nativity ornaments

I colored some nativity figures on the computer and made them into shrinky dinks for ornaments for a small tree I sent Brady to decorate for Christmas on his mission:

On the backs I have some Christmas sayings and a few scriptures:

And I added ornament hooks to Reisen Candies with the saying 'Reisens to love your mission' and then labeled a bag of Reisens to hang on the tree as well:

Colored nativity figures found at www.jackshandsjillsheart.com

I wrapped all stocking stuffers in Christmas paper and put them in a Christmas stocking, wrapped a Angry Birds blanket in Christmas paper with Santa all over it . . .
And then I got this email from Brady:

Hey Mom!!!! I got your two Christmas packages today!!! :D THANKS SO MUCH! But...I kind of failed and opened all of the presents.... -.- I made the mistake of reading the red letter you gave me AFTER....then I realized you wanted me to wait.... I'm sorry mom :(( haha. My bad.... But I love everything!!! Lots of good stuff that will come in handy! And I absolutely LOVED the angry birds blanket!!! It's awesome!!!!!!!!! I left my camera at the classroom and I opened them in the residence so Elder Broadhead took some photos of me opening the stuff! He did that for me so you could see some pics of me with them! :) Thanks again mom and Jonathan! you guys rock! I fit my tree into my suitcase! I can't wait to decorate it in Nicaragua! Oh and I got your Dear Elder today; I'm good on bags! I sent dad more pictures a few days ago. He probably got them by now! Talk to him! :D love ya mom! 

Seriously?  Neither Brady or his companion had even the tiniest clue that he shouldn't be opening the CHRISTMAS gifts before Christmas????  LoL  Silly boys!

paper ornaments

Our ward's Christmas theme is Lasting Christmas Gifts.  Here's an ornament I designed for each family to take home:

I printed out Christmas themed sayings on velum and sewed them to 4x7 inch sized cut cardstock leaving the top open - then we cut three 6 1/4x1 inch strips per ornament to write 3 ways to give service as a family - 3 since that's how many gifts Jesus received when he was born - and added those through the opening.  We looped a jingle bell through an ornament hook at the top.

want the image?  There are 3 on an 8.5x11 size for bulk printing.  It's found at www.jackshandsjillsheart.com 

bubble gum gelato

consistency is better (softer and creamier) than ice cream:

3 cups heavy cream
2 cups milk (I used non-fat and it worked!)
10 egg yolks
2 cups or less (like 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 cups) super fine sugar
140 grams of bubble gum - I used the longer pieces of double bubble, I used 24 of these

Mix cream and milk in a saucepan and bring to a boil - remove from heat.
Chop bubble gum while you're waiting for mixture to come to a boil.  Add chopped bubble gum to saucepan (I chopped mine into fourths) and let flavor seep in for at least 10 minutes - I let mine sit for 30 minutes.
Strain mixture and discard bubble gum.
Mix egg yolks and sugar until fluffy - probably 5 minutes is good
Beat in dairy mixture until combined.
Add mixture back into saucepan and cook stirring constantly until it thickens - maybe took 10 minutes. Just thick enough to coat the back of a wooden spoon or to 100 degrees.
Cool the mixture overnight or 6-8 hours.
Transfer to ice cream maker and follow directions from there for your specific ice cream maker.
I added chiclet bubble gum pieces on top to give it a finished look.

The kids said the bubble gum should have been on the bottom - such great feedback =)  Even adults that tasted this liked it a lot!

Primary 2, ctr A - lesson 43

Primary 2 CTR A - lesson 43 Jesus Christ will come again - I made a game board - the kids love when we play a game . . . I might have to design more ;)  Keaton drew Jesus for me =)  Print out on an 8.5x11 sheet of paper.  Directions included:

lesson helps found at www.jackshandsjillsheart.com - only need to purchase it once, then print as many as you need.  Do not redistribute or share original work that is purchased from this site - thanks!

primary 2, ctr a - lesson 42

primary 2, ctr a - lesson 42 - The Church of Jesus Christ is on the earth lesson helps:

lesson helps found at www.jackshandsjillsheart.com - only need to purchase it once, then print as many as you need.  Do not redistribute or share original work that is purchased from this site - thanks!

Primary 2, CTR A - lesson 41

Primary 2, CTR A, lesson 41 - Jesus Christ is our Savior lesson helps

lesson helps found at www.jackshandsjillsheart.com - only need to purchase it once, then print as many as you need.  Do not redistribute or share original work that is purchased from this site - thanks!

Primary 2 CTR A - lesson 40

Primary 2 Choose the Right A - lesson 40 - I can forgive others lesson helps:

lesson helps found at www.jackshandsjillsheart.com - only need to purchase it once, then print as many as you need.  Do not redistribute or share original work that is purchased from this site - thanks!

Primary 2, CTR A lesson 39

Primary 2, Choose the Right A lesson 39 - I can follow Jesus Christ by serving others:

lesson helps found at www.jackshandsjillsheart.com - only need to purchase it once, then print as many as you need.  Do not redistribute or share original work that is purchased from this site - thanks!

Primary Theme 2013 boy

I am a Child of God Primary theme 2013 design for boys

Design found at www.jackshandsjillsheart.com - only need to purchase it once, then print as many as you need.  Do not redistribute or share original work that is purchased from this site - thanks!

finished project:

Primary Theme 2013 girl

I am a Child of God Primary theme 2013 design for girls

Design found at www.jackshandsjillsheart.com - only need to purchase it once, then print as many as you need.  Do not redistribute or share original work that is purchased from this site - thanks!

finished project: