Advent Day 2 & 3 - Christmas books and Gingerbread Houses

Day 2 - We opened our new Christmas books for the year. Nothing really picture worthy.

Day 3 - For Family Home Evening we decorated Gingerbread Houses and invited Grandma and Grandpa to join us.  This was the first year that Reese insisted on doing all the decorating. I helped her a little, but only when instructed to do so and told exactly what and where to put the candy. She is very proud of her little house.

And in case you're wondering about Anni...well she just ate candy all night. She's now sleeping peacefully in a sugar coma.

Advent Day 1 - 2012 ornaments

A few years ago I decided to give up my fancy themed Christmas tree and start a new tradition with my kids. Each year they pick out a new Christmas Tree ornament. It's so fun as we get out all the ornaments each year and remember the past years ornaments, along with a small collection I had from throughout my life. Reese loves to hear the stories of where I got each ornament and who gave it to  me. She also loves to hear the stories of why or how she picked out the ornaments from previous years.

One of my favorite ornaments is a little bird that my grandmother gave me. (see this post for full story) Reese loves it too and always wants me to tell her about my grandma when she looks at it. So when she saw these cute little birds and nest and Porters, she immediately wanted to get them for our tree. I told her that they could be her 2012 ornaments. She picked the big white bird.  Of course, as soon as Reese had a bird Anni had to have a bird, so she picked the little red one.





This is the bird my grandma gave me...as you can see, he is safely placed at the top of the tree where no little hands can destroy him. He is very very old...and I just love him.

2012 Advent...

It's that time of year again...

The plan:

Dec. 1 Go shopping to pick our your 2012 Christmas Tree ornament.

 Dec. 2 Open your first Christmas present of the season. (Christmas Books)

Dec. 3 Decorate Gingerbread Houses for Family Home Evening. Invite Grandma & Grandpa to join us.

Dec. 4 Christmas Craft (letter ornament/mini trees)

Dec. 5 Make a birthday cake and card for Grandpa. It’s his birthday tomorrow. Go to Grandma’s for dinner to celebrate Grandpa’s birthday

Dec. 6 Write a letter to Santa and to Logan. Put together Logan’s Christmas package.

Dec. 7 Make a fun little present for your teachers…today is the last day of school.

Dec. 8 Go on a special Daddy date – dinner and shopping for mommy

Dec. 9 Open a fun early Christmas Present (Christmas activity books for church)

Dec. 10 Watch a very special Christmas movie and make a fun treat for Family Home Evening

Dec. 11 Invite some friends over for a Christmas music dance party.

Dec. 12 Make and deliver treats for the neighbors.

Dec. 13 Go to the ward Christmas party.

Dec. 14 Make a special Christmas Craft (snow globes)

Dec. 15 Play in the snow outside. If there’s no snow, go to a special place to play (McDonalds)

Dec. 16 Tonight you get to have a special candle light bubble bath

Dec. 17 (FHE) Story of Nativity – Make a Birthday card for Jesus.

Dec. 18 Have a special beauty day with mom (condition hair, paint nails etc…)

Dec. 19 Invite a friend over to play

Dec. 20 Make paper snowflakes to hang in the window.

Dec. 21 Go out to dinner and drive around to see Christmas Lights

Dec. 22 Go visit Santa

Dec. 23 Make and decorate Christmas sugar cookies.

Dec 24 It’s Christmas Eve. Have a special Christmas FHE and open one special Christmas present. Don't forget to put up out cookies and milk for Santa.