Merry Christmas!

(happythanksgivingpictures-2014.com)

Merry Christmas blog friends!  I hope these holidays are wonderful for you and your family.  We've had almost 3,000 visitors since this blog first started a few months ago.  I feel blessed by so many of you who also consider parenting your passion!

7 Last minute Christmas Traditions You can Still Do THIS Year!

(anorak.co.uk)

Since we have 5 kids, we need simple traditions.  Here are the simple things we've done to make Christmas seem special that don't take a lot of time or money.

1. Secret Santa-  We always find a needy family and give them a special gift, left on their doorstep anonymously.  The kids LOVE to do this.  The gift doesn't have to be expensive, it's the thought that counts.  One year the kids each gave up one of their own presents.  This was our most special year ever.

2.  Nativity Play-  We do a nativity play every year.  Costumes are just bathrobes and towels.  You can read it out of the bible, or if you have a children's book that works just as well.

3.  Santa Letters-  The kid write Santa letters and put them in their stockings on Christmas Eve.  Then that night, Santa writes them a letter back.  They love to read what Santa wrote.

4.  Extra Present-  We give an extra present to the child who has been the most helpful throughout the WHOLE year.  They know this and always work for it.  It is usually a coupon for a lunch out with mom.

5.  Reindeer Food-  We mix oats with glitter (if we have it...sometimes we just use oats) and spread it on the lawn for the reindeer before we go to bed.

6. Bethlehem Dinner-  On Christmas Eve we eat cheese and crackers and olives and things they may have eaten in Bethlehem.  We do this by candlelight to make it special.

7. Read "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" by Barbara Robinson.  We read this out loud every year for laughs and tears.

What are your Christmas Traditions?

5 Dinner Courtesies You Should Teach your Children

(chefmom.sheknows.com)

I remember once a nephew of mine said he was struggling with dating because many of the girls didn't know common dinner manners and courtesies.  When I heard this, I immediately began to teach my own children about dinner manners.  Here are some of the things we've taught them over the years.

1. Wait until the host starts to eat before eating yourself.  Also, when dessert is served, wait to start eating your own dessert until the server has been seated and can begin eating.

2. Chew with your mouth closed, and don't talk with food in your mouth.  This seems obvious, but it took practice for my children to master it.

3. Take small bites, and eat slowly.  Young children eat fast when they are hungry and this habit can be off-putting when they get older.  So teach them to slow down.

4. Don't leave the table until everyone has finished their food.  Young children want to get down and run around after they are done, but this can make it stressful for people still eating.  You can help them stay at the table by providing funny papers, or puzzles for them to do while they wait.  Also try to include them in dinner conversation.

5.  Teach them to put a napkin in their lap, and to use it often.  They also need to know how to pass food and ask for it to be passed.  Make sure they are not reaching across people to grab things.

We used to have manner dinners where we would try to practice good manners.  We would light candles and blow them out when anyone broke a manner rule.  The goal was to keep the candles lit as long as possible.

Envelope Budgeting! My Favorite!

(onegoodthingbyjillee.com)

LOVED these envelopes!  I'm totally going to print these out.  Envelopes are my favorite way to budget.  They really work!  Click the caption to see and print them out.

Humorous Kid Letters

(stumbleupon.com)

Click the caption to read 30 hilarious letters written by children. These had me laughing so hard I was in tears!

MORE Genius Parenting Hacks!

I am a HUGE fan of parenting hacks.  Here are some more from stumbleupon.com.  (Click the caption)

(stumbleupon.com)

My Favorite Meatball Soup

(www.tasteofhome.com)

My family loves this fast to prepare Crockpot soup in winter.  Here's the recipe from the book: Taste of Home Slow Cooker Classics:

Meatball Soup (Serves 4)

3 cups beef broth
1 can diced tomatoes (I usually blend these up)
3 bay leaves
1 can green beans
16 frozen meatballs (We like Costco brand)
2 cups uncooked corkscrew noodles (Boil these and add them at the end of cooking time)

Add everything except noodles to the crockpot.  Cook on low 6-8 hrs. or high 3-4 hours.  Cook noodles separately and add at the end.