In November I made an "activity" advent calendar where I put little cards with a task in small, homemade envelopes and tacked it to a ribbon, which was stung up in a doorway at home. Starting on December 1st, the kids eagerly opened an envelope every day to see what we got to do. Some were simple like read a Christmas story and others were helpful like buying toys for a local children's charity. There were a few days where we didn't get around to the activity but we completed most happily. I think that Josh and Carley enjoyed it.
I didn't take photos every day but occasionally snapped a shot with my Instagram app.
I didn't take photos every day but occasionally snapped a shot with my Instagram app.
Day 1: Go see a play. Aladdin at Runaway Stage.
Day 5: Drink hot chocolate with all the fixings.
Day 6: Buy a toy for a charity and deliver it.
Day 5: Drink hot chocolate with all the fixings.
Day 6: Buy a toy for a charity and deliver it.
Day 12: Leave quarters in toy vending machines at the grocery store.
Day 16: Make "gingerbread" houses.
Day 19: Make edible gifts for the backyard friends like birds and squirrels.
Day 16: Make "gingerbread" houses.
Day 19: Make edible gifts for the backyard friends like birds and squirrels.
Day 7: Make paper snowflakes.
Day 20: Go out to see Christmas lights tonight.
Day 22: Eat breakfast in bed to start your Christmas vacation just right!
Day 23: Have a sleep out in the living room.
Day 20: Go out to see Christmas lights tonight.
Day 22: Eat breakfast in bed to start your Christmas vacation just right!
Day 23: Have a sleep out in the living room.
One squirrel in particular loved our generous activity from Day 19 of our advent calendar.
We all loved seeing the same ol' lights on Dovewood Court.
Carley's tossing a penny into the display. I just thought this photo might need explanation.
Walt worked Christmas Eve and Christmas this year, which was a little different for all of us. Josh, Carley and I went to a mid-day family get together with the rest of the local Thiels on Christmas Eve.
In the evening, we spent time at my aunt, Janeice's, house playing some pretty crazy games.
The kids and I were just getting home when Walt was waking up.
Don't mind us, this is how Walt usually poses for photos. I usually only post the nice ones from after he got his wiggles out. Right, honey?
Josh and Carley still had a serious case of wiggles. I think it was a mix of too much sugar and Christmas morning anticipation.
Seriously, what are they doing?
And why is Carley wearing a Christmas stocking? These people!
Eventually everyone settled down and went to bed (or work). This was the first year Carley doesn't believe in Santa so she stayed up with me to fill stockings and put out presents. I did leave cookies and milk out for Santa just so Carley could experience the real deal of being Santa Clause.
I didn't think it would bother me not having my children believe anymore but it turns out I'm a little bummed. I feel like a part of the magic is gone. We'll have to come up with a new, exciting tradition! Maybe. I'm sure Christmas mornings with continue to change in the future as the kids get older.
Josh, Carley and I slept in. Once Walt got home from work, we took our traditional family photo and opened presents.
And then we took it easy the rest of the day. (Except Walt who went to sleep and work again.)
In the evening, we spent time at my aunt, Janeice's, house playing some pretty crazy games.
The kids and I were just getting home when Walt was waking up.
Don't mind us, this is how Walt usually poses for photos. I usually only post the nice ones from after he got his wiggles out. Right, honey?
Josh and Carley still had a serious case of wiggles. I think it was a mix of too much sugar and Christmas morning anticipation.
Seriously, what are they doing?
And why is Carley wearing a Christmas stocking? These people!
Eventually everyone settled down and went to bed (or work). This was the first year Carley doesn't believe in Santa so she stayed up with me to fill stockings and put out presents. I did leave cookies and milk out for Santa just so Carley could experience the real deal of being Santa Clause.
I didn't think it would bother me not having my children believe anymore but it turns out I'm a little bummed. I feel like a part of the magic is gone. We'll have to come up with a new, exciting tradition! Maybe. I'm sure Christmas mornings with continue to change in the future as the kids get older.
Josh, Carley and I slept in. Once Walt got home from work, we took our traditional family photo and opened presents.
And then we took it easy the rest of the day. (Except Walt who went to sleep and work again.)
1 comment:
Your kids are going to have great memories of Christmases when they were young. Love the idea of your advent days. :-)
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