Reindeer dust for Skylar's 3rd grade class

This year we wanted to spice up Skylar's class Christmas party and put a different twist on the norm of sweets and candy, so we decided to give the Reindeer Dust a try.  They were super fun to make and even more fun to pass out.  The kids LOVED them too!  We even had enough left over to give away to family.  This is definitely a treat we will be repeating in the following years!

Here's what you'll need:

Gooseberry Patch Classic Christmas Recipes Book
Copy Machine (color)
Red, Green, Silver, Gold or any color of your liking) Glitter
Raw Rolled Oats
Little Silver, Gold, Red, etc. Stars
12 4oz. Ball Jars with lids
2 Yards Christmas Material and Ribbon
Tape
Pen

What you'll need to do:

Combine glitter and oats into a large bowl.

Add the confetti stars and mix together to spread the glitter evenly throughout the mixture.

Remove the lids from the jars and fill with the mixture.

With the included labels, be sure and write that the mixture is not edible.  I did this for Skylar's class just to make sure there wasn't any brave souls that would down glitter.  But for your own kids, you could leave this step off.  

On the back pages of the Gooseberry book is a great Reindeer Dust label with instructions to use.  It is copyright free thanks to Gooseberry Patch and can be used for PERSONAL use only.  I made 36 copies,  24 for his class, and the rest for personal use and to give away to family.

Next, with your 2 yards of Christmas material, measure the area around the lid and cut a square to fit nicely over the lid covering.  Similar to a jelly jar.

Cover the lid.

Then add to the jar. See the glitter in the mixture already?  So fun!

Next, I cut the labels with the reindeer from the pages and folded them accordion-style and wrapped them around the jars with the title facing out.

I shook the jars a little to bring out the glitter throughout the jar.

And secured the label with a piece of tape.

And there you have it!

They were so fun to make and Skylar had a blast talking to his class about them.

Super easy class project to make and the kids love it!  

IWDSC 0182-95947 Gooseberry Patch Apple Nightlight (Google Affiliate Ad)

Skylar's Christmas party was a hoot too. We brought our Reindeer Dust jars from above and a box of fresh oranges for the kids.

The kids, earlier in the day, went to see Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory at the Kuhn Theater in Lebanon, Oregon.  The class had spent a few weeks reading the book and all the classes that did the reading were able to take the field trip.

I Will Own A Chocolate Factory sweatshirt (Google Affiliate Ad)

Skylar's little pals in his class are so fun.  From left to right is:  Tiana, Skylar, Chloe in the "Namaste" pose,which I found amazing!, Conner and Lucas E.  All of these kids are such a joy to be around too!

From left to right is:  Skylar, Tiana, Chloe, Corvien, Conner,  and Hayden.

Skylar and his classroom stocking.  

Skylar's teacher Mrs. K and Tiana given him the bunny ears!  Ha!

And before we took off from the school we had to get a picture with Mr. Nelson, the principal.  He is such a great addition to the school this year and we are so glad to have him.  Pioneer School would not be the same without him.  (Check out his festive tie!  Ha!)

Eco-Tip:  During the summer months be sure and utilize a clothes line outside.  I will say, nothing beats line-dried bed sheets on a freshly made bed during the summer time.  But if you still want to hold onto that line-drying ways during the winter months, opt for a clothes line inside your home.  For this and other tips on going green visit, The Earth and Me Go Green.

Skylar and his Christmas Concert

Every year Skylar's school (Pioneer) gives a winter concert at the local River Center.  

This year the 3rd graders sang, "I'm getting nuttin' for Christmas,"  "I'm Grateful," and "We Wish you a Merry Christmas."  

The music teacher, Mrs. Parker opened the program with a few of the lower class children, and then started to 3rd grade program off without a hitch.  The classes weren't able to practice their entrance or exists this year because of the snow, so the program was full of little funny bloopers that made it that much better to watch.  (Especially the Kindergartners)   

As the 3rd graders entered the stage, the lights on the stage dimmed and put a damper on my picture-taking. Good thing I put Skylar in a Santa hat so I could find him the crowd of children.  :-)

Skylar is always put on the back row because he is so tall.

Then the stage lights lit up and the kids began to sing.

They did a great job!

The kids came back out, all the grades included, and sang a closing song all together.  It was a great way to end the night.  

Eco-Tip:  Be sure and keep your water heater set at 120 degrees at all times.  For one, it saves on energy waste, and for two it can help prevent unnecessary burns.  For this and other tips on going green visit, The Earth and Me Go Green.

Snow and the Christmas Tree

Well, our plans there year were to kick "off our fun old fashion family Christmas by heading out into the country in the old front-wheel drive sleigh to embrace the frosty majesty of the winter landscape and select that most important of Christmas symbols."  But the weather of Oregon had other plans in mind for us.  Rain, rain, snow, rain, wind, rain, and more rain sort of hindered our efforts every time we made plans to go.  So we decided to stick with the old standby tree and be done with it.  We even ran out of time putting up our Christmas decor outside and had to do it the night before.  But hey, our decorations stay up till after New Year's so we are still all set.  

We only got a little snow, just a light dusting, but it stuck to the ground and stayed around for awhile.

  

Our poor garden.  I miss it dearly.  :-(

PITA wasn't sure what to make of it.  All he wanted to do was either eat it or get it off his feet.  And I tried to get Baz to come out of the house and see the snow, but he is so old that he just wanted to lay on his bed and watch from a distance.

All my hard work over the summer is all gone.  But I do think the snow on the flower pots looks pretty.

We put the tree up and decided to give it a different look with a large green flower pot.  

And as the snow still came down outside and covered everything in its path.....

I started hanging Christmas ornaments slowly.  The white tree got covered in bird ornaments and I am pleased with how many my collection has gained.  They are all Macy's ornaments and I get excited every time I tell someone about them.  They are lovely!

Meia found this the perfect time to nap.  It was a good day!

Eco-Tip:  Don't leave your computer or other devices powered up overnight and when they aren't in use.  This goes for your Christmas tree and Christmas lights.  The more you power down the more energy you save and money, as well.  For this and other tips on going green visit, The Earth and Me Go Green.