4 Miles

A week ago, I was really struggling to get into the Christmas "spirit".  There were a varity of reasons that I won't bore you with, but here are a few things I've been doing to help combat that that I thought I'd share with you.

Along with the favorite CDs (some of which I can't find!) we've been listening to music on Finetunes (which is why I'm not as upset about the missing CDs).  I've made a "Christmas Playlist" (you can click here to listen to it) and it's been a fun way to find new music. (Speaking of which, I now SO want the Sarah McLachlan CD called Wintersong…you can only put 3 songs/artist on your play list and I had such a hard time picking hers! I keep changing them!)

I've created our own "Advent Activity" Calendar for the boys and I.  Some of the ones I've seen online are really impressive (Look here or here or here). I went for the old fashioned count-down chain (and then I don't have to feel bad for starting it this late in the month and not on the first…tho one person mentioned doing the 12 Days of Christmas).  I made strips of paper with activies to do on it (some as easy as "Eat a Christmas Cookie while reading a Christmas story" or "Have a cup of hot chocolate with a candy cane in it"…some are really impressive like "Make Cinnamon Spice Ornaments" or "Help decorate the tree" and some are just boring but necessary to fill in the gaps "Help mommy mail Christmas Cards" or "Drive to St. Louis!" Then I have a few back up ones if the weather premits, like "Take a walk and gather pine cones" and "Make pine cone bird feeders for the birds". Or, I may save those ideas for once Christmas is done and we still have another week of no preschool!)  We'll see how it goes.  Will is wanting to know when Christmas is, and I think it'll help him to see the chain. Of course, I've been planning this for three days and am only now priting out the paper!

I've found trying to focus on doing things with the boys and getting them focused on the real meaning behind Christmas has really helped me.  Of course, the cynic in me points out that the snow & Christmas tree have helped!

Last night we were at the store. A gentleman in line was chatting with the boys and being silly. He asked Will if we got him off the shelf.  Then he said, "Are you free?"

Will said, "No, I'm four!"

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This morning Alex got to see the tree decorated. He said "Cis-mas tee!" and "tar!" as he noticed all the stars on the tree. Will pointed out the star on top and said "That's the star of Jesus!" A moment later he added, "Those are the ribbons of Jesus!"