25 Days of Christmas Countdown 2013 | Planning Begins

The kids have already started asking about this years 25 Days of Christmas Countdown. They want to know what we are doing this year. They have all told me their favorite things from previous years. I have started getting things organized.

You can check out what we have done in previous years.

2011 Christmas Countdown
2012 Christmas Countdown

Today I made a list of our favorite Christmas movies and we will vote on which ones get added into this year's countdown.

More coming later this week!

Our countdown is in full swing, along with 2 in baseball, 2 in running club, gymnastics... We have been very busy!! I will post more info when I get the chance!

----------------
Follow me on Facebook   Follow me on Pinterest  Follow me on Instagram

Christmas Countdown: Day 23

Excitement filled the house today because it was the Eve of Christmas Eve. The kids are so incredibly excited for Christmas. After hanging out this morning, we went and had lunch at the BX, checked the mail, and the kids got the rest of their gift exchange presents. Yes, they talked us into buying a present for each of their siblings instead of just one. We came home and they helped wrap the presents they were giving. The tree is really filling up! After that we went to the park and played. I really wanted a picture of everyone up on the hill, but it started to rain before everyone could get up there. Still, the park was fun.

After dinner we watched the new Prep & Landing short video. The kids loved it, but wish it was a lot longer. We had bought some new ornaments last month, and we forgot to put them up on the tree. So the kids hung them tonight. For treat we had sugar cookies.

Finally, tonight's book was, "The Night Before the Night Before Christmas." In true Cooper's fashion he chose to pose this way tonight. Another fun-filled day and tomorrow is Christmas Eve!

(Main 25 Days of Christmas Countdown Post)

Christmas Countdown: Day 22

Today was a fun filled day. This morning we went over to Erica's house to decorate cookies with the girls. Erica baked so many cookies and had everything organized and ready to go when we got there. The kids had so much fun decorating cookies. They all turned out so cute!

After cookie decorating we ate lunch at the BX. Then we headed home to pick up a little. The kids were bored and it was raining so we hopped in the car and went back on base to bowl. The kids love bowling. We bowled 2 games. It was a lot of fun. We came home and had dinner. The kids played candy cane fishing, which they thought was a lot of fun. Then we watched "Elf" and read our book, "Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer." For treat they 2 had cookies from today, and the other 2 had leftover Elf cupcakes.

(Main 25 Days of Christmas Countdown Post)

Christmas Countdown: Day 21

Today was going well until Carson started not feeling well. The other kids have had colds, but today Carson got a fever, took a nap, woke up and got sick. No fun. I had to switch Day 20 and 21 around. Poor guy. We watched, "The Polar Express." Everyone but Carson had special Christmas hot cocoa. I had really hoped for a great Polar Express day, but the kids didn't mind. They just felt really bad for Carson. Our book was, "The Polar Express."

(Main 25 Days of Christmas Countdown Post)

Christmas Countdown: Day 20

Day 20 actually occurred today. We had to switch day 20 and 21 because Carson was sick. Today the kids were so excited for their special activity- play doh. All moms will agree that play doh is the messiest product in the world. All kids will agree that play doh is one of the best things to play with. Normally play doh is something we only do at Grandma & Grandpa's house. Since we won't be back to the states until summer to visit they were nice enough to send some over the ocean to us. The kids played for over an hour. They just love play doh.

Today we watched the movie, "Elf." It is such a family favorite! To go with the movie I made Elf Cupcakes. I saw the idea in one of my cupcake books. I think they turned out so cute!

The kids all have bad colds with snotty noses and coughs. But they had a lot of energy. After being in the house all afternoon we had to get out. We went to American Village to look at the lights and watch some performances. All over the outdoor shopping area were different Santa statues. The kids, especially Parker just loved them. He kept talking to them like they really were Santa.

Tonight we read, "The Little Christmas Elf." Then the kids went to bed so we can get rid of these stupid colds before Christmas Day!

(Main 25 Days of Christmas Countdown Post)

Christmas Countdown: Day 19

 Today was sunny and beautiful. We were all so happy its Christmas break and no school. After spending the morning at the beach, we came home and did our craft project. Today the kids made Christmas trees with their feet. I painted the bottom of their feet, which of course was hard with them laughing and giggling because it tickled. They turned out so cute!

Tonight's movie was a Veggietales Christmas movie, "A Meaningful Life." The kids really love this movie. For treat the kids just had a few chocolate chips. We read the Veggietales book, "Saint Nicholas" and then talked about it. Today was a great start to Christmas break!

