Ll is for Lights

L is for lights on a big Christmas tree

I love the lights at Christmas time--both inside and outside. Be sure to take at least one light ride this month and/or go see the lights at Temple Square. In the meantime, you can create some "lights" with your thumbprints and some paint!

Merry delightful day!

Love, Grandma

Kk is for Kisses

K is for kisses from you to me

There is a Christmas tradition of kissing under the mistletoe and a holiday song called "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" that has something to do with mistletoe. Another Christmas tradition is to send out cards or letters to family and friends. When they are "sealed with a kiss" that means you sent them your love. However, I doubt you boys care about either of those traditions, so the "kisses" I'm sending to you are the sweetest kind of all. Maybe you can use them to make one of these. . .

Merry "Kiss"mice.

Love, Grandma

Jj is for Joy

J is for the joy that the season brings

Just for fun look around your house for the three letters in this happy word. . .can you see "JOY" on a shelf or on the tree or on a Christmas card or on some music?! I'm sure you will find "JOY" inside your Merry Christmas ABC's booklet. And you might find some "joy" for your tummy if you make red and green jello jigglers.

Merry jolly fun day!

Love, Grandma

Ii is for Ice

I is for ice skates and icy, cold things

After you finish your coloring project of the day, doesn't a bowl of something icy, cold like ice cream sound good? Or maybe an ice cream snowman sounds even better?!

Happy icy, cold day!

Love, Grandma

Hh is for Holly

H is for holly to decorate the door

My theme song so far this month has been "Deck the halls with boughs of holly. Fa La La La Laaa La La La La". It seems like it takes me longer every year to decorate our house for the holidays. Do you think that means I have too many decorations? Or do I waste too much time creating Advent Alphabet Adventures for you?

Happy holly day!

Love, Grandma

Gg is for Gingerbread

G is for gingerbread cookies galore

If you are still feeling creative (or even hungry) after making and coloring gingerbread men for your book or tree try making gingerbread playdough or

gingerbread cookies!

Merry gingerbread making!
Love, Grandma

Ff is for Fireplace

F is for fireplace brightly ablaze

A fun tradition you might try with your family is to read a Christmas story every night at bedtime gathered around the fireplace. I know . . . I know. . . you don't have a fireplace. So maybe you could read by candlelight . . . or by flashlight . . . or by Christmas tree light instead.

If you don't have a fireplace, that means you don't have a chimney. Have you ever wondered how Santa gets into your house on Christmas Eve? You will find the answer in a book called "On Christmas Eve" by Peter Collington.

Merry bedtime reading!

Love, Grandma

Ee is for Elves

E is for elves who build toys for the big day

Some families read a book called "The Elf on the Shelf" and then hide an elf around their house during December. You can do the same thing with any sort of elf toy or other Christmas stuffed animal.

Merry elfing!

Love, Grandma

Dd is for Decorations

D is for decorations on homes and the street

Be a Christmas tree detective and look on your Christmas tree (or around the house) for an angel . . . a bear . . . a candy cane . . . something green . . . something red . . . a star . . . a stocking . . . twinkly lights . . . and a snowflake. Or take a winter walk through your neighborhood and count how many doors are decorated for the holidays.

Merry Christmas detecting.

Love, Grandma

Cc is for Candy Canes

C is for candy canes, yummy and sweet

candy cane mice might be nice to create after you're done coloring candy canes for your notebook or tree.

Merry sweet day of December!

Love, Grandma

Bb is for Bells

B is for bells that jingle and ring

In addition to coloring bells for your book or tree, you can make a jingle bell bracelet by threading jingle bells onto a pipe cleaner and then twisting it around your wrist. Don't forget to sing "Jingle Bells" while you're busy creating!

Merry December Day!

Love, Grandma

Aa is for Angels

A is for angels with feathery wings

After you create and color an angel for your "Merry Christmas ABC's" book or your number notebook or your paper Christmas tree . . . you might like to check out the cute Christmas book called "Country Angel Christmas" by Tomie dePaola.

Merry first day of December!

Love, Grandma