Christmas Preparations

I have so enjoyed decorating for Christmas this year. It helps that I have more time since I'm not working and that our kids are so excited to see the smallest strand of Christmas lights. So fun! It's taken us a good 4 days to decorate and prepare the Christmas tree, and it is leaning (though not completely fallen thanks to the fishing line), but we love it, and I love having that fresh Christmas smell in the house.

We are reading all sorts of versions of the birth of Jesus and really trying to put more emphasis on Him instead of Santa. You certainly can't hide from Santa, and we don't necessarily want to, but we're hoping to instill a focus on the real meaning from an early age. Without Jesus there would be no Christmas, right?! It's a tough thing because the magic of Christmas is so special and one that I love, so we are definitely trying to still figure out how we want to do this. Right now, they are young enough for us to easily change the topic and focus on something else that's just as fun (i.e. cookies and these singing bears that the kids love - thanks, Charlene and Mark!). 

And we're doing some fun advent activities. I think last year, I managed to post a picture with each thing. I can tell you that it won't be like that this year. But here's a list of what we're up to and some pictures so far. We're trying to stretch ourselves and give a little more this year, and so far the kids are embracing it (though Frazier was quite confused about why I let him pick out a stuffed animal at Target only to have to drop it off at church a few minutes later. Maybe next year he'll get it!).

• Pick out our family Christmas tree 
• Decorate our family Christmas tree 
• Decorate Mary-Michael’s pink tree 
• Make an ornament to give to a friend 
• Purchase a gift for a child in need for church 
• Unwrap a Christmas book to read (old or new)
• Have a family Christmas movie night 
• Make a list of gifts we already have (put long list on a door to add to for the whole month)
• Bake cookies for a friend or family member 
• Pick out stuffed animals for the homeless mission trip
• Pick out something from the World Vision catalog (when you give to the least of these, you give to Me (Jesus))
• Make a birthday cake for Jesus
• Make a Christmas card for Mrs. Bowen (teacher)
• Go look at Christmas lights 
• Read the story about the birth of Jesus 
• Go to Christmas Eve service at church
• Purchase food for the Pilgrim’s Pantry at church 
• Build a manger with Daddy at church
• Make a Christmas card for Daddy
• Help momma make dinner and Christmas treats
• Invite a friend over for hot cocoa and treats 
• Deliver eggs to a neighbor (2 times)
• Deliver meat/firewood to a neighbor in need (on Christmas Day)