Advent

I decided this year that I was going to go all out for Christmas. Reese is old enough to be thrilled at every event and River is here making our family complete. There's no better time to start long lasting traditions and create joyful memories. Sappy, I know, but I truly mean it and I want my kids to grow up thinking of the holidays as they should be. A time of preparing your heart for joy and wonder.

I prepared a list of things I wanted to do with the kids for each day. I made it into a cute little pattern and printed them out but unfortunately left them at school. But I chose a couple of things from the list to do over the weekend. I intentionally chose activities so we could do things altogether or for others.

Activity #1 was making Christmas cookies. You want to talk about fun! Measuring, stirring, cutting and sprinkling with a very helpful 3 year old. I finally just figured if you can't beat 'em, join 'em! And really it wasn't anything a vacuum couldn't clean up.

Activity #2 was kind of an easy way out because we have all been sick as a dog this weekend. We found Once Upon A Christmas Mickey Mouse style and we all curled up on the couch and watched that. I have a feeling that won't be the last viewing of that movie!

We also happened to have 25 Christmas books so I set them under the tree to read one per day too. Reese loves The Polar Express! River's more into reading the chewy board book. :)

So our tree is up, our lights are on, gifts are finishing up, and advent has begun. Our silly elf is still up to his adventures. It's really beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here!