Merry Christmas!

Wishing you and yours…

Praying you and your family create sweet memories as you celebrate the birth of our Savior.   Merry Christmas!

FREE Christmas Symbols Kindergarten Pack

I was planning on doing a theme day yesterday, but life just seem to take over.  So, we just took a "snow day" even though it didn't snow.  It snowed a few days ago...so that counts right?   Looks like we will just have to pull this out next week and start our Christmas break a day late.  Oh, the advantages of homeschooling.

Christmas Symbols K Extension Pack

Here’s what you’ll find inside: Math (within 10), Christmas Symbols Vocabulary Tracing Strips, Skip Counting Puzzles, 100 Chart Art, and Christmas Symbols Roll & Graph.


Products We Use with Our Units
The following are affiliate links. Read our full disclosure policy here.

 

Looking for more ideas?

• Preschool and Tot Activities
• Devotional & Memory Verse Helps
• Center Ideas
• Clothespin Rudolph
• Family Night Ideas
• Tots Around Town
• Book Recommendations

There are also more ideas, units, printables and crafts available on our Pinterest Board!


 

Christmas Countdowns You’ll Love

If you’re still looking for a Christmas Countdown that focuses on Christ for next month, I have two that you’ll love!  I actually combined these together last year.  Both of these countdowns can be purchased and downloaded immediately.  But the best part, everything is planned out for you.

We’ve done Truth in the Tinsel the past 2 years and love it!  Everything is planned out for a 25 day countdown, however there are alternate schedules if you don’t have enough time. I highly recommend the printable ornaments!  They were a huge hit last year and really simplified my life.  We made them even more fun by adding glitter, tissue paper, feathers and more to spice them up.

Read my full review.

What’s in the Bible? – Everyday Emmanuel is another great resource for families that want to incorporate the Advent Wreath. Plus, it is completely flexible. They provide all the resources and you pick and choose what fits best with your family. Another great feature is it tackles some big questions about Christmas by providing online videos for you to watch.  And lastly, I love the simple family activities that inspire just being together as a family.

Read my full review.

These two resources are awesome!  They’ll help you keep your kids focus on the true meaning of the season without stressing you out. 

2 Teaching Mommies Disclosure:  All opinions expressed are my own. Please be aware that affiliate links are present.  If you purchase anything through an affiliate link, you give back a percentage to my family…thanks!

Deals: Our December Bible Study

Can you believe that Christmas is right around the corner?  I don’t know about you, but I am not even close to being ready.  There are so many things to plan and prep for before I can even think about Christmas.

And before I can think about Christmas, there are several birthdays in December that I have to prepare for.  In my immediate family alone, there are five birthdays in the month of December.  At least one a week!   So, I don’t have a lot of time to think and plan ahead.

Which is why I love Grapevine Studies, “The Birth of Jesus.”  There’s no prep work and the plan is already laid out for you.  You can choose to do it in 7 weekly studies or 14 daily studies.  I’ve even broken it down further and it stretches it into 27 or so lessons.

This is an awesome resource and I highly recommend it.  Plus, it comes in a variety of formats – Beginner, Traceable and Family. Check out my review from last year for a better look.  Or download the FREE eLesson for this month – The Announcement to Mary.

SAVE NOW
Currently Grapevine Studies is having a sale on all Birth of Jesus Books & eBooks.  This is the perfect time to grab the study at a lower price. 

Please be aware that affiliate links may be present.  If you purchase anything through an affiliate link, you give back a percentage to my family…thanks!

Our Countdown to Christmas

I’m so excited to start our Christmas countdown this weekend. 

With the new baby due in a couple weeks, I wanted to get everything prepped and done.  I didn’t want to miss out on this time to focus on the birth of Jesus because of an infant in the house. 

I am truly grateful for some great resources that have help me to make it all possible without having to spend a lot of time getting it all planned and put together.  Truth in the Tinsel, What’s in the Bible and Grapevine Studies provided all the tools I needed.  All I had to do was print, cut and organize it. 

As you can see from the calendar above, I’m not doing everything.  I’ve mixed and match parts because there were elements of each that I loved. 

For example, I loved that What’s in the Bible? – Everyday Emmanuel focuses on the traditional advent activities, which incorporates the Advent Wreath.  Not only that, but I also love how it tackles some big questions about Christmas by providing online videos for us to watch.  And lastly, I love the simple family activities that inspire just being together as a family.

