Christmas Countdown

Last Christmas we started using an advent calendar to countdown to Christmas. Not wanting to do the usual, open-the-door-there's-the-number calendar, we opted to make our own. Each pull out box contains a slip of paper telling us something different that we must do each day, which I make out in advance. Makes the countdown so much more fun. Sometimes, it's something as simple as hot cocoa and stories by the tree or walking the neighborhood to see the lights. Our calendar has also had surprises and parties to attend. We've helped decorate a group home this year and given away toys. We've also made cookies and watched a Christmas movie. One special thing I included this year was a snowball fight. A little hard to do when there's no snow, but I wanted my boys to experience getting bundled up and the excitement of it all. Wouldn't you know it, the day we pulled that slip of paper it was beautifully overcast with a chance of showers. Perfect! We read Snow Day by Barbara M. Joose, a cute little story about playing in the snow, and then talked about what we would need to wear to keep warm. Then it was snow time. Our snow balls were Dad's socks, and our fort an old box, but it did start sprinkling while we were playing making it almost like the real thing. Almost. Thank you Lord for our fun "snow day".


Kellen mostly hung out in the "snow" fort. He got hit on accident a couple of times, but loved every minute of it.

To say Caleb loved this idea is an understatement. He so enjoyed getting Mommy. No complaints here. I got him a time or two myself. All the fun with no mess.

Judah never threw a single "snowball". He just collected them and got hit a lot. He sure makes me laugh.