advent calendar

we have started our little advent calendar. each day the kids get to open a door and a book (they alternate days). i took all of their christmas books and wrapped them to make them more fun. so our little morning tradition is to do this after breakfast. they open a book and open a door and find out what we get to do that day. there is a piece of paper and a piece of candy for each of them in each little cubby (they get the candy after nap). about halfway through the month it changes from candy to a little toy. i got this package of squinkies or something- barbie and superhero.

here is our first week of activities:
1. decorate christmas cones
2. put money in the salvation army bucket at the grocery store
3. go see arthur christmas at the movie theater
4. go to the church christmas service at the paramount
5. make a felt christmas tree
6. make christmas wreaths and watch the elf on the shelf movie together
7. write letters to santa

ice cream cone trees-





here with us at the paramount-


the tree is far from perfect but i had two little helpers-




making christmas wreaths-


letter to santa-

other christmas things we have been doing...

wrapping presents-


this year i decided to put pictures instead of name tags on all the gifts so that the kids can hand them out. make it a little more about giving maybe?

make cookies with mimi-