When I asked my son what he wanted to make he said “Something big! ” so I grabbed some paper plates left over from his birthday party , painters tape and we were in business! By using a spoge roller paintbrush the paint dried quickly and the tape didn’t have to stay on too long, and came off easily with no ripping. Have fun!
- Gather your materials. You will need 2 paper plates, some painters tape, paint, glitter glue , ribbon and double stick tape.
- Start by taping your plates. You can make all sorts of designs, don’t be limited just because we chose stripes.
- Start painting!
- Add glitter glue, it’s the holidays you want it to sparkle!
- Let dry. Pull off the tape!
- Tape the plates together , with ribbon looped at the top.
- Hang wherever you need some holiday cheer.
Books
Happy Christmas, Gemma
by Sarah Hayes is a hidden gem. The book is narrated by a preschooler, the older brother to little baby Gemma. Throughout this family’s preperations for and celebration of Christmas he notes how he does what he is supposed to and his baby sister does not. She makes messes, pulls the ornaments off the tree, has terrible table manners during Christmas dinner and so much more! What makes this a gem in my mind is that no one ever corrects her, these are all age appropriate behaviors and the family is loving and accepting. Perfect for families like mine who are expecting a baby, or those with older siblings who like to boss their younger ones around and may need a reminder that babies are still learning, just like they are!
Who Is Coming to Our House?
by Joseph Slate is a sweet look at the animals in the manger preparing for Baby Jesus’s arrival. The animals aren’t sure who is coming but at the insistance of the mouse, they clean and prepare the manger until finally a very pregnant Mary on a donkey with Joseph by her side. The next page is probably my favorite image of the Baby Jesus image in any children’s book. Mary’s hair is down, feet bare and Jospeh is protective by, the animals are watchng and alert. Illustrator Ashley Wolff does a perfect job with this simple but fantastic book!
Posted in 
Something big- so cute!
Whose Coming to our House- I’m not sure if we’ve read that one, but I think it would be cute to see it from the animals perspective.
When is your due date?
Jen
Creative and Curious Kids!
Jen´s last blog ..Officially Banning Silly Putty!
Woke up, looked at your site, saw this, had everything, made it! My son loved peeling the tape off to revel the stripes!
very cute
Beverly´s last blog ..Noah loves PBK
re: your book recommendations – Ashley Wolff does a perfect job with everything she touches. Goody O’Grumpity is one of my favorite books, as are the Stella and Roy books.
Also, when I was teaching nursery school, we loved letting the kids use Biocolors from discount school supply to fingerpaint in giant cookie sheets, then (with help, as their hands are messy) take print after print with paper. They can paint until the cows come home, and every print is a little different, and makes fabulous cards and wrapping paper.
Mary Mactavish´s last blog ..Mountain of Ghosts – Algeria – November 2005
I LOVE this idea! If I’m not in labor right now, we’ll be making one of these tomorrow…if I am, it may have to wait a few days.
Carrie´s last blog ..Tot School
I thought you’d get a kick out of knowing that the model for baby Jesus is my infant son Brennan, born in February 1987. The pic I used for the illustration was probably taken in the hospital! I’m glad you like it.
I am glad to know that it warms this pregnant mamas heart – it looked so real and dynamic compared to so many manger pictures. Thank you !