Since we are incorporating Everyday Emmanuel I’ve decided to use the 12 day alternate schedule from Truth in the Tinsel.   We did Truth in the Tinsel last year and I absolutely loved “the Talk” and “More” sections.  But instead of doing the crafts, I’ve decided to just use the new printable ornaments.  Talk about making things SIMPLE!

 

To really help my son retain the bible stories I’ll be using Grapevine Studies: Beginner Birth of Jesus.  By incorporating this my son will not only be hearing the word, but he will be seeing it through the my stick figuring as well as creating it with his own hands.  And research says that you can enhance your ability to learn and remember by incorporating as many senses as possible.

Most importantly I love that we will be able to learn about Jesus even when were at the hospital!

2 Teaching Mommies Disclosure:  All opinions expressed are my own. Please be aware that affiliate links are present.  If you purchase anything through an affiliate link, you give back a percentage to my family…thanks!

Everyday Emmanuel

What’s in the Bible? has created a wonderful Christmas season family activity book called Everyday Emmanuel. It is a fun, easy-to-use family Christmas Countdown experience designed to help families make the most of Christmas and better understand the true meaning of the season.

You will receive a 68 page PDF download that you can print out and use with your family!  It includes:

• Countdown to Christmas Calendar
• Weekly Advent Devotionals & Ornament Activity
• Weekly Big Questions About Christmas & Discussion Guide
• Family Activity Ideas
• Seven “print and use” activities
• Online access to videos & additional resources, and
• Helpful tips to save you time & money.

If you have been looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season before Christmas that involved everyone in your family, while going deeper into God’s Word at the same time, this activity book will be a blessing to you!

To get your own copy, simply go here.  Right now you can get the entire PDF for only $9.99.

Also make sure and check out Buck Denver Asks Why Do We Call It Christmas? It's the perfect companion to Everyday Emmanuel and makes a great Christmas gift, too! Besides that you can score a great deal if you buy them together. (Apply discount code on the last page of checkout.) Read my full review here.

2 Teaching Mommies Disclosure:  Please be aware that affiliate links are present.  If you purchase anything through an affiliate link, you give back a percentage to our family…thanks!

Candy Canes

Check out our BRAND NEW CANDY CANE UNIT! 

All our printables are in one easy download. Just click the image above to download a single zip file of all the printables. You will need to be able to view pop-ups to download the unit, as it will appear in a pop up window from our site! (Can’t unzip it. Try Hamster Free Zip Archiver approved by Amber’s husband. Remember to download carefully.)

Here are the printables included in this unit:

• How Many Peppermints? (You’ll need our counting cards.)
• Pp Letter Sort
• Number Order Puzzle (1-10 and 11-20)
• Roll & Graph
• Candy Cane Observations 
• Spelling Page
• Count & Clip  
• Patterns (ABAB and AABB)
• Writing Maze
• Beginning Writing/Cutting Practice  
• Size Sort 

Tot Pack

Looking for some ideas for a younger tot?  Check out our Candy Cane Tot Pack. (Tot Packs inspired by 1+1+1=1.) Here are the printables included in this pack:

• Peppermint Match
• Candy Cane Shapes 
• Count the Candy Canes
• Candy Cane Colors (mini book)
• Size Sequencing
• Candy Cane Picture Puzzle

Book Suggestions

Looking for more ideas?

• Devotional & Memory Verse Helps
• Candy Cane Color & Counting Book
• Candy Cane Observations
• Pinterest Board

We hope you enjoy these printables and please let us know if you have any issues with downloading or using the items provided. 

Please do not sell or host these files anywhere else. You MAY link people here. When leading others to these printables, please link to THIS page, not to the file page.  Thanks! (See TOU)

 

Candy Cane Observations!

It seems like it has been forever since we did an observation activity!  So, I am excited to let you know that you don’t have to wait anymore! 

The Candy Cane Observation activity is a great way to talk about senses with your kiddo, while introducing them to an important scientific skill.  Plus, learning is always more fun when you get to eat something!

