Wrapping Jesse Tree Ornaments
I'm still wrapping up a few ornaments for our Jesse Tree but since it's quickly approaching I figured I'd literally wrap up the ones I've finished.
After talking with a friend that's doing her Jesse Tree, I decided I liked the idea of the kids opening up the ornament each day as a sort of gift from God to them. Each story we study reminds us of God's love for us - it's the perfect way to tie in the idea of gift-giving at Christmastime.
I'd love to find some simple wooden or brown paper boxes to put each one in. But I haven't found ones I like that are inexpensive enough and then there's the storage factor. Where do you stash 25 boxes? So this year, until I figure out something else, I'm using brown paper sacks.
I made little tags with the Advent day's number on them. I had a stack of small cardboard inserts from bias tape packages that I saved. I cut them in half, rubbed the edges with a brown ink pad, and stamped the number on. 
I liked the way they turned out and I think they'll work perfectly this year.
It's just a small stick we found in the backyard, pulled the bark off, shaped with a knife and screwed an eyelet screw into the top of.
It's super simple but makes the perfect breakfast for any family get-together or holiday brunch.
which makes the job quick and precise.
Whisk together 4 eggs, 1 cup of milk, and a dash of vanilla in a large dish.
Turn on your griddle and once it's hot, grease it with butter. I just take my stick of butter, peel the wrapper down and rub it over the surface of the hot griddle. 
Working quickly, run each slice of bread through the egg mixture, being sure to coat each side well. You don't want it to be dry but you definitely don't want it soggy. Just toss it in there, swish it around a second, flip it over and do the same for the other side. Then place it on the hot buttered grill. Cook about 2-3 minutes, or until browned, on each side.
Serve with butter, syrup and if you're really feeling fancy, a sprinkling of powdered sugar. 
You can use any of your favorite fruited or flavored breads this way. If just using a french loaf, I add cinnamon to my egg mixture.
We learned about what doctors do. I wanted to take Boo up to the hospital to see Daddy at work but we ended up doing that several weeks later insted.
We made crescent dogs for a picnic lunch one day and dubbed them Diggity Dogs to go with our letter D theme. Boo helped wrap the dogs in crescent rolls before I popped them into the oven.
We read about dinosaurs and Boo painted a small wooden dinosaur plaque with acrylic paints.
Throughout that week (or two) we practiced Spanish words starting with D: dinero, durazno, diente, diez. We also made a peach {durazno} crostata, and Boo learned his letter D bible verse: Psalm 34:14.
Gently hold the paper in place while your child draws with the crayons. 
I really wanted the ten commandments written out on the tablets, rather than scribbled illegible text. This way we can read through them together. I looked to two of Boo's children's bibles for a kid-friendly translation of the text. Though I was tempted to put the original text from Scripture - that would be great too.
I hot-glued them together in the bottom corner, backed them with gray paper and glued a support strip of more gray paper to the middle back.
A lion for Day 18 of our Jesse Tree, a devotional on Daniel and God's protection in the lions' den. I found this at Cost Plus World Market recently.
I find it's easier to line the fabrics up on top of each other and cut them both at the same time.
Day 8 of our 
Here's what you need: tumbled tile {I used travertine}, rubber or felt bumper pads, staz-on permanent ink pad, patterned and initial stamps, post-it note.
Cut a small square out of the top of the post-it note being sure that the sticky part is on the back of your square. Stick the square in the center of your tile.
Rub StazOn ink on a large script {any fine pattern would work} stamp. 
Press firmly on the tile.
Whoops. I was a little heavy-handed on the ink on the top right. No worries. It doesn't have to be perfect. Peel off your Post-It square and place it in the center of the next tile. Repeat with all tiles.
I like when there are gaps in the pattern. Don't go to great lengths to squash the stamp on the tile. A little give to it adds character.
Pull out your initial stamps. 
I bought a set of these at Hobby Lobby years ago when they were 50% off. NEVER buy anything full price at a craft store. There are always 40% off {or more} coupons to use and Hobby Lobby is the greatest because they regularly reduce their merchandise to half off.
Gorgeous!
Wrap with a bow and give as a Christmas gift or housewarming present.
Don't use regular ink. Be sure to buy StazOn or another brand of permanent ink so that when the coasters are used, the ink won't run.
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