Let the countdown begin!
Monday, December 1, 2008 at 10:51PM Happy start of December, everyone! We're in the home stretch now, eh? This first of December started off a number of things for the month:
Countdown books. So, after Options today, I gave the boys their countdown books and they were, predictably, thrilled. It was too dark to take pictures, but trust me...they had a blast coloring those first pictures.
Ornament a day. After the coloring, we made our first (and second) ornaments for our ornament a day attempt this month. (They were so excited after finishing the first one, they simply had to do another and I caved.) I decided to start out easy and just did a simple store-bought kit today (beaded candy canes and beaded wreaths)...will work up to more complicated ornaments. I have to admit that I was starting to have reservations about the whole thing and, in particular, was wondering if I should make more of an attempt to do more "crafty" unique ornaments...but, after seeing the boys' delight with such a simple thing as stringing silly colored beads on wire, I'm good now with simply making an ornament a day...any ornament. If it goes well, maybe next year we can shoot for more ambitious style. :) Oh, and realistically, I won't remember to take a picture every day, but I will take a picture of each day's ornament and try to post them once or twice a week, okay? If you have any cool ornament ideas, I'd LOVE to hear/see them! (If tonight was any indicator, I may need more ideas than the list I have now, lol.)
Advent calendars. In years past, we've had the somewhat traditional wooden door hiding a little ornament that you take out and hang on the door or on a tree sorts of advent calendars. No complaints really. This year, with our ornament a day (which is basically the same thing as the advent calendar act anyhow since the boys get to hang their completed ornament on their own little tree each day) and our countdown calendars and the overall lack of space after you take those into account, we've opted not to use those wooden ones. Because I'm weak, though, I did buy them this one. It's only day one but they're in love. We'll see how well it goes considering there's only one calendar and three boys... ;)
For next year and the years after, I'm thinking the stands of mittens or stockings like in Kaitlin's post here are simply adorable. I may have to start collecting tiny stockings. ;)
Elf on the shelf. I hadn't heard of this until a year or so ago when a friend mentioned it. Then I saw it in a catalog. And another. Then, I found it in a local toy store and accepted it as fate that I must have one. :) So, today, our very own Elf on the Shelf was welcomed into our family. I'm looking forward to seeing how it goes. Regardless, he sure is a cute bit of decor. :)
Wrapped books. We started this a year or two ago (I think two) after reading about it somewhere. We take a bunch (at least 25) of holiday/winter themed books and wrap them up individually. We then put them under the tree and the boys take turns selecting and unwrapping one (sometimes more) each night leading up to Christmas for their bedtime story. It's been so wonderful. The boys (for the most part) stop asking to unwrap any other presents that may appear (as they're getting that unwrapping bug out of their system each night), and we don't have to read "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" twenty five times during December (nothing against Rudolph, of course). Plus, it's just a nice little reminder that time spent together is a gift all its own.
Whew. With all that going on pretty much every day during December, it's no wonder I'm tired. :) Do you have any daily routines you add each December? I'd love to hear about them (because, obviously, I don't have enough going on, LOL!).
Reader Comments (5)
I made the countdown books and my older son was very excited to start that yesterday. Last year we had the Lego calendar. I still need to dig out my Christmas books and my advent calendars. Hoping I can do that today. Looking forward to seeing some of the ornaments that you make. I don't think I could come up with 25 to make.
I got your book yesterday. I was one of the winners on the CK site. I haven't had a chance to look at every page yet but so far it rocks. Love the way it stands up. Such a different and fun way to put a book together.
LouAnn
Your boys are sure to have a blast this Christmas season. Jane started her coundown coloring thing today and was so excited. I have my own version of "Elf on the shelf"--really I was too cheap to buy the book and elf. I found an elf in my christmas boxes and just told Jane about it. :) I'm going to do the book thing next year, I wasn't organized enough this year.
I want the elf on the shelf too! My mom and I are thinking of going out to get one this week- too cute!
I have quite a few easy ornaments. I teach third grade. We do the beaded candy canes and wreaths. I also do a beaded tree, a foam snowman (head, hat, scarf), a foam tree with buttons, a popsicle stick tree with sequins, a felt mouse with candy cane tail, and a popsicle stick snowflake (using the "cut" popsicle sticks). If you want to email me, I could send you a picture of each one. I have whittled down my list to the easy to make and inexpensive to make ones since I have to provide all the materials out of my own pocket. My email is: aruhome@msn.com
Hey there! We do the Lego Advent calendar too. Have for several years, and the 3 girls have no problem taking turns. The one who opens makes. After that, they all share. Of course it helps that in a few days, after we get our tree, we'll be setting up the Christmas village and train made from legos! We do have a few paper advent calendars that we rotate through - they love opening the windows on that too. Though this year the girl who opens the Lego also opens the window. Much easier to keep straight!
We have an elf that visits from Santa too - no name, just an elf that moves through the house and some days isn't there at all Laugh. The one I grew up with still visits my parents house on occassion, and our elf is the one that used to visit my husband as he grew up. Love that. I wonder if he'll be around tomorrow?
Friday night (Dec 5th) we'll put shoes out for St. Nicholas to leave a small treat in. Of course, if you are bad you may find only a lump of coal, or perhaps a switch (stick) in with your treats as a warning. Usually he leaves an oragne and a bit of chocolate or nuts, but he's also been known to leave small ornaments and a candy cane.