Please do not sell or host these files anywhere else. You MAY link people here. When leading others to these printable(s), please link to THIS page, not to the file page.  Thanks! (See TOU)

Candy Cane Color and Counting Books

We are rolling out one more Christmas themed unit this week!  This week we are working on Candy Canes.  Here are a couple of resources that might help you if you are still looking for some seasonal resources.   

The Candy Cane Counting Book will cover the numbers 1-10.  Your kiddo can count the objects and trace the number word.  They can also color the pictures!

              

The Candy Cane Color Book lets your kiddo work on color recognition, writing, and coloring. 

              

We hope they help you out with this unit!

Sale Today Only: TRUTH in the TINSEL

I have some exciting news for you!!  Truth in the Tinsel is running a "12 Days TIL Christmas" sale for 20% off the book PLUS a free 12 day alternate schedule featuring the best 12 crafts!!! (A link will be included in the download.)It will be 24 hours only with code 12DAYS.

So, its not too late! For those of you who didn’t have time to get everything ready or you just weren’t able to start on Dec 1st (like me), now is the time to jump in! Get your Truth in the Tinsel today! 

Need More?

• Check out my review post.
• Get a free day just by spreading the word.

Don’t Miss Out:

• BUY IT!  20% off regularly price of $4.99 with the code 12DAYS! Today only! (12/12/11)
• PARTICIPATE.  Join other families as they go through the book by sharing your experiences on the Truth in the Tinsel Facebook page.

Disclosure:  I am an affiliate, so if you purchase anything through an affiliate link, you give back a percentage to our family…thanks!

 

The Nativity {Expanded}

Check out our new and expanded “Nativity” unit! We’ve added a few new printables, which you can download.

All our printables are in one easy download. Just click the image above to download a single zip file of all the printables. (Can’t unzip it. Try Hamster Free Zip Archiver approved by Amber’s husband. Remember to download carefully.)

You will need to be able to view pop-ups to download the unit, as it will appear in a pop up window from our site! Last year’s printables are also included in this download.   

Here are some of the printables included in this unit:

• Patterns (ABAB and AABB)
• Roll & Graph
• Phonic Puzzles 
• Story Timeline 
• Writing Maze
• Beginning Writing/Cutting Practice
• Size Sort
• Number Order Puzzle (1-10 and 11-20)
• Spelling Book
• Count & Clip 

Tot Pack

Looking for some ideas for a younger tot?  Check out our Nativity Tot Pack. (Tot Packs inspired by 1+1+1=1.) Here are the printables included in this pack:

• Nativity Match
• Nativity Shapes 
• Count the Stars
• Donkey Colors (mini book)
• Size Sequencing
• Nativity Picture Puzzle

Looking for more ideas?

• Truth in the Tinsel
• Devotional & Memory Verse Helps
• Center Ideas
• Nativity Color & Counting Book
• Nativity Fun 
• Movie Night & Snack Ideas
• Tots Around Town
• Book Recommendations
• Last Year's Post

There are also more  ideas, units, printables and crafts available on this theme.  Check out our Pinterest Board for some of our favorites!

We hope you enjoy these printables and please let us know if you have any issues with downloading or using the items provided. 

Please do not sell or host these files anywhere else. You MAY link people here. When leading others to these printables, please link to THIS page, not to the file page.  Thanks! (See TOU)

 

*Special thanks to Just So Scrappy for graphics.

Nativity Fun

One of our readers, Jackie, e-mailed us yesterday about a site she had seen.  What she found was Paper Model Kiosk, a web site which specializes in premium paper downloads.  At Paper Model Kiosk you register (so you will need an e-mail address for them) and then you can download some BEAUTIFUL paper nativities free of charge!  Some of the downloads do cost something, but if you browse around you can find some beautiful ones, like these, FOR FREE:

Be warned that some of these do not lend themselves to simplicity, but I needed something to do with E for today’s post, so I figured I would find something here and we could make it!  All of the downloads have to be printed on cardstock and cut out, and the detail can be difficult for little ones.  I cut ours out in advance and let E cut the straight lines on the bottom. 

We then put ours together, and there wasn’t much to it.  It was SUPER easy. So did E like it? See for yourself:

Now lets say that you are not one for following download directions.  You need something simple, quick, and kid friendly.  If its decent looking, all the better, right?  Well, here you go….

Let your kiddo cut out the figures and glue them, and their shapes, in place on the nativity.

See, something for all you mommies out there!!