Sunday, December 9, 2012

Advent Day's 5-8 {2012}



Keeping busy is one of my ways to help get through the holiday season without letting sadness overwhelm me.  I do the advent calendar for the girls, but I also do it to help me remember, the gifts that I have and the reason to celebrate.

Each day seeing the girls delighted to open their advent calendars helps me to remember one of the great Joy's God gave us, and that is seeing the joy and happiness in our own children.  He delights in us, just like we do our own children.

May we always remember and cherish these days

Day 5: Open a new Christmas Book
DSC_0096

I work on Wednesdays and help at Youth Group, so Wednesdays I made really simple and easy on the advent Calendar.
DSC_0091

DSC_0098

Day 6: Disney on Ice
DSC_0003

This day was planned long ago (by grandma & grandpa) and I thought it would be perfect for an advent activity.

Just maya & Norah went with their Papa & Yami and they LOVED it!
IMG_2712

IMG_2688 IMG_2625 IMG_2624 IMG_2724

Norah was really into it, she got very emotional and even started to cry when Rapunzels hair got cut!
IMG_2756

Sarah and I got to hang out and have a little date together.   She went shopping with me for 4 hours, and didn't fuss or cry at all! (man, what it was like only having one child!)
photo(1)

Day 7:  Salvation Army Bell Ringing
DSC_0004

I wanted the girls to serve this year, in a safe and somewhat easy way for our family.  They are still so little, so  it was a little more limiting on what we could choose,  but doable.
The Salvation Army is a great organization and they made it really easy for us to help!
DSC_0010
I tried to grap a quick photo of me and the girls before we left, and this is what I got, ha!
DSC_0011 DSC_0017 DSC_0016 DSC_0012 DSC_0025

Sarah loved ringing the Bell
Norah did some interpretive dancing.
and Maya made sure to call people out when they didn't donate.

It was a bit chaotic and very cold at times.  My kids did not have a good attitude the entire time either, but who ever said serving was always easy? 
Day 8: Train Ride with Santa (My favorite)
DSC_0037

We got to go on a Polar Expresish type of train ride in Canyon City, CO
this was all Papa & Yami's idea and couldn't have been more perfect for this years advent.  I would have to say this was/is my favorite thing we have done!  They served hot chocolate & cookies and we were also served lunch on the train
DSC_0041

 And the jammies just topped off the experience
DSC_0048

DSC_0054
our ride
 DSC_0050 DSC_0067
DSC_0074
Sarah
DSC_0088
Norah
DSC_0121
Maya
DSC_0112 DSC_0109 DSC_0106 DSC_0162

Maya was astonished when she saw Santa, she said " I can't believe he is still alive!"
DSC_0141
meeting Santa!
DSC_0092
Fav
DSC_0154
With our Elf/Server
DSC_0149
Ringing her Santa Bell & looking for him
Thank you Papa & Yami for such a Magical Christmas Experience!
train


papayami

3 comments:

  1. So fun! You are making great memories!

    ReplyDelete
  2. This is so sweet! I am doing something very similar with my boys (5 and 2) and they love it!

    I'm a new follower :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Heidi, it is so fun to do and each day is a new adventure for the girls! So glad you are a follower!!

      Delete

I love hearing from you, it always makes my day!