This and That

Well so far this year, our advent activities are not going as planned. There is always one or two activities that get changed out due to unexpected things coming our way. Well so far this year we have had 5 things that have either been switched or ditched. Some have even been a huge flop. I would throw my hands up in the air ans say forget it all but that it isn't about all the activities. It's about family time and soaking in the true meaning of Christmas. So we are continuing on and I am quite certain this year will hold the most memories.

So a recap on Advent Days 1- 5:

Day 1: Treat after church. This was about the only one that has worked out for me so far. We stopped by Wendy's and got everyone some chicken nuggets to eat in the van on the way home from church. They really really liked this because we rarely eat out.

Day 2: We were supposed to make gingerbread houses but I just had too much on my plate to get them put together early enough. We switched this one for a new activity.... meeting our newest family member Jett. The kids were THRILLED to meet their new cousin and of course and I are in love with our new nephew. Baby A loved him some much that when we asked her is she was ready to let Rascal hold him she quickly answered "I want him!!" then later when Tim was tucking her in bed, she told him "Daddy I want one of those babies at our house!"  HA ain't happening sweetie. We quickly told her that she had baby dolls and they were much better than babies. She has let it go for now and hopefully forever!

Day 3: We pushed making gingerbread houses back to this day. We were originally supposed to read Christmas books so we just had two activities that night. Baby A and I checked out some new Christmas books at the library and while we were there I checked out 2 Christmas movies for Thursday's advent activity. Well Baby A wasn't understanding why we had to wait to watch her movies she picked out (Santa Buddies) so we went ahead and watched it before nap and lunch. Then the boys were so excited to watch the Grinch that I got for them so after decorating the gingerbread houses they watched their movie. Then we read a few books before bedtime. So that makes 3 total activities that we did on just one night.

I saw on pintrest that you can make gingerbread houses out of graham crackers. We went with that idea since Rascal and his allergy makes it very hard to find an actual gingerbread kit he can eat. Well pintrest makes it look very easy and it is VERY hard. I planned on making them during nap time so they were ready to decorate after dinner. My poor houses were falling apart constantly and the roof..... well you can forget about a perfectly pitched roof. Here is what the poor houses looked like when I got done constructing them:

I broke the news to the kids when I picked them up from school......their gingerbread houses looked pitiful, laughable and they may not like them at all. 

Bless their sweet little hearts, Rascal and Scooter said at the same time "That doesn't matter mom, it will still be fun!" Oh how I love my kids! 

We walk in from school and Scooter sees the gingerbread houses on the counter and says "Mom! Those don't look bad! You did great!" Oh again I just love my kids! Then he added that they look like the houses they built on minecraft. If only I knew this in advance I would have totally ran with it and said that was what I was going for. HA! 

That night after dinner they got to decorate them and they had so much fun. 

Day 3: Listen to music on the way home from church. 

We left church really late since we helped decorate the sanctuary for Christmas. We did listen to music in the van home but the kids were half asleep.  

Day 4: Christmas movie 

We returned the Christmas movies we checked out at the library this day. There was a predicted ice storm coming our way the next day and I didn't want to get out in it to return two dvds. The boys had a birthday party to go to and were going to see a movie at the theater. So it was just Tim, Baby A and I at home. We watched a few different DVD but Baby A was much more interested in pestering Lucy. 

Day 5: Open one gift. 

I have yet to buy the first Christmas gift but I did pick up a fun little Advent gift for them to open tonight. The ice storm is supposed to hit today (although I have my doubts about it doing anything) and the kids school is cancelled. In the south schools close at the mention of the word winter weather. It's laughable! Tonight was supposed to be our church's ladies Christmas Tea. It has been rescheduled due to the weather. No big deal, only the night it is rescheduled for is the night we are supposed to go to Zoo lights. We may just cancel that activity too. Bummer! 

Day 6: This day has actually not come yet  however with the winter weather coming through, it will mean our Christmas tree farm trip will be cancelled this trip. That kind of makes me sad! We had so much fun last year and this year is just too busy already and we have no other time to reschedule it. BOO. Good thing I have one big tree and two little trees already up in our house. We are not lacking at all. 

So as you can see advent activities have been a little messed up this year but that doesn't mean we are giving up. After all this time last year Tim was still gone traveling for work nearly 3 weeks a month. This year we have him home all the time with a possibility of a very nice Christmas break too. God is so good!!