Friday, December 16, 2011

Christmas Books and Movies

One of the best parts for me about getting out the Christmas storage boxes, would have to be the books!
I am a book lover, always have been and it seems my kids have inherited the gene!
It helps that we have always read to them, but they certainly have an interest of their own and are more often than not, found sitting under their new Bookshelves (will share a photo soon) flicking through and reading to themselves.

This year, I also picked up some Christmas movies on sale in Target. I know that they air them on TV, but it never seems to be at a convenient time as our kids go to bed between 6 -6:30pm.

I thought I might do a brief run through of each book/movie, for those interested in expanding their collection and not knowing what to buy.

Below we have ;
All Dogs Christmas Carol- a cartoon , and only goes for 20 mins, a few parts were a little scary (so Stella said) but nothing major, no tears. Reminds me of Lady and the Tramp!!
Ice Age; A Mammoth Christmas- funny, short and a little different than the traditional story
Santa Claus1, 2, and 3 - I am sure everyone has seen them, they have been hammered on TV, but I love them all the same .
Our purchase for next year will be The Polar Express.


Now for our books, this collection has definately expanded over the last few years. We started out with just a few, half being ones that were already on our bookshelf, however over the past 2 years, we have added quite a few, with the help of a few Christmas parties where the present I had to take for each child was a book . ( I love this idea for Christmas parties!! Better than a toy, useless plastic stuff the kids don't need, so I try to buy our kids Christmas books , and its great as kids don't know the value of books, the difference between a $2 one and a $20 one!!)

This year I was organised enough to place an order through Book Depository. Free shipping worldwide and VERY cheap prices and an extensive range too!

The books below are as follows;
Santas Aussie Holiday- Beautiful illustrations, a bit of a long book (for the likes or 18 month olds) but great to incorporate more of an Australian element
Twenty Five December Lane- a Little whimsical, and again a bit longer (have seen this in Target just this week)
Christmas in the Mouse House (we received this through a Secret Santa Swap for my bookclub, we chose to do kids books this year and it was great) -  An amazing Lift the Flap book, where the little mice search for 12 gold stars for the Christmas tree, Stella's favourite and fantastic for counting practise aswell!
Santa's Reindeer - Not a story book, more of a informative book on Reindeers, what they eat , the Santa workshop etc. Great for older kids or for ours to look through for an insight into Santa's world!! (Bought from Book Depository last year)



Books below as follows;
The Night Before Christmas-  The traditonal verses and story, but with embossed pages and gorgeous Illustrations (bought for $9 at local IGA store)
Dear Santa- A lift the flap book, about gifts, very short and good for tired nights! ha
That's Not my Santa- A board book, textured elements on each page and Twins favourite! (Book Depository this year)
The Night Before Christmas Golden Book- Same Story but with my childish Illustrations (Local Target for a few dollars)
Santa Down Under- Short story, about how he gets around etc, (Found at book sale for 50c!)


Books below as follows;
Father Christmas Needs a Wee -  Really funny, and a counting book! (Book Depository this year)
The Night Before Christmas - Board Book, great for littlies (Crazy Clarkes)
Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer- Golden book, great for 2-3 year olds (Target few dollars)
I Love Christmas- Simple, Classic Anne Walker
Wombat Devine - Part of our Regular book reading and a beautiful tale
Mr Men 12 Days of Christmas- Counting, Christmas and typical Mr Men ( Woolworths a few years back)
Santa- Board glitter book , good for littles, short story, texture and glitter ($2 shop)


                                And a few cheap Christmas CD's, much to Noels disgust


Our book Basket, getting fuller each year! We also have our colouring in and activity books here too!


And a favourite little Christmas corner with our new little cushion from Pottery Barn Kids, Babys First Christmas, I did think it was going to be bigger, but its not, cute all the same!



                                                            I hope this has helped!!
                                                            What is your favourite?
                           Oh and "The Jolly Postman " is on its way from Grandma and Poppy for Christmas!

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Some Festive Fun

So I have finally managed to find some time (away from the Christmas baking, crafting, shopping, organising) to do a post all about the latter, but also found a time when Blogger wasn't being difficult!
Must be male, ooooops, did I say that? :)

Incase you hadn't noticed , its December, Christmas time, and my favourite time of the year!!
This year is particularly special for us, we have a new addition , making our little Morrison family complete ( I could keep having kids forever , but I wont) and also because our biggest poppet is a fantastic age and is really getting into the spirit, its so beautiful.

As previously shown, our house is decorated, and now the tree is up. What a mission!!
We have 2 little toddlers, who like to play with "Balls" hmmmm, but finally they have stopped touching and playing!! ThankGOD, the novelty wore off!

The kids and the tree (this is where the photos start!)


Stella and her beloved Daddy putting the star on the tree top.

And our 4 beautiful children! Hmm this was the best one of the 4 of them! Nice hey ;)

 

We have been crafting, with a little potato stamping.......



We have had Christmas parties galore, this one is for our Suberb, put on by the development company in a park on our street and it was great! Mini put, lawn bowls, tug of war, treasure hunts, jukebox, SANTA!!

And the kids opening their presents! Such fun and excitement! So beautiful to be a part of the magic for them!

He's a boy alright!

 

My little bubba is growing too quickly!! Such a sweet, happy and content little man.
Pictured here at nearly 6 weeks.

 

Loved and adored much?!

 


More Christmas party fun, this time Playgroup!!
And facepainting!
Unfortunately Max and Lacey missed out on this, they were struck by the dreaded Gastro bug, aswell as hubby.
Awful awful, but at least it didnt; last for long!

 

    And capturing the look on her little face when Santa turned up on the back of a Fire truck = Priceless!!




A happy beautiful little girl and my little friend! (Mummy will miss her next year when she is at Kindy!!)

OMG!! Santa sent me an email? With my photo on it?! Watching her video from Santa! If you haven't done one for you kids, do it now!! Portable North Pole HERE



Snapped reading our nightly book, a Christmas favourite!

 

And Stella and I had a girly night (with Grandma too!) to go to Carols by Candlelight. She was so excited!

                                                     Some Christmas nibbles to sweeten the deal

                                                                          Me and my big girl!

                                                                   Christmas crafting!

The cutest Chairbackers know to man!! From Pottery Barn Kids
We have been using these like Letterboxes to Santa, Stella has been drawing pictures etc and posting them, and sometimes she receives a surprise in return! 


                                                           Hand print trees and Reindeers!






 
Thats not all!! Still to come is some sweet Christmas baking!!

Oooww I told you I love this time of the year!!