Being "that" mom

Last year Christmas time was all about making memories.  I saw all the cute "Elf on a Shelf" pintrest ideas and thought, "I can do better than that!"  And I think I did, at least as far as my kids were concerned.

"Christmas Barbie" helped us start our holiday season.

She came up with crafts through out the season.

Gave me a reason to bring out art supplies that normally stayed put away.

She inspired learning during our school break.

I even used her to gt the kids cleaning before we set up decorations.

So this year, where is Christmas Barbie?

She is still in her box.  Because as much fun as she was last year, that wasn't the reason I used her.

I wasn't trying to make a new family tradition, I was simply trying to get through another year.  So I became "that mom."  The one coming up with crazy fun stuff that makes other moms groan.  Thinking of ways for my kids to have fun that other kids wish they could do too.

I don't want to be "that mom." I want to be a normal, average, sometimes fun, sometimes boring mom.  I don't want to depend on a gimmick to get through the holiday season, I want to be actually happy.

This year our holiday  has been quieter, less activities, more just just hanging out.  I think the girls miss Barbie, and the excitement she brought. 

I hope next year Christmas Barbie will be back, not in an over the top way, with a few simple Christmas fun activities.  And I hope I would do those simple Christmas fun activities even without her.

12 day's of Christmas Barbie

A few years ago I started hearing about this crazy Christmas tradition, "Elf on a Shelf."  It is sort of just one more way to lie to your kids and manipulate them into behaving during Christmas break.  Or a chance to bring magic and fun into kids lives.  Either way when I found out how much the mischievous elf cost I decided to skip the tradition.   Still a part of me liked the idea of something special during Christmas time for the girls to look forward too.

So this year I decided to start a new tradition, one that is very much me, "Christmas Barbie."  I already had the doll, she use to be part of my decorations.  I just had to come up with ways to use her.  I didn't want silly pranks, instead I wanted her to show the girls what they would do that day.  We are just finishing day twelve which seemed like a good time to share because there are twelve days until Christmas if anyone want to use any ideas.

Day 1:

Barbie made herself wings and a halo.

The girls made clothespin angels.

Day 2:

Barbie set out art supplies.

The girls drew some of their favorite Christmas traditions.

Day 3:

Barbie made bells and got out Wii Music.

The girls also made bells and then played on the Wii.

Day 4:

Barbie had everything ready for a starry night crayon resist painting.

The girls colored hard with the crayons then painted lightly with the water paints.

Day 5:

Barbie set up my nativity.

The girls then got to make paper nativities of their own.

Day 6:

Movie time!  We watched "What's in the Bible? Volume 10" it talks about the gospels which is what Christmas is all about.

Day 7:

Barbie started to decorate the tree, with a few new ornaments as a bonus surprise.

The entire family took part in this activity.

Day 8:

Instead of an activity Barbie delivered early presents.  

Day 9:

Just because we are on Christmas break doesn't mean we can't learn, right?  Barbie takes a closer look at wool.

The girls had fun playing with the microscope. Merry especially wanted to look at everything and anything that fit on a slide.

Day 10:

Barbie encouraged us to get cleaning, now that decorations were out their boxes didn't need to stay in.

Day 11:

Barbie made a card for the girls.

They were able to make cards for their friends.

Day 12:

Barbie made a snowflake chain.

The girls made flakes of all sizes, they had fun trying different designs.

So there are the first 12 days with Christmas Barbie, a fun tradition.  I'm glad I came up with it.  It also helps me to plan at least the night before so I have something to keep the kids busy during our break.