Seven Days Until Christmas!

Every year the kids get these homemade Christmas Advent calendars. Every year I am tempted to buy the commercialized ones that they sell in the store. But we loyally buy these. This year MeeMa picked this one up at work. They are usually made by church groups or retired ladies. They wrap up little handmade presents and the kids get to pull one off a day from December 1st to Christmas morning. It is great! The little items are inexpensive. Normally handmade ornaments, stickers, coloring pages, etc. To you and me it would seem so silly and cheap. But to them it is something worth getting out of bed, getting dressed and rushing downstairs.

No need to ask how many more days until Christmas now! Nicolas counted today and proclaimed in excitement... "Only seven more days until Christmas!" (augh, don't remind me how much I have to get done!)



At one point their boards were hanging from their chairs. Last year they were on their doors but they made too much noise when you tried to sneak in and out in the middle of the night. Somehow this year they made it off their chairs and now float around the house wherever they want to sit and open them each morning. Nicolas keeps his by the front window where he rushes each morning before he even lets me know he is up. Lexi's is the kitchen so that Nicolas and I can remind her to do it since she doesn't stand in one place for long.

Who knew how much joy a simple ornament made from a Christmas card and a piece of yarn would bring?