Day 191... Mint Candy Wreaths.

This craft is off of Pinterest but came from Martha Stewart.

This craft looked so easy that I did not read the directions. How hard could it be right?? WRONG!! We tried hot gluing the mints together but they would not stick. We decided that we needed a backing so we glued them to the paper. Better, but then we really wanted a hole in our wreath. Impossible to do once all glued together. UGG!! Something that looked so easy was not!

Carson hot gluing his mints. This time we cut the hole in the paper before gluing.

Jack fed up with it all. How come this is so hard and I keep burning my fingers??

Kenna assisting Maddie with her wreath. This was the last one. We were bound to get it right. Wrong again. We ended up using 6 mints instead of the 5 mints.

Maddie with her finished wreath which we doubled because you could see the paper on the back. Much better than our first attempt but a very heavy craft for the tree. It does look cute but not exactly lots of fun to make.

Proof that Martha Stewart is Martha for a reason. I went and read the directions and apparently the wreath was put together with icing. It was then allowed to dry for two hours and was basically an edible treat for the children.I would have never attempted this with icing. It truthfully would have never crossed my mind. That is why I am not Martha Stewart!!

The funny thing is I always tell my kids with school that THEY NEED TO READ THE DIRECTIONS FIRST. I need to start practicing what I preach!!

This might have been fun if the kids could have licked their icing fingers and then been able to eat their delicious craft. OUR WREATH NEEDS TO COME WITH A TOXIC WARNING. Sorry Martha for screwing this one up. Next time I will read the directions!

Day 190... Neigborhood Lights in PJ's with Popcorn and Gummies!!

A favorite tradition of ours is seeing the neighborhood lights in P.J's. It is probably one of the kids FAVORITE traditions. The reason food of course. I make popcorn and we stop for Gummies along the way at the local gas station. The team thinks it is the best thing ever!! It is fun and an incredibly low cost evening. Turn on the Christmas Carols and enjoy the sights and sounds of the season!!

Ready for the annual lights in P.J.'S outing!!

The Hidden Falls Subdivision in Buford has fabulous neighborhood lights. This was a great house!!

Another house was not decorated but had this lovely DITTO sign pointing to it's decked out neighbor.

They love GUMMIES.. The local station has so many to choose from sharks, fish, worms, octopus, rings and more!! Fun and cheap at only 50 cents a bag.

The girls took forever to make their choice. Kenna was mortified to be in the gas station with her dad taking pictures..

Day 189... Gingerbread Men gone mad!!!

What happens when you give normal looking gingerbread figures to the Greeneteam and tell them to do what they want??? Gingerbread men gone mad!!

My crazy family!!

Dad and Mom!! Crazy clown and a wannabe Nutcracker girl??

Kenna and Jack! Ginger Santa and Kung Fu Ginger??

Carson and Maddie SPARKLE BOY and MS. SNOWFLAKE GINGER??

Hot glue, gingerbread men and lots of craft supplies = lots of fun on a Monday night!!

Day 188.. Christmas Tree and Gingerbread Men Brownies

Today was the kind of day where Chocolate was desperately needed. We decided to make it the fun of the day and make brownies. We cut out Christmas shapes using tree and gingerbread men. We then decorated with a little bit of icing, M@M's, and a candy cane piece for the stem. The kids absolutely loved this tasty treat from Pinterest!! YUM!!

They had all been watching the show CAKE BOSS and were channeling their Italian side!!

If it has sugar it is "finger licking good".

Carson is trying to figure out how to become part of Buddy Valastro's family. He is thinking marrying the daughter Sophia might be the answer.

Not quite Cake Boss quality but a good effort and fun for all.

Day 187... Vogel State Park Tree Lighting

We spent the day in the mountains with my mom and then went to the 9th annual Vogel State Park tree lighting in Blairsville. They do such a nice job. Hayrides down to the tree area, free hot cocoa and cookies. Santa, bell ringers and musicians singing Christmas carols. They also have fire pits for trying to keep warm, the tree lighting and a lighting of candles while everyone sings Silent Night. Truly a wonderful way to spend a Saturday at Christmas time.


Note to self if we are lucky enough to ever go again remember to wear great socks/boots to keep our feet warm. Also remember to bring chairs and blankets and arrive early not late so we can get a spot by a fire pit.

Day 186.... Back to Bethlehem

Tonight we went to Hopewell Baptist Church in Canton for their Back to Bethlehem nativity. It is done so well. You truly feel like you are walking through the streets of Bethlehem. The kids loved that they got gold coins upon entering the city, enjoyed stopping at all the merchant shops, and loved seeing the animals.

They loved the end with the angels, Mary, and a real baby for baby Jesus. At the end the church provided hot cocoa and cookies. Such a wonderful family event to go to celebrating the real reason for the season!!

This free family event runs through Sunday December 11th from 7pm-9pm.

Day 185... Supper with Santa

A must on our list each Christmas Season is seeing Santa. We have gone to the Supper with Santa event at the Lakeshore Mall in Gainesville for 9 or 10 years straight. It is at the top of the kids list of things to do at Christmas. Once you see the big guy your present request is out there and there is NO changing of the mind.

Lots of pressure tonight as they had to put in the big request. We left with Maddie asking for a sewing kit, Makenna a digital camera, Jack a Wii game and Carson asked for the Buddy Valastro Baking With the Cake Boss Book.

They had a great time as usual. Dinner, face painting, balloons by the wonderful Jeff McClure, and a carousel ride all for $3 per child. Such a deal!! Thanks Lakeshore Mall for such a wonderful and affordable fun family Tradition!!