECORATING FOR CHRISTMAS

Oh, the joys (?) of decorating with small children around!!!
I think I have learned the secret to decorating the tree......
I had my husband put it up after the little ones were all in bed,
then I decorated it all but for their own ornaments. When they
got up next morning they were excited to see the tree already decorated
and then to put on their ornaments. They were happy, I was way less

stressed out!!! And nothing got broken!

Easy crafts for the little ones:

We made stockings from construction (I just cut them freehand) and then
I put dots of glue all over and gave the kids each a small pile of buttons from
my button jar. They glued buttons all over the stockings. They had a ball.
Then I cut snowmen out of white paper and they glued them onto a colored
background (construction paper) and then we drew stick arms and then buttons again for nose, and buttons.

These activities cost next to nothing and the kids love them.

Quick little candies the kids can make with you:

Take several mini pretzels- either regular or waffle style.

Put an unwrapped Hershey Kiss or Hug on each pretzel.

Put in 200 degree oven and bake about 3 minutes until

Hershey Kiss is soft. Remove from oven and immediately

press a M & M into the melted kiss. Very cute and easy and

YUMMY!! Let them cool completely and put 6 -8 in a cellophane

bag and tie with pretty ribbon. Let the children take a bag or two

to your next door neighbors on both sides!! And to Grandpa &

Grandma! Have Fun!

Your children will remember these little things that you do with

them! I can still remember my mom making pies and she would

give me the leftover pie dough. I had these tiny cookie cutter and

I made cut outs and she helped me sprinkle them with cinnamon

and sugar and bake them. I can still taste them and remember

how special it was just to spend time with Mom doing the same

thing she was doing.

Turkey Day's over

Well, the turkey is gone, the dishes are done, the children are sleeping and Thanksgiving 2006 is pretty much over.
And now we begin the holiday season.........Christmas is coming fast.
May we all enjoy the season of peace and enjoy our families and friends.
God Bless.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

I am thankful for my husband, who loves and supports me no matter what.
I am thankful for my children, the 13 year old down to the 2 year old, even though some days I think they will drive me insane.
I am thankful that both my parents are living and in relatively good health.
I am thankful for good friends.
I am thankful for a nice home and that I am an American.
I am thankful for my health and my family's health.
I am thankful for Jesus and his saving grace and love.

Thanksgiving Crescent Rolls

I saw something cute a couple weeks ago.
Have your family write on slips of white paper what they are thankful for.
Roll the papers up in Pillsbury Crescent Rolls, bake and serve them at dinner.
When someone opens the roll they have to guess who wrote the note inside.
They are like big fortune cookies.
Very cute idea I got from a friend of mine at MOPS!

Recipe

One of my favorite meals to take into someone is Sicilian Supper. I usually make 2 at a time and have one for my family the same night or freeze one.

Recipe is as follows:

1 lb. ground chuck

1 onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 green bell pepper, chopped

15 oz. spaghetti sauce

2 c. rotini pasta (or any smaller pasta)

8 0z. cream cheese, cubed (light is fine)

3/4 c. milk

1/2 c. sour cream

3/4 c. grated parmesan cheese, divided

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brown ground chuck with onion, green pepper, garlic. Drain. Add spaghetti sauce and let simmer for 10 minutes.

Meanwhile cook pasta as directed on package. While pasta is cooking, combine cream cheese & milk in medium bowl, microwave on medium for 3 minutes, stirring once halfway through. Remove from micro and stir with wire whisk until sauce blends. Drain pasta noodles an add to cream cheese sauce along with sour cream and 1/2 c. parmesan cheese.

In 2 quart casserole or 13 x 9 pan, place all of the cream cheese mixture. Top with all the ground chuck mixture and sprinkle with remaining 1/4 c. parmesan cheese.

Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 25 - 30 minutes until hot and bubbly.

Enjoy with fresh salad and rolls and mint chocolate ice cream for dessert!

**Note worth noting--This also freezes well for up to 90 days.

To freeze add 1 TBSP corn starch to the cream cheese sauce. Put together as above and then chill......wrap well, label and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw casserole in the fridge overnight. Bake covered, for 25-30 minutes until hot. Uncover, sprinkle with more parmesan cheese and bake 5-10 minutes longer until bubbly.

Just Mom Notes

Hello !

Just Mom Notes is my first ever Blog!

This is a work in progress so bear with me. I will share Mom Notes on a daily basis. I am not really an "expert" at anything! I am, however, an over 40 Mom to four children- Jake 13; Ian & Dylan 5 next month and Lindsay 2 1/2, so I have alittle experience in child rearing! And I have been happily (for the most part!) married for 25 years , so have a little experience in being a wife!

I am also an avid stamper and dabble in scrapbooking.

On Just Mom Notes I might share:

Reflections on being a Wife, Mom, Daughter, etc.

Mothering Multiples (yes, Ian & Dylan are twin boys, almost 5)

Tips on cooking, including recipes

Tips on decorating your home

Holiday tips, decorations, recipes, etc.

Book reviews (not that I get much time to read!)

Bible verses

Poems

Photos

Stamping projects

Funny Stories about my family

and more as I find interesting things to share!

So, thanks for looking and please check in daily with Just Mom Notes !