it's beginning

Are you in the mood for a little snowy Christmas photo haze?
I thought so.

 OK, enough of that.

Remember these advent bags I made last year? This year, I decided to string them inside a big frame. I just stapled some twine to the backside and used clothespins to hang them. After I filled several bags with goodies, I left to answer the phone. When I returned, Hank had opened every bag and was hoarding the loot. So now, I have to just fill one bag the day of its opening instead. He is still taking off the clothespins to see what's inside though.
For now, the frame leans against a wall, but I've got to hang it soon, out of his reach. So far, the days' treats have been: 1) 6 green jelly shooting frogs 2) marshmallows (for hot chocolate) 3) peppermint chocolate snowflake pretzels 4) Ice Cubes gum.

I bought this fiddle leaf fig tree at Ikea last week, for $13. (Yay, pinterest!) I love it but I don't have a pot or a permanent place for it yet. It adds some nice festive green to my entryway for now. And that Christmas print is free, here.

Last year after Christmas, I punched holes in all of the Christmas cards and put them on big rings. I thought it would be fun to have this little book out and peruse it often throughout the year. In actuality, it sat untouched on the bookshelf until Thanksgiving, when I decided to put it in a more noticable place: the entry table. Now the kids enjoy looking for cousins and friends whenever we are waiting to leave for school, etc.

 I love love love Christmas cards.

 More Christmas haze. You were just hoping I'd bring that back, I know.

How are your Christmas plans coming along?

advent actuality

Advent calendars are the best, aren't they? A few years ago, I found little numbered bags on etsy, but they were a little pricey. I blogged about them here. So this year I was quite happy to discover Lindsay's free number download. (I bought the plain 4 x 6 bags on Amazon.) Yesterday (2 days late), I finished ironing the numbers onto the bags and filled them with goodies. No small task.

Today (3 days late), I showed the kids all of my hard work. Were they impressed? Yes! They were excited, because today, due to their mother's procrastination, they got to open 3 bags. Forget how cute the bags are. Forget how much time and love went into each iron-on number. 3 BAGS, for heaven's sake!

The only place the two year olds can't easily get the bags is on the chandelier, so that's where they hang. I am considering other options, because, who am I kidding? 2 year olds need only to climb on the table and the bags are goners. They haven't made this realization yet.

These mini ornament people were day 1. The kids love them. They're from Target, fyi.

Suckers for day 2 and mini donuts for day 3. Next year I may just forgo the treats and do all ornaments or nativity pieces.  Then, it's done for years to come.

p.s. we got our tree at Costco again.

advent

I don't remember where I saw these advent bags originally (I'll figure it out), but I do know you can buy them here on etsy. I love the idea of the kids opening a little bag each day of December. And the trick would be to fill them with non-candy items, as 50% of our children have accepted the challenge to not eat candy for 1 year, and that year is winding down. The reward? 100 smackers. {Just to clarify: they DO get to choose 3 days during the year to have candy. Our kids chose Valentines Day, Easter and Halloween (or the day after). Also, they CAN have cookies, cake, ice cream, etc. Just not candy. Mark did it for 3 years as a kid. I don't think I could make it. The stakes would have to be higher. And even then, not so sure. I'm really proud of them for wanting to do this.}

A special note? A coupon to do something with just mom? What would you put in them?