Each year, we string baby socks on fairy lights for the entire month of December, through January 1 (to avoid the post-Christmas let down), and each night, I pop a little slip into the sock for the next day, with some kind of treat or activity to be enjoyed. (Last year's here.)
Despite their growth, the kiddos still engage with the countdown fully. They love it. But there were days we did activities that I couldn't use as the sock activity anymore (I did, once upon a time), because now they know (and need to know) certain things will be happening in advance (like my parents' holiday party, for example). And there are activities on my long list of possibilities that I think my kiddos may have outgrown now. But they look forward to this each year, and this year, I was occasionally surprised by what brought big excitement and what was met with less thrill.
2017 Countdown:
- It is time to begin enjoying Sparkle Stories’ audio Advent calendars! (We all still love these. I will be sad when they finally outgrow them.)
- Make paper snowflakes.
- Go to a winter concert and help Nonno and Grandma decorate.
- You deserve a treat! Ask mama for one. (They each had a candy cane.)
- Lunch out with Dada.
- Happy St Nicholas' Day. Winter craft with school! Pull out our holiday decorations.
- Think of others today. What can you say to or do for someone else that is especially kind?
- For the birds! See birds at at the shore and make bird feeders.
- Get a Christmas tree today!
- Choose a candy cane from the tree.
- Treasure hunt! (Their favorite. This one lead them to a mini Christmas tree and wreath to decorate and put in their bedroom and on their door.)
- Hanukkah begins. Light menorah.
- Make latkes and applesauce.
- Make a Christmas gift or card.
- Take walk to see the overwintering ladybugs. (Brown Mouse: "I want Daddy to come with us." Me: "Ask him!" Brown Mouse: "Daddy, can you miss work and come with us?" Daddy: pause and "Yes!" It made the day so special.)
- See the historic manger scene (after a Christmas party).
- Outing with Dada -walk to get local, seasonal kettle corn
- Treasure hunt! (This one lead them to a Trader Joe's "ugly sweater cookies" decorating kit.
- Practice singing or one of our instruments. Play a Christmas carol.
- Have a doughnut treat to end Hanukkah.
- Celebrate Solstice at a local regional park. (We didn't end up going. We had two very tired kids. I admit, I was disappointed to miss this.)
- Nutcracker!
- See the lights at the nearby Mormon temple.
- Today is a neighborhood day! Deliver cards or treats to neighbors, pick up garbage, add (a) book(s) to the Little Library.
- Christmas! (I tucked a poem I wrote into the sock.)
- Make a popcorn garland for the birds.
- Play with friends at the park.
- Write some thank you notes!
- Holiday baking (millet muffins and pumpkin 'doughnuts' at their request)
- Make walnut shell candles.
- Winter spiral walk. (This was eagerly anticipated, organized, and arranged by Little Brown Mouse.)
- (Jan 1) Treasure hunt! (A double - a treasure hunt for each of them. Lala Bug's lead to 2 books and Brown Mouse's lead to a robotic inventor kit.)
And for me, this year; I adore Simple Homeschool, in particular a few of their contributors, including the site owner/editor, Jamie Martin. I relate deeply to her posts. This year, she offered a free Advent countdown for introverted mamas. (Waving my hand over here.) I printed it out and to my delight, Lala Bug cut each slip, read and numbered them as she saw fit, and then had me buy a couple goodies mentioned for along the way. It was lovely for me all month and lovely for the kids to see me 'earning' a little self-care countdown.
Happy New Year!
No comments:
Post a Comment