Evergreen

Preschool Activities
It feels more like fall here than winter, which means we still enjoy lots of time outside creating art.  The evergreen trees in our yard have branches that make excellent natural paint brushes.  I poured a puddle of green paint onto a paper plate for my preschooler and encouraged him to paint his own forest of evergreen trees. 

Family Activities

 Evergreen trees were originally used in Christmas and winter solstice celebrations to signify the promise of life in the dead of winter.   I love the smell of a freshly cut Christmas tree.  If you don't already have a tree up, today is a great day to head out as a family to cut down a fresh evergreen tree.    

Daily checking the water level of the tree is an appropriate chore for school-aged children.   In addition to your family tree, consider finding small live trees for each of your children to decorate this Christmas and then plant at the end of the holiday season.

Save two branches trimmed from the bottom of your Christmas tree and tie them together in the shape of a cross.  Display this cross in your home among the Christmas decorations pointing your attention toward Easter. 

Service Activities
Cover pine cones with peanut butter, then roll in bird seed. Hang these feeders outside for the birds to enjoy through the winter.    

Snacks

Green is the theme of today's snack ideas.  Cucumbers and snap peas with a ranch dipping sauce.  Also, green apple slices dipped in caramel sauce.
 
Songs
O Tannenbaum (translated from German, it means O Fir Tree)
Evergreen Morning  

Books
The Littlest Christman Tree
Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree
The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree: An Appalachian Story