Christmas Crafting!

Elmer watched the excitement from the stove range hood.

Boy I'm behind! Last month (year!) the kids and I hosted our second annual Christmas Craft party for moms and their little elves. We had lots of fun crafting, eating cookies Mrs. Claus and Mrs. Trader Joe's prepared, and spending time with each other. I had this idea to host a craft party last year after talking to some mommies who needed help crafting some holiday gifts and ornaments. Most of the ideas came from Pinterest or Jackson's teachers. 

This year we asked guests to bring a toy to donate to Toys for Tots and we collected 18 new toys! I ended up donating them to Rady's Children's Hospital instead because they have been so wonderful to our friends and family and the owner of a local mom's and children's boutique offered to take them down for me (Mini and Me). 

Here are some pictures from that morning. I hardly had a chance to take any during the party...oh well. The party was from 9:30-11:30 a.m. because Santa's Little Helpers need naps and what mom doesn't agree that the BEST part of the day with your child(ren) is in the morning? Well rested, fed, and full of happy energy! 

Station 1: Sticker and glitter glue trees.

Mrs. Claus was busy baking the day before!

Station 2: Hand print ornaments

Station 3: Reindeer Snacks

Station 4: Thumbprint greeting cards

Station 5: Photo Booth--I set up a background using wrapping paper and borrowed my sister's Iphone printer to make picture keepsakes. Here are a few:

Moms went home with a homemade peppermint sugar scrub and the kids took home their crafts, cookies, and a holiday book. 

Riley added the bows of course.

Jackson walks Ashley to the door. Such a gentleman!

After the party, it was time for Riley's nap and Jackson to go to school. Our babysitter, Hannah, helped clean up the fun (i.e. glitter and cookie crumbs). 

...and that's a (gift) wrap!