I have a present for you. OK, kind of a present.

I organized all our past Christmas posts and ideas into one big spot! Now you will be able to easily see (and click) our Christmas crafts, book and movie reviews, gift guides, traditions, parties, our thoughts on Santa and even our past Advent ideas–all at once glance! It makes me happy just looking at it. Kind of like our personalized Impress Your Kids Christmas Pinterest Board. (Whoa. How’s that for a title?)

I put a button up in the sidebar or you can click this one to see it in it’s Christmasy goodness…

It’s time! Our Truth in the Tinsel Challenge and advent-ure begins today! Today’s scripture is from Isaiah 9:2, “The people who are now living in darkness will see a great light. They are now living in a very dark land. But a light will shine on them. “ What a beautiful way to start this Christmas season–with the Light of the World! I can’t wait to hear how you and your kids like Day 1 of Truth in the Tinsel.

If you haven’t joined the Facebook page, please do so! I am already so inspired by everyone there–everyone is posting fun ways they’re using the book, cute advent calendars and just adorable pics of their kids!

If you haven’t bought the book yet, don’t worry! It’s not too late! I have included lots of alternate schedules. You don’t have to do it every single day if your schedule won’t allow. But I do encourage you to do SOMETHING! Don’t let December pass you by without spending focused time on Jesus!

Oh, and I don’t know how to tell you this but, I’m leaving for Disney World today. Can you believe that crazy timing? When we planned the vacation, I had not planned on writing a book! But we are taking our ornaments with us and our cute paper chain. We’re gonna do it vacation-style! So, watch the Facebook page for how we hack our adventure for a hotel room!

I have to tell you–I don’t bring my computer on vacation. I don’t want to set the precedent. And my phone is just too old and dinosaur-ish to update on facebook or twitter. So, today, my husband came home with a brand new iPhone for me. Just so I could keep in touch with the Truth in the Tinsel fun this week! I know that is so first-world, but I am so honored by his generosity and thoughtfulness! So. I will be updating and checking in on what’s going on! Yahoooo!

Merry Truth-in-the-Tinsel!

Thank you! THANK YOU! I am totally giddy with excitement about how well received Truth in the Tinsel has been! I hope you’ve bought the book and joined the Facebook page. It is going to be SO fun to do this whole advent-ure together!

I have literally been GLUED to my computer since the release of Truth in the Tinsel. Reading about all the fun advent calendars and cool ideas you’ve come up with to do with Truth in the Tinsel has made me in full Christmas mode! I’m thinkin’ the rest of the year Impress Your Kids will be devoted to Christmas. Will that be ok? (Seriously, I feel like I might start dressing in red and green from now on!)

Today, Lydia came home with the most fun ornament! I love Lydia’s teachers because they are always sending extra fun things home to do with the kids–we always get papers about fun food crafts and even songs and fingerplays. This would be a fun gift or just a fun activity to do with your kiddos!

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All you need is a clear glass ball ornament, about 1 teaspoon of popcorn kernels and a paper bag. Take the top off the ornament and fill the ornament with about 1 teaspoon of popcorn. Put the ornament inside the paper bag and fold down. Put bag in microwave for 1-3 minutes (ours took about 2.5 minutes).

Take it out of the microwave and…

Is that not the cutest thing you’ve ever seen?! The kids thought it was magic. Wonder if you could do it with colored popcorn? That would be fun!

Do you have a fun handmade ornament to share? Leave a link in the comments!

linked to Show & Tell, Too-Cute Tuesday and Take a Look Tuesday