day 6 - family friday

Spent the evening waiting

for this:

TheBoy looked right at TheHusband and said, "I'm so glad you're home."

day 5 - (not so) thirsty thursday

We spent some really nice time with friends tonight. The boys played so nicely together and enjoyed candy canes. My friend and I sipped coffee and chatted.

It was so lovely that we forgot to make hot chocolate for the kids. Which was fine right up until it was time to leave and TheBoy remembered we talked about having hot chocolate. Whoops. It was pretty much all down hill from there. But whatever. You can't win them all. And I'm pretty sure 3-year-old Jesus had hard days too. 

day 4 - random act wednesday

Usually we do our Advent activity after dinner, but this afternoon we stopped at Barnes & Noble on our way home for their book drive to benefit Cradles to Crayons.

They had displays of books to purchase, so TheBoy was able to make his own choice about which book to choose to give to someone who needed it. 

We also had to purchase a gift for a friend's birthday tomorrow. It was tough to buy something for other people and not get something for himself, but he did a great job.

Bonus: Activity done early means decent bedtime - for both of us. Much needed. 

day 3 - buggy ride

Well, it was advertised as a hay ride, but there was no hay, which kind of put a crimp in the "touch" portion of "Touch It Tuesday." But we did come up with: the benches were cold, the blankets were warm, and the horses were stinky.

This is an activity that we did last year, but it was simple, fun, and free. If you are local, Derby Street Shoppes in Hingham is hosting these rides the next two Tuesday evenings from 6-8. You could make an evening of it and get dinner or hot chocolate at one of the restaurants. We decided to go at the last minute, while I was cooking dinner, because it wasn't too cold tonight.

TheInLaws were there and met up with us for the ride before they finished some shopping and we headed home for bedtime.

the calendar

Three days in, and I've finally finished the actual Advent calendar:

Similar to last year, each day of the week will have a theme:

• Make It Monday - making a simple craft or gift
• Touch It Tuesday - a sensory activity
• Random Act Wednesday - random acts of kindness or gift giving
• Thirsty Thursday - sharing a toasty drink with friends
• Family Friday - low key nights waiting for TheHusband to get home for the weekend
• Saturday Excursions - venturing out
• Simple Sundays - more low key family time and Nativity activities

Because the weeks are especially busy now with TheHusband away, my full-time work, and TheBoy in childcare everyday, I haven't scheduled specific activities for too many days. Instead, I have a list of activities for each theme that we can choose from based on time, mood, weather, life...

I asked TheBoy to take down the 3 tonight, and he responded with, "Simple enough!" So I guess he likes it.

Thanks for joining in on the fun!

day 2 - happy hanukkah!

Tonight we celebrated by making a paper menorah. And practicing cutting and gluing. And reading Curious George - of course. He is definitely a favorite.

Best part: he kept saying, "Happy Lighting Candles!" rather than "Happy Hanukkah!" Close enough. 

day 1 - the tree

We picked out a little tree for TheBoy's room. Since we are living with TheHusband's parents, we use this little tree just for us.

Got to decorate the tree after dinner, while listening to Christmas music, and trying to capture a shot for our holiday card. It was a lovely way to spend TheHusband's last night at home - he leaves in the morning for training for his new job and will be gone Monday-Friday for the next few months.