(Main 25 Days of Christmas Countdown Post)

Christmas Countdown: Day 18

The sun was shining and it was so warm and nice today. We went to the rollerslide park today for our activity. It was so much fun. Parker, Josh and I went grocery shopping while the big three went to Awana's. When we got home we had dinner and watched. "Home Alone 2." This has become this years favorite Christmas movie, so we have watched it a lot. The kids just laugh and laugh during the movie.

For treat I made chocolate dipped marshmallows. A few of the I dipped in crushed candy canes. Those were delicious. It was the easiest treat but oh so yummy! Tonight we read, "Phineas & Ferb The Perfect Christmas Tree." What a fun and busy weekend we had!

(Main 25 Days of Christmas Countdown Post)

Christmas Countdown: Day 17

Today we had a busy morning. For today's activity we went to the park and walked around and played for 2 hours. We also took the kids to the BX so they could pick out some toys for Toys For Tots. They each picked out a present and put them in the box. They were so happy to be helping other kids. Most of the toys collected here in Okinawa will be going up to mainland Japan to the earthquake/tsunami area. After our long park trip, the kids were pretty tired. They watched "Beauty and the Beast: Enchanted Christmas." While they watched the movie I wrapped presents, and wrapped some presents, and kept wrapping. Our tree is very full! For treat we had some leftover cookies. Our book tonight was, "Beauty and the Beast: Enchanted Christmas." We had a wonderful family day today!

(Main 25 Days of Christmas Countdown Post)

Christmas Countdown: Day 16

Oh Happy Friday! The boys have been looking forward to Christmas Vacation for a long time. Cooper wore pj's to school today for his Christmas movie party. Carson wore his Blazer Santa hat of course. He had a gift exchange, cookie exchange and birthday cupcakes at school. After school we had pizza, something the kids were all looking forward to. For treat everyone got to pick one of the cookies from Carson's cookie exchange. We watched "Christmas Vacation" together and laughed and laughed. The kids decorated some Christmas trees and Josh hung up some more lights. We even managed to sneak in a few Christmas light pictures.

Tonight we read, "The Biggest Christmas Tree Ever." Cooper has a pretty bad cold so he went to bed early. We are all so happy to have the next 2 weeks to sleep in, stay in pj's and NO HOMEWORK!

(Main 25 Days of Christmas Countdown Post)

Christmas Countdown: Day 15

Today was a very busy day. Josh had the day off again, which was so nice. Parker, Emma and I made 10 dozen cookies this morning. Some for Carson's class cookie exchange, some for us and some for Cooper's class party. We had lunch at the BX and then waited in line to meet the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders. Lets just say Emma loved it and the cheerleaders were so in love with Parker and his dimples. After that we went to Cooper's class and surprised him. We helped make gingerbread houses and then ate some treats with the class. He was so surprised. After school we went to Macaroni Grill for an early dinner. The kids just love eating here. Its something we do after each of Josh's trips. After a busy day it was nice to get home. The kids make crepe paper stars. They had a lot of fun making them.

It was too late to watch a movie. The kids also got ice cream at dinner, so there was no extra treat. Although eating dinner at Macaroni Grill is a pretty awesome treat for us. Tonight Josh read the story, "Room for a Little One." What a fun day!

(Main 25 Days of Christmas Countdown Post)

Christmas Countdown: Day 14

Today Josh had the day off. We ran a few errands and then picked up the boys from school. Parker got his haircut. It's so cute! After homework time we made reindeer paper chains. The kids really thought they were so cool. They had fun drawing faces on their reindeer. We watched, "Olive the other Reindeer". The kids really liked the movie.

For treat we had Reindeer Noses. Really just 8 whoppers and 1 whopper coated in red candy melts, 1 for each reindeer.

Tonight's book was "Olive, the other Reindeer." Its a really cute story and the kids really enjoyed reading it.

(Main 25 Days of Christmas Countdown Post)

Christmas Countdown: Day 13

Today was so much fun! The best part of the day was that Daddy came home! After dinner we had a big snowball fight with cotton balls! The kids just loved this so much!!! They played and played. Cotton ball snow fights are a fantastic way to spend time together. After that we played cards. I taught Carson and Cooper how to play speed and Josh played go fish with Emma and Parker.

The kids watched "Frosty the Snowman" and tried making snowmen with the cotton balls. Tonight we read "Snowmen at Christmas". We all sat together and tried to find the hidden pictures on each page. Tonight was a such a wonderful family night!

(Main 25 Days of Christmas Countdown Post)