{The Countdown is On}

happy december 1st!
anyone else amazed as i am how fast this year has flown?
they say time flies when you're having fun right?:)

i have always wanted some type of advent countdown calendar.
and now i have one!:)
it is rough and simple
but the girls (daddy too) are all excited and so am i.

 are you peeking at paint colors and Christmas decorations??? be patient..soon!!!:)

riley was first to pick this morning.
had to hang it kind of high to keep toddler hands away.

first thing in the morning sleepy look

i found the little bags at hobby lobby.

$2.99 for a pack of 12 (then i used a 40% coupon!).

i was just about to buy stick on numbers and a circle punch to decorate the front when riley found a sheet of scrapbook paper that already had all the numbers written on it...

for 49 cents.

score!!

it still needs a few finishing touches.

i need to cut my left over string now that i am sure of the height.

i would love something rectangular to go over top and a little "somethin somethin" to hide my quick release tabs. (don't you love those things!?) maybe target will have a small ornament that will fit just right over the top of each one.

next i am going to print some old Christmas photos to hang underneath like i did with the halloween pictures. they will love that.

there are tons of places to find great countdown activities out there in blog land.

here is our list. i haven't filled all the envelopes yet because i need to figure out what activities will work better for which nights. some are definitely better suited for the weekend.:)

family game night by the fire with hot chocolate

candlelit bubble bath for the girls

surprise a neighbor with an act of kindness

pick a family from the random acts of Christmas list (through our radio station)

wii or just dance party night

make and hang ornaments for the birds and squirrels at the park

go out for ice cream

make a Christmas craft (2)

choose an angel from the angel tree

at home spa pedicures

Christmas portraits, visit santa and dinner at the mall

gingerbread houses

make a holiday dessert

make fancy snowflakes to decorate the windows

breakfast for dinner in our pj's

make blessed to bless bags

Christmas movie with popcorn

root beer floats

make Christmas cards for family and friends

bake cookies and share with friends

make a Christmas ornament

drive around to see Christmas lights with hot chocolate

game night by the fire with apple cider

i also put a bible verse on the back of each card for the girls to look up and read at dinner.



i tried to keep a balance on our list between plain ol' fun things and things that focus on others and giving. funny...when i told the girls about this idea janey said, "whatever each night has can it be "blank" with hot chocolate??!!:) "

we are also remembering to keep the real meaning of Christmas in our holiday by reading our devotions each night and lighting our advent wreath. dave also found this neat calendar. we hung it on the kitchen cabinet and have been reading it every morning and night. i love it and so do the girls.

so, do you have a countdown calendar?

how are you keeping meaning in your holiday?

i would love to hear your ideas:)

{thankful for}

1. a simple, inexpensive project...completed

2. family time

3. kindness from strangers

4. uplifitng friends

5. Christmas candles

have a happy day,

cindy