Advent Days 1-4 {2012}

Yay!!! it is Advent Season.! We did this last year, an activity leading up each day until Christmas.  It is basically just as fun as Christmas day, because it is a surprise for the girls each morning.  They get to open their Christmas advent drawer, with a kiss inside from Carrisa & and note with the day's activity

It is a mixture of fun, serving, small gifts, crafts, baking and remembering why we celebrate the season!  It makes my heart smile to hear that many of you were inspired from us last year and are doing your own advent calendar this year!  I take no credit for this being my original idea, of course it wasn't.  I first heard it from my BFF Sarah, and seriously you can find it all over pinterest.

This year we are doing several of the same things, but a few things are different or with a twist.  We added a little something for each day besides an advent activity and I will show you that at the end of the Christmas season :O)

Here we go

Day 1:Make a Christmas Tree Farm

This is basically like making a gingerbread house minus the house that never stays up and the gross frosting.  You just use waffles cones upside down, genius! It is sooooo much easier and I highly recommend it if you have toddlers.  All of my girls participated!!

Day 2:  Pick out a gift for a Compassion Child

We also did this last year.  The girls and I sit around the table and look through a gift catalog to pick out something else for someone in need through Compassion.
 It didn't go so great this year......
this is basically how Maya felt about the idea

sarah had no idea what was going on..

Brilliant idea mom!!
 Maya just really wanted a toy to pick out for a child, it was hard for her to chose a goat or medical supplies..... It is just not easy for her mind to comprehend that even at Christmas someone might want a goat more than a toy.  We finally settled on sending a gift to help build a play ground for children (the only kid related item).

Maya was still upset, she just kept wanting to go pick out a toy for someone, she really wanted a present for Nara (the girl we sponsor through Compassion).  She asked if we could at least send her money,  and with Maya's sweet and giving spirit how could I say "No"?  So I took all the money out of my wallet and gave it to Maya, she then wrapped it up so she could give it to daddy to take to work (since he works at Compassion).  She just needed something tangible, sometimes I forget that she is still so little.

Oh don't worry, Norah entertained herself with something else the entire time this was going on

The lovely new hair cut it showing it's colors

Day 3: Hot Chocolate with Marshmallows (with Emerson)

so simple, yet so fun

Day 4: Make a Christmas Craft {Candy Cane Ornament & Peppermint Glitter Play dough}

Sarah just wants to participate soooo bad, poor girl

 I am tired of the paper/ throw away crafts.  But I am still keeping it simple folks. I  bought a $.50 plain ornament at hobby lobby, had the girls paint it and put glitter on it.  Wahhlaa

and with the same glitter we made home-made playdough
 (found on Pinterest, so easy and fun andlasted for HOURS!

 

I would love to hear some of the ideas of things you are doing this season, please share!!