* Update on how my list is coming.  I'm getting most of it done.  There has been a few changes noted beside some items.  But overall I think it's going pretty well.  Monday we're going to do our books on the birth of Christ.  Other than that the lessons that didn't get finished will wait until after our Christmas break.  We started them but they aren't finished.  My sewing machine is officially dead.  Hubby fixed the one problem and I was happily sewing the puppet theater when several pieces just fell out.  I was about in tears when hubby found me.  He's like hold on a second honey.  Then went outside and came back in with a box.  He said you can have your Christmas present early.  My adorable, hero husband had bought me a new sewing machine.   I had inherited my grandmother's old machine which was a 1960's Singer.  So this new machine is wonderful in comparison.  It has so many functions and takes so little effort to use.  You'll have to wait until after Christmas to see the puppet theater as I forgot to take a picture before wrapping it.

We ended up doing a few extra things.  We made chocolate dipped marshmallows.  I found some strawberry flavored ones at the store and thought that would be yummy.  We also made chocolate covered peanut clusters and walnut clusters.  I made some brownies, chocolate chip cookies, and snickerdoodles.  I also made 4 more fleece blankets as gifts for my family.  I still have the rice packs to sew and cut out cookies to make.

I'm simply posting the list of everything I want to get done this month for Christmas so maybe you all can help hold me accountable.  You can find the links for these things under Christmas in the sidebar.

Gifts to make for kids

1. 4 dishtowel aprons

2. 4 fleece lap blankets (3 done)

3.  2 felt boards

4. puppet theater

5. puppets - cat. bear, frog, and owl

6. puppets - chick and bunny

7. sock puppets (upon more reflection I have decided to put together a kit for them to make their own)

8. crayons

9. 4 decoupage puzzles (decided not to do these because I'm running out of time)

10. graces (couldn't find any hoops, so I guess there not getting these)

Crafts and Gifts for others

1. Christmas countdown paper chain

2. puzzle piece ornaments

3. Christmas cards

4. shooting star ornaments

5. spiced tea mix

6. craft stick ornaments

7. Christmas choir

8. hot chocolate mix

9. bean bag wise men

10. handprint santa

11. merry Christmouse

12. California cornbread mix

13. flying bird ornament

14. rice hot packs

15. sand art brownies

16. dangling snowmen (changed to craft stick snowmen)

17. pine cone Christmas trees

18. foamy frame

19. layered dog biscuit mix

20. sock snowfolk (changed to clothespin reindeer)

21. greeting card box

22. personalized magnets

23. brown paper bag stockings

24. candy sleigh

25. decoupage puzzle sets 

26. grocery bag gingerbag garland

27. festive paper pines

28. chicken noodle soup gift jar

29. spiral soup mix

30. cut out cookies

31. Christmas pretzel trees

Field Trips and General Activities

1. Christmas movie marathon

2. decorate tree for the birds

3. visit the zoo and see the Christmas lights

4. visit historical village decorated for Christmas ( the kids fell ill, so in hopes of them being better for this weekends activities I decided to skip this)

5. visit local Christmas tree farm

6. go to local church's Christmas pageant

7. bless some families with Christmas packages

Lessons

1. How the Grinch Stole Christmas Unit Study

2. Christmas logic puzzles

3. Christmas reading comprehension worksheets

4. What Christmas means to me shape book

5. make book on the birth of Jesus

6. make thankful for ornaments

7. Christmas themed read aloud

8. read the Gift of the Magi

9. Christmas math

10. Identifying Christmas trees

11. A Christmas Carol study (almost done)

As you can see we got some done already but we still have a long way to go.    In case your wondering we pretty much take a break from traditional school work during December.  I like to have us concentrate on celebrating the birth of